MACHAME ROUTE

This is a standard six day route. It is the second most popular route on the mountain with an alternative, more challenging ascent trail to Uhuru Peak after the second day. Climbers ascending by this route are required to descend to Mweka gate.

This route offers some stunning scenery but is 20 km longer than Marangu route. It is a camping trip, all tents and camping equipment are portered for you, with meals being prepared. The guides employed are excellent! Vegetarians are catered for but please notify us in advance

Six day Itinerary

DAY ONE

Driven to park gate where you will meet your guide and porters. A five hour walk through the spectacular forest will bring you to Machame Hut at 3000m.

Camp will be set up by the porters and your meals will be prepared by the guide. Conditions are difficult on this route, and your guide / porters will do everything they can to make your climb pleasant and as comfortable as possible.

DAY TWO

Ascend to Shira Hut, 3800m. A short distance from Machame hut followed by an hour or so of hard uphill to the top of the forest, then 2-3 hours of more gentle angle through the lower moorlands brings one to the top of a rocky bluff. Lunch. From here, descend 50ft then start traversing westwards, up towards Shira Cathedral - approx. 2-3 hours. Camp at Shira - it's a pretty cold campsite, you may get rain or sleet, and in the morning the ground and tents will be frozen over.

 

DAY THREE

From Shira you will set off to Barranco, skirting just below Lava Tower - you are now walking at approx. altitude of 4000m, around the southern side of the mountain. A few steep sections and valleys - it's a long day. This is part of your acclimatisation. Once again, pace yourself to graduate slowly.

DAY FOUR

Continue from Barranco across and up towards Barafu Hut. Again another reasonably long day - you will be gaining further height today

 

DAY FIVE

Today is a very long and strenuous day. Drink lots of fluid before you start, you will be very thirsty by the end of the day - if you can manage, carry 3 litres of water with you today. You will be woken at about 0030 or 0100 hrs with tea and a biscuit. Put on all your clothing ready for the final ascent. You will be climbing up scree for approximately 4-5 hours. You arrive at Stella Point, just at the top of the crater, have a rest - the sun should be shining! From here continue on a relatively easy path up to Uhuru Peak , the highest point in Africa . Descend via Mweka Route , travelling quickly down the scree. This is a long descent. Arrival Mweka, late afternoon, on the edge of the rainforest, overnight camping.

DAY SIX

A three to four hour descent to the Park gate. Liase with your head guide regarding tips - we recommend US$70 which the guide will apportion out amongst the group. Any old clothes, shoes et c. would also be most appreciated. Whilst tips are not compulsory, and the above figure is 'expected' - anything above that is totally at yo

view the Routes Itinerary

MARANGU ROUTE	UMBWE ROUTE
MACHAME ROUTE	RONGAI ROUTE
MWEKA ROUTE	SHIRA ROUTE