Kilimanjaro climb 7 days /6 nights on Mountain via Machame Route
BRIEF ITINERARY:
- Arumeru River Lodge
- Machame Camp
- Shira Camp
- Barranco Camp
- Karanga Camp
- Barafu Camp
- Final ascent to Uhuru Peak then descend to Mweka Camp
- Arumeru River Lodge
- Depart
DETAILED DESCRIPTION:
Day 1– Arrive Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) Tanzania.
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be met outside customs area one of our guides and your head mountain guide holding a sign board written clearly your booking name and drive to Arusha for overnight
Overnight at ARUMERU RIVER LODGE (BB) or similar
Day 2 – Machame Camp
At Machame gate you will register before you start your climb. From the park entrance gate you will walk for about two to three hours trek through a dense forest of fig and rubber trees, begonia flowers, and other tropical vegetation. A stop for hot lunch will be made halfway to this evening’s campsite. As you continue your ascent, you will find that the tropical forest has given way to tall grasses and giant heather. You will be walking on a ridge, to the left of which is the Semira stream, and on the right, the Weru Weru. Depending on the pace of the climbers, arrival at Machame Camp is usually between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM. Your camp is set up near some old metals huts, which were once used for shelter.
This initial stage of the climb is tranquil and relatively easy. There is no point in rushing to get to the camp, as there is little to do there. Guides tend to recommend a slow ascent, even at this point, for gradual acclimatization.
Do not try to keep up with your porters, who will usually bound ahead. Instead, take time to admire the beauty of the rainforest. If you are interested in botany, you should carry a small reference book.
Dinner and overnight at MACHAME CAMP (BLD)
Day 3 – Shira Camp
On this and subsequent mornings, wake-up call is at around 6:00 AM. You will be greeted with a steaming cup of tea or coffee, and weather permitting, by a fabulous view of Uhuru peak!!!
Today’s trek takes you up a steep track through a savannah of tall grasses, volcanic rock, and bearded heather. You will encounter giant groundsels as you hike through a ghostly landscape of volcanic lava, caves, and foamy streams.
Lunch will be taken just below the Shira Plateau, about three to four hours from Shira Camp. The hike to the next campsite takes approximately six hours and you should arrive between 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM. Most climbers tend to pace themselves, walking slowly and resting about every half-hour. Many will feel lethargic and have headaches by the time they reach camp. Guides advise those with symptoms of altitude sickness to drink tea and sleep a lot — and there is no better advice to follow at this stage.
Dinner and overnight at SHIRA CAMP (BLD)
Day 4 – Barranco Camp
After breakfast you will start crossing the Bastains stream, you will begin to descend towards Barranco Camp. The descent takes you along an immense canyon called Grand Barranco. Along the way, you will see numerous waterfalls, which are fed, by streams coming from the mountain, converging here to form the Umbwe River. Your camp is set at almost the same altitude as the night before. Today’s trek lasts for about six hours and arrival at camp is between 4:30PM and 5:30PM.
Dinner and overnight at BARRANCO CAMP (BLD)
Day 5 – Karanga Camp
This morning you begin your hike to Karanga Camp, which is on the same altitude as Barranco Camp.You will encounter a bit of a climb at Barranco Cliff and spend the rest of the trek climbing up and down the slopes of the mountain most of the way to camp. The climbing is not considered difficult and you should arrive in time for lunch (approximately 1:00PM) having trekked for about four hours.
In the afternoon you have the opportunity to hike in the Karanga Valley where giant senecios and lobelia grow; however, you are well advised to rest as much as you possibly can to prepare you for the climb ahead.
Dinner and overnight at KARANGA CAMP (BLD)
Day 6 – Barafu Camp
The scenic climb to Barafu is mostly on a moraine with a view of Mawenzi peak towering majestically to the right, and overhead, Kibo peak seemingly just out of reach. The alpine desert terrain encountered at this point is mostly a mineral environment with few lichens and mosses. Lunch will be taken at your camp and the climbers arrive at Barafu Camp at around 1:00PM. Climbers who choose to ascend the peak will go to bed very early this night, as the next day is the longest one.
Dinner and overnight at BARAFU CAMP (BLD)
Day 7 – Ascent to Summit / Descent Mweka Camp
You will be awakened at midnight and after a light breakfast, start climbing at around 1 a.m. It is at this stage that the climb becomes much more difficult. Here, very few will not be suffering from altitude sickness in some form or another; and climbers should carry as little as possible on this portion of the climb. Temperatures will range from -4° to 5° Fahrenheit. Making your way up a path that is flanked by the Ratzel and Rebman glaciers, you will climb for about six hours before reaching the edge of the crater, between Stella and Hans Meyer points. Another hour of climbing brings you to the summit. Uhuru stands at 5895 m and is the highest point on the continent of Africa. The track around the edge of the crater is rocky and icy. Concentrate on your feet, and follow your guide very closely for this portion of the journey.
The descent is now easier than the ascent. You will reach Barafu Camp after about three hours (around 11:30 AM). Climbers will be given the opportunity to rest and have some refreshments before continuing on to Mweka Camp for the night. Arriving into camp at around 5:00PM, you will have trekked a total of thirteen hours today.
Dinner and overnight at MWEKA CAMP (BLD)
Day 8 – After breakfast then continue to go down to Mweka gate where you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak receive gold certificates. Meet by a driver guide and drive back to your lodge in Arusha. It is a welcome treat to sleep in a bed, take a hot shower and celebrate.
Dinner and Overnight at ARUMERU RIVER LODGE (BD)
Website: www.arumerulodge.com
Day 9 – Departure transfer to Kilimanjaro airport or do either safari or extension to Zanzibar.
End of Kilimanjaro climb services.