Reach the rooftop of Africa via the Machame route, considered the prettiest route up the Mountain. The Machame route is a longer than the Marangu route, giving you more time to acclimatize.
Day-by-day itinerary
Kilimanjaro is divided in 5 zones by altitude:
Lower Slopes (1,830m. /6,000 ft.) - This is mostly cultivated with coffee and banana trees
Forest Zone (1,800-2,800m. /5,900-9,185 ft.) - This zone receives the highest rainfall; the upper half is often covered with clouds and is high in humidity. If often rains when you walk through this zone. This is a dense forest area with lots of vegetation. You can expect to seen colobus & blue monkeys, baboons and bushbuck.
Heath & Moorlands Zone (2,800-4,00m. /9,185-13,120 ft.) - Rain decreases with the altitude, you can expect to see grasslands with scatted bushes, beautiful flowers, including “everlasting” flowers. Once you enter the moorlands you will see giant senecios and lobelias.
Highland Desert/alpine Zone (4,000-5,000 m. /3,210-16,400 ft.) - Temperatures in this zone can range from very hot to freezing. The vegetation is thin and includes tussock grasses, everlasting flowers, moss balls and lichens. The air is thin therefore you will not see much wildlife. What lacks in wildlife is made up for in fabulous views.
Summit Zone (5,000-5,895m. /16,400-19,342 ft.) - Almost completely void of vegetation with arctic conditions.
Day 1 Mt. Meru: Mt. Meru Game Lodge
Arrive into Arusha and transfer to Mt. Meru. Nestled between the peaks of Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru Game Lodge & Sanctuary lies midway between Kilimanjaro International Airport and Arusha. The lodge is located within 33 acres of mature, well manicured gardens bounded on one side by the tranquil waters of the Usa River and on the other by the sanctuary where our wildlife and birdlife reside. This wildlife and birdlife provide many of our guests with their first exciting game viewing experience. The lodge comprises 17 double or twin en-suite bedrooms. All rooms have a veranda with comfortable chairs where guests may sit during the late afternoons enjoying the peace of the surroundings, soaking up the unique atmosphere of the Lodge and watching the animal and birdlife.
Day 2 Mt. Kilimanjaro: Machame Hut (BLD)
This is possibly the most beautiful route up the mountain. After breakfast you will meet your guide and porters and begin your climb at the Machame Gate. You will spend approximately an hour at park headquarters handling registration and arranging the loads for the porters. It takes approximately 6 hours as you gradually ascend through a fascinating forest to the Machame Hut (3,000m. /9,843 ft.) for an overnight stay.
Day 3 Mt. Kilimanjaro: Shira Hut (BLD)
After breakfast, continue your climb west across the valley for 3-4 hours reaching the Shira Plateau. The Shira Plateau is a beautiful area of open grasslands and moorlands dotted with giant senecios over 30 feet high. You’ll pass the impressive Shira Cone, Cathedral and Needle Peaks. Overnight at Shira Huts (3,800m. /12,468 ft.) The huts along this route are in a state of disrepair - some are uninhabitable. It is best to bring your own tents and let the porters and guide use the huts. Drinking water should be filtered, treated and/or boiled.
Day 4 Mt. Kilimanjaro: Shira Hut (BLD)
You will spend an extra day at this hut to become acclimatized. You can do a hike in the area during the day.
Day 5 Mt. Kilimanjaro: Baranco Hut (BLD)
After a good night's sleep you continue your gradual climb for 5-6 hours within the Shira Plateau. During this ascent you can get up to 4,500m. /14,765 ft before reaching Baranco Hut. Overnight Baranco Hut (3,900m. /12,796 ft.). The hut sleeps eight and there is bivouacs site about 600-foot walk above the huts under a rock overhang. Some wood may be available in the vicinity and there is a stream nearby.
Day 6 Mt. Kilimanjaro: Barafu Hut (BLD)
Today, you continue past giant groundsel cactus and walk on a lunar-like landscape, until you reach Barafu Hut (4,600m /15,093 ft.) for overnight. The hut sleeps twelve. There is no wood or water.
Day 7 Mt. Kilimanjaro: Mweka Hut (BLD)
In the early morning, you begin the final ascent. (Approximately 1 am - be sure not to delay the ascent. This makes it easier to reach Uhuru peak before the frozen crust softens in the daylight) the steep ascent to Gilman’s Point (5,685m. /18,652 ft.) on the edge of the caldera is a 4-5 climb up scree. This is the steepest and most demanding portion of the climb. The effort is worthwhile because you will be on the highest point in Africa! If you still have the energy you can continue to Uhuru Peak, (5,895m. /19,342 ft.) higher. This is a fairly gradual climb and will take another 1.5 hours. Uhuru peak is well marked and there is a book where you can sign your name. Good Luck! After admiring the view (shortly after sunrise) you will begin the walk to Kibo hut for a short rest and then onto Mweka Hut (3,100 m. /10,171 ft.) for overnight. From Gillman’s Point to Mweka it is approximately 4 hrs and from Uhuru peak about 5 hrs.
Day 8 Mt. Meru: Novotel (B)
You will descend Mt. Kilimanjaro through a forest trail past palms, sycamore figs, tree ferns and giant lobilia to park headquarters where you will receive a diploma. After receiving your diploma transfer to Mt. Meru Novotel Hotel for overnight.
Day 9 Departure (B)
Enjoy breakfast and congratulate yourself on your climb!
Rates for the Kilimanjaro Climb; Machame Route - Semi Customized
Land, per person double occupancy
| 01 Jan '07 - 31 Dec '07 Based On 2 People | $2,375 |
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| 01 Jan '07 - 31 Dec '07 Based On 3 People | $2,225 |
| 01 Jan '07 - 31 Dec '07 Based On 4-6 People | $2,180 |
| Single Supplement | $270 |
| Additional Night | $260 |
Christmas Supplement, per person double occupancy
| 24, 25, 26 Dec; 31 Dec & 01 Jan '07 | $45 |
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Easter Supplement, per person double occupancy
| 06, 07, 08, & 09 Apr '07 | $45 |
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Price Includes:
- Hut accommodation & meals on the mountain
- Guides & porters for the climb
- RT Transfers from Arusha.
- Park and rescue fees
- Travel Protection Plan ($20,000 Emergency Assistance, $20,000 Accidental death & dismemberment; $500 Medical Expenses; $1,000 Baggage & travel documents; $400 Baggage delay; $500 Travel delay - $100 per day maximum; TRAVEL GUARD Assistance)
Price Excludes:
- Beverages
- Gratuities
- Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance
- Tanzania Visa
- Tanzania departure taxes (approximately $30 per person, to be paid locally in US$)