Daily Departures
Minimum 2 people
Minimum three months notice

  This Machame Route climb of Mt. Kilimanjaro is the same as our 9-day program, but begins with two days additional on Mt. Meru, Africa's 5th highest mountain, to help you acclimatize better. You'll stay at a beautiful safari boutique lodge and in addition to several opportunities for trekking and 7000' and higher, you'll also be able to enjoy game drives.

The climb is operated in conjunction with Tanzania's finest climb guide, Ake Lindstrom. Ake knows more about the mountain than any man alive. As a result Ake's climbs have the highest success rate and safest history of any company in Tanzania.

This is an upmarket climb. There are often 3-4 times as many staff as climbers, including guides, assistant guides, cooks and tent hands. The highest standard of climbing camp is erected for you before you arrive, and the finest and most appropriate foods prepared not only to satisfy you, but make sure you are not energy-depleted. Portable oxygen and a high altitude decompression chamber are carried along, and there are multiple 24x7 communications channels kept open with the Arusha base. And once that all these necessities to the greatest detail are taken care of for you, you'll be able to enjoy the awesome spectacle that is Africa's highest mountain.

This 7-day Machame route is generally considered the best introductory route for avid climbers. It's easier than the grilling 5-day Marangu Route that most of the world takes, much less crowded, and takes you past some much more striking scenery. The more gradual ascent assures better acclimatization, and thereby, a much greater chance of success.

The prices include: ** A Professional Guide who stays with you throughout and manages the entire climb program; ** Several assistant guides -- depending upon the size of the group -- plus a complete staff complement of cooks, assistant cooks, tent hands and porters; ** Comprehensive pre-climb literature to help you prepare for the climb; ** Private transfers; ** Game drives in a private specially-designed safari vehicle; ** Accommodations as described below; ** Meals as detailed in brackets following each day's description below; ** All park entrance fees, VAT and other government taxes; Additional expenses not included, estimated at around $350 per person: - Meals not included; - All beverages; - Requisite visas and other travel preparations like inoculations; - Tipping.

Contact EWT for the best international air fares and for recommendations on how to use your frequent flyer miles.

Whenever you arrive this morning you'll be personally met and privately transferred up Mt. Meru, Africa's 5th highest mountain, to the boutique Hatari Lodge. (If your arrival is in the afternoon or later, you should arrive a day earlier and we'll arrange an overnight at the adjacent airport hotel.) The lodge is located at 7000'just under the strapping summit of Mt. Meru, adjacent Arusha National Park, the big game wilderness which surrounds Mt. Meru. The park is filled with game and you can expect to see zebra, buffalo, waterbuck and much more. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.  [ -l-d]

There are a variety of activities for you, today. In addition to game drives at your convenience, you can arrange hikes of various lengths and to various altitudes. This requires hiring an armed park ranger at a nominal cost to accompany you, and it's a great way to great ready for your Kili climb. You can travel with picnics or return to the lodge for meals. One favorite hike is about 4 hours and ascends to near 9,000' on the plateau before the ash cone that finally killed Meru Volcano about a hundred years ago. Meals and overnight at Hatari Lodge.  [b-l-d]

After breakfast you'll transfer down to Arusha town where you'll arrive around noon. Check-in to the Arusha Hotel. This afternoon your climb guide arrives for a comprehensive briefing and gear check. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.  [b- -d]

Morning transfer to the Machame climb where the track begins. The day is spent walking through the montane forest with some beautiful vegetation into the mountain's lush lower rain forest. Depending upon weather conditions, this can be a moderate to demanding day's work. Camp is pitched at around 3000m. Dinner and overnight in our Machame Forest Camp.  [b-l-d]

Rising early you cross a valley and a stream and then climb up a steep ridge for 3-4 hours. The path then drops into a river gorge before ascending more gently onto the moorland of the Shira Plateau, one of the most fascinating areas of the Mountain. Camp is placed around 3840m. Dinner and overnight in our Shira Plateau Camp.  [b-l-d]

Today you walk for 5-6 hours enjoying sightings of the typical Kilimanjaro mountain vegetation (Senecios, Lobelia, Helichrysum) reaching a high point of around 4600m before descending for the rest of the day. On clear days the Lava Tower can be seen as well as some distinct glaciers. These glaciers are shrinking as world temperatures increase. It is speculated that in a mere 15 years many of these glaciers will disappear, forever. The path down to the Barranco Valley can be particularly rewarding and the view of Kibo peak is truly spectacular. In the evening the blanket of cloud often hangs just below the valley, pulsating in the dying light. Camp is pitched in the Barranco Valley at around 3950m. Dinner and overnight in our Barranco Valley Camp.  [b-l-d]

Today you ascend the Barranco wall, then walk across scree and ridges into the Karanga valley (4100m) with breathtaking views of the Western Breach and the southern glacier. You arrive in time for lunch in camp and then have plenty of time to relax and even go for a short acclimatisation walk. Dinner and overnight in our Karanga Valley Camp.  [b-l-d]

From Karanga we head up a moraine ridge taking our time and going slowly. The views here can be spectacular on the southern glaciers and of the glacial valleys that snake their way down the mountain. The final stage to Barafu is quite steep, and as always we take it very slowly. As with the day before you reach camp by around lunch time leaving lots of time to prepare and relax. In the evening your guide will brief you fully for the final ascent which begins shortly after midnight. Dinner and overnight in our Barafu Camp.  [b-l-d]

The attempt at the summit occurs around midnight. Each climber is assigned a summit guide to ensure that everyone makes it to the top, or returns as required in complete safety. The going is slow, and often quite frustrating on the scree, but persistence and patience ensure steady progress. Near the summit you pass through the gap between the Ratzel and Rebmann glaciers. At Stella point you can then choose to return - you are after all already higher than any point in Africa! Otherwise, continue to Uhuru peak (5896m). Despite the distance being relatively short, progress is slow - there is less than half the oxygen than at sea level! Uhuru Peak provides a unique satisfaction and usually releases a plethora of emotions. If progress is good you can watch the sunrise from the rooftop of Africa. Most people then start returning quite soon after sunrise as the return journey today is quite long. Camp is pitched at around 3100m. Dinner and overnight in our Mweka Camp.  [b-l-d]

The final descent takes you through the lower heath section that quickly turns into rainforest. Your time on Kilimanjaro ends at Mweka Gate where your landrover will be waiting to transfer you back to the Arusha Hotel. You may now relax, take a hot shower or even relax by the pool! Enjoy a wonderful celebration dinner!  [b-l-d]

You will be privately transferred to Kilimanjaro or Arusha airports for your departure.  [b- - ]

END OF EWT SERVICES

Don't go yet! The great safari savannas are just ahead! Check our many short East African safaris or call us for suggestions.