Kilimanjaro, Machame Route
The Machame is a wilderness route which combines spectacular views
and scenery, good acclimatisation and which is quieter than the
Marangu (tourist) route. For all these reasons it is perhaps the
best of the standard routes on the mountain, and the one recommended
for those wanting an uncomplicated but rewarding trek on Kilimanjaro.
There are several other wilderness routes on Kilimanjaro –
Mweka, Umbwe, Shira, Lemosho, Chambers and Londorossi – which
are all variation starts on the Machame. They all converge in the
Shira / Baranco area but can offer a quieter and more interesting
start. The Rongai route climbs the Northern side of the mountain
but joins the Marangu for the last day. Footloose is able to organise
any of these variations and would be pleased to give you a quote,
please contact us for details.
MACHAME ROUTE ITINERARY
For prices for this tour check out our Kilimanjaro
prices and itineraries index
Day 1
Arrive at the hotel for a meal and overnight stay.
Day 2
Drive to Machame Gate and then start the six hour walk to Machame
Hut at 9840 feet. You will be walking through the rainforest, and
the track can be very muddy, so good boots and gaiters are recommended.
Machame Hut is on the edge of the forest and at the beginning of
the moorland. There are good views of the mountain from here. The
water supply is down a steep valley side.
Day
3
It is a 6 to 8 hour walk to Shira hut at 12,500 feet, situated
on the Shira plateau. The walk starts with quite steep inclines,
and you soon get some of the best approach views of Kibo. You
should also be able to see Mount Meru, about 50 kms to the south,
above the clouds.
Once you reach the Shira plateau it is noticeably colder and you
will need to have a fleece jacket or sweater with you. About now
you will also start to feel the effects of altitude, so drink and
walk slowly.
Day 4
Another day without much height gain, but many ups and downs, to
Barranco Hut at 12,800 feet. The day's walk is effectively a west
to east traverse with a height gain at the end of the day of only
300 feet. However during the day's walk you will ascend to almost
15,000 feet and then drop back down at Barranco camp.
You should allow about 7 hours for the walk and enjoy the incredible
views of Kibo ahead of you and down the valleys to the plateau and
rainforest below. You should fill your water bottle at the stream
about halfway through the day's walk. The camping spot at Barranco
is perhaps the most spectacular on the Machame route.
Day 5
It will take about 7 hours to get to the Barafu hut at 15,100 feet.
Allow about 7 hours and make a point of leaving very early in order
to reach Barafu in good time for an early supper and sleep. This
is the first morning that an early start is recommended since it
seems wise on the previous days to sleep as much as you can in order
to build up your reserves. The first part of this day's climb is
spectacular. It's probably the last time for a long time that you'll
feel half human – so enjoy it!
You start the day with a climb of what appears to be an incredibly
steep face. However the guides and porters carrying the gear ahead
of you will show you that it is in fact a good path. At the top
of the steep section there are marvellous views of Meru to the south
lit up by the early morning sun.
From here on you continue to cross the typical valleys and ridges
that radiate from the summit downwards.
You will stop for lunch in the Karanga valley and you should eat
as much as you can here because you may not feel too hungry higher
up. It is also the last water point. The latter part of the walk
is over and up moonscape ridges to Barafu camp. There is a new toilet
here, but other camping conditions are poor. Eat as well as you
can and get to sleep early because you will be getting up at 11pm
for soup or tea and the start of the summit attempt. It cannot be
stressed enough that up to this point you should have been drinking
and eating as much as possible including a good intake of high energy
snacks.
Day 6
You start in the very early hours with the 7 hour walk to Stella
Point on the rim of the crater. You must remember to go as slowly
as you can. There will be enough guides for your party to divide
into slow and very slow groups. It is crazy to rush, and speed could
cause your climb to end in disaster. Drink a lot as you walk and
take high energy snacks. You will begin to see a change in the light
at about 5.00am and from then on the top will become discernible.
At Stella Point you have climbed Kilimanjaro and you will receive
a certificate after the climb.
If you are feeling good, you can continue to the highest point,
Uhuru, but it is further than it looks. Your guide has been instructed
to forbid any climber who has been sick from continuing. Remember
that this is the point of maximum risk to your health and that you
must be prepared to take advice from your guide and colleagues and
be reasonable if they feel you should descend. The rewards on the
top are superb views of the summit glaciers and ice walls and, of
course, standing on the highest point in Africa – 19,340 feet.
The descent commences at Stella Point and leads steeply down over
snow and later broken rocks and scree. After about two hours you
reach the Barafu hut and stop for some refreshment. From here the
path is much clearer and you reach the South Circuit Path. Cross
straight over here and continue steeply down to the Mweka Hut on
the edge of the forest. The hut is two small buildings at 10,100
feet. Repairs are being scheduled for the Mweka Route and this may
involve descent in using other adjacent paths.
Day 7
The home run! The steep descent continues through the forest following
a broad ridge. This path can be slippery so trekking poles are useful
here. The path improves and after about four hours you reach Mweka
gate. Your vehicle will be waiting for you and you'll soon be in
the bath with a drink and the prospect of a good meal ….
Day 8
After breakfast you are free to continue your travels.
Extra Day
We strongly recommend an extra day on this route to assist acclimatisation.
This can be either at Shira with a leisurely walk to Shira Pinnacles
or at Karanga, between Baranco and Barafu. Staying Karanga means
that you avoid a long day before the summit day and get to Barafu
early for a good rest. The extra day is extremely valuable for acclimatisation
and it's an ideal day to rest.
Accommodation
Accommodation on the route is in roomy two person tents. The evening
stops are referred to as huts, but most of the buildings are decrepit.
They are used as shelters for the porters and for cooking. The tents
are usually erected for you when you arrive, although if you want
a particular position it's worth taking charge. In the mornings,
it helps everyone get away early if you lend a hand with taking
the tents down.
Acclimatisation
Acclimatisation is extremely important, both to let you enjoy your
ascent but more importantly to avoid any serious complications.
The route is planned to optimise the height gain, but you may still
get a headache or feel nauseous. There are two important preventative
measures: to drink copiously, even when it is really difficult,
and to walk very slowly, avoiding as far as possible increased heart
and breathing rates.
A drug is available, Diamox, from your GP which is well proven
to help with acclimatisation. This is taken as tablets for a few
days before and then during your ascent. It is safe and has no serious
side effects. It is important to remember that one possible effect
of altitude is light-headedness and odd behaviour, which can lead
to foolish decisions. The danger here is of someone who is not well
insisting on continuing. Watch each other closely.
Other details
Food and kitchen equipment will be carried by the porters and cooked
by an experienced cook. It will be plentiful and wholesome, but
may be limited by the circumstances. Your own supply of chocolate
and high energy snacks is a good idea.
Water is available at several points and should be purified before
drinking. All water in camp will be boiled and some provided for
drinking the next day. A comforting tip is to fill your bottle in
the evening with boiled water for the next day, and to use it as
a hot water bottle overnight. Check with your guide where the water
points are.
Toilets are available at all huts. Some camps have several and
so it's worth checking for the cleanest. If you are caught short
during the walk, please find a spot as far as possible from the
trail and any water. Bury your faeces and paper. It is often easiest
to move a large rock and use the indent as a hole. Mark your spot
by balancing a couple of stones.
Western Breach
It is possible to reach the summit via the Western Breach. This
is steep and not always in condition, but is the most exciting way
to the summit.
You leave from Baranco hut and walk to the Arrow glacier at 15,600
feet, and so it is vital that you feel acclimatised. Check with
your guide about conditions on the Western Breach and if there is
any doubt you should continue to Barafu. From here the summit path
is easier and you have the option of going directly down to Horombo.
The walk gains height quickly as you aim for the breach, which
is the more broken area of cliffs to the left of the Breach Wall.
The hut is long gone but there is an adequate camping place. From
Arrow hut the route takes you up the western Breach to Uhuru and
is the steepest non-technical route on the mountain. If there has
been snow, you should have a rope and axe. If there is any doubt,
don't continue. It is a long day, perhaps fifteen hours, and so
a very early start is needed. There are no short cuts, and so if
you can't make the summit, you have a problem because your porters
will have gone round the mountain by the time you have got back
down.
The path up is well marked and has stretches of easy scrambling.
You should reach the rim after about five hours and then the summit
after another two. From here you descend the Barafu route to the
Mweka route, or more usually down the Marangu to Horombo. Either
way will take about seven hours.
Mount Meru
If you enjoy mountains and would like extra acclimatisation, why
not consider an ascent of Mount Meru (14,800 feet) before going
to Kili. The mountains are adjacent and the two trips complement
each other. Fully inclusive prices start from £495 for a group
of 2. Please ask for more details.
Safaris
Most people add a safari to a trip to climb Kilimanjaro. This can
be either before or after the climb and any number of days. There
are many of the well known game parks within easy reach, such as
Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Masai Mara. Please
ask for detailed itineraries.
For prices
for this tour >
Go to
main Kilimanjaro page >
Go to Footloose
home >
Search for adventure travel >
|
