Kilimanjaro 5895m, Machame Route and Safari, Tanzania
Basic travel information
We ascend the seven-day Machame hiking trail to Africa’s highest peak, Kilimanjaro. Along the route we stay in double mountain tents. The calm ascent to the mountain guarantees good chances to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro. Well-maintained trails and campgrounds accompany hikers towards a challenging climb to the top. The magnificent glaciers open from the summit ridge as the ascent path follows the edge of the crater towards Uhuru Peak, the highest point on the African continent. Climbing to the top of Kilimanjaro is a wonderful experience, which to ensure we only do longer tent hikes in the area.
After boarding Kilimanjaro, we will do a two-day safari in northern Tanzania exploring the Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Parks and their rich fauna.
Itinerary
DAY 1 – FLIGHTS TO TANZANIA
DAY 2 – ARUSHA
Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport in Tanzania. Transfer to the hotel in the city of Arusha, a day free program in Arusha.
ACCOMMODATION AT
VENUS PREMIER HOTEL OR SIMILAR
DAY 3 – MACHAME
We move to Kilimanjaro National Park at Machame Gate, where our Kilimanjaro hike begins. Our equipment will be transferred aboard the bearers and we will begin to ascend through the lush mountain forest towards Machame Camp (3020 m) where we will spend the night. (UNDER)
ACTIVITIES
HIKING
ACCOMMODATION IN
TENT
DAY 4 – SHIRA CAMP
We start the day by ascending from the rainforest to the heather heath zone in the varied terrain of Kilimanjaro. Lunch break on a lava rock ridge, before ascending to Shira Camp (3850 m). First views of the top of Kibo. (UNDER)
ACTIVITIES
HIKING
ACCOMMODATION IN
TENT
DAY 5 – BARRANCO CAMP
Climb through the barren mountain wilderness to Lawa Tower Camp (4600 m), from where we descend steeply to Barranco Camp (3900 m). Camp Barranco is one of the most beautiful campsites for hiking. (UNDER)
ACTIVITIES
HIKING
ACCOMMODATION IN
TENT
DAY 6 – KARANGA CAMP
We start the morning by climbing up the Barranco wall, from where we continue on to the Karanga camp (4050 m). The camp has great views of the Kilimanjaro glaciers. (UNDER)
ACTIVITIES
HIKING
ACCOMMODATION IN
TENT
DAY 7 – BARAFU CAMP
Climb across the barren landscape to Barafu camp (4650 m). In the afternoon we will rest and prepare for the challenge of the next day. (UNDER)
ACTIVITIES
HIKING
ACCOMMODATION IN
TENT
DAY 8 – UHURU PEAK
We start the ascent after breakfast towards the top. We reach the edge of the crater, Stella Point, in the sunshine. We continue for about another 45 minutes and are at the highest peak in Africa, Uhuru Peak (5895 m). We descend to Millennium Camp (3830 m) for the night. (UNDER)
ACTIVITIES
HIKING
ACCOMMODATION IN
TENT
DAY 9 – MILLENIUM CAMP – ARUSHA
We walk through lush cloudy forests down to the Mweka Gate, where we say goodbye to our bearer and our mountain guide. We will return to our hotel in Arusha. (A, L)
ACTIVITIES
HIKING
ACCOMMODATION AT
VENUS PREMIER HOTEL OR SIMILAR
DAY 10 – TARANGIRI NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast, drive to Tarangire National Park, famous for its thousands of elephants. We do a safari ride in the park before moving to Karatu for the evening, where we stay overnight. (UNDER)
ACTIVITIES
SAFARI DRIVING
ACCOMMODATION AT
LAKE MANYARA WILDLIFE LODGE / ENDORO LODGE OR SIMILAR
DAY 11 – LAKE MANYARA – ARUSHA
We visit Lake Manyara National Park, known for its flamingos and hippos, after which we head back to Arusha and further to Kilimanjaro Airport. (A, L)
ACTIVITIES
SAFARI DRIVING
DAY 12 – RETURN FLIGHTS TO FINLAND
Overnight flights home.
MEALS: [A] BREAKFAST [L] LUNCH [I] DINNER
Preparation:
With Kilimanjaro hiking, we travel in varying terrain and day trips are about 6 – 12h. On the way, you will be in good basic condition. However, we recommend that you physically prepare for the hike by taking regular walking, cycling or skiing runs before the hike. The better your physical condition, the more you get out of hiking.
Typical hiking day:
A typical hiking day starts at about. 7.00 with wake-up call. This is followed by the packaging of the equipment. Together with breakfast we go through the day’s hiking section and its special features. The hiking itself starts after breakfast at about. 8.00. A hot lunch is enjoyed at noon and the afternoon hike is usually shorter than the morning. During the hike, everyone can walk at their own pace. The local guide and tour guide always walk one in front of the group and the other after the last hiker. Upon arrival at our accommodation there is time to relax and shower. Dinner will be enjoyed in the dining room of the hiking camps from 19:00 until 20:00, during which the tour guide will go through the next day’s program.