Machame Route, Kilimanjaro
The beautiful Machame Route is highly rated as the most scenic route of all those up Kilimanjaro, with diverse vegetation and wide views as well as a number of possible route choices beyond the Lava Tower Camp at 4630m.
A possible Machame Route Itinerary
DAY 1 - KILIMANJARO - MACHAME
After breakfast you depart by vehicle to Kilimanjaro. At the gate your crew finalise packing and after finishing with formalities you start of from Machame gate. Today's hiking is through verdant afromontane forest to Machame camp and on route you have a picnic lunch. Look out for pretty endemic flora and a graduation of forest zones! Overnight Machame Camp DAY 2 - KILIMANJARO - SHIRA From Machame camp you hike to Shira Camp. The first section is relatively steep and altitude is gained rapidly. A picnic lunch is taken on trail today. The zone you pass through today is known as the heath zone where attractive helichrysum and lobelia plants become apparent. Various geologic features can be seen today from lava tubes to glacial valleys. Overnight Shira Camp DAY 3 - KILIMANJARO – BARRANCO Today is a walk high sleep low day. You ascend into alpine desert and for those that are feeling strong you can even head up to Lava Tower before descending to Barranco camp. Lunch is taken as a picnic lunch on route. This is long day but note that the next time you head to this altitude is in two days time - great acclimatisation day! Overnight Barranco Camp DAY 4 - KILIMANJARO – KARANGA From Barranco camp, famous for its' giant groundsels (Dendrosenecio species), you ascend the Barranco wall and hike glacial valleys to Karanga camp. Today is a relatively short day hiking and lunch is taken at Karanga camp. In the afternoon a walk can be taken with your guides for great views of the southern walls of Kibo and deep glacial valleys. Overnight Karanga Camp DAY 5 - KILIMANJARO- BARAFU Today is another half day ascending to Barafu camp. Once again lunch is taken in camp allowing plenty of time to relax before the summit bid. Desolate alpine desert and at times strong winds rip over this camp and yet in the evening splendid views of Mawenzi peak are the norm. A relatively early dinner is taken before heading to rest for the evening. Overnight Barafu Camp DAY 6 - KILIMANJARO - SUMMIT / MWEKA Most people depart just before midnight for the final summit bid. Patience and persistence is the name of game to reach the summit and by dawn as the first rays of light start to appear, most arrive near the rim. Ascending via Stella Point affords a relatively short final section to Uhuru peak, the Roof of Africa! What goes up must come down and your goal today is to reach Mweka camp before dusk. Overnight Mweka Camp DAY 7 - ARUSHA After breakfast you descend once again through montane forest and around mid day after saying farewell to your crew, you are picked up and transfer back to your lodge for a well deserved shower! |
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