Kilimanjaro Climb: Machame Route

On arrival you will be met and transferred to Keys Hotel, a basic but comfortable hotel with friendly staff which is an ideal base from which to start your climb. A climb briefing is scheduled for today in order to meet your guides and discuss the expedition with you in person.

After breakfast you will be transferred to the Machame Gate at Kilimanjaro National Park from where your hike starts. Today, walk through the beautiful rainforest with dense vegetation, often on a muddy trail, with short sections of steep climbs. The trekking pace is slow and very comfortable, ensuring you have enough time to enjoy the natural surroundings, take a photo and nibble on your packed lunch that we provide. The first campsite, Machame Camp, is on the edge of the dense rainforest, offering your first peek of the mountain in the distance.

From Machame Camp the trail continues over steeper terrain interspersed with easy walking. The vegetation changes to increasingly sparse trees and bushes into moorland. There are generally plenty of Proteas and Erica flowers en-route as you gain height along the path. Views of Kibo and Uhuru peak with its snow-capped summit becomes a regular sight as you near Shira Camp. The camp itself is one of the most scenic as it allows views towards the west with Mt Meru in the distance and offer views of Kibo (the top of Mt Kilimanjaro). You often see the most spectacular sunsets from Shira with the clouds below you and the higher mountain peaks peeking through to catch the last bit of sunshine. Just a short hike from the camp is the Shira Caves. This makes a very nice acclimatisation walk before you enjoy a sumptuous dinner and good night's rest.

Today you hike up to 4,630 m (15,190 ft) while crossing a ridge and view the plains far below. Hiking through the alpine desert with boulders scattered around and dust hugging the rocks gives the illusion that you are walking on the moon. At Lava Tower, a big rocky outcrop, you have views of the ancient glacier ice of the Breach Wall on Kibo before descending to Barranco Camp. The path passes the "Garden of the Senecios", which features many of the huge senecio plants as well as lobelia plants. Sunset and sunrise at this camp is breath-taking. The sun paints the rocks in front of camp a dreamy red-yellow colour with the white ice of the high peaks shining bright. Looking towards the south you may see the little town of Moshi far below. You often sleep above the clouds at Barranco Camp.

After breakfast you cross the Great Barranco Wall, topping out at about 4 420 m before dropping to the camp at the Karanga River at about 4040 m. The hike up the Barranco Wall is steep. You pass below the famous Breach Wall, the largest ice and rock face in Africa. The Breach Wall climbing route, known as 'The Icicle', was first climbed in the early 1970's by Reinhold Messner. Daytime temperatures can reach up to 26C, while evening temperatures often drop below freezing.

Should you choose to do the Machame Route hike as a 6 day/5 night climb, you will continue to Barafu Hut (9.3 km/5.7 ml; 8 hours) on this day and not overnight at Karanga Camp.

Wake up very early to have a quick bite to eat and something warm to drink before setting out in darkness. The hike to Stella Point is a very slow steep walk on volcanic scree for about 5-6 hours. The headlamps on the trail towards the summit almost look like fireflies flying in a long row. As you approach the crater rim you will enjoy the most memorable sunrise you may ever experience - the sunrise over Africa! Often you see the curving of the earth at this high altitude and the sunrise on the horizon just accentuates it. Keep your camera ready at all times as there are plenty of photo opportunities along the summit. Once you reach Stella Point on top of the crater rim Uhuru Peak is in sight. Hike along fairly flat terrain for about 40-45 min to reach Uhuru Peak. Spend a few minutes at the top and get that photo of you next to the sign marking the summit - definitely one for your collection.

Descend from Uhuru Peak in high spirits as you have just achieved your goal. The trail down from Stella Point on the Mweka route is often enjoyed by hikers sliding down the scree slope, which entails skidding down the loose gravel with big steps and some sideways moves. Try it, it is fun! With every step going down your body enjoys having more oxygen to breathe in. Depending on how you feel, you may enjoy a short rest at Barafu Camp before descending down to Millennium Camp or Mweka Camp. Most of our expeditions overnight at Mweka Camp this evening.

Enjoy a slow hike through the rainforest to Mweka Gate. It is not a rare sight to spot Black and White Colobus Monkeys in the trees as well as Blue Monkeys. Take time to enjoy the lush vegetation with the Old Man's Beard (tree moss) growing on the giant trees as well as some Giant Ferns towering high over the forest bed. The path has many steps leading you down to Mweka Gate where you may find a cold beer or soft-drink to start celebrating your assault of Kilimanjaro.

You will be transferred back to Moshi, Keys Hotel, to overnight and celebrate (breakfast included). Liaise with your head guide regarding tips - we recommend an amount of USD190-USD220 per climber for a 6-day climb (based on 4 climbers in a group), which the guide will apportion out amongst the group. Whilst the above figure is anticipated for a job well done - anything above that is totally at your discretion.

In accordance with the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project guidelines, we’ve introduced a system where every climber, on completion of the climb, completes a form with the amount that you are giving as a tip.

We also do regular high tech clothing donations in conjunction with Cape Union Mart (South African outdoor gear company, www.capeunionmart.co.za) to the porters and guides in Kilimanjaro to assist them in being properly prepared for these climb expeditions.

This evening your guides will meet you to hand out your Kilimanjaro Certificates. Option to enjoy a barbeque at the hotel to celebrate your hike (needs to be booked prior to the climb and is for own account).

The Kilimanjaro Expedition comes to an end. Transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home or continue on a safari or relaxing beach holiday.