Sometimes called the Whisky Route. This is a popular route up steep paths through magnificent forests to gain a ridge leading through the moorland zones to the Shira Plateau. It then traverses beneath the glaciated precipices of the Southern Icefields to join the Barafu Route to the summit. An extra day could be added to the itinerary, best spent on the Shira Plateau, where you could walk to the Shira Needles. Strong groups could omit camping at Karanga River. The Mweka Route is used for the descent.
Day 1
We leave from Moshi town to Machame Gates. Cultivated areas of banana and coffee surround the settlement.You can sign into the park visitor's book and then begin your climb. You set off from the gate at sensible pace, at around 11:00. The scenery through the rain forest is interesting and constantly changing. We walk on a gentle path through large trees with a fair amount of undergrowth . After half an hour or so the path narrows and ascends considerably following a sometimes narrow rocky ridge.Around lunchtime you pass into an area an larger hardwood trees and less dense undergrowth . As you continue to climb the trees get lower and become interspersed with giant heather some 30 ft high.Dinner and overnight will be at Machame Hut (3050m) campsite.
Day 2
Today we go from Machame Hut to Shira Hut (3800m) which is approximately a 5 hour walk.You are awaken with tea at 6:30 in your tents.After breakfast we leave camp to climb a steep path winding back and forth across a narrow rocky ridge.Towards midday you reach a short rock step that opens out on top to picnic rock the normal lunch stop on route to Shira.At the top of the Shira ridge (3840m) we have reached the highest point for the day. We arrive at your Shira Cave Campsite, which has a fantastic view in every direction.As the sun sets the temperature drops rapidly so make sure you are dressed warmly.
Day 3
Today we trek from Shira Hut (3800m) to Barranco Hut (3955m) via Lava Tower (4610m)After tea and breakfast, we start today's climb at 08:30 walking directly towards Kibo, up a broad rocky ridge.A steady climb takes you to the foot of Lava Tower, a 50m high lump of rocky sticking up from the rolling ridges around the summit cone. The top of the tower, at (4610m) is the highest point of the day. From Lava Tower we ascend to Barranco Hut, which is the most spectacular campsite this far.
Day 4
Day four is from Barranco Hut (3955m) to Karranga Valley (3950m), approximately a 3 hour walk.Today is extra day we have added to your itinerary for acclimatization, to reduce the effects of the high altitudes on your body. Instead of traveling to barafu, we have split the climb to overnight at the Karranga valley, approximately half way.We have a stiff climb for 30 minutes, or so and the steepest sections are behind you. After about another 30 minutes, we finally reach the top of the wall at an altitude of 4180m, your highest point for today.The Karranga valley is a little deeper than those you have crossed during today's climb, but smaller than the Barranco valley. We descend to a flat area towards the head of valley above a cascading stream. After lunch we will have leisure time to lounge and just take in the beautiful scenery.Dinner and over night will be at Karranga Valley Campsite.
Day 5
Today we go from Karranga Valley (3950m) to Barafu Hut (4610m) approximately a 3 hour walk.We leave just after 9:00, crossing over the stream and cutting diagonally up the steep slope out of the valley. Once out of Karranga valley the terrain becomes very barren. You cross another couple of shallow valleys moving around the mountain until, after a final steep climb, you reach the Barafu bridge.This bridge marks the point where the south circuit path, which you have been following for a couple of days, join the Mweka trail, that climb's all the way up to Stella point on the crater rim. We arrive at your Barafu Hut Camp just after 12:00 after 3 hours of walking .This is another short day due to your extra night at Karranga and it will hopefully give you plenty of time to rest up.We have lunch and then sort most of you gear out for tonight's summit trek. The top of Kibo and Mawenzi is usually cloudy from midday to mid afternoon then the view clears, and become spectacular in all directions. An early dinner is prepared at 17:00 and then you will go to bed to get some sleep before your wake up call at 23:00. Wake up is accompanied by tea.Dinner and overnight today is at Barafu Hut Campsite.
Day 6
Today is a long day, going from Barafu Hut (4610m) to Mweka Hut (3100m) via Uhuru Peak (5895M). Today is approximately a 12 hour walking day.We leave Barafu Hut at midnight. The first half hour of the climb is steep. We stop for the first time after about an hour and thereafter at about 1 hour intervals. The stops are kept to no more than 5 minutes to prevent the cold from taking hold. The temperature is estimated to be about -15 Celsius (5 Fahrenheit) with an occasional light breeze, as you get higher up.The climb from Barafu to Stella is supposed to take about 6 hrs.This is the most difficult part of the climb and the short trek up to Uhuru Peak is easier as the summit is only a short distance away. We spend about 20 minutes at Uhuru Peak so as not to let hypothermia set in.After pictures are taken and the scenery has been taken in, we start our descent to Mweka Hut Campsite.Dinner and overnight is at Mweka Hut Campsite.
Day 7
Today we travel from Mweka Hut (3100m) to Mweka Gate (1800m), a 4 hour walk.In the morning we will serve breakfast and tea at 7:00. We start to descend from the camp and soon drop into the cloud persistent drizzle.We descend through the rain forest. Your drivers will be the waiting for you at the gate while you sign out and receive your summit certificate! We will then serve your final lunch before your ride back to Moshi town.home
The road to the Machame Gates are much steeper and narrower around Machame village . Cultivated areas of banana and coffee surround the settlement. The scenery through the rain forest is interesting and constantly changing. Walk gentle path through large trees with a fair amount of undergrowth . The paths twist and scramble among the rocks and blackened heather. This route is a little difficult for some, but our knowledgeable staff make sure to take great care of all our climbers.
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