Mt Kilimanjaro Machame Route, also known as “Whiskey Route.” It is the most commonly and famous route to climbing Kilimanjaro. Machame route is indeed more scenic route to access top of Africa than other routes as it offers a semi circuit views of the mountain.
Choosing a seven days itinerary, gives you a very short hiking distance on the 5th day ahead of the summit attempt, which leaves plenty time for your body to recover and acclimatize with altitude. Here is the seven days itinerary starting from Moshi Hotel and back.
Lake Manyara National Park, its shallow waters make it easy for animals to feed easily on the marshlands as even during the rainy seasons, the lakes fullest is 4 meters deep. The Park is famous for its tree climbing lions’ unusual behavior but from their environment. Other wildlife residents in this park includes; Elephants, hippos, thousands of Flamingos, primates in the woodlands and crowned eagles among many others bird life.
Serengeti National Park, From January to March, Wildebeests spend their time on the short grasslands giving birth to approximate 500,000 calves. The best season to see the migration in action is from April to June and October to December as they head back again to the South.
Ngorongoro Crater, home to a total of approximate 25,000 large and small different wildlife which includes; Black Rhinoceros, African cape Buffaloes, Hippos, blue Wildebeests, Leopards, Cheetahs, Lions, Flamingos among many others. From the exhilarating wildlife to the panoramic views, Ngorongoro crater is a haven for tourist’s attraction destination.
Tour Highlights;
INCLUDE IN THE COSTS;
* Transport from Kilimanjaro Airport to your hotel.
* Transport from Moshi hotel to park gate and back.
* Paying of entrance fees and Government taxes.
* Accommodation in quality mountain tents with mattresses.
* Vehicle rescue fees
* Support of porters, Cooks and Guiding services
* 3 meals a day whilst on the mountain.
* All camping tents, sleeping mats and equipment’s.
* 4×4 safari vehicle
* Bottled drinking water
* Accommodations depending on your style or budget from, economy, standard to luxury lodges and tented camps.
* 4 nights Arusha & Moshi 3 star Hotel before and after the safari unless stated otherwise
* Meals as per indicated on the itinerary
* English speaking driver guide
COST EXCLUDES;
* International/local flights.
* Health, Baggage and travel Insurance
* Hiring of mountain hiking gears like; Sleeping bags, Hiking boots etc.
* Personal snacks.
* Tips for Guides, Cook and Porters
* Optional Masai village visit and balloon safari
* Anything else not listed above.
Meal Plan; Lunch & Dinner
Elevation: 1,830m/6,000ft to 3,050m/9,950ft
Distance: 11km
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Vegetation: Rain Forest
The drive from Moshi town to Machame gate takes about 50 minutes passing the Machame village which is located in the lower slopes of the mountain. Meet the rest of your team [ porters], Check in the park gate and start trekking through tropical rain forest reaching Machame Camp in 4-5 hrs. Packed lunch will be provided.
Meal Plan; Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Elevation: 3,050m/9,050ft to 3,850m/12,600ft
Distance: 5km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Vegetation: Alpine Giant heather
After having breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest crossing a little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge. The route then turns to the west reaching Shira Camp in 4-6 hrs. Lunch provided in a half way distance.
Meal Plan; Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Elevation: 3,850mm/12,600ft to 4,000m/13,000ft
Distance: 10km
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Vegetation: Semi Alpine desert
From the Shira plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. Continue trekking towards South East via Lava Tower. Have lunch from this point and continue down to the Barranco Camp. Dinner and Overnight at the Camp.
Meal Plan; Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Elevation: 4,000m/13,000ft to 4,050m/13,250ft
Distance: 5km
Hiking Time: 3-4hours
Vegetation: Semi Alpine desert
After breakfast, leave the Camp and climb a non- technical but steep ridge {Barranco Wall or the kissing rock}. Continue trekking in a series of hills reaching Karanga Camp. Dinner and overnight at the Camp.
Meal Plan; Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Elevation: 4,050m/13,250ft to 4,700m/15,350ft
Distance: 4km
Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
Vegetation: Alpine Desert
Right after breakfast and gearing up, start trekking passing the junction to Mweka trail continuing up to the Barafu Camp. From this camp, Mawenzi peak and the Kibo peak are very visible. Have an early dinner and resting ahead of the summit overnight.
Meal Plan; Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Elevation: 4,700m/15,350ft to 5,895m/19,340ft
Down to 3,090m/10,150ft
Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
Habitat: Stone scree and ice & snowcapped summit
Wake up at around 2300hrs, have a simple breakfast, gear up and start the journey to the summit. This is the most challenging part in the body both mentally and physically. Please just a single step after the other with like baby steps following your guide in the dark.
At Stella point (18,600ft), you will be rewarded by the epic sunrise if the weather is clear. Then continue in about an hour to summit. At this point, Uhuru peak, you are now on the highest point of Mount Kilimanjaro and in the continent of Africa.
Spend a short time at the summit taking photos and start descending down to Barafu Camp for lunch and a rest. After then continue trekking down to Mweka Camp. Enjoy the last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
Meal Plan; Breakfast
Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
Distance: 10km/6mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Vegetation: Forest
After the breakfast and a little celebration with your service crew, pick up your day packs and start descending down. On arriving at the gate, you’ll be rewarded with certificates of achievement. Board a vehicle which will drive you back in your hotel in Moshi or onward destination.
Drive Time; 2.5-3hrs
The safari kicks off from your hotel/residence where our company driver will pick and advise about the tour.
Board on your waiting jeep driving through the Masai countryside arriving at the lake Manyara entry in time to viewing the Masai tree climbing lions among other stunning wildlife at their natural habitat.
Meals; Lunch & Dinner.
Accommodation at either;
Economy; Twiga, Nysa Camps or similar
Standard; Manyara lodge, Kilumuru lodge or similar
Luxury; Manyara Serena safari lodge or Escarpment lodge
Drive Time; 4 hrs
After morning breakfast, head out for the world-famous Serengeti National Park with its endless plains filled with wildebeests, big cats, elephants and buffaloes.
Before reaching to this wildlife wilderness, we’ll have our picnic lunch en route.
Meals; Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Accommodation at either;
Economy; Thorn tree tented camp or similar
Standard; Ang’ata tented camp or similar
Luxury; Serengeti Serena lodge, kubu kubu lodge or similar
Serengeti National Park remains Africa’s top safari dream destination to many people. Whenever you visit, the thrilling game drives from which lions roam in their jungle, the famous wildebeests and zebras’ migration, birdwatching to Masai community cultural activities makes it a phenomenal wildlife palace.
Besides the phenomenal wildlife journeys, Serengeti National Park is also famous for its abundant grazers like; Buffaloes, Elephants, Elands, Topi, Antelopes and many predators like; over 3,000 Lions, over 1000 Leopards, Cheetahs and many hyenas which follow the moving Wildebeests at their footsteps.
Meals; Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Accommodation at either;
Economy; Thorn tree tented camp or similar
Standard; Ang’ata tented camp or similar
Luxury; Serengeti Serena lodge, kubu kubu lodge or similar
Drive Time; 3hrs
After breakfast, take a glorious morning game viewing en route heading off to the world’s largest volcanic caldera.
Make a stopover at the paleoanthropological Oldupai Gorge, site of a treasured from early man’s evolution in this area.
Arrive at the rim of Ngorongoro and make the descent into the crater, an ecosystem swarming with over 25,000 wildlife animals. Spend the day capturing this wildlife phenomenon separated from the rest of Africa.
Later in the evening head out of the crater to its escarpment camping admiring the beautiful sunset over the crater rim.
Meals; Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Accommodation at either;
Economy; Karatu lodge/similar
Standard; Ngorongoro Tentented camp, Farm house or similar
Luxury; Mountain lodge, Acacia farm lodge or similar.
Drive Time; 3.5hrs
After breakfast and relax, head off for Arusha with some stops along the way and lupernch arriving at your hotel or airport for your onward destination.
Meals; Breakfast & picnic lunch.
END OF THE TRIP.
