7 Days - KILIMANJARO CLIMBING

Description

The Machame route also called “the whiskey route” is the most popular used besides having impressive scenic view so to say the most beautiful trekking route on Kilimanjaro.

Program

• 1
  

  Day 1: Machame Gate – Machame Camp

  The climb starts from Machame Gate aproximately1,740 metres. On sunny days, and especially in the dry season, this section is very lush and beautiful; it can also be a very muddy experience, particularly if it has rained recently! We have lunch at ‘Halfway Clearing’, a small opening in the trees, and continue climbing steadily. The gradient becomes gentler as the forest slowly merges into giant heather close to the next camp near the ruins of Machame Hut 3000 metres. We may get our first closer look at the glaciated dome of Kibo if the evening clouds permit, 5-7 hours walking.

• 2&3

  Day 2&3: Machame Camp – Shira Camp - Barranco Camp

  A shorter day that begins by climbing up a steep ridge to reach a small semicircular cliff known as Picnic Rock. There are excellent views of Kibo and the jagged rim of Shira Plateau from here,and it is a good rest point too. The trail continues less steeply to reach the Shira Plateau. We camp near Shira Hut 3766 metres which has some of the most stunning views on Kilimanjaro; close to the huge volcanic cone of Kibo, the spectacular rock formations of Shira Plateau, and looking across to Mt. Meru floating on the clouds, 4-6 hours walking. A morning of gentle ascent and panoramic views, leaving the moorland plateau behind to walk on lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. After lunch near the Lava Tower junction 4550 metres we descend to the bottom of the Great Barranco valley 3900 metres, sheltered by towering cliffs and with extensive views of the plains far below, 5-7 hours walking.

• 4
  

  Day 4: Barranco Camp – Karanga camp

  A steep climb up the Barranco Wall leads us to an undulating trail on the south-eastern flank of Kibo, with superb vistas of the Southern Ice-fields. The terrain changes to scree, with pockets of lush vegetation in sheltered hollows, and there is only a short distance to our camp at Karanga 4000 metres, the last water point on the approach to Barafu, in a narrow valley. There is plenty of time to rest, or for a short optional acclimatization walk in the afternoon up the valley above the camp, 4-5 hours walking.

• 5&6

  Day 5&6: Karanga Camp – Barafu Camp – Uhuru Peak

  A short but steep climb out of Karanga, and an easy path on compacted scree with wide views to reach Mweka Junction 4150 metres. We then climb steadily to reach the Barafu campsite 4600 metres and continue to the plateau at the bottom of the South-East valley 4800 metres. We will start our ascent by torchlight at about 1 a.m. so that we can be up on the Crater rim by sunrise. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to Stella Point 5735 metres, in about five or six hours. We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi.

• 7

  Day 7: Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate

  A sustained descent on a well constructed path through lovely tropical forest alive with birdsong and boasting lush undergrowth with considerable botanical interest. Our route winds down to the National Park gate at Mweka 1653 metres. Here we sign out from the national park. The shower, the beer, and the swimming pool are tantalizingly close, 4-6 hours walking.

This route has more steep sections than the more constant Marangu or Rongai routes and is a tougher ask of the climber, but the diverse and interesting terrain and the panoramic view are well worth it.