Mt. Kilimanjaro Machermo Climb:

08 Nigh / 09 Days 

 B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

Day 1:  Transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport to Moshi (time and flight details to be confirmed). Pre-climb briefing on trek and overnight Moshi [D]

Day 2 : Introduction to your head guide for the climb at the Mountain Inn reception. You will then drive to the Machame park gates from Mountain Inn, journey time of 40 minutes; taking you to and altitude of 1800m above sea level at the south western slopes of Kili. Here you will complete the necessary registration formalities (registering passport numbers, receiving permits, etc.) and also meet the rest of your support team. The days hike takes you through the mountains rain forest zone, filled with  resident flora and fauna as well as interesting scenery along your route. Picnics stop in between, and continue trekking till Machame campsite at 3000m. The days trekking usually takes 5-7 hours. Dinner  will be served at the campsite. Overnight Machame Camp [B,L,D]

Day 3: Breakfast. Today you set off towards the Shira plateau, leaving the forest behind and entering the  heather and moorland zone, where temperatures can drop to below 0C. Most precipitation is from the fog and mist at this altitude. You trek along a ridge of volcanic rock with a short scramble up a rock ‘wall’ close to the plateau. A picnic lunch stop at Picnic rock (3600m) and onwards past Shira caves till Shira Campsite at 3800m. A photogenic end to your day with the Shira Ridge to the West, its three pinnacles pointing skywards (Shira Needle, Shira cathedral and East Shira hill). To the east you may see Kibo’s Western Breach and its glaciers. On clear days you should also be able to see Mount Meru in the distance, towards the south west. The days trekking usually takes 5-7 hours. Dinner will be served at the campsite. Overnight Shira Camp [B,L,D]

Day 4: Breakfast. From Shira your route turns sharply east and heads directly towards Kibo and its Western  Breach. You enter the Alpine zone today, which receives limited water, has cold night-time temperatures and intense daytime sun, climbing steadily to a high point of 4530m, close to the distinctive Lava Tower with spectacular views of the surrounding cliffs and rock formations throughout the days hike. You will have your picnic lunch along your route and then spend the final few hours of the day descending steeply to the great Barranco (valley) ending at an altitude of 3950m, only 150m higher than your starting point, nonetheless, you will have climbed and descended 680m, increasing your body’s ability to adjust to the decreasing air oxygen levels. You should be ready for a hard-earned sleep. The days trekking usually takes 5-7 hours. Dinner will be served. Overnight Barranco Camp  [B,L,D]

Day 5: Breakfast. Today’s day is designed to assist the acclimatisation process further. A steep climb up the  Barranco Wall leads you through a trail on the south-eastern side of Kibo, with super views of the southern ice fields. Your will remain in the Alpine zone today with terrain changing to scree, with very limited flora or fauna in site. A gain of only 300m for the day with picnic lunch en-route till Karanga campsite at 4200m which you should reach by early afternoon, to have time to rest for the next 24 hours which will probably be the longest day of your life!  The days trekking usually takes 4 hours. Dinner will be served at the campsite. Overnight Karanga Camp [B,L,D]

Day 6: Breakfast. This is the start for your summit attempt (which will be at Midnight tonight), you depart  Karanga and continue along an easy path on compacted scree and steep parts over rocky slabs. Your path after the Karanga valley meets with the Mweka trail, which you will use for descent the following day, you turn left at the junction, heading up towards Barafu camp at 4600m. Picnic lunch will be en-route on this day. The days trekking usually takes 4-5 hours. Once you reach the campsite, the chef will prepare your ‘last meal’ around mid-afternoon. It is recommended to sleep after dinner until your guides wake you for the summit attempt around Midnight. Overnight Barafu Camp [B,L,D]

Day 7: At Midnight (00:00am) you will be woken by your guides for the summit attempt. The early start  allows you to reach the summit for around sunrise, and still give you time to descend in the daylight. You will walk in single file, ascending in a zigzag pattern (because of the steepness) through the scree and entering the arctic zone of the mountain. The climb to Stella Point is probably the most daunting section of the Machame route, mainly because of the altitude, darkness, and many hours of walking prior to this, however there are no technical difficulties. Keep pushing forward and consult the guides regarding any altitude sickness, they are trained to notice symptoms of mild, medium and high altitude sickness and will be able to advise you if you can continue ascending, or if you should stop and descend. Determination will take you to Stella point at 5730m. Here you will take a short rest and those who are still feeling strong can continue to Uhuru Peak at 5895m passing spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that are the only residents in the Zone. At Uhuru peak (one you take the pictures with the sign board) you will not stay for long, our guides advise on a maximum of 10-15 minutes, then you should begin your descent to Mweka. The scree feels very lose underneath you and you may find it is harder to descend than to ascend. Two walking poles come in use here and the guides can also show you a trick to almost ‘ski’ down. You follow the same path you had used to ascend until Barafu campsite where you will have a hot lunch. Continue descending till the Mweka junction where you take the path leading to Mweka and descend through the heather and moorland until the top of the forest where Mweka camp lies at 3000m. The walk from Barafu to Stella usually takes around 5-6 hours, the walk to Uhuru a further 1-2 hours and the descent to Mweka around 5-7 hours. Dinner will be served at Mweka camp. Enjoy a well-earned rest for the night. Overnight Mweka Camp [B,L,D]

Day 8:  Breakfast. This will be your final day on the mountain. You leave Mweka camp and trek south through the Mountains forest until Mweka gate. Picnic lunch will be en-route on this day. Once you reach the gate, you support team should be waiting to congratulate/ say goodbye to the group. This is a perfect opportunity for anybody to hand any tips to the team. If lucky the guides and porters will sing the ‘Kilimanjaro song’ say their goodbyes and introduce you to your driver who will transfer you back to Mountain Inn. On arrival collect your room keys and enjoy a warm shower (after 6 days of not showering).  Rest for the rest of the day until dinner is served. Overnight Moshi [B,L,D]

Day 9 : Breakfast.
          End of our services, We will drop you to the airport and final departure.… [B]

*** Tour End***

Other Group Departure Dates:

03rd July 2018 – 11th July 2019

16th August 2018 – 24th August 2018

31st August 2018 – 08th September 2018

30th September 2018 – 08th October 2018

19th December 2018 – 12th December 2018

Price Per Person (Sharing): Minimum 2 pax travelling GBP 1625 Per Person.

TOUR INCLUDES:

– 3 nights’ accommodation on full board basis

– Kilimanjaro National Park (KINAPA) (entry fees)

-Kilimanjaro National Park compulsory rescue fees

– Kilimanjaro National Park camping fees

– Trained and certified English speaking guide/s

– Trained and certified porters (1 porter per person for personal mountain luggage of 15kg max.)

– Trained and certified cook / chef, utensils, cutlery, crockery etc.

– All meals on the mountain on full board basis

– Camping chairs, tables, dining tent

– light dome tent per two passengers sharing

– Four or three season light dome single tent for tour leader

– 1 Transfer from Moshi to park gates per group

– 1 Transfer from park gates to Moshi per group

– Safe and luggage storage at Mountain Inn while on trek

– Boiled drinking water on trek

– Basic first aid kit per group

– Additional day for acclimatization in Karanga

– 1 x JRO – Moshi transfer

TOUR EXCLUDES:

– Tips / gratuities

– International Flight In and out

– Additional transfers from park gates to Moshi

– Extra nights’ accommodation

– Beverages such as soft drinks, alcohol etc.

– Metal water bottles, water bladders etc. (please note: no soft plastics are permitted on the mountain)

– Items of personal nature

Vaccination:

Please consult your doctor regarding the vaccinations that you require for Tanzania, and visit our vaccinations page for further information. If you are travelling directly from a non-endemic country a yellow fever certificate is not required, however if you are arriving from or travelling through an endemic country, you are subject to provide the proof of vaccination.

Visa and kind of Visa?

You can get a 3 month visitor’s visa either at the Tanzanian Embassy/Diplomatic Mission in your country or a single entry, 3 month visitor’s visa on arrival at any main port of entry to Tanzania for $50. However some nationalities may face difficulties therefore to be on the safer side we would recommend you to enquire with the embassies in your country beforehand.

Travel Insurance:

You need to ensure that you are covered for high altitude trekking up to 6,000 meters. Most travel insurance providers do not include this under their standard packages and therefore it needs to be selected separately.

Responsibility, Liability, Extra Cost, Prices and Brochure Accuracy – Changes and Errors:

All the packages are sold under the business management of Earthbound Expeditions Ltd. and they are in no way to be considered as the principal or operator of the subject services. The right is reserved to cancel or alter any package as conditions require. Neither Earthbound Expeditions Ltd. nor the participating suppliers/hotels will be responsible for the additional expenses due to loss, delay or damage caused by accident, illness, bad weather, strikes / riots, road block etc.