Machame Route
Duration: 6 days
Weather: Very cold, low rainfall, little cloud
Traffic: High

My chosen route to the summit of Kilimanjaro is the Machame Route, the second most popular of all the ascent routes. This longer, six-day climb was christened the ‘Whisky Route’ since it is harder and its views more potent and intoxicating than those on the easier Marangu Route.

It climbs Kilimanjaro from the southwest and enjoys some of the finest forest, heath and moorland scenery on the mountain. It ascends through lush jungle full of cedar, camphor, juniper and olive trees, festooned with lianas and mottled with grey-green lichen which flourishes in the humidity. Traversing the sparse Shira Plateau, all that remains of the third volcano that compromises Kilimanjaro’s vast bulk, the path teeters around Mount Kibo, beneath the giant glaciers clinging precariously to its sides.

The final push to Uhuru Peak is via either the tricky Western Breach, an enormous gash in the uniform crater rim caused by a giant landslip, or more usually, via the Barafu Route, a steep scree scramble akin to the Normal/Marangu Route.

The stipulated descent route is along the short Mweka Route, which drops swiftly off the mountain. Increasingly popular and the beneficiary of extensive route upgrading in recent years, this path is no longer the wilderness experience it once was. Regardless, it still constitutes an exceptional, fully rounded expedition.



THE ITINERARY

DAY 1 – July 22: LONDON
Evening flight from London to Mombasa (Kenya).

DAYS 2-3 – July 23: MOMBASA
Arrive early in the morning in Mombasa, transfer to an African Safari Club hotel for two nights stay.

DAY 4 – July 25: MOMBASA - MOSHI
Travel by bus from Mombasa to the Kilemakayo Lodge in Tanzania for an overnight stay.

DAY 5 – July 26: M0SHI – MIRIAKAMBA HUT
From the Arusha National Park I will start the first section of my trek through the lush forest, crossing the Ngare Nanyuki river on route to the Miriakamba Hut (8337ft/2541m).

DAY 6 – July 27: MIRIAKAMBA HUT – SADDLE HUT
I will continue with a steep ascent through pleasant forest glades and giant heather to reach the Saddle Hut at 11,713ft / 3570m. This trek will take between 2 to 3 hours. From here I will possibly take a side trek to reach the summit of Little Meru (12,450ft/3794m) before returning to Saddle Hut.

DAY 7 – July 28: SADDLE HUT – SUMMIT – MIRIAKAMBA HUT
An early start will see me reach Rhino Point and then the summit of Mount Meru (14,981ft/4566m) where I will see the sunrise behind the Mount Kilimanjaro, before descending to the Mirakamba Hut.

DAY 8 – July 29: MIRIAKAMBA HUT - MOSHI
I will descend back to the Kilemakayo Lodge where I can relax for the day before the Kilimanjaro climb finally begins. Time for some much needed rest!

DAY 9 – July 30: MOSHI – MACHAME HUT
Registration takes place at the Machame Gate (5905ft/1800m), and there I will meet the native leaders and porters, who will be accompanying me for the next 6 days. After a 5 to 6 hour walk I will overnight at the Machame Hut (10,170ft/3100m).

DAY 10 – July 31: MACHAME HUT – SHIRA HUT
Hiking over a ridge, a steep hill and along some steep rock ridges I will reach a point where I will have excellent views of the Kibo and Shira peaks. Camp is situated at the Shira Plateau and Shira Hut (12,335ft/3750m). Walking time for this day is approximately 4 to 5 hours.

DAY 11 – August 1: SHIRA HUT – LAVA TOWER
On this day I will ascend to the Lava Tower, which highest point is at (15,060ft/4550m). From here there are terrific views of the mighty, glaciated border of the Kibo and the Breach Wall.

DAY 12 – August 2: LAVA TOWER – ARROW HUT
In the morning there is an optional climb of the Lava Tower, which highest point is at 15,060ft/ 4600m. In the afternoon we trek to the remote Arrow Hut camp (16,075ft/4900m) to rest before my final ascent.

DAY 13 – August 3: ARROW HUT – KIBO – CRATER – MWEKA HUT
Today is the final day! Half an hour to midnight I will leave the Arrow Hut, climbing step-by-step uphill along a trail of debris up to the crater brink (18,940ft/5600m). Above the clouds I will experience a fascinating sunrise. This leg of the journey is very exhausting due to the debris along the way and the high altitude. With a strong attitude and determination I will reach the summit, Uhuru Peak (19,340ft/5895), the highest point in all of Africa! From here I will enjoy the fantastic view to Mount Meru and into the huge crater. Following this I will descend the long and hard way to Mweka Camp (10,170ft/3100m). Walking time for this day is approximately 11 to 13 hours!

DAY 14 – August 4: MWEKA HUT - MOSHI
My final day begins very early at 5 am. This will give me the chance to see one last great sunrise on the slopes of Kilimanjaro. The final days trekking will head directly for the exit at the Mweka Gate (5577ft/1700m).