Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro trip preparation include Kilimanjaro route choice
When planning to book Kilimanjaro trekking expedition, tourist have number of facts to think of. These Kilimanjaro facts are choosing suitable Kilimanjaro route and climbing gears packing. Kilimanjaro weather forecast help travelers to prepare climbing gears and to decide which Kilimanjaro route.
Machame route is top recommended Kilimanjaro route among others. Although Lemosho and Machame route have scenic beauty environment, machame route is cheaper and convienient. Lemosho route need minimum 7 days and is remotely located, hence need some more budget than Machame. Lemosho and Machame converge at Shira route and proceed to summit through Arrow glacier or Barafu hut also.
To book Kilimanjaro tour, contact CLASSIC TOURS & SAFARIS Co.Ltd in Arusha Tanzania. Email: cro@theclassictours.com
Detailed 6 days Machame route is below.
Kilimanjaro trek 6 days on Machame route:
Machame route has better acclimatization behavior. Machame route is scenic beauty Kilimanjaro route and has better acclimatization hence avoiding altitude sickness. Kilimanjaro climbing trip Machame route is recommended among all other routes. Though Lemosho route is most scenic beauty, Machame route climbing package is cheap.
The six day Machame altitude variation is a moderate route. In particular, day four combined with day five makes for a very hard schedule. Day four is a full day of hiking from Barranco to Barafu. Then after dinner and a partial night’s sleep, the very long and strenuous summit day begins around midnight. The 6 day Machame route requires 19-24 hours of demanding walking, at extremely high elevation, with only 4-6 hours of sleep.
DAY 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp
- Elevation (ft): 5,400ft to 9,400ft
- Distance: 11 km
- Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
- Habitat: Rain Forest.
The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.
We now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.
DAY 2: – Machame Camp to Shira Camp
- Elevation (ft): 9,400ft to 12,500ft
- Distance: 5 km
- Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
- Habitat: Moorland.
After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. This is Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite.
DAY 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
- Elevation (ft): 12,500ft to 13,000ft
- Distance: 10 km
- Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
- Habitat: Semi Desert.
From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
DAY 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
- Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 15,000ft
- Distance: 9km
- Hiking Time: 8-10 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert.
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. Then, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.
DAY 5: – Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut
- Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft)
- Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
- Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
- Habitat: Arctic.
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all they way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.
From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
DAY 6: -Mweka Camp to Moshi
- Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft
- Distance: 10 km
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Rain Forest.
After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to hotel in Moshi.
—-ALL SERVICES ARE INCLUDED …..
PRICE COST IS ———— US $ PER PERSON
#Climb Kilimanjaro and get discount Price, all inclusive
THE prices include all services: Airport transfers from Kilimanjaro Airport, Good deluxe hotel, all park fees, salaries of guides/porters/cook, all meals on the mountain, clean safe drinking water, accommodation equipment, and Government tax, certificate of climbing, first aid, rescue and transfer to/from Arusha or Moshi.
Services not included: Flight to Tanzania, Entry VISA, Climbing gears (available for rent), tips to guides, porters, coordinator and items of a personal nature.