Mt. Kilimanjaro - Machame route, 8 days

The group arrives at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). Our representative will meet you and transfer to the Aishi Machame Hotel.

Our manager will visit you in the evening, bringing a printed, signed and sealed agreement. He will give you a brief trekking orientation and check your equipment.

Important info:

The hotel price includes breakfast only.

Hotel check-in starts at 2 PM.

Our guides and climbing crew will come to the hotel. You will have the transfer to the entrance of Kilimanjaro National Park – Machame Gate (1640 m). After the guides arrange park permits and register the crew with the emergency service, the group will start trekking to Machame Camp (2980 m).

The first leg of the route lies through the tropical forest. The chances of a torrential rain are high, so we recommend taking not only a change of clothes, but also raincoats (or waterproof ponchos).

It will be your first day on such elevation. We highly recommend you following these simple instructions:

• Reduce caffeine consumption;

• Drink 4 liters (or more) of water (you should better drink in small portions, but frequently);

• Once you find the symptoms of the high altitude sickness, intake of Diamox is advisable. Moreover, you can take the pill as a preventive measure at the beginning of the trekking. Please, consult your physician on the possible individual allergic reactions.

Acclimatization is more difficult at night because of respiratory activity decrease multiplied by high altitude. Once you discover any symptoms of high-altitude sickness, ask the guides for help.

After breakfast, you will start trekking to the second high-altitude Shira Camp (3820 m.) Once you leave the tropical forest, amazing views on Shira Plateau will open for you. This trekking is not physically demanding, but you start feeling changes in altitude. Be attentive to your condition and remember that keeping a proper pace is among the critical factors of successful climbing.

After you arrive at the camp, the team will serve a lunch and then make an acclimatization hike up to 300 m towards Lava Tower and go back to the camp.

Important note:

Acclimatization hike is an easy trekking up to some minor altitudes. Please, kindly note, that these acclimatization hikes are very important in order to reach Uhuru Peak successfully and will help you to prevent AMS (acute mountain sickness).

After the breakfast, the group leaves Shira Camp (3820 m) and heads for another key point of our route – Lava Tower (4630 m). Many ups and lows lie ahead. Experiencing some discomfort is common among the amateur climbers at this stage of the ascent. In order to make acclimatization process smoother, spending 1-2 hours there is advisable. The cooks will offer a warm lunch to make your stamina stronger.

Your Lava Tower adventures are followed by descent to Barranco Camp (3970 m), which amazes with its magnificence and steepness. Conquering it may seem to be daunting, but in reality it is a simple challenge – a nice walking path traverses it.

Important Note:

If high altitude sickness or other health disorder cowardly attacks one or some of the team, you can bypass Lava Tower by taking the porters’ route. In this scenario, the group does not have to reach 4630 meters, the maximum altitude here on the porters’ route is 4400 meters only.

Day 5. From Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp

Early wake up, breakfast and you start conquering the Barranco Wall. We recommend you to start as early as possible to outstrip other groups. Ascending the wall of the gorge is not a complexity at all. It takes only about one hour. After this accomplishment, you will have an opportunity to rest and take some photos, having Kibo volcano as a spectacular background.

Then a relatively complex trekking awaits you. The rest of the way to Karanga is full of highs and lows, but no worries, our guide will choose the most optimal trekking speed for you.

A stop for a lunch will be made in Karanga Camp, and then you will head for Barafu summit-camp (4673 m). Do not hurry; spare your strength, because this night you will be conquering Uhuru. The cook will prepare a supper by the time of your arrival. We recommend spending your free time resting.

At night, the team leaves the Barafu Camp (4673 m) and starts conquering Uhuru Peak (5895 m). Technically, this leg of your journey is not difficult, but high altitude is really a challenge. A guide will accompany each couple of the climbers. He will monitor your stamina and fortitude. Once Uhuru is successfully conquered, the group may descend to the glacier.

Then, the group will go down to Barafu Camp. After a two hours rest, you will continue descending to Millennium Camp (3750 m).

Important note:

Do not forget that the 90% of all accidents (broken hands, legs, fractures and strains) befall on the way down. Legs and feet are the most vulnerable areas (especially toenails).

The camp is located amidst the dense tropical forest. Waking up in the morning, satisfied with your accomplishment, you will feel great relief because of lowering altitude. Our cooks will offer you a warm breakfast, and you will start going down to the exit from the National Park – Mweka Gate (1640 m). Then, the team will salute and congratulate you. You will have an opportunity to leave your memories in the Mountain Kilimanjaro guestbook.

We will present you Kilimanjaro Climbing certificates in our office, and then transfer you to Aishi Machame Hotel.

Rest at Aishi Machame Hotel. Transfer to the Kilimanjaro International Airport.

Important note:

Hotel check-out is at 11:00. In the event of necessity (e.g. your flight is scheduled for evening time) you can prolong your stay for extra payment (charged by the hotel).