MACHAME ROUTE ITINERARY 

A less utilized route up the mountain. The huts on this route are in very poor condition, and are shared with the porters, so for this trip you will be in tents. After the Umbwe route, this is probably the most beautiful route by which to ascend the mountain. If conditions allow we will summit via the Arrow Glacier option, providing a slightly different day 5 and 6.

All your supplies and camping equipment are portered up for you (tents, 25 mm mattresses, awnings, stools, lights, etc.), and your meals are prepared. Your personal baggage limit is 12 kg for the climb. 

South African tents and sleeping mattresses are supplied on this trip. 

The Keys Hotel, your base hotel, is located in Moshi, and is one of the best hotels in town. It has a swimming pool, indoor bar and garden area, patio, restaurant and M-Net television coverage. The rooms are a little old fashioned, but are clean and comfortable. Showers are en-suite with hot/cold water. The staff are very friendly and "nothing is too much trouble". 

The guides employed are excellent (some have climbed Kili over 120 times) ! They are employed by the Keys Hotel and have looked after a multitude of our clients. Each trip is lead by a senior guide, with other guides in a ratio of approximately one guide per two or three climbers - if you are a bit slower than the rest, or get ill and have to descend, a guide will always be with you. Food served on the mountain is generally plain and wholesome, including lots of carbohydrates and fresh vegetables. Vegetarians are catered for but please notify us in advance. 

Day 1 - Saturday

Depart Johannesburg (13:05) on Air Tanzania for Kilimanjaro International Airport. Met on arrival and transferred to Keys Hotel for overnight on a dinner, bed and  continental breakfast basis. Climb briefing. 

Day 2 - Sunday

Driven to park gate. A five hour walk through the spectacular forest will bring you to Machame Hut at 3000 m. Overnight camping. 

Day 3 - Monday

Ascend to Shira Hut, 3 800 m. A short descent from Machame Hut, followed by an hour or so of hard uphill to the top of the forest, then 2 hours at a more gentle angle through the lower moorland brings one to the top of a rocky bluff. From here, descend 50 feet then start traversing westwards, towards Shira Cathedral. Total walking time approximately 6 hours. Overnight camping. 

Day 4 - Tuesday

Barranco Hut, 3 900 m. From Shira Hut, climb slowly for about 5 km, through increasingly barren terrain, straight towards the cone of Kibo. Traverse across to Barranco Hut. A fairly long and strenuous day as the altitude is now beginning to be felt. Overnight camping. 

Day 5 - Wednesday

Continue across to Barafu Hut. Another long and tiring day. Overnight camping. 

Day 6 - Thursday

Early attempt on summit. You will be woken at approx. 01h00 for your final ascent. Dress warmly and your guide will lead you "pole pole" to Stella Point, on the crater ridge, and then along the top to Uhuru Peak. It's a very long day - reaching the peak in the early morning light, and then descending during the day, arriving at Mweka late afternoon. Overnight camping - Mweka. 

Day 7 - Friday

Descend to park gate, approx. 4 hours steady downhill walk. Met and transferred to the Keys Hotel for overnight on a dinner, bed and continental breakfast basis. 

Day 8 - Saturday