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Arusha -Tanzania
Machame Route
Below is the day by day itinerary for the 12 days Machame climb on Mount Kilimanjaro and Safari Tarangire / Serengeti / Ngorongoro / & Lake Manyara.
The Machame variation is the ideal schedule for this route. On the Machame route, the trek from Barranco to Barafu is broken up into two days, allowing for a short day just prior to the summit attempt. This is important because summit day begins very early, around midnight, so climbers are sleeping deprived going into the toughest day on the mountain. By having a short day beforehand, climbers can be better rested The Machame route is highly recommended and used by most prominent Kilimanjaro operators.
Kilimanjaro International Airport (Google Map)
08:30a.m
Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport you will be greeted by our transfer driver and taken to the Jevas Hotel. The rest of the day is for you to enjoy at leisure – relax at the hotel or explore the town of Arusha. In the late afternoon you will met by one of our safari team members, who will brief you on your upcoming safari.
The drive from Arusha to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about one and a half hours. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.
We now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.
After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite.
From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatization.
After breakfast, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a north westerly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.
From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back toArushaand you will stay for the night at Jevas hotel.
In the morning, you will be collected from your hotel and will be taken to Tarangire National Park. The Tarangire National Park with its endless tree savannah and seasonal marshes is home to the largest elephant herds in the North of Tanzania; with over 4000 at the last count, it takes some beating. In the national park, you will also be able to watch giraffes, buffalos, lions, zebras, gnus and different types of antelopes and gazelles. Upon your arrival at the park, your driver will open the roof of the vehicle and the extensive wildlife watch can begin. After having lunch at a picnic spot, you will have more time in the afternoon to see more of this amazing and beautiful park. Late in the afternoon, you will leave Tarangire National Park and you will stay for the night at Fanaka Lodge. Lunch, Dinner
Breakfast depart with packed lunch and drive to Serengeti for game drive through the agricultural and the beautiful high lyig farmland of Karatu and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Leaving the highlands behind we descend into the heart of wild Africa the Serengeti National Park – with its endless plains rolling into the distance as far as the eye can see. We head to the central park area, known as the Seronera area one of the richest wildlife habitats in the park, featuring the Seronera River. We arrive in time for lunch and enjoy an afternoon game drive in the Serengeti national park. Continue towards the Serengeti, enjoying a lovely scenic drive with views of the Ngorongoro conservation area along the way you’ll pass through a traditional Maasai village where you’ll have the opportunity to experience the culture and lifestyle of its nomadic people. You’ll be welcomed by the Maasai dinner and overnight at Nguchiro public camp site.
You have a full day of excursions in the Serengeti today enjoying morning and afternoon game drives from the camp. The northern of the Serengeti, called Seronera, is a network of rivers that ensure dependable water supplies attracting wildlife throughout the year. It is here that you will have your best opportunity to spot the “Big Five”: lions, elephants, buffalo, rhino, and the leopard.
There will be no shortage of animal sightings as the presence of permanent mud pools and shade attract giraffes, impalas, warthogs, and hippos. You might also catch a glimpse of cheetahs, hyenas and jackals dinner and overnight at the same camp.
Today you’ll get up close and personal with one of Unesco’s World Heritage Sites – the Ngorongoro conservation area. This unique multi-use site is one of the only in the world where man, livestock and wildlife live together in harmony.
Your journey will continue with a visit to the Olduvai Gorge, known as the cradle of mankind. Considered to be one of the most important prehistoric sites in the world, the gorge is where Dr. Leakey discovered the world’s first humans in the 1950.
Later drive for The Crater is famous for Africa’s best game viewing as there is an ever present abundance of wildlife due to the permanent water supply on the crater floor. You will descend 610 metres into the Crater where your safari truly begins. Spot the endangered black rhino, wildebeest, buffalo, zebra, eland, Grant’s & Thomson’s gazelle & giant tusked elephants plus dinner and overnight samba public camp site.
Today you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight- After the breakfast and lunch you may have time to do shopping for the souvenir before you take your outbound flight.
