| Machame Route Climb |
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Mt Kilimanjaro Machame Route ClimbDuration: 6 DAYS This is probably the most beautiful route up Kilimanjaro. All your equipment and supplies are porter and a cook prepares all your meals. Where accommodation on the Marangu route is in huts, the Machame route offers strictly tents only. This makes Machame (also referred to as the "Whiskey route")better suited to the slightly more adventurous hiker, however rewarding him with a scenic splendor such as not seen on the Marangu route, from late afternoon sunsets at Shira, to the misty revelations of Kibo at the great Barranco wall, the Machame route is normally completed in a minimum of 6 days. There is an added benefit to this, as you are afforded the most valuable commodity on the mountain – acclimatization. The Machame route takes you high to Lava Tower (4630m)on the day 3 and brings you down by nearly 700m for an overnight at barranco Camp (3950m). This is the secret to successful acclimatization. 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. Your Porters (arriving at the Camp site long before you)will have erect your tent on your arrival. In the evening the porters will boil drinking and washing water and the cook will prepare dinner, before you retire to your tent for the night. Night temperatures can already drop to freezing point at this campsite. After lunch you descent again by almost 680m to the Barranco Camping area and after reaching the high altitude of 4600m at Lava Lava Tower, the true acclimatization benefit of this day becomes clear. This descent to Barranco Camp takes about 2 hours and offers great opportunities to lay below the Breach and great Barranco wall. Which should provide you with a memorable sunset while you wait for the preparation of your dinner The route then heads down through the Karanga Valley over intervening ridges and valleys, and then joins up with the Mweka route. This is the preferred route down from the summit, so remember it. Turn left up the ridge and after another hour or so, you reach Barafu Hut. The last water stop on the route is the Karranga Valley, as there is no water at Barafu Camp. Barafu is the Swahili word for “ice” and it is a bleak and inhospitable camping area to spend the night. Totally exposed to the ever-present gales the tents are pitched on a narrow, stony, and dangerous ridge, make sure that you familiar yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. The summit is now a further 1345m up and you will make the final ascent the same night. Prepare your equipment, walking stick and thermal clothing for your summit attempt. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and make sure you have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. Go to bed at round about 19h00 and try to get some precious rest and sleep. Day 5 Descend day on mountain From Stella Point you will normally encounter now all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. The time you will spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue. Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your live. The walk back to Barafu from the summit, takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well earned but short rest and collect the rest of your gear, before heading down to Mweka camp (3100m). The route is not difficult and will take you down the rock and scream path into the moorland and eventually into the forest. The camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon camp overnight. Those climbers who reached Stella Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. From the Mweka village you will be served a delicious hoot lunch !!. You now drive back to Moshi for a long over due hot shower, dinner sparkling wine and celebrations !!transfer to hotel for overnight B/B
   Before the climb....
An essential part of your preparation will be to ensure that you are well equipped for your summit attempt. Print our final checklist to get to this very important step in you preparation.
It is important that your body is adequately prepared for the physically challenges of Mount Kilimanjaro. We have developed a fitness training program which will assist you in getting your body in shape for your Kilimanjaron summit expedition. Please click fitness program for more information in this regard.
It is possible to summit Kilimanjaro successfully. Many before you have succeeded. This should be top most in you mind when preparing for the summit attempt. You should always remaining a positive state of mind, but not overly arrogant. Try to anticipate various different scenarios, which you may possible encounter on the mountain and try to work out the most suitable course of action, mentally by yourself or even as a group, Your mental stamina will, with out a doubt, make the really difficult sections, like from Kibo to Uhuru or from barafu to Uhuru , easier to complete. Remember if you are properly equipped, you have taken everything as indicated on the final checklist, you are physically prepared and have all the knowledge gained from this internet guide-you will be mentally confident for the physical part of Kilimanjaro.
Make sure that you have adequate travel and medical insurance, which will also provide you with cover for the climb up Kilimanjaro.
Go slowly –“Pole Pole” as they say in Swahili !. this is also very important during your first days of climbing. Even if you feel well, slow down and enjoy the scenery.
Make sure that you drink at least 3 – 4 liters of liquid a day – Preferably water. For both the Marangu and Machame routes, It is possible to buy mineral water at all the huts and camps. Although a little bit more expensive on the mountain, this is probably the most convenient option – we are however at this stage, not to sure how reliable the supply lines are, for your first day it is recommended that you take along fresh water which may be purchased at the hotel in moshi before your climb. Try to get the bottles with the screw tops, this way you will also have containers in which to take water further up the Mountain. Running water on the mountain is safe to drink from day 2 onwards, but care should still are taken. If you are not used to fresh water in nature, prevent any inconvenience by using water purification tablets.
If possible and especially on your acclimatization day “walk high – sleep low ” Try to do a short evening stroll to a higher altitude and then descend to sleep at the camp at a lower altitude. This is essential on your acclimatization day.
Climb as lightly as possible; this becomes even more important on your summit night.
Remember that you will be on the mountain for at least 5 or 6 days. You need to take enough clothing, especially socks to last for this period. Due to frequent rainfall as well as numerous streams on the routes, it is advisable topack items individually in your bag. These individually packed items should be wrapped in Plastic bags to prevent them from getting wet in
Hiking/running shoes (it is not necessary to walk with boot or climbers shoes until the last sections where scream and rocks are encountered) and very importantly, a walking stick/ski –Pole. One of the most critical items of clothing is a an outer jacket. You want it to perform the functions of keeping you warm, Protect you at temperature of as low as minus 25 degrees Celsius, keep the wind out and yet still ”breath”. Try to avoid tight fitting clothing or underwear. This will hamper circulation, causing either cold or discomfort on the mountain. A balaclava is a must as it will protect your face against cold, wind, sun and snow. Other clothing like shorts, sweaters and T-shirts are strongly recommended, especially during hiking on the lower slop, when thee day temperature are still high. It is therefore very important to use Proper thermal underwear with “wicking” Properties ( a fabric which has the ability to draw moisture away from the body ) and thus enabling it to evaporate to the outside. The middle layer should provide the insulation and a product like polar fleece will be adequate in this regard. The outer layer should be windproof and breathable. Products like Vertex, Goretex or Entex offer these properties. Short of altitude and physical exertion, cold is one of the most serious obstacles when attempting to summit Kilimanjaro.
A ski – Pole is essential, buy one or hire one but take one – click here for our Gear Rental options.
Replace your headlamp and camera batteries with new ones on your summit night.
AMS commonly affects people at high altitude, who are not accustomed to high altitude conditions. AMS can be lethal if not treated immediately or if its symptoms are ignored. Probably 70% of all people climbing Kilimanjaro will suffer to some extent from AMS. You should familiarize yourself with this condition and take Preventative care.
Malaria occurs below 1800 meters and you should use the recommended prophylactics. Please consult your doctor about these. Larium is very popular, but should be taken with care. Known side-effects may lessen your chances of success. Currently found in Tanzania. Women using oral contra captives should consult their physicians before using prophylactics.
Essential Items
High Altitude Gear
Footwear
Equipment
Personal Items
Medical and First Aid Supplies
Optional Items
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