MACHAME 7 DAY CLIMB
This tour is a full climb of Mt.Kilimanjaro in 7 days with summit days to increase the success rate. The trek up Machame can be done in fewer days however we prescribe and advise strongly for more days on the mountain especially for beginners to give one a high success rate and a steady and slow climb. There are various distinct vegetation zones covered on this climb, there are numerically 5 in number, we urge you to be on the lookout for them the guides will direct you along the path as our porters be an essential support system for you, the cooks are there to ensure you are well fed to have the energy to trek and keep you hydrated. It's all in the teamwork!
HIGHLIGHTS
• Cover 5 distinct vegetation zones and camp in well-put-up camps.
• Highest success rate on this route at about 95%
• There is so much beauty and this route is requires medium to moderate pace
• Experience dining in tents, toilet tents, cooks that will prepare sumptuous African and special dietary meals.
Day 1:Moshi-Machame gate
Pick up from your hotel in Moshi head towards Machame gate. Register as well as have your bags weighed for the 15kg limit at the gate, you will also get to meet the trekking team guides, porters who are from the local Chagga tribe of Tanzania. The trek to Machame Camp starts from a rain forest proceeding into lush vegetation, the walk-up is slow and steady, stop for a picnic lunch en-route. Machame camp the destination point for our first day is just above the forest, the trek to this camp will take 7 hours. Relax and put up camp at Machame dinner and overnight stay at Machame camp.
Day 2:Machame Camp-Shira Camp
Depart from Machame camp through a small valley and begin an uphill journey which will take us through a thinning forest. The ascent this day is a tough experience that can be utilized as a day of acclimatization. From the thinning forest, we proceed to the next vegetation type the moorland zone. The moorland zone is dominated by shrub-like trees and the giant groundsel, lobelia, and senecios. After the moorland zone, a slow and steady trek and later reach the plateau, which is a short distance from our second camp, Shira camp. Dinner and overnight at Shira camp.
Day 3:Shira Camp-Barranco camp
This day will be one of the most scenic days on the mountain, get an opportunity to cross a ridge and view of plains. The path ahead is in the shadow of the mighty Kibo the icefield can be seen right above where we will be trekking. Lunch en-route at Lava Tower. Later descend into the scenic valley and reach the Barranco camp in the late hours of the afternoon. Dinner and overnight stay at Barranco Camp.
Day 4:Barranco Camp-Karanga Valley
This day will be spent on acclimatization as we move from Barranco camp to Karanga valley. The journey starts with a climb up the Barranco wall at the top of the wall enjoy great views, some time can be taken to take photos and enjoy the beautiful views from the top of the wall. Later head to the destination camp of the day Karanga Camp.Dinner and overnight at Karanga Camp.
Day 5:Karanga Valley-Barafu Camp
The journey today will be to head upwards to the open rock where the temperatures are colder. The destination camp is Barafu which means ice in Swahili, the camping at Barafu camp is the midst of rocks. The climb to Barafu camp is a steady trek. Dinner and overnight at Barafu camp.
Day 6:Summit Day
Start the day an hour to midnight, enjoy a light meal then embark on your summit hike. The journey ahead will take us 6 hours on a path that is steep. The first point along our path to the summit will be the Stella Point which is at Kilimanjaro's crater rim. The summit is a short distance from Stellar point. Reach the summit point Uhuru peak just in time for sunrise, the rising sun gives breathtaking views and there is the thrilling feeling of being at the top of the world. Enjoy a photo session before descending to barafu camp for an early lunch later followed by a further descent to Millenium Camp.
Day 7:Millenium-Mweka Gate
Breakfast then descend to Mweka gate the point that you will sign out and pick your successful summit certificate. Your transportation back to the hotel will be waiting for you arrive in the early hours of the afternoon.