At 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and the tallest freestanding mountain
in the world. To climb Kilimanjaro is a great challenge, not to be underestimated, but entirely feasible for the hill walker looking to combine a
high mountain adventure. The snow-capped peak of Africa is a dormant volcano and can be found inside the Kilimanjaro National Park of Tanzania.
Kilimanjaro Mountain is one of the seven natural wonders of Africa and it translates to “mountain of the springs” and its unique position just below
the equator offers an opportunity to experience five different habitats from bottom to top, which makes an ascent of the mountain undeniably special.
In a matter of days, you’ll climb Kilimanjaro from the equator to what feels like the Arctic, moving through grasslands, tropical rainforest, alpine
meadows, moorlands and desert uplands to snow and ice.
Machame route has been nicknamed the “Whiskey Route” because it is often perceived as being tougher than Marangu route, which is often
referred to as the “Coca-Cola” route. Trekkers who take the Machame Route pass several well known Mount Kilimanjaro landmarks while en route,
including the famed Lava Tower and Shira Plateau. The route wanders up and down a series of valleys and ridges, which make the walk a bit more
strenuous, but rewards hikers with some of the best views on the mountain.
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Welcome to Tanzania! Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro airport, you will meet your guide who will transport you to your first hotel. The
rest of the day is yours to get acquainted with Moshi town as you wish!
Tomorrow morning your Kilimanjaro Hike will begin!
Accommodation: Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel
Meal Plan: Dinner
After an early breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up and driven to the Machame Gate. After registering at the gate office, you start your ascent and enter the rain forest almost immediately. There is a strong possibility of rain in the forest, which will transform the trail into a very soggy, muddy and slippery experience. You will have a welcome lunch stop about half way and will reach the Machame camping area in the late afternoon.
Accommodation: Machame Camp
Meal Plan: Full Board (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
After an early morning breakfast, you will start you ascent leaving the rain forest and entering the heathland moorland vegetation. You will cross many streams and walk over a rocky ridge onto the Shira plateau that leads to Shira Camp. At this campsite, you will be next to a stream and have a spectacular view of the Western Breach and its glaciers in the East. Similar to the first night, your tents will be set up prior to arriving at camp and the porters will prepare drinking and washing water for you. You will enjoy evening snacks then dinner prepared by our chef. Be prepared for a cold night as temperatures drop below freezing at this exposed camp.
Accommodation: Shira Camp
Meal Plan: Full Board (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Following an early morning breakfast, you will leave the moorland environment and enter the semi desert and rocky
landscape. After 5 hours of walking east, you will be come face to face with the Lava Tower. Packed lunches are served at the Tower and
hikers have the option of climbing the massive Lava Tower weather permitting. At this point of the hike, it is normal for hikers to start
feeling the effects from the altitude including headaches and shortness of breath.
After lunch, you will descend from Lava Tower to the Barranco Campsite. The 680m descent gives hikers a huge advantage to allow
their bodies to adjust to the conditions of high altitude. The descent to camp takes around 2 hours to reach. It is located in a valley below
the Breach and Great Barranco Wall.
Accommodation: Barranco Camp
Meal Plan: Full Board (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
After an early morning breakfast, it is now time to conquer the Great Barranco Wall! Although it may look intimating at first glance, hikers state that this Class 2 hike is usually much easier than they anticipated. At the top of the Wall, you will have a view of Heim Glacier and will be above the clouds. The trail then winds up and down in the Karanga Valley. This is an ideal hiking day for acclimatization.
Accommodation: Karanga Camp
Meal Plan: Full Board (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Following breakfast, you will leave Karanga Camp. The trail intersects with the Mweka Route, which is the trail used to
descend on the final two days. As you continue hiking for an hour, you will reach Barafu Camp. This is the last water stop for the porters because there is
no accessible water at Barafu Camp. The word “barafu” in Swahili means “ice” and this camp is located on a rocky, exposed ridge. Tents will be
exposed to wind and rocks so it is important for hikers to familiarize themselves with the campsite before dark. An early dinner will be served so hikers
can rest before attempting the summit the same night. Your guide will brief you in detail on how to prepare for summit night.
Get to sleep by 19:00!
Accommodation: Barafu Hut
Meal Plan: Full Board (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Your guide will wake you around 23:30 for tea and biscuits. You will then begin your summit attempt. The route heads northwest
and you will ascend over stone scree. During the ascent, many hikers feel that this is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the climb. In
about 6 hours, you will reach Stella Point (5685m), located on the crater rim. After enjoying the magnificent sunrise, you will continue ascending for
about 2 hours on a snow-covered trail to Uhuru Peak (5895m). Reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro is a lifetime accomplishment! You will be able to
spend a short time on the summit taking photographs and drinking tea before the descent to Barafu begins. The hike down to Barafu Camp takes about 3 hours.
At camp, you will rest and enjoy a hot lunch in the sun. After eating, you will continue descending down to Mweka Hut. The Mweka Trail will lead you
through the scree and rocks to the moorland and eventually into the rain forest. Mweka Camp is located in the upper rain forest, so fog and rain
should be expected. You will have a dinner, wash, and rest soundly at camp.
Accommodation: Mweka Camp
Meal Plan: Full Board (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Following a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. It is here on the mountain that you will present your tips to the guide, assistant guides, chef(s), and porters. After celebrating, you will descend for three hours back to Mweka Gate. The National Park requires all hikers to sign their names to receive certificates of completion. Hikers who reached Stella Point (5685m) receive green certificates and hikers who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. After receiving certificates, you will drive back to your accommodation then you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro Airport or you may wish to combine the mountain hike with safari.
Accommodation: No Accommodation
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
Hiking Kilimanjaro has its difficulties. Although it doesn’t require any technical climbing or mountaineering skills, due to the high altitude, it is a tough challenge. Anyone with the right level of fitness and mental determination can climb Kilimanjaro though.
Kilimanjaro’s summit success rate starts from 45% to over 85%, depending on the route chosen. The chances of reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro are highly dependent on the number of days taken to trek the mountain. The more days the higher the probability of success as your body has more time to adapt and acclimatize.
At the base of the mountain, average temperatures are 70 to 90°F (21 to 32°C) throughout the year. On the summit, temperatures range from -10 to 23°F (-23 to -5°C) with windchill. Weather is changeable, and you should be prepared for these extremes. Your guide will help you decide on appropriate clothing in a detailed briefing.
We have at least one guide for every three trekkers, so you can move at your own pace. Guides will remind you to walk slowly as ascending at a slow and steady pace gives your body a chance to acclimatize.
Upon inquiry, you’ll receive a detailed equipment checklist and guidance to help you
prepare. Many of our guests find they already have some of the items we recommend. Warm clothes (fleece, wind and waterproof layers),
good polarized sunglasses, sunscreen and a head lamp should be included in your packing list.
For those that they don’t have We
will send you a comprehensive equipment checklist, including items available for hire, upon inquiry. Prices are for the duration
of the climb, not per day, and costs can be paid in USD$ cash at your briefing.
All equipment is of good quality, however, we
advise bringing your own walking boots, socks, and base layer clothing, as these will inevitably be a better fit than items
you hire.
No. There are no hotels on the mountain and no cable cars to the top. You will most probably sleep in tents, or in basic huts if you take the Marangu route. Tents and sleeping mats are carried and set up by the porters. You do need to bring a very warm sleeping bag or rent it from Wildtrack Expedition.
You might experience symptoms of altitude sickness – headaches, nausea, loss of
appetite and dizziness. Apart from obvious injuries that can occur when walking in uneven terrain and in very cold conditions,
you will not be in danger of mugging, attack by animals or malarial mosquitoes.
Climbing Kilimanjaro is an incredible adventure, but we realize all the information
can feel overwhelming! If you have any questions at all, no matter how small, please feel free to email our team on
[email protected] We’re excited to be a part of your adventure!
