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 !
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
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)
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)
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)
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)
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 : 6kmAscent 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
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)
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
- 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
Invoice procedure
Cancellation policy
- 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
- 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.
Changes to travel contract
Pricing
Contract transfer
Insurance
Practical info
Staff
Food
Accommodation
- 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
- 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
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)
- 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)
Material
- 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)
Luggage
- 1 60/80L backpack : check-in bagage
- 1 30/40L backpack : cabin and trek bagage
Medicine
- 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
Visa
Weather
- The small one : in November
- The big one : from March to the beginning of June.
Electricity
Sustainable tourism
- 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.