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Kilimanjaro National Park

Kilimanjaro Machame Route

14th Dec 22 - 19th Feb 23 / 1st Jul 23 - 24th Oct 23Price on Request pp

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Africa’s highest mountain with its three volcanic cones (Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira), stands about 4,900 metres (16,100 ft) from its base, and 5,895 metres (19,341 ft) above sea level, is a dormant volcano, covering an area of 100 km long and 65 km wide and the tallest freestanding mountain in the world and has permanent snow above 5000 metres.  The highest volcanic cone is Kibo and Uhuru Peak at the summit of this crater rim. Situated just south of the equator in northwest Tanzania near the Kenyan border within Kilimanjaro National Park, this majestic mountain is a challenging maximum adventure.

Price on Request

Quick Facts

  • 8 nights accommodation – 2 in Moshi Hotel, 6 camping
  • 9 days with 7 trekking days
  • Guiding by professional guides
  • We recommend you fly to and from Kilimanjaro Airport
  • We will pick you up and drop you off at the airport
  • Comfortable base hotel before and after your climb
  • Porter assistance for the entire route
  • Available for individuals
  • You need to be pretty fit and prepared for a tough summit day!
  • The feeling of standing on Africa’s highest point is incredible

About & Details

The Machame or ‘Whiskey’ route as it is sometimes known has the advantage of spending some time in the beautiful rain-forest, leading up to the moorlands of the Shira Plateau.  The path then traverses below the southern ice fields of Kibo.  Although steep, it is the most popular and scenic route.  The trek ascends from the southwestern side of the mountain at Machame Gate and descends using the Mweka route. This route undulates over fairly steep ground and will require plenty of stamina, it is a good route for someone looking for an extra challenge and is more suited to trekkers with high altitude and hiking experience.

Please be advised that you are travelling to a completely different part of the world! This may sound obvious but it is surprising how many people are taken aback by the differences in culture. Local standards are a contrast to those in the Western World, you should be prepared for this and be happy to accept the differences. The standard of vehicles on the roads is lower, the standard of driving is lower, the hotels have different set-ups, etc. These differences also extend to the mountain, local guides are trained to a different standard than Western leaders, food and water hygiene is different. Our leaders will advise you of what to do and what not to do to help you adjust as easily and painlessly as possible. You should, as much as possible, try and enjoy the differences in cultures that exist because this is one of the things that make travel so interesting!

Altitude and Climate

This trek visits high altitudes!  It is imperative you are properly acclimatised not only in order for you 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 travel in order to have an understanding of how you may be affected.  Keep your guide informed regarding how you are feeling during the trek.  The climate during your trip will vary between hot in Moshi (25-35°C), to relatively warm on the lower trekking trails (15-25°C daytime) to cold at the higher elevations (0-5°C daytime).  Temperatures at Meru and Kilimanjaro summit can be as low as -25°C with snow.  You must be prepared to encounter low temperatures.  This is particularly relevant when deciding upon which equipment to take.  This should be of good quality.

Visas and Vaccinations

You will need:

  • A Valid Passport: Your passport will need to be valid for at least 6 months after your return date.  Please bring a photocopy of your passport with you for Kilimanjaro Park Permits.
  • Relevant Vaccinations and where necessary Malaria tablets: For medical and inoculations advice, contact your local GP and visit the Foreign & Commonwealth Office website before you travel.  Do this in good time (at least 3 months) as many injections/treatments must be given a certain time apart.
  • Entry Visa: All British nationals require a visa for entry into Tanzania.  You need to arrange these prior to departure.  Visas are valid for 3 months from date of issue and can be purchased via the United Republic of Tanzania Immigration Department website and check out the Visa Application Guidelines website.  If you are not a British national then you will also need to contact the embassy to enquire about visa requirements.
  • Relevant travel Insurance: You will need to make sure your insurance includes an element of trekking up to 6000 metres.
Guides and Porters

Your guide will be certified, accredited and an English speaker.  You will 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, consequently we do not ask our porters to carry more than 20kg per load (this is advised by the IPPG).  In view of these guidelines, we request that you limit the equipment you ask your porter to carry to a maximum of 15kg.  Many ‘Westerners’ feel uncomfortable seeing a local ‘carrying their bags’ but guiding and portering are recognised professions in Tanzania, so remember that for them this is a job and often forms a vital part of a family’s income.  We provide adequate clothing per porter for the intended trek and full insurance during the time of their employment.  It is the custom to tip porters so please bring with you an envelope in which to put your tips.  This envelope must be handed to the guide, sealed.  It is not to be handed to the porter.  The guide will then take all the tips in and distribute them accordingly.  More information as to why this happens and further information on tipping amount guidelines can be found via Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project

Why Book With Us

We know you have a choice of companies to climb Kilimanjaro with. Here are some of the reasons you should choose to travel with Maximum Adventure:

  • We are an established adventure travel business
  • We have been trading since 2002
  • We are financially protected in accordance with the 1992 travel regulation
  • Knowledgeable and available office staff
  • Qualified leaders and guides with ascents ranging from Ben Nevis to Mount Everest
  • All activities are risk assessed
  • We try to give you the best service we can
  • We are aware this is your adventure/challenge and will do our best to facilitate it
  • We have many repeat clients stretching back many years

Inclusions

  • 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
Exclusions
  • Travel to the start and finish points of the trip (flights to/from Tanzania)
  • Lunches and evening meals in the hotel
  • Personal Insurance (for cancellation, accident, health, emergency evacuation and loss, theft of or damage to baggage and personal effects)
  • Porters’ Tips – Africa has a strong tipping culture and your porters will expect a tip at the end of your trip.

Departures

We run the Kilimanjaro Ascent – Machame route as an open or bespoke event over 9 days and 8 nights with 7 trekking days.  For example, if Friday is your arrival day, Saturday would be the first day of your trek, finishing the following Friday and then the departure day would be the next day, on Saturday.  Extra night accommodation can be selected as an option extra at an extra supplement.

For best weather conditions we run this course anytime during July, August and September as well as mid December through until the end of February.  The listed dates are ‘in country’ service provision dates and do not include time required for travel to and from this event.  Please see our itinerary and factor in your travel time to/from Tanzania when planning your trip.

A Typical Day

A typical day on the trek starts with a wake-up call at about 6:30am depending upon what your activity will be for the day.  Breakfast at 7:30 – 8:00am followed by trekking start at 8:30am.  You can stop for tea during the morning and probably break for lunch at about midday.  If you need to walk in the afternoon then you will generally be at your day’s destination by about 3:00 – 4:00pm.  Evening meal will be served at approximately 6:00pm before an early bed time.  These times are flexible but the rhythm is dictated by daylight and you will need a lot of sleep.

Itinerary

  • Arrival Day

    Our services start:  Arrive at Kilimanjaro International airport where you will be met and transferred to your hotel.  After some time to relax from your flight you will meet your guide who will provide a briefing.  During this briefing they will take you through the planned route and carry out an equipment check to ensure you have everything you need to enable you to enjoy your trip.

  • Trekking Day 1

    Transfer to the Machame Park Gate, register with the Tanzania National Park Authority and hike up through dense rainforest, arriving at Machame Camp at 3,000m.

    Approximately 6 hours walking.

  • Trekking Day 2

    Continuing through the rainforest and moorland to the steep ascent onto the Shira Plateau with views of Mount Meru in the Western Breach with its glaciers.  Overnight at Shira Camp at 3845m.

    Approximately 5 hours walking.

  • Trekking Day 3

    Heading east up towards the Lava Tower gaining dramatic views of the Breach Wall precipices.  Shortly after the trail descends into the Barranco campsite, at 3,950m.

    Approximately 8 hours walking.

  • Trekking Day 4

    A scramble leads to the top of the Great Barranco, you will then traverse ridges and screes across to the Karanga Valley campsite situated below the Southern glacier icefalls.

    Approximately 5 hours walking.

  • Trekking Day 5

    After breakfast you will set off on a short but steep walk to Barafu Camp.  Here you will have time to prepare your equipment for the summit day and try to get sleep before you start the late night ascent of Kilimanjaro.

    Approximately 3 hours walking.

  • Trekking Day 6

    SUMMIT DAY!  Just after midnight you will start your ascent, climbing the screes to Stella Point at 5,725m on the crater rim to catch the first sun rays of the day (weather permitting).  Continue on to the summit of Uhuru Peak and the completion of your climb!  You will descend back to Barafu Camp for food before following the Mweka route to the Millennium Camp.

    Approximately 12-15 hours walking.

  • Trekking Day 7

    After a relaxed breakfast you will hike back down to the Mweka Gate where you will be met and driven back to your hotel.

    Approximately 6 hours walking.

  • Departure Day

    Transfer to the airport and say goodbye to Africa!  Our services end.  Most flights to UK will arrive the next day.

Notes:

This itinerary is a guide only.  It can be subject to change dependent upon viability, course members’ fitness, weather conditions or 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.

The Route
Reviews

Find some of the reviews our wonderful customers have left for us below, or read them all here!

Heather Parr
3 months ago

Maximum Adventure exceeded expectations, planning a trip for me last minute and off season through the glorious Lake District. The hotels were top rate, as was the food and my daily gluten free sandwich. Nathalie got the route guide sent to me in a couple of days and the baggage service was impeccable. It was the only tour guide company that responded immediately to my last minute request. Looking forward to more adventures with your company!!!

Chris Evans
3 months ago

David and I walked the Speyside Way in September 2023 and very much enjoyed the adventure. Maximum Adventure Ltd organised our nightly accommodation and uplifting of our luggage in a seamless manner, which made the whole trip so easy with no stress. This is the second time that I have personally used Maximum Adventures Ltd and I would recommend them to others as they offer a friendly and efficient service.

Göte Fredriksson
4 months ago

We realy appreciated the tour we did on Hadrians Wall path in May.Beautiful scenery, decent weather, god arrangements including lodging, transport, bagagehandling etc. We came well prepared . In this preparation Maximum adventures gave us great support, as we are coming from abroad with no knowledge of conditions on the path. We had great BnBs and could concentrate on de daily walks that gave us great pleasure.Thank you England and Hadrians Wall path for your friendly reception and well mantained walking path.Thank you Maximum Adventures for your good service.We would love to come back in the future.

Jerry Kashinski
4 months ago

Maximum Adventure did a great job for us. With less than a month's notice, it set up an itinerary, lodging and luggage porterage for a walk from Carlisle to Newcastle, England along Hadrian's Wall. The lodging was fantastic, as was the itinerary and support during the walk. We'd definitely use Maximum Adventure again and would recommend them without reservation!

Fiona Reilly
5 months ago

I was part of a climb on 23/09, didn't think I would make ut, but I did. The descent was a different story.. I got jelly legs and lost my confidence. If it wasn't for James, my Sherpa would never have made it. Can't thank him enough, Will, met you briefly.Both of them were very knowledgeable, we had the most amazing views at the summit...the pain is still worth it and

Tom Graham
5 months ago

I walked the West Highland Way with my dad and brother. The organisation was excellent by Samantha. Itinerary and instructions were clear and all the bookings and luggage transfers went smoothly. As a result we were able to ensure the fantastic walk and not worry about anything. I would happily recommend Maximum Adventure to others.

Sarah Bracken
5 months ago

Absolutely brilliant guide - knowledgeable, interesting and humorous in addition to looking after our safety so well - making sure we ate and suggesting when to layer up! Would highly recommend!

Diana Straub
6 months ago

We just got home from our 8-days Hadrian's Wall hike and we just loved it!Everything was perfectly organized!We had great B&Bs and hotels with very friendly, welcoming and helpful staff. Our favorite was the Dacre House with Clare. But then again, all were great!The luggage was always at the day's destination, no matter how early we got to the accommodation.The description of how to get to the accommodations were clear and precise.The road map and the guide book were waiting for us as we got to the first B&B and were very helpful and interestingThanks, Maximum Adventure!

Kristin Hentschel
6 months ago

Praise for the West Highland Hike and the Maximum Adventure planners, esp. our planner Samantha. Great experience in every regard.

Simon Bradish
6 months ago

Booked for the 3 UK Peaks adventure, it was organised perfectly and everything when to plan. Accommodation was good, transport excellent, our guide (Patrick) brilliant, so cannot fault the trip and adventure. I personally expected too much from myself and was unable to fully summit as this adventure is not for beginners, I climbed Kilimanjaro in 2003 when I was 42 and twenty years later, although relatively fit, my endurance didn't last. So I did a half summit for Ben Nevis & Scafell, thanks to Patrick for letting go back down on my own, it was brilliant. With Snowdon, a half summit is tricky as you can't descend the way you go up, so I decided to do some hiking in the area while the rest of the group did the climb. I took a chance and went to the ticket office and managed to get a single return ticket up to the summit of Snowdon at 9am which returned down by 11.30am. I was hoping to see my group on top and spring a surprise but the weather was terrible. I highly recommend the trip but make sure you are fit enough otherwise as there is an emphasis on time, so a slow walk up is going to slow everyone down and really delay the trip. Have Fun, Simon Bradish

Charity Information

How to take part for Charity

To do this challenge for a charity there is a non-refundable registration fee, payable to Maximum Adventure at the time of booking.  You can then choose between the two different options below.

Self-Funding

Pay a registration fee at the time of booking then the balance due 10 weeks before departure.  With the self-funding option, you personally cover the full cost of the challenge.  This option means that there is no minimum sponsorship target due, but we encourage you to raise as much money as you can for the charity.

Minimum Sponsorship Pledge

Pay a registration fee at the time of booking and confirm with your charity their minimum fundraising requirements for the balance.  This will typically be double the cost of the adventure, less the registration fee.  With the minimum sponsorship pledge option, you must submit 80% of your fundraising target to the charity 10 weeks before the departure date.

More Information

For more details of how fundraising works please read our step by step guide here or contact us for help.

Maximum Adventure work with lots of charities to offer our events as fundraising opportunities.  You can find our Charity Events from the ‘Menu’ in the corner of your screen or from our homepage.  If your chosen charity is not listed, please contact us and we will be happy to approach them on your behalf.

Why book with us

We know you have a choice of companies providing trips for your next adventures. Here are some of the reasons you should choose to travel with Maximum Adventure:

  • We are an established adventure travel business
  • We have been trading since 2002
  • We are financially protected in accordance with the 1992 travel regulation
  • Knowledgeable and available office staff
  • Qualified leaders and guides with ascents ranging from Ben Nevis to Mount Everest
  • All activities are risk assessed
  • We will provide you with the best service available
  • We are aware this is your holiday/your challenge and will do our best to make it an enjoyable and rewarding experience
  • We have many repeat clients stretching back over a number of years
20+ years adventure organisation experience
Full liability & financial protection
Leading provider of high quality adventure challenges
Great team of staff to support you

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