Kilimanjaro by the Machame way

Montagne Expédition, pioneer of the Machame path, offers the Top of Africa ascent (5895 m) in 7 days of trekking !


You will profit of the best safety and service level, as well as a flawless logistic allowing you to neighbour the 90% success rate to the summit. Our engagement towards our carriers is our priority. This experience gives us the chances to succeed the ascent, making it an unforgettable adventure ! 
With this new formula in 7 trek days rather then 6 in the past, we arrive much more relaxed and acclimated before climbing the Uhuru Peak. The Machame way is renowned as being the most beautiful route to ascend Kilimanjaro (5895m) whilst offering impressive and grandiose point of views on the Kibo glaciers. 

Our trek starts in the equatorial forest before crossing decors of high heaths and giant ragworts. The Shira plateau, ancient crater dominated by the Kibo allows us to join the Barranco valley. The final ascent starts from the Barafu camp and leading us to the prestigious Top of Africa ! That is an incredible moment, after great effort. We'll celebrate our victory and engrave these memories in our heads, before heading back down on the Mweka path. 

Itinerary

  • Day 1 France - Arusha

    Departure from Paris on Day 1 if it is a night flight or on Day 2 if it is a day flight, depending on the flights availability.

    Accommodation : Airplane

  • Day 2 Arusha 1400m - Relaxation and preparation

    We are welcomed by our guide and driven to our lodge in Arusha in the middle of the day. We will spend half the day relaxing and preparing before leading for the ascent. By the end of the afternoon, our guide will brief us in details on the week's program. He will help us pack our bags limited to 9kg per person.
    We'll spend the night in the lodge.

    Accommodation : Lodge

  • Day 3 From the Machame Gate to the Machame Camp

    From the Machame Gate to the Machame Camp We leave the lodge by car towards the Machame Gate (1800m) around 8am. On the road, if the weather is good, we might see the Mont Meru and maybe the Kilimanjaro in ahead of us. We cross the cultures of the Chaga ethnic group before reaching the Machame Gate, the starting point of the ascent. We start trekking through the equatorial and humid forest, dense and inextricable. We are surrounded by podocarpus, rubber plantations, mango trees, giant ferns, begonia, and other strangler fig trees. If we're lucky, we might come across the beautiful Colobe monkey. The humid forest in altitude gives way to tall grass and to the mystic heather moorland. The ascent is regular and slightly steep but the step is quite long.
    We'll spend the night at the Machame Camp, located at 3000m high and from where we can observe the Kibo and the Shira if the sky is clear. These are Kilimanjaro's sub massifs, which has three in total with the Mawenzi.

    Positive difference in altitude : 1200m | Altitude Max : 3000m | Accommodation : Machame Camp

  • Day 4 Machame - Shira Camp (3840m)

    Machame - Shira Camp (3840m) Early wake up in the tent with a nice and hot tea or coffee and a pretty view on the Kibo volcano before having breakfast.
    We start our trekking day on a craggy pathway through magnificent heaths and their lichen "beards", leading us to the moorland in altitude where ragworts and lobelias (immortals particular of the Kilimanjaro massif), grow. Whilst we're climbing up, we can notice the famous west breach leading to the Kibo on a more intense ascent. We'll arrive on the Shira plateau which extends in gentle slopes in front of us. Away, to the Westside, remains from its former eponymous crater forms peaks and basalt cathedrals. Behind us looms Mount Meru. We'll have some rest in the afternoon and/or have a nice walk around the camp to perfect our acclimation. We'll spend the night at the Shira Camp located at an altitude of 3840m.

    Positive difference in altitude : 850 m| Altitude Max : 3840m | Accommodation : Shira Camp

  • Day 5 Shira - Lava Tower - Barranco (3840m)

    Little by little, we make it to the alpine desert even if the flora is still present in a few spots. Regular ascent until we reach the Lava Tower pass and its impressive basalt towers at 4600m. We then descend towards Barranco via a small breach. It is one of the rare valleys of the volcano formed by a collapse. Ragworts watered by numerous little waterfalls and sheltered from the wind, grow plentiful and high as totems ! We spend the night in Barranco in a very nice camp on a promontory located at 3950m altitude at the feet of an immense cliff and with a bird's-eye view on the savanna.

    Positive difference in altitude : 800m | Negative difference in altitude : 700m | Altitude Max : 3950m | Accommodation : Camp

  • Day 6 Barranco Camp (3950m) / Karanga Camp (3995m)

    Barranco Camp (3950m) / Karanga Camp (3995m) We leave our camp in direction of the Karanga valley. A new capital day in terms of acclimation. We climb up the Barranco "wall" : impressive but without big technical difficulties. We sometimes have to use our hands by the guides will help us. After that we'll have a long crossing formed with climbs and descents on the Southside of the Kilimanjaro massif. We arrive at the Karanga Camp for a nice hot lunch. The afternoon is your choice : wether relax or go explore the surroundings of the south itinerary with our guide.

    Positive difference in altitude : 400m | Negative difference in altitude : 350m | Altitude Max : 3995m | Accommodation : Karanga Camp

  • Day 7 Karanga Camp - Barafu Camp (4600m)

    Karanga Camp - Barafu Camp (4600m) Regular ascent on the pathway leading us to the Kilimanjaro base camp. Temperatures are dropping and vegetation is getting rare. We are evolving slowly before finally bordering a ridge until Barafu and its camp. At the East is located the majestic Mawenzi, and on top of us is our objectif, the Kibo crater. We arrive at the barafu Camp located at 4600m. Thus, we can't find water up there. It is brought to us by the carriers, and we have to use it carefully and with parsimony. With this new formula in 7 days of trekking rather then 6 in the past, we'll arrive earlier, which will allow us to have a hot lunch and diner, and to relax our weary feet. We have to drink and eat well to gain strength. We'll have an early night to leave very early in the "morning".

    Positive difference in altitude : 700m | Negative difference in altitude : 100m | Altitude Max : 4600m | Accommodation : Barafu Camp

  • Day 8 Barafu Camp (4600m) - Uhuru Peak (5895m) - Mweka Camp (3100m)

    Barafu Camp (4600m) - Uhuru Peak (5895m) - Mweka Camp (3100m) It is more a night wake up then a morning one.. We'll wake up at 11pm for a quick breakfast before leaving around midnight for the big ascent. We'll climb uphill in laces and with our headlights. We meander until we reach the Ratzel and Rebman glaciers, between which we will engage ourselves to then end up on the crater rim as the suns starts to come up, Stella Point, located at 5700m. One more hour on the gentle ridge of the volcanoo to reach Uhuru Peak, 5895m, the Kilimanjaro summit and "Roof of Africa". We made it ! We'll stay a moment standing stock-still in from of the incredible view, open mouthed and agog.
    We then return to Barafu in three hours to have some much needed rest. We follow our descent and finish this long but beautiful walking day with 1500m difference in altitude whilst descending (in 4 hours) to Mweka Camp, at 3100m.

    Ascent distance : 6km

    Ascent distance : 6km - Descent to the Mweka camp : around 25 km

  • Day 9 Mweka Camp - Arusha

    Regular descent on the Mweka path. We quickly arrive in a humid forest. We'll get out of the parc and have some lunch before getting our ascent diploma ! We'll then say goodbye to our team after a wonderful week in heaven and hop in the car taking us back to Arusha through coffee and banana tree plantations. Several hotel rooms in a lodge close to the airport are provided to us to allow us to have a nice and hot shower before taking our flight back to France.

    Negative difference in altitude : 1600m | Altitude Max : 2800m

  • Day 10 Back to Paris

    Back to Paris Return flight to Paris.

    >> EXTENSION TO ZANZIBAR
    After your trek, leave for a few relaxing days in Zanzibar. Our extension offers ideally 4 nights on the East coast and 1 night in the capital of the Stone Town island.
    Please don't hesitate to contact us to adapt this extension to you wishes.

    >> SAFARI EXTENSION
    5 nights and 6 days of which 4 are dedicated to pure animal observation in the Manyara, Serengeti and N'gorongoro parcs : a must do!

    >> DAILY SAFARI IN THE ARUSHA NATIONAL PARC
    You have the possibility to effectuate a daily safari in the Arusha National Parc near the lodge and at the feet of Mount Meru. You can observe all year round it varied fauna (girafes, monkeys, zebras, warthogs, storks... and a very large avian fauna). This circuit includes transfers, visits, parc's entry fees, guidance in an adapted vehicle, as well as the picnics.
    Reservation required in advance and depending on availabilities. Return to the lodge around 4pm.

    Daily safari prices:
    > 245 € / person for 2 person
    > 205 € / person for 3 person
    > 175 € / person for 4 person and more
    (Excluding additional night in Arusha and modified airport transfer according to your program)

Important: This program may be modified by the guide or tour organizer, according to mountain and weather conditions, required physical condition of participants and, above all, your safety. For safety reasons and to ensure the conduct of the announced program, we need to ensure that all participants have the required level of mental and physical conditions demanded by the program. We reserve the right to end your participation if your technical and/or physical form does not match the minimum required level. The interruption cannot result in a reimbursement or payment compensation.

Dates & prices

International departures:

No departure for now

Trip code: ATVKIMA

Included

  • International flights
  • A Montagne Expedition high mountain guide supervision 
  • The logistic of the carriers, a cook and a waiter
  • Ground transportation 
  • Detailed excursions
  • Accommodations as mentioned in the itinerary
  • Full board except for meals mentioned as "free" 
  • Safety equipment necessary for the trek : first aid kit, oximeter, oxygen cylinders and radios, telephone
  • The access to a specialized medical service 24/7 (in case of emergency only

Not included

  • Entry fees for the Kilimanjaro park for the 7 days of ascent : 920€ per adult and 260€ for those under 16. These prices will be invoiced by Montagne Expedition when you will register. They can be adjusted up to 30 days before your departure
  • Carbon compensation : 8€ per person
  • Registration fees
  • Transfers to the airport in case of different group flights

Notes

To be paid for on site : 
  • Visa fees
  • Drinks and mineral water during the trip including during meals 
  • Meals mentioned as "free". Count around 15€ per meal. 
  • Travel insurance

Terms and conditions

Subscription

Subscribe to one of our activities or travels means accepting general sales conditions. Each client must fill a subscription form, which will be accepted only after the payment of a deposit accounting for 30% of the travel’s price and according to the availability. If you subscribe less than 30 days before the trip, you must pay the whole price during the subscription. You can pay by bank transfer (SWIFT/IBAN) or with your credit card directly through our website (available soon). A booking confirmation will be sent to you be e-mail very soon. 

Invoice procedure

Once your booking is registered, we will send you an email containing the invoice. Full payment is required at least 30 days before your arrival. If the customer does not settle the payment of the travel price within the period agreed upon, Montagne Expedition has the right to cancel the booking free of charge. 

Cancellation policy

If for any reason, you decide to withdraw from a journey, the amount already paid will be refunded subject to the following exceptions:
  • More than 30 days before departure, you will be charged for the amount of 50€
  • From 30 to 21 days before departure, you will be charged for the amount of the deposit (30% of the trip’s price)
  • From 20 to 14 days before departure,  you will be charged for 50% of the trip’s price
  • From 13 to 7 days before departure,  you will be charged for 75% of the trip’s priceLess than 7 days before departure,  you will be charged for the whole trip’s price 

Particular case :

Whatever the cancellation or contract change date, the following fees will be added to the charges above:
  • Airline fixed costs: plane tickets are bought in advance to avoid too high airline prices, however they are non refundable in case of cancellation or plan changes. In that case, the charges above apply to the price of your trip without the plane ticket’s price
  • Ground fixed costs: you will be charged for the fees that were paid early
  • Insurance fees: Insurance fees will not be refunded if you have subscribed to a multi-risk or cancellation insurance. The specific conditions will be written on your subscription confirmationIf you have no choice but to cancel your trip before departure, you must inform Montagne Expeditions and your insurance provider with a written statement as soon as possible, you will get a receipt. 

The receipt date will be taken as the cancellation date to charge cancellation fees.  

If Montagne Expeditions has no choice but to cancel a group travel due to an insufficient number of participants, the decision will be taken and the clients informed at least 31 days before departure. Altaï Alpes can also cancel a departure due to exceptional events threatening participants safety (social events, strikes, weather conditions). In that case, the trip’s price will be fully refunded but the participants will not get any compensation.

Changes to travel contract


If any change in travel contract is made at the customer’s request, the customer shall pay any fee that might arise from this change. In any case, every request for changes shall be notified in writing. In case of external events that could not be foreseen, Altaï Alpes might change some aspects of the travel contract. We will inform you of any changes as quickly as possible.

Pricing


All group travel prices on our website have been calculated for the indicated number of participants for each trip. The price list is confirmed after the booking. If the number of participants is lower than expected, an additional payment charge might be applied. For each travel and program, we mention the price per person – valid for the minimum number of participants – and we provide you with detailed explanations about the services included or not. Any change in the exchange rates or in the price of travel services in particular regarding the cost of the fuel, might entail price revision.

Contract transfer

In case of contract transfer by the customer to an assignee, modification and cancellation conditions apply. 

Insurance

We recommend you to get your personal insurance before your departure to cover the activities undertaken by Montagne Expedition. If you have not purchased any of our insurances, we ask you to email us your insurance contract information (company, contract name, contract number, phone number) and bring those information with you on your trip. 

Practical info

Staff

The tour is supervised by a mountain guide who has been chosen for his field experience, his specific knowledge of one geographical area and the culture attached, as well as his passion for the region.

Food

Meals
Varied and generous, meals are prepared by a chef and composed with fresh local products completed by cans brought from France. You will eat healthy during the whole trek : soup, vegetables, pasta, eggs, chicken, potatoes, sandwiches, fish, rice, beef, cabbage, mushrooms. Don't hesitate to bring with you specialities from your region, they always are appreciated ! Also, bring some snacks of your choice : cereal bars, energetic bars or dried fruits. 

Drinks
During this trek, the team will provide you with river water from the mountain, filtered and purified (mineral water bottles are forbidden in the national park). During the trip, drinks are at your own charge. You can fill up your bottles from the tap but it is mandatory to purify it afterwards with purifying tablets (micropur or hydrochlonazone)

Accommodation

In Arusha : in a comfortable lodge before the ascent : double room (individual on demand) with comfortable beddings. Private bathroom and swimming pool. Ilboru Safari Lodge in Arusha (https://www.ilborusafarilodge.com/) or equivalent.

On the Kili camps : 
  • 3 space tents (Mountain Hardwear Trango) for 2 people, inflatable and isolating mattress is provided (prepare your sleeping bag and eventually an additional inflatable mattress for more comfort)
  • Sanitaries : 1 tent with hot water is provided to spruce yourself up ! A hot water basin is given in the morning and in the evening to this use. 
  • Logistic : there will be a "mess" tent in which you will take all of your meals (breakfast, lunch, diner) with table and chairs. Solar lamps for diner.

Transportation

INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT :
For Tanzania, we use regular flights from Paris (al year round and with fixed hours). You will mainly fly on the following companies : Ethiopian, Turkish Airlines, Kenya Airways and KLM Air France. According to availabilities we might have to chose other companies then those mentioned above. 

TRANSPORT IN THE COUNTRY:
  • Transfers in 4x4 to the entry of Kilimanjaro
  • During the ascent of the Kilimanjaro, your luggage (limited to 15kg) will be transported by the carrying team. You will only carry your daily backpacks. 

Tips

Clients usually pay for the guides’ drinks : you might find it practical to make a group kitty at the beginning of your stay (no obligation). 

Supplied equipment

  • Tents
  • Mattresses
  • Mess tent, tables and chairs
  • Collective first aid kit
  • Oxygen cylinders, oximeter
  • VHF phone radio
  • A bag for the ascent (waterproof, but we advise you to take a plastic bag to protect your belongings inside the bag)

Vital equipment

  • Telescopic poles
  • Sleeping bag (-20°)
  • Survival blanket
  • Toilet bag (prefer natural products and biodegradable)
  • Fast drying towel
  • Water bottle (minimum 2L)
  • Sunglasses, category 4, type glacier
  • Headlamp and extra batteries
  • Toilet paper (biodegradable)

Specific equipment required for the ascents : 
  • Isolating and waterproof trekking shoes, adapted to cold temperatures
  • Crampons adapted to your shoes
  • Alpinism helmet
  • Harness
  • Ice axe, ideally adapted to walking on glaciers (make sure to protect it to avoid damaging your belongings during transport)
  • A descender
  • Two screw carabiners
  • One simple carabiner
  • A self-locking ascent handle (type Jumar)
  • A small rope (8mm, 1,5 to 2m long)
  • Belt ring (2m diameter)

Nb : it is possible to rent your equipment in the mountain shops of Kathmandu (between 20 and 40 USD per item). Except for the ice axe, the helmet and the crampons, we advise to avoid renting your equipment there as it is often obsolescent.

Material

Plan to bring a walking equipment adapted to varied temperatures (30° in low altitude, -20° possible over 5000m !)
  • Hat or cat
  • Warm bonnet
  • Scarf
  • T-shirt in synthetic material
  • Thermic underclothes for the nights and days in high altitude
  • Polar jacket
  • Jacket adapted to trekking in high mountain : windbreaker, waterproof and breathable
  • Warm and thick jacket for the night
  • Walking shorts and trousers
  • Alpinism over pants
  • Walking shoes adapted to high mountain, comfortable, robust and that fit crampons
  • Light walking shoes
  • Sandals for the evenings or to cross possible rivers
  • Hiking socks
  • Warm gloves (+ 1 extra pair in case of loss)

NB: Don't hesitate to donate your old hiking equipment to your guide. Our local agency will then distribute them to our carriers, in addition to the working equipment that we will provide to them. 

Luggage

The aerial regulation allows checked-in bagage up to 20kg per person. Make sure to not overcome this weight to avoid having to pay extra fees for the extra kg. We advise you to take with you or to wear the important clothes for the beginning of the ascent : shoes, jackets, trousers, etc.. just in case your checked-in bagage is late. 
2 bags : 
  • 1 60/80L backpack : check-in bagage
  • 1 30/40L backpack : cabin and trek bagage

During the ascent, the weight of your bag is limited to 15kg as it will be carried by a man. Your guide will help you pack. You will retrieve this bag every evenings after the trek. We will lend you another bag to pack the rest of your equipment which will stay in Arusha in complete safety. You will leave your replacement clothes, used for the plane or for the safari after the trek. 

You will carry your cabin bag (35 to 45L backpack), during the trek with the daily belongings (water, food, replacement clothes, etc.)

Medicine

Your guide has a pharmacy of first urgency.
Plan with your doctor your personal pharmacy:
  • Personal medicine
  • Pain reliever (preferably paracetamol)
  • Double skin
  • Elastoplast
  • Local disinfectant
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Antispasmodic
  • Anti-diarrheal
  • Anti-vomiting
  • Intestinal antiseptic
  • Eyewash
  • Light sleeping pills
  • Earplugs
  • Broad spectrum antibiotic
  • Vitamins C 
Non-exhaustive list.

Visa

Mandatory visa : individual visa, and its obtention is under your responsibility. You can obtain the visa at your arrival in Tanzania, in the international airports of Dar-Es-Salaam, Zanzibar and Kilimandjaro. Cost of the visa : 50 USD or 50 euros in cash.

Other option, a visa demand can be done at the Tanzania embassy of your residential country. The delay of obtention is around 5 days. Its cost if around 50 euros. 

Note for the trips finishing in Zanzibar : an exit tax of 42 USD has to be paid at Zanzibar airport. 

Weather

The equator is completely disturbed by the influence of the asian monsoon and by the mountainous areas of the country. Theoretically, in Eastern Africa, there is two rain seasons  : 
  • The small one : in November 
  • The big one : from March to the beginning of June. 

In reality, the weather is less foreseeable than it appears. Raining periods are also excellent times to observe the wild fauna. 
- Mount Kilimanjaro : snowfalls in the night in January and February. Glacial nights in July and August. 

Electricity

Electric plugs : please check the following page in order to have the information on electric plugs in the destination of your trip : http://www.levoyageur.net/indexgb.php 

Sustainable tourism

We do our best to offer trips subscribed to the principles of responsible and sustainable tourism. Our aim is to allow visitors to discover the many facets of the mountains by taking you off the beaten path and getting you in touch with its nature and residents, while ensuring that your visits do not have a negative effect on its natural environment and people.

  • Most of our accommodations are run by locals, thus ensuring that the largest part of the revenue generated through your trip will stay within the region.
  • France is known for its exquisite cuisine. The art of cooking and the joy of eating are part of everyday life. Each region has its particular foods and flavors which we would like you to explore and appreciate.
  • Water is a precious and rare good. Our team and those travelling with us are thus advised to use it with consideration and avoid excessive water use where possible.
  • Please try to recycle your waste whenever possible, even though recycling may not be a well-known concept in all areas.
  • Be cautious and respectful when hiking. Make sure to wear suitable footwear and avoid picking flowers, moving stones or lighting fires.  
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Region
Great ascent
Activity
Expedition Summer
Duration
10 days
Group
4 to 12 people
Code
ATVKIMA
Price
From €2,245
Level
2/5
Comfort
3/5
Language(s)
English

Strengths

  • The Machame in 7 days of trek : the most mythical itinerary
  • 100% guaranteed departures and a limited group of 12 person
  • A maximum safety and a strict respect of the conditions of our carrying team

Guide's advice

« The Machame way allows us to climb progressively and to acclimatize around a 4000m altitude. Follow the pace of our guides : "pole pole" which means "slowly" to give your body some time to adapt to altitude. »
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