Mount Kilimanjaro Climb - MACHAME Route

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A-small-group-descending-to-Barranco-Camp,-Kilimanjaro

Experience the Kilimanjaro, see the trip report!

2016 Kili Trip

DETAILS

Join Us On Mount Kilimanjaro Climb Trip

Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa, rises on the Tanzania - Kenya border, well into the Eastern half of the African continent. Towering above the Tanzanian plains so close to the equator (3.04 degrees South), the snowclad mountain leads a spectacular existence on the African plains. So spectacular that well into the nineteenth century, much of mainland Europe refused to believe eyewitness accounts of its existence. In our own time, Kili (as it is affectionately called by the climbing community) is a proud member of two exclusive clubs viz. seven summits of the world (composed of the tallest mountain in each of the seven continents) and seven natural wonders of the world.

December end to March and June to beginning of October when the weather is more likely to be dry are the popular climbing season for Kilimanjaro. These months also tend to be the busiest on the mountains.

Slide Table to the left to see more.

Route	Hiking Days	What's Good	What's Not
Machame	6-7	High scenic value Great acclimatization opportunity Come down on a different route High success rate Allows tactical changes at pre-summit stage	Very popular, hence crowded Expensive when compared to Marangu
Marangu	5-6	Shortest and most economical route Offers good views on the mountain No camping, accommodation in huts	Less time to acclimatize Follows same trail up and down Only basic accommodation and facilities are available
Rongai	5-7	True wilderness experience amongst all routes	Less acclimatization and less scenic Summit push over very tough terrain
Shira / Lemosho	7-9	High scenic value High success rate	Only fully catered camping possible Longer, among the most expensive options
Umbwe	5-7	Least crowded of all routes	Shortest and steepest of all routes, poort acclimatization and tough climbing (lowest success rate)
Northern Circuit	8-9	Great views of the mountain Very good acclimatization Used by very few agencies, not crowded	Longest route, most expensive

Machame Route for Mount Kilimanjaro Climb

The Machame route (also called the Whiskey route) is extremely popular among guides and climbers alike for several reasons. For one, Machame is the amongst the most scenic routes to climb Kilimanjaro. The route traverses the Southern and Western faces of the mountain and passes through five climatic zones including spectacular cloud forests in the lower ranges. It also offers great acclimatization opportunity, as it naturally follows the mountaineer’s caveat of walking high and sleeping low. This is perhaps one of the reasons for the relatively high success rate for this route, especially when compared to the Marangu route (also called the Coca Cola trail). Compared to Marangu, you need one or two days more on the Machame route which again improves the acclimatization and success rate on this route. You also have the option of splitting the pre-summit day climb which means you are better rested for the all important summit push. And the cherry on your summit dessert is that you will take a different path on your way down than the one on which you ascend, enabling you to savour more of Kilimanjaro. To its fault, Machame is sometimes too popular by its virtues which means it is usually a bit more crowded than other routes. Also it is usually more expensive to climb on Machame than Marangu, as the Whiskey versus Coca Cola nomenclature would suggest.

Machame vs. Marangu

Machame

Whiskey Route (6-7 days)

Scenic
Good acclimatization
Option to split pre-sumit day
Come down on a different route
Fully catered camping only

Marangu

Coca-Cola Route (5-6 days)

Shortest and cheapest
Less time to acclimatize
Lowest success rate
Ascend/descent on same route
Accommodation in huts

PRICE BASIS

PRICE INCLUDES

2 nights hotel accommodation in Moshi (before & after climb), Breakfast at hotel
Group transport to and from Moshi to the trailhead
National Park fees, camping fees, and rescue fees
Guides: Very experienced guides. Guide-client ratio 1-2
Porters: 3-4porters per client. You carry around 10 Lbs
Accommodation in the Mountain in good quality tents and sleeping mat
Private toilets.
Fresh nutritious meals, cooked and served in dinner tent with table/chairs
Bottled oxygen, only for rescue/emergency use
Information sessions and Trip preparation assistance provided by US based guide

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

Airfare
Visa Application Fee
Lunch or dinner at hotel
Personal gear and equipment

MIYAR ADVANTAGE

For the price that it charges Miyar tries to offer maximum value. Few points worth noting are:

We deliver an end to end experience, all inclusive. This means we assume responsibility from your arrival point near Kilimanjaro (Kilimanjaro, Arusha or Moshi) till when you depart the region after hike.
Our US based team would work with you as you prepare for your Mount Kilimanjaro Climb trip. We are there to answer your questions related to health, safety, packing or just about anything related to climbing.
We use our own local operator and lead guides in Tanzania to ensure that all aspects of the climb are in line with the expectations we have set with our customers and our own uncompromising attitude towards customer experience.
Our US based guides personally lead climbs several times in an year to ensure that all ground operations are in accordance with our expectations. Usually US based guides accompany larger groups to ensure better coordination.
Accommodation on nights before and after the Mount Kilimanjaro Climb is included. Stella Maris Lodge is our preferred choice. Depending on availability and logistics considerations, we sometimes use an equally reputable, comfortable and convenient facility. For more details please refer the day by day itinerary.
Accommodation are in comfortable tents on twin share basis. We use Alps Mountaineering Taurus 3 Outfitter tent in all our expeditions. They are sturdy, spacious and comfortable and are ideal for the conditions on Kilimanjaro.
We serve great food on the trek, food that is fresh, hygienic and nutritious. We will serve you fresh fruits, veggies, chicken, meat, eggs, sausages, pancakes, juice, soups, fish, rice, pasta etc. We have logistics arrangements to get fresh supplies delivered while we are into our trek. We take care of a wide range of dietary restrictions or preferences like gluten free, lactose intolerant, vegetarian, vegan, kosher, halal etc.
We carry private commodes / toilets for the use of our guests. Toilets provided by the Kilimanjaro Park Authority at camping sites are not exactly clean or hygienic. So this can be a big factor if such facilities put you off for the day (as is the case with most of us).
We carry our own safety equipments including oximeters and oxygen cylinders. Hopefully they would not be used but this is an expenditure we would rather waste than avoid.
All our local guides are carefully chosen for their Kilimanjaro experience, English speaking ability and professionalism. We ensure that all of them are Wilderness First Aid trained.

While comparing Miyar Adventures with other guide companies, please bear the above advantages in mind. We are confident that for the amount you pay, no one else would offer you as much value. Should you still have questions, do not hesitate to contact us.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) or Moshi.

We will transfer you to the Stella Maris Lodge (SML) located conveniently between Kilimanjaro Airport and Moshi. Here you would meet your fellow hikers as well your lead and local guides. There will be a pre-climb briefing for us to go through the finer details of the climb one last time. We would also use the opportunity for last minute questions, a final gear check etc. Relax, network, eat and rest well for the big expedition starts the next day.

Day 2: Welcome to the Park!

We will have a short drive from SML to the Machame gate in the morning. Machame gate is the ‘official’ entry point to Kili on the Machame route. Permits and other formalities with the KINAPA (Kilimanjaro Administration) would be sorted out at this point. Once the formalities are finished, we will proceed on the trail. Nearly two hours into the hike we will stop for rest and lunch. Post lunch we will hike for another 150 minutes to reach our destination for the day, Machame huts. We should have a very good view of Kibo from our camp.

Machame Gate (1811 m / 5940 ft) to Machame Hut (3021 m / 9900 ft)
Elev gain: 1210 m / 3970 ft
Time: 6 hours on average
Distance: About 10 km / 6 miles

Day 3: Pole Pole

We will set out on the trail moving eastwards after breakfast. The terrain would alter significantly from the first day. We will walk nearly five miles (8 kms) today and gain about 2680 feet (818 meters). Note however that the path is undulating which means you would have some steep sections to climb, heights that you will soon relinquish. This approach would greatly improve your acclimatization. End of the (climbing) day should see you at Shira camp savoring well earned rest and refreshments.

Machame Hut (3021 m / 9900 ft) to Shira Camp (3839 m / 12,600 ft)
Elev gain: 818 m / 2680 ft
Time: 6 hours on average
Distance: About 8 km / 5 miles

Day 4: Climb High, Sleep Low (aka Altitude sans sickness)

We will cover about 7 miles (11 km) this day. Net altitude gained would however be a miserly 480 feet (147 m). We would go up by about 2590 feet to touch about 15200 feet above MSL at a point called the Lava tower and relinquish most of the altitude gained to settle down at the Barranco camp (13080 feet). Classic climb high, sleep low stratagem for acclimatization! By now we are well into alpine terrain. Barranco offers spectacular views all around.

Shira Camp (3839 m / 12,600 ft) to Barranco Camp (3986 m / 13080 ft)
Elev gain: 790 m / 2590 ft; Elev loss: 643 m / 2110 ft
Time: 7-10 hours on average
Distance: About 11 km / 7 miles

Day 5: Scaling the breakfast wall

We have a tough scramble up the Barranco wall in the morning. And that is pretty much the hard work to be done for the day. From there it is mostly downhill and easy to Karanga camp. We should reach there in time for a slightly late lunch which would be served hot. This would be our shortest climbing day on Kili.

Barranco Camp (3986 m / 13080 ft) to Karanga Camp (4034 m / 13230 ft)
Elev gain: 400 m / 1300 ft; Elev loss: 350 m / 1170 ft
Time: 4-5 hours on average
Distance: About 5 km / 3 miles

Day 6: Moonwalk to Kosovo

The route from Karanga to Kosovo is barren and strewn with volcanic rocks. Views all around would continue to be great. We will stop at Barafu for lunch and a short break before proceeding up by another thousand feet to the Kosovo camp. It is a significant improvement in several ways over Barafu which is the default camp location on Machame route.

Karanga Camp (4034 m / 13230 ft) to Kosovo Camp (4863 m / 15950 m)
Elev gain: 830 m / 2720 ft
Time: 5-6 hours on average
Distance: About 5 km / 3 miles

Day 7: The snows of Kilimanjaro (Summit and Descent)

Summit

You would wake up shortly past midnight and make a night time push for the summit. Nearly five hours of persistence would see you at Stella Point even as the day is breaking or about to. You are now on the rim of Kibo’s crater. Another hour and five hundred feet up would have your hitting the roof of Africa.

Kosovo Camp (4863 m / 15950 m) to Uhuru Peak (5896 m / 19344 ft) Summit!!
Elev gain: 1033 m / 3390 ft
Time: 8-10 hours on average
Distance: About 7 km / 4 miles

Descent

After spending time basking in the morning glory atop Kilimanjaro, we will start our descent. On our way back, we will stop over at Kosovo camp for packing our stuff, as well as lunch and rest. Seven miles (about seven hours including pit stop at Kosovo) of descent would see us at Millennium camp, where we shall spend the night.

Uhuru Peak (5896 m / 19344 ft) to Millenium Camp (3810 m / 12500 ft)
Elev loss: 2086 m / 6840 ft
Time: 7-9 hours on average
Distance: About 10 km / 6 miles

Day 8: Back to Moshi

Millennium camp to Mweka gate (our exit point for Kili) should be nothing more than a saunter. We will drive back to Stella Maris for a farewell dinner. You will spend your night here.

Millenium Camp (3810 m / 12500 ft) to Mweka Gate (1800 m / 5900 ft)
Elev loss: 2010 m / 6600 ft
Time: 6-7 hours on average
Distance: About 10 km / 6 miles

Day 9: Till we meet again!

Most customers prefer to club their Kilimanjaro hike with a Tanzanian Safari. Assuming you are bundling the two, we will commence our Safari today. Else we will see you off to Kilimanjaro Airport. Either way, the Kilimanjaro hike comes to an end and hopefully leaves great memories that you would cherish for a long time.

FAQs

HOW DO I GET TO TANZANIA?

You will fly into the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). Your guides will meet you at the airport and travel with you to the Stella Maris lodge south of Kilimanjaro National Park at Moshi.

WHAT ARE THE ACCOMMODATIONS LIKE?

Before and after the climb, we will stay at the Stella Maris lodge. Stella Maris is a new 25-room lodge located on the main road in the peaceful village of Mailisita. All rooms are ensuite, air-conditioned, have satellite-TVs, and have with private balconies with views of Kilimanjaro. The Stella Maris also has PCs and free Wi-Fi service throughout the lobby and dining areas. The people of Mailisita in partnership with the Mailisita Foundation built the lodge and the Stella Maris English-Medium Primary School. The foundation is a US based orphan and vulnerable child relief organization. All Income from the lodge goes towards paying the teachers and buying food for the children. The Stella Maris is a beautiful place to relax, and your stay helps the underprivileged children in the local village. Each morning while enjoying fresh-brewed Kilimanjaro coffee you can hear the children singing happily from the school! During the Climb: Accommodation are spacious three person tents on a twin share basis. We will provide comfortable mattresses for a good night sleep.

WHAT IS THE FOOD LIKE?

On the mountain we will have plenty of calories to help you complete climb (pastas, bread, vegetables, and fruit). We will have a mix of both local fare and American food while on the climb.

IS THERE A PACKING LIST?

Yes! • 50-75 liter duffel bag to store all your stuff. • 15-25 liter day pack • Shoes/Boots • 10-32 F sleeping bag (rental available) • Hiking poles (optional) • Headlamp, sun glasses, hand-warmers • Clothing o Base layer o Hiking pants, shirts, shorts o Insulation layer – Down or Primaloft o Rain shell o Gloves, mittens, headgear, socks, gaiters A detailed checklist will be provided once you have signed up for the trip

IS THIS TRIP SAFE?

Safety is very important to Miyar Adventures. We will be in contact with each customer upon booking to discuss gear, altitude, and travel safety. All of our guides are trained in Wilderness First Aid and High Altitude sickness/medicine (AMS). The lead guide coming from the US is a Wilderness First Responder (WFR). During most of your trip a guide will accompany you, but here are some basic travel safety tips for before or after the climb: • Make a copy of your passport and keep it in your luggage. • Don’t walk on your own at night in the major cities or on empty beaches. Especially in Pemba or Zanzibar. • Don’t wear jewelry. • Don’t carry too much cash with you. • Wear a money belt that fits under your clothes. • Don’t carry a lot of camera equipment.

WHAT IS THE TIPPING PROTOCOL?

Tips for guides, camp staff, and porters are essentially obligatory while climbing Kilimanjaro. We encourage team members to participate in the staff tipping session at the end of the climb. This is often calculated on a per day basis, or as percentage of your total trip cost. Recommended per day tipping amounts for the Kilimanjaro climb crewmembers split between the whole group: • -Head guides $25-30 • -Head cook $15-20 • -Assistant guide $15-20 • -Summit porter $8-10 • -Porters and camping crew $6-8 For 7 days divided among the team members it comes out to be around $200-250 USD per person for Machame climb. This is less than 10% of the climb price.

DO I NEED A VISA?

Do I need a Visa? Most people apply for visa upon arrival, however the Tanzanian Embassy recommends that you apply for and obtain your Visa before arriving. Applying in advance it takes 5 business days to process. Tanzania Visa Fees • US Citizens: $100 (multiple entry) good for one year • Non-US Citizens: $50 (single entry) good for six months Requirements for ordinary/tourist Visa • Two recent passport size photos • Flight Itinerary • Passport valid for six months • Visa fee (they accept credit cards or personal checks with driver’s license number written on it) • Visa application form must be filled out and signed by the applicant: http://tanzaniaembassy-us.org/?page_id=76#visaForms

HOW DO I GET MY VACCINES

Make an appointment with a Travel Doctor: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/tanzania#vaccines-and-medicines

WHAT ABOUT ALTITUDE SICKNESS?

In order to visit some of the most stunning landscapes on the planet we must face elevations that we are not used to. These high altitudes can cause illness ranging from mild to severe symptoms. All of our guides going on Kilimanjaro have experience with high altitude trekking, as well as preventing, and treating high altitude sickness. Our trips are designed to prevent altitude sickness in the first place. We regularly check on symptoms and take the necessary steps to prevent anyone from getting sick. Prevention • The best method of prevention is to go slowly (Pole Pole) • Avoid narcotic pain relievers and alcohol, especially before sleep • Do not overexert yourself. Carry a light pack, take breaks and rest • Eat well and hydrate • Acetazolamide (Diamox ) - Helps with acclimatization. • A diuretic and prophylactic. • Promotes excretion of bicarbonate via urine • Side effects – Increased urination, mild tingling in hands. • It’s everybody’s personal choice. We recommend it. In the rare circumstances you get altitude sick we are prepared and trained to take the necessary step for treatment. Treatment • Descend immediately. Only when symptoms improve should you ascend, if they do not go away, descend further. • If you have prescription for Dexamethasone, it can help you feel better while you descend quickly. • In rare cases when someone is having difficulty descending, supplemental oxygen can be provided.

DO WE NEED TO CARRY LOCAL CURRENCY?

• Tanzania Currency: Tanzanian Shilling (TZS). Current Exchange rate: I USD = 2165 TZS • Carry US Dollars Cash up to 500 USD • Use money belts • Keep a stack of small bills for tips and other expenses • ATMs do not always work

HOW SHOULD I TRAIN FOR KILIMANJARO?

We believe that regular hiking is the best training. You should start with hikes that have 1,500 – 2,000 feet of elevation gain. Progressively ramp up your hike time, distance, and elevation gain at roughly 10% per week. This will safely and effectively build your trekking-specific conditioning, and is also a great opportunity to break in your boots and try out your other gear! -You should aim to go on a big hike or a backpacking trip once every month (day hike around 4,000 ft. gain or better 2-3 big days in the mountains). -A reasonable goal would be to ascent 4,000 feet carrying an average pack of 20 pounds in a 4-5 hour period, or roughly 800-1,000 vertical feet per hour -Try to go on some high altitude hikes (elevation at least 5,000 feet, ideally 8,000-10,000 feet) In addition to hiking and backpacking we suggest you dedicate 2-3 days to cardio over the week. Weight training will also help build overall strength. We recommend 2 full-body strength workouts a week for 30-45 minutes each. Focus on compound exercises like squats, lunges, step-ups, pull-ups, rows, dead lifts, bench presses, pushups, and overhead presses. Flexibility training and stretching for 10-15 minutes at the end of your cardio is also beneficial.

WHAT KIND OF SAFETY AND EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT DO THE GUIDES CARRY?

• All guides carry professional first aid kits. • Oxygen Cylinders are carried for emergency use. • All guides have two way radios • Iridium Go Satellite Hub to help us keep connected to the outside world from anywhere on the mountain

DETAILS OF INFORMATION AND NETWORKING SESSION WE PROVIDE BEFORE THE CLIMB

We have biweekly info session covering but not limiting to following topics: • How to train for the climb. Training Plans • Planning for the trip, Visa, flight tickets, travel insurance etc • Packing List, Clothing/gear required for Kilimanjaro • High Altitude trekking, Preventing AMS, Medicines etc • Health, Vaccines and overall trip safety These info sessions serve two purposes, help everyone on the trip be prepared for the trip and help the group get to know each other before the climb. These info sessions also allow people who live near each other to meet and train for the climb together.

DO I NEED TRAVEL INSURANCE?

Travel insurance is mandatory for this trip. For more information click here: Travel Insurance

CAN I CANCEL MY BOOKING FOR THIS TRIP?

For the Cancellation Policy Click Here Cancellation Policy

DO I NEED AN ADAPTER TO CHARGE MY ELECTRONIC DEVICES OR WOULD THEY DIRECTLY FIT IN THE POWER SOCKETS AVAILABLE IN TANZANIAN HOTELS?

Tanzania uses square shapes power sockets (UK style) as shown. We recommend you carry a suitable adapter or use a universal power socket.

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Testimonials

I climbed Kilimanjaro via the Machame Route with Miyar Adventures in Jan. 2016. Sandeep did a lot of hand-holding before and during the trip in terms of providing information and answering questions. He also took care of all the logistics and made everything hassle free. I was concerned about joining a big group but was relieved to find some quiet time on my own during the hike. My favorite thing about the hike was the local guides, especially Aaron and Sunday. They're very kind and supportive.
Liren C
Really enjoyed the experience in Kili - staff are extremely nice. The tour guides, and even the porters, are very helpful and experienced. I feel safe throughout the trip. Would definitely recommend Miyar!
Hailei Lu
LOVED the Kili Climb! Very well organized, the food was amazing! FRESH fruits and veggies at every meal, and they even accommodated dietary restrictions!! GF, Vegan and dairy (just to name a few) in our group of 14! The morning ritual of GINGER TEA was my fav, for sure!!! Sandeep is a great team builder, the group or climbers were so amazing, helpful and cheery the entire time!!! I will climb with Miyar again! Wish you could experience this for yourself, it is a once in a lifetime experience!!!
Lisa Walker
Climbing Kili was a mind opening experience thanks to Sandeep, our group, and local guides. It's not just about breathtaking scenery, which you will experience. It's about the people. Sandeep and the people he works with are genuine, knowledgeable, wonderful people. I can't wait for my next trip with them! Love you guys!
Kathryn E
I climbed Kilimanjaro with Sandeep, it was an amazing experience. The trip was really well arranged, and we did not need to do much planning-wise. Sandeep was super friendly and helped us train for the climb, with the visas, vaccinations. He even brought some extra "just in case" jackets for the climb - which I ended up borrowing :) The mountain guides were awesome, the food was exceptional. It was a great trip and I look forward to my next trip with Miyar
Priya Janardhanan
Climbed Kilimanjaro with Miyar a few months ago. It was an awesome trip. Everything was very well organized, and we didn't have to worry about a single thing. In fact Sandeep went out of his way to make things go smoothly. He was available months in advance to provide/discuss trip details and answer any questions that we had. He was also very flexible about the trip plan. And finally, he was willi...ng to organize training hikes for us as well, although that didn't work out due to the conflicting schedules of the group members. He made sure that all the group members met and got to know each other beforehand, which I think was really helpful. The trip itself (climb, safari, the group I went with) was one of the most enjoyable and fulfilling experiences of my life.
Akshay Kulkarni
I joined Sandeep on a climb to the highest free-standing mountain in the world - Kilimanjaro in Africa not quite knowing what that meant or what was involved and gained more than what I could have ever imagined. It was a rather long climb and the last day was very tiresome for me. Sandeep continued to encourage me when I was tired and truly exhausted and felt like I could not move an inch. Thanks to that, I did end up summiting and got safely back down to basecamp. I truly appreciated how the climb was coordinated by Sandeep with the guides and porters and it was really pain free for the clients with great food and all conveniences one can expect on a mountain. The pre-planning and gear check sessions all helped me immensely and thought the price was by far the best I had observed for the services provided.
After having been part of climbs with other leaders, I think Sandeep's climbs are very accommodative to a wide set of climbers with varied skill set and preferences. I highly recommend his climbs and would definitely join on future climbs to some of the most beautiful places in the world.
Kavitha
Kilimanjaro was my first mountain excursion outside of the US. I was equally excited and nervous. Sandeep and Miyar Adventures set up the most phenomenal trip I could have imagined! The plan fell perfectly into place upon arrival: hotels were lovely, food was delicious and the mountain guides were marvelous. Sandeep left nothing out when coordinating all of this. He was also available for the months prior to the departure to meet and make sure we had the correct flight plans, gear and clothing, vaccinations, passports, visas and any thing else we might need. Lastly, Sandeep set up local hiking treks prior to our big trip to ensure that we are all physically ready for the trip and so that we may meet one another before the big climb. I know this is a long review, but I wish I could write even more! I felt so comfortable in the hands of Sandeep and Miyar Adventures the entire time! There is nothing that could have gone better and I will certainly be booking another trip with this company soon!
Danielle Stadler