Machame

The day starts with transfer from town to Machame gate where the chef and porters will sort the equipments to be carried up the mountain. Much in the same way as the other routes, when arriving at the gate you must report to the office to complete your particulars in the parks register, including your passport details. After all the formalities have been taken care of, you head into the forest and begin the ascent towards the first camp on the mountain, Machame hut.

A bit of a breather comes halfway through the forest when you will stop for lunch and a short rest. You’ll reach Machame hut (2,850m) quite late in the afternoon and before you know it the cooks will be preparing your dinner to be served in the mess tent. Temperatures at night can drop below freezing with possible frost in the morning.

Breakfast is served early in the morning and, subject to the weather, you can take in your first views of the Western breach of Kilimanjaro. The trek today heads up a ridge into the moorland. Although the path is generally in good condition, it requires the occasional scramble before reaching the lunch stop at about 3600m. After lunch you will continue your trek to Shira hut viewing Shira Needle, Cathedral and East Shira Hill.

When reaching Shira hut the chef will prepare your well-earned meal.

The route now turns east into a semi desert and rocky environment where you will reach an altitude of 4,630m at Lava Tower. On the ascent there are spectacular views of Shira Plateau to the west, Oehler Ridge to the north east and Western Breach to the east.

Lunch is served at a designated area before completing your ascent to Lava Tower where you will have close views of Little Penck Glacier and Western Breach. There is also the possibility of climbing Lava Tower before descending a steep rocky path to reach Barranco hut (3,976m)

The walk from Lava Tower to Baranco hut offers great photo opportunities of the awe-inspiring Western Breach and Breach Wall. Barranco hut is located in a valley below the Brach and Barranco Wall. This is the perfect place to collect clean drinking water that is found running off streams supplied by melting snow and ice – most refreshing! While you wait for the spectacular sunset the chef will prepare you evening meal.
Hopefully by now, you would have adapted to the cold nights and early mornings.

On this part of the trek you will learn from the lizard when the mountain becomes steep. This creature has a very careful climbing technique and you will do likewise – using opposing arms and legs to force your body upwards. Push left, push right this creates an axis that can be drawn diagonally through the body, allowing you to move your right foot and left hand freely upwards against the wall.

We are heading to Karanga Valley and on our way we will pass through a few valleys offering great views of Heim, and Decken Glaciers that form part of the southern ice fields. When reaching Karanga Valley we will stop for lunch and also stock up on water as there is no water at Barafu hut.

After lunch we will ascend a ridge a ridge along a footpath that leads to our next camp. On a clear day there a fantastic views of The Saddle and Mawenzi (5149m).
Barafu Hut (4600m) is situated on an exposed and dangerous ridge, so it is important to familiarize yourself with your surroundings. As on the other days the chef will prepare your evening meal, giving you a perfect opportunity to prepare your equipment for the summit trek, which we will do tonight at around midnight. Ensure you change the batteries in your headlamp and camera. The higher you go the colder it will get, so we suggest you take water in a thermal flask to avoid freezing. Your guides will advise you.

At around midnight you will head in a north easterly direction up the south east valley towards Stella Point on the crater rim. While hiking on the cold night and the footpath steep and rocky, the long walk to Stella Point is both mentally and physically challenging. This is where most people are affected by altitude sickness. It is important to keep your guide informed if you do not feel well.

Depending on weather conditions, you could encounter snow and ice from below Stella Point all the way to Uhuru Peak (5895m). This stretch takes about an hour and offers spectacular views of Rebman, Decken, Kersten and Heim Glaciers.

Above all you will be rewarded, not only with the amazing sense of achievement of reaching the ‘Roof of Africa’ but also the most beautiful African sunrise ever.
The time that you will spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions.

From here you will descend to Barafu hut (4600m) taking about 3 hours, for a short rest something to eat and to collect the rest of your equipment. The continue your descent to spend your final night on the mountain at Mweka hut (3100m)

After breakfast you will continue your final descent to the gate for a well earned shower and drinks to celebrate your achievement.