Kilimanjaro Machame route

Standing at 5,895m, Mt Kilimanjaro is, of course, the highest mountain in Africa.

This vast, snow-capped and fortunately dormant/extinct volcano is found in northwest Tanzania, close to the Kenyan boarder. The uppermost point of the world's highest free-standing mountain is Uhuru peak.

This is an 11 day round trip from the UK (including your flight times), using the Machame or 'Whiskey' route as it is sometimes known. This route has the advantage of spending some time in the beautiful rainforest, then leading up to the moorlands of the Shira Plateau. The path then traverses below the southern icefields, joining the Barafu route to the summit.

• 7 days guiding by professional guides
  
• We'll pick you up and drop you off at Kilimanjaro Airport.
  
• Porter assistance for the entire route.
  
• Set open dates, or bespoke courses for individuals through to larger groups - just ask if the date you want is not listed.
  
• Many years experience in providing these courses.
  
• You need to be pretty fit and have a head for heights.
• Stunning scenery and new cultures - who can resist...?
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For this trip we have chosen the Machame route as it is scenically one of the best.  It has a slightly steeper start than the Lemosho Route.

We normally run this trip over a  9 day period, with our services starting on a Saturday, however if you would like to do this at any other time then please contact us

Please note: This itinerary is a guide only. It can be subject to change dependent upon viability, course members' fitness, weather conditions or for any other reason the guide may deem necessary. This trip involves travel to high altitudes and to areas where a short notice change of itinerary may be necessary.

This trek visits high altitudes! It is imperative you are properly acclimatised not only to have a safe trek, but also an enjoyable one as altitude sickness has the capacity to make you feel very miserable! All along the way you will find warnings about ascending too quickly. If you show signs of altitude sickness, appropriate measures (i.e. descent) must be taken. Inform yourself as much as possible about this issue before you go so that you have an understanding of how it can affect you. Keep your guide informed regarding how you are feeling during the trek.

We have an excellent network of contacts in Tanzania for providing this trip. Your guide will be certified, accredited and an English speaker. You'll have the backup of a great local team to help you along. The support team includes local Tanzanian registered guides, porters and a cook. The guides we use have many years' experience guiding Mt Kilimanjaro with some having made over 100 ascents!

We adhere to the guidelines laid down by the International Porter Protection Group. This organisation works to improve the working conditions of mountain porters in the tourism industry worldwide. Therefore we do not ask our porters to carry more than 20kg per load (this is advised by the IPPG). We provide adequate clothing per porter for the intended trek and full insurance during their time of employment. Because of these guidelines, we ask you to limit the equipment you ask your porter to carry to a maximum of 15kg. Many 'Westerners' feel uncomfortable seeing a local 'carrying their bags'. There are many reasons why this should not be so. Guiding and portering are recognised professions in Tanzania and often form a vital part of a family's income. Remember - for them this is a job, just as in the UK many individuals work for someone else.

The hotel accommodation is in twin rooms (if you want a single let us know, however there is a surcharge) with ensuite bathrooms. The hotel has a pool for you to relax in when not on the mountains or after a long flight and have a refreshing drink! The accommodation on the trek is in tents.

All British nationals require a visa for entry into Tanzania. You need to arrange these prior to departure with the relevant embassy. If you are not a British national then you will also need to contact the embassy to enquire about visa requirements. It is more than likely you will need one. Please obtain your visa prior to travelling to avoid delays upon arrival.

For medical and inoculations advice contact your GP before you travel. Do this in good time (3 months) as many injections/ treatments must be given a certain time apart.

Climbing the highest peak in Africa requires considerable fitness. The approach days are relatively manageable, but the tough one will be the summit day. The ascent from Kibo to Gillman's point is hard work by anyone's standard and so you will have to be prepared for this. Therefore it is best to arrive in Africa suitably conditioned, and if you have not done so already then start to get fit. Visit your local gym or go for a bike ride. If you arrive there suitably conditioned then you will enjoy the trip so much more. You will need to be fit enough for a summit day of 12 - 14hrs.

We recommend that you follow a fitness plan in preparation for your challenge, an example of one will be sent to you when you have confirmed your booking.

Although the fitness plan we will send to you has been devised by a fitness professional, this is only provided as a guide and you should seek professional advice before starting your own fitness regime.

Weather conditions permit us to run this course anytime during July, August and September as well as mid December through until the end of February.

Please note that the dates listed are 'in country' service provision dates and do not include time required to travel to and from Tanzania.  Please see the itinerary above when planning your travel time needed.

All trips are supported by local guides and porters. We can also run bespoke trips for you on dates of your choosing, for a minimum number of 2.

2013 season scheduled dates are:

If the date you want is fully booked or not listed please contact us by clicking on the link below - we may still be able to help!

All requested dates are unconfirmed until minimum numbers have been booked.

Price: £1,795

The cost of this trip is £1,795 per person. To book your space on this trip a deposit of £295 is required upon completing your booking form. The remainder of the balence is then due 10 weeks prior to your depature.

Doing this event for charity? Pay a registration fee (deposit) and confirm with your charity minimum fundraising requirements for the balance. Ask us for details.

• Professional event organisation.
• Qualified local mountain guides.
• Arrival and departure transport from Kilimanjaro Airport.
• All other in country ground transfers relevant to the course
• Twin rooms in comfortable hotel accommodation with breakfast when not on the mountain. Single rooms are available at a supplement.
• Fully catered camping trek
• Cook
• National park fees
• Porter assistance for the duration of the trek.
• Group first aid kit with qualified first aiders.