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Kilimanjaro - Machame Route Via Barafu Camp
(7 Days / 6 Nights On The Mountain)
Route Description:
The machame (whiskey) route is the most popular camping route on
kilimanjaro. It’s a rugged combination of routes which
begins through the rainforest at machame village on the
southwest side of the mountain, and over seven days the
route rises onto the edge of the Shira Plateau, down into
the beautiful Great Barranco Valley, then circumvents the
Kibo massif counter-clockwise through alpine desert until
reaching Barafu Camp. The trek to the summit is done
overnight to the crater rim on the steep scree slopes of the
east-south-east facing Mweka Route. The trek winds through
some beautiful scenery, which changes quite dramatically
every day. The route done in seven days includes an extra
day at Karanga Valley Camp, at 13,000 feet (3,950 mt.),
between Barranco and Barafu Camps, to help split the long
day in half, and also it is important for acclimatization.
The route is physically challenging for most people. The
overnight trek to the summit requires mental and physical
toughness, due to the high altitude and short amount of time
to rest before the overnight summit attempt. There are no
huts on this route; the accommodation is in mountain tents
and dining is in our mess tents.
Daily Itinerary
Day 1 Machame Gate
(5,950 Ft./ 1,815 Mt.) ~ Machame Camp (9,850
Ft./ 3,000 M)
Departure
from Arusha will be at around 8am for the Machame Gate,
about 1.5 hours drive. Upon completion of entry formalities,
begin walking through the mist on a 4 x 4 track for about an
hour into the forest. The track ends, and the trail
continues up through the dripping, verdant forest. Trekkers
will likely hear the many exotic birds in the canopy above,
and many even see black & white colobus monkeys and sykes
monkeys as they hike along the forest floor. The trek is
quite long (12 miles / 20 km), though not very steep, and it
takes from 5 to 7 hours trekking to reach the first camp.
Machame Camp is just above the forest zone, in the heather
zone. When it is clear, there are views of jagged Shira
ridge and the summit itself.
Day 2 Machame Camp ~ Shira Camp
(12,600 Ft./ 3,840 M)
Wake early to
a steaming cup of tea of coffee served in your tent, and
then after breakfast, begin up the steep track through a
savannah of tall grasses, and trees of giant Heather and
Erica. The clouds should clear for a beautiful view of the
Western Breach and the glaciers atop which mark the summit;
Uhuru Peak. Scramble around large boulders as you enter the
moorland zone, marked by the bizarre lobelia and senecio
plants, and volcanic rocks draped with lichen beards which
protect wild alpine flowers growing at their bases. You’ll
reach camp after descending a small valley and crossing a
brook, then ascending up onto the Shira Ridge, after a total
of about 4 to 5 hours of trekking.
Day 3
Shira Camp ~ Barranco
Camp (12,950
Ft./ 3,950 M)
Proceed
steadily upward over long ridgelines of high desert about 4
hours, and break for lunch at about 14,500 feet (4,420 mt.).
After lunch, continue to Lava Tower, a 300 foot-tall
volcanic plug which marks an exposed pass at 15,000 feet
(4,600 m). In the afternoon, descend the steep track into
the Great Barranco Valley. Barranco Camp is set on a col
(flat area) enclosed on three sides with steep valley walls
and the Kibo massif itself. Hanging glaciers glint in the
sunshine above, amidst the eerie landscape of plants such as
the giant groundsels (Senecio Kilimanjari), and the uniquely
endemic Giant Lobelia. Trekking time is from 6 to 7 hours.
Day 4 Barranco Camp ~ Karanga Camp
(13,100 Ft./ 3,995 Mt.)
Today we trek
to Karanga Valley Camp, at 13,000 feet (3,950 mt.), between
Barranco and Barafu Camps. This day has proven to be very
important for acclimatization. The day begins with a
scramble up the steep ‘Barranco Wall’, then traversing up
and down the slopes of valleys which have carved their way
into the mountain’s southern face. Kibo’s glaciers loom
above to your left and the jagged peaks of Mawenzi jut into
the African sky at just under 17,000 feet straight ahead.
We reach the Karanga Valley after 3-4 hours of
trekking for a hot lunch. Afternoon to relax or to take
excursions from camp.
Day 5
Karanga Camp ~ Barafu Camp
(15,200 Ft./ 4,630 Mt.)
From here the
trail turns steadily uphill. The temperature will grow
colder and the landscape more sparse as we near Barafu Camp.
Barafu Camp is set on a small, exposed flat area on a ridge,
acting a base camp from which you will make your summit
attempt at midnight tonight. Total trekking time is 4-5
hours, with a hot lunch upon reaching camp. The afternoon is
yours to rest and prepare for the long night ahead. Eat and
drink as much as possible before retiring early to your tent
for rest and sleep.
Day 6
Barafu Camp ~ Uhuru Peak(19,340
Ft./5,895 Mt.) ~
Mweka Camp(10,200 Ft./3,110 M)
The steaming
hot drink will arrive very early on this momentous day.
A midnight wake-up call is the start of a juggernaut
(12-17 hours of trekking). You begin trekking at 12:30 to
1am. The
temperatures range from just below freezing at midnight, to
between 10 deg. F (-12 deg. C) to –10 F. (-23 deg. C) just
before dawn at the summit. The winding path of endless
switchbacks will take form and shape in the shadows of the
Ratzel and Rebmann glaciers at early dawn, and behind you
the spires of Mawenzi will be silhouetted against the red
glow of the sun from beneath the clouds.
After about 6 hours of walking, you will come to the
edge of the crater, at Stella Point, at 19,000 feet (5,790
mt.), which is the end of the steep track. From here, there
is a gentle slope upward about 1 hour to Uhuru Peak. After a
short time at the summit, descend the steep scree trail back
to Barafu Camp for some rest, then again summon your
strength for further descent to Mweka Camp for the night.
Day 7
Mweka Camp ~ Mweka Gate
(6,000 Ft. /1,830 M)
Descend
straight to the gate (2-3 hours), where you’ll have lunch
and will be awarded climbing certificates.
Included services and equipment :
Safety Equipment:
Staff:
Mountain fees:
Camping equipment and other gear:
Mountain Cuisine
Not included:
*
available at a supplement
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