Día 6: Caminata por el Kilimanjaro por la ruta Machame

We just got back from this amazing trek up to Mount Kilimanjaro with Serengeti Camping Safari. Anita was very helpful to organize/plan this trip and responded on every question fast. Babaluu and Daniel were our guides and they were awesome. They have so much knowledge of the mountain. The whole team (porters, cook, waiter) were wonderful and we felt welcome. The food was on the whole trip delicious. Equipment was top notch, the tents were big and awesome. Thank you for this wonderful trip.

Preparation: In the evening before the start of the hike we had a briefing in which everything was explained to us about the tour by our guide Livingstone. In addition, our complete equipment was checked by him too. Everything we didn't have (Gaters, thick hats, duff bags, 1x rain pants, 2 balaclavas, 4x 1.5L water bottles), we could rent for a fair price. Everything which was missing was procured within a very short time. We felt very well taken care of. DAY 1 Arusha to Machame Gate to Machame Camp •Elevation: 1674m to 2835m •Distance: 11 km •Hiking Time: 5-7 hours •Habitat: Rain Forest We started with breakfast at our hotel where we have been picked up by the crew at 8 am. I have booked a private tour with my girlfriend. 9 people accompanied: 1 guide, 1 assistance guide, 1 cook for us, 1 cook for the crew and the rest were packers. We were very surprised because we would have expected only half of the people. The drive from Arusha to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate took about 2 hours. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. We started at the Machame gate and walked through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. DAY 2 •Machame Camp to Shira Camp •Elevation: 2835m to 3750m •Distance: 5 km •Hiking Time: 4-6 hours •Habitat: Moorland After breakfast, we left the glades of the rain forest and continued on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route turned west onto a river gorge. Time for rest, dinner, and an overnight stay at the Shira campsite. DAY 3 •Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp •Elevation: 3750m to 4600m to 3900m •Distance: 10 km •Hiking Time: 6-8 hours •Habitat: Semi Desert From the Shira Plateau, we continued to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continued, our direction has changed to South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” We continued down to the Barranco Hut to an altitude of 3900m. Here we rested, enjoyed dinner, and stayed overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for the summit day. DAY 4 Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp •Elevation: 3900m to 3995m to 4673m •Distance: 9km •Hiking Time: 8-10 hours •Habitat: Alpine Desert After breakfast, we left the Barranco camp and continued on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall also known as “Breakfast wall”, to the Karanga Valley campsite where we had lunch. After lunch, we left the Karanga camp and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, we have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we camped, rested, enjoyed dinner, and prepared us for the summit. Shortly before midnight, we continued our way to the summit. DAY 5 •Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut •Elevation: 4673m to 5895m (and down to 3048m) •Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent •Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent •Habitat: Arctic The ascend led us through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This was the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point (5756m), we stopped for a short rest and continued our way the peak. On the way from the Stella point to the peak we were rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise we have ever seen. From Stella Point, it was a 1-hour ascent to the summit between glaciers. We successfully arrived at the Uhuru Peak, where we have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. We spent around 10 minutes before we began our descent straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch and a power nap. Later in the evening, we enjoyed our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep… Exhausted but happy 😊 DAY 6 •Mweka Camp to Mweka Park Gate to Arusha •Elevation: 3048m to 1645m •Distance: 10 km •Hiking Time: 3-4 hours •Habitat: Rain Forest After breakfast, we continued the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate. After a short break the crew took us to a lunch site where we had the possibility to shop (shirts, coffee and other souvenirs). After the lunch with the whole crew, they drove us back to our hotel in Arusha where we could not wait for the first shower. Additional Information: - The food was very good. - One of the guides is always joining you for breakfast, lunch and dinner. - During dinner the briefing for the next day takes place. - The guides are also taking photos of you. - One of the guides had oxygen with him (just in case). - Only the guides spoke English. However, that was not a problem… you understand each other even without words. - The crew was very friendly. - Our guide Livingstone even knew a few words in German. We would book the tour again with the company!