Machame route is probably the most popular route of all the Kilimanjaro’s routes. When accommodation on the Marungu route is in huts, Machame route only accommodate camping trekkers. This is why Machame route has been nicknamed the “Whisky Route” as it is more preferred by adventurous trekkers. However, Machame route is the route of choice for many people because it provides magnificent views and a variety of habitats or zones. About 60% of climbers choose the Machame route.
For experienced trekkers the Machame Route climb can be done for six days(five nights), thought the success rate is significantly higher when using the 7 days route.
Today you’ll be met upon arrival in JRO transfer to Olisigilai Masai Lodge which is located 50km away from the airport.
Olisigilai Masai Lodge is a spectacular , scenic eco-lodge that offers exclusive luxury coupled with unparalleled touch of culture in the midst of Mount Kilimanjaro & Mount Meru. The lodge is located in a high elevation therefore provides a great opportunity for acclimatization.
This day will be for staying at Olisigilai Masai Lodge for relaxation and is a great opportunity to get on your hiking boots, stretch your legs, have a whole day to recover from any jet-lag that you may experience from your flight , and it will also be your chance to know your Tanzania Green Tours trip guide who will help you with your gear check and expedition packing.
The lodge features a fantastic swimming pool, Sauna “ warm your heart” meditation room, Bonfire night , authentic Maasai entertainment etc. For those who love outdoor activities the lodge offers a varieties of activities ranging from Donkey ride with a Maasai, Nature walk with a Maasai, Spear throwing competition etc.
After breakfast, we will drive for about 2 hours to Machame Gate, and after registration and other logistics at the gate, we begin our climb by hiking for about seven hours through the Montane Forest to camp on the forest adge. It is a long day’s hike so Tanzania Green Tours recommends it for those who are physically fit. Lunch will be along the trail and snakes will be provided. Your guide will stop at regular intervals to ensure that the group is well hydrated and copying with the first day’s hiking.
After breakfast, we have five hours five hours of hiking that takes us above the old Shira Hut to our camp in Kilimanjaro’s upper zone on the Eastern side of Shira Plateau.
The route for day three ascends to 14,000 feet, we make our way to Lova Tower we gain quite a bit of altitude as Lova Tower is higher than the Baranco where we are going to camp. This will help us a great deal of acclimatization as we go higher and sleep low. The camp is in the beautiful Barranco valley with large lobelia and senecio trees dotting the landscape. From this camp the views of the Great Breach Wall are better than anywhere else on the mountain.
We start the morning with a climb of up the Great Barranco wall, with some parts requiring a bit of scrambling over the rocks. Then it is about two and half hours walk down the Karanga Valley where we will have our hot lunch. After lunch and a bit rest, we make a final 1600 foot ascent to Barafu camp.
Today we will wake up around mid night for breakfast. At 5 am we will begin our summit attempt. This will allow us to be near the crater rim at sunrise and on top of Kilimanjaro (Uhuru Peak) a few hours later. After a few victorious photos and (with luck) glorious morning view, we will begin long descent back to Barafu Hut and on down to Mweka camp.
A final descent of 4500 ft brings you down to Mweka Gate, on the way to the gate you will go through the moorland, rain forest zones and enjoy the last views of the mountain. At the gate you will say goodbye to our mountain stuff before heading to Lake Duluti for scrumptious and fresh lunch by the beautiful lake itself. Lake Duluti is a volcanic formed lake located some Kilometers away from Arusha town. The beautiful lake is a paradise for birds and reptiles. After lunch we will be proceed to the lodge near/in Arusha for a farewell dinner and either overnight or day room and departure.