Climb Kilimanjaro - Machame Route

Mt. Kilimanjaro
Ngorongora Crater
Tarangire National Park
Serengeti
Lake Manyara National Park

Overview

Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro is the highlight of most visitors’ experiences in Tanzania. Hiking on the ‘rooftop of Africa’ — the highest point on the continent at 5896 metres — is the adventure of a lifetime, especially because, if paced well, everyone from seasoned trekkers to first-time enthusiasts can scale the snowy peak. Kilimanjaro is located near the town of Moshi and is a protected area, carefully regulated for climbers to enjoy without leaving a trace of their presence. On the lowland slopes, much of the mountain is farmland, with coffee, banana, cassava, and maize crops grown for subsistence and cash sale. A few larger coffee farms still exist on the lower slopes, but much of the area outside the national park has been subdivided into small plots. Once inside the park, thick lowland forest covers the lower altitudes and breaks into alpine meadows once the air begins to thin. Near the peak, the landscape is harsh and barren, with rocks and ice the predominant features above a breath taking African view.

Itinerary

Day 01 Kilimanjaro

Note that current flights arrive late in the evening so 1 additional night at the hotel is suggested on arrival.

Transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport to Moshi. (+/- 45 minutes drive by taxi)
Evening briefing and equipment check.

Overnight at Springlands Hotel on bed & breakfast basis

Mount Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest mountain at 5895 metres. The second highest is Mount Kenya at 5195 metres. Kilimanjaro used to be within the boundaries of Kenya. Legend has it that Queen Victoria gave the mountain to Kaiser Wilhelm in 1848 because he commented that it was unfair that Kenya had the two highest peaks. Since 1889, several attempts have been made to determine the exact height of the mountain. The Kilimanjaro 2008 Precise Height Measurement Expedition used GPS and gravimeter methods to output the value of 5,891.8 metres (19,330 ft). Due to Kilimanjaro's equatorial location and high elevation, almost every climate type on earth is represented, including a year-round snow-topped summit.
Shared climb is not guaranteed to have other participants included in the programme. Both shared and private basis climb programmes use shared campsites on the mountain and it is likely that there will be other climbers on the same itinerary throughout the climb. All transfers are on a shared basis.
However, on private basis climb, you have your own mountain guide looking after you and your group alone.
Sole climbers must book on private basis climb and pay the sole participation supplement as well as the single room supplement.

Day 02 Kilimanjaro

Drive to the mountain. Trek through banana and coffee farms, before crossing the beautiful rainforest and heathland. The second night is spent at camp at an altitude of 3000m. The day’s hike takes approximately 4 to 5 hours.
Overnight at Machame Camp on full board basis

Day 03 Kilimanjaro

Steep morning climb, with some of the most magnificent views of Kilimanjaro and Kibo Peak. The third night is spent at camp at an altitude of 3720m. The day’s hike takes approximately 4-6 hours walking.
Overnight at Shira Camp on full board basis

Day 04 Kilimanjaro

Trek across the lava ridges of the glaciers. The fourth night is spent at camp at an altitude of 3900m. The day’s hike takes approximately 5-7 hours walking.
Overnight at Barranco Camp on full board basis

Day 05 Kilimajaro

Steep morning climb on the south eastern flank of Kibo. The fifth night is spent at camp at an altitude of 4600m. The day’s hike takes approximately 6-8 hours walking.
Overnight at Barafu Camp on full board basis

Day 08 Kilimanjaro

Morning transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward arrangements.

Return flights on Precision Air & Kenia Airways is early morning due to the tour ending the night before you should be able to have an early transfer and make this flight.

Day 06 Kilimanjaro

Depart during the early hours for Stella Point, before the final trek to Gilman’s Point and Uhuru Peak at an altitude of Summit 5,895m. After your celebration of a successful trek to the summit, you descend to Mweka Forest Camp where you will spend the night. The day’s hike takes approximately 11-15 hours walking.
Overnight at Mweka Forest Camp on full board basis

Day 07 Kilimanjaro

Easy-paced trek down to the gate. Takes approximately 4-6 hours walking. Transfer and over night.
Overnight at Springlands Hotel on bed & breakfast basis

Dates

It is possible to climb Kilimanjaro year round.
January, February, and September are considered to be the best months in terms of weather, and correspondingly are the busiest months.
From January through mid-March are the warmest months, with clear skies in the mornings and evenings. During the day, clouds may appear along with brief showers.
From the end of March to early June is the long rainy season. Visibility may be low due to heavy clouds, but the crowds are gone.
June, July, and August are good months, but it is colder.
Following by September and October, slightly warmer. The short rainy season lasts from November through the beginning of December, where afternoon rains are common, but skies are clear in mornings and evenings.
Therefore, the best time to climb Kilimanjaro tends to be the warmest and driest months. The primary issue is safety, as the risks associated with climbing increase significantly when the weather is foul. The effects of rain, mud, snow, ice and cold can be very strenuous on the body.

Rates

Rates available on request.

Included

Meet and greet services
Transfers as specified
Use of tents on the mountain
Meals on the mountain prepared by climb crew*
Services of an experienced English speaking mountain guide
Porters to carry backpack/rucksack and camping equipment
Accommodations and meals as indicated on the itinerary only
Park fees, camping fees, mountain rescue fees**
Government taxes

Excluded

International & Regional Flights and airport taxes
Visas if applicable
Travel/Medical/Baggage insurance
Tips for porters and mountain guide ( Estimate a minimum of USD 240 for this)
Climbing gear such as goggles, walking stick, flashlight/torch, bed roll, etc. (though these are available to rent on request we can forward the rental list)
Drinks/laundry (unless specified)
Porterage
Any other items of a personal nature, telephone bills
Extra accommodation and or transfer requests, pre or post the climbing tour

Additional remarks

We may have to re-route the itinerary or accommodate in similar lodges in case of non-availability.
Prices for domestic flights, airport taxes or park fees and permits may be changed without prior notice. This is beyond our control and any increase levied will be passed to you.
This programme is not suitable for children younger than 12 years. There is no discount for children.

Passenger Information

Passengers should bring only soft sided bags on safaris.
Baggage on internal flights is strictly limited to 15kgs per person (including hand luggage). Any excess baggage will be charged by the airline at check-in.
Passengers arriving to Tanzania may be asked to present a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate. Malaria Risk area
*Meals on the mountain are prepared for high carbohydrate intake to facilitate climbing. They are not hotel standard meals and will lack variety. Special diets can be catered to with advance notice.
**Rescue fee covers evacuation from the mountain to the park gate only. It does not cover any medical treatment at all, nor transportation to the local hospital. We recommend that travellers purchase travel insurance with medical and evacuation cover.
Climb preparation documentation, suggested packing lists and equipment rental lists are available on request.

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