Company : G Adventures
Duration: 1 week to 2 weeks
Approx Costs: 2000 to 2500 £ Pound (UK)
Experience the splendour of Kili with an extra day to acclimatize on your way to the summit of Africa's highest peak.
Considered by many to be the most scenic path to the summit, the Machame boasts different routes to the summit and back. Known as the "Whiskey Route," this path leads you through magnificent forests to gain a ridge leading through moorland to the Shira Plateau.
It offers great scenery beneath the glaciated precipices of the Southern Icefields before summiting from the higher Barafu Camp. Camp along the route with support from local guides and porters. As a world leader in Kili treks, we'll take you to new heights in adventure!
Day 1 Moshi
Arrive at any time.
Day 2 Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Hike lower slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro to Machame Camp.
Day 3 Machame Camp to Shira 2 Camp
Hike through lower alpine moorland to Shira 2 camp. Views of Kibo Peak.
Day 4 Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp
Hike to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower. Fantastic views of Western Breach and Breach Wall.
Day 5 Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Hike via Great Barranco Wall and the vast alpine desert of Karanga Valley.
Day 6 Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Short hike as you gain altitude to prepare for your summit attempt.
Day 7 Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp
Night hike to the Summit via Stella Point. Appreciate the beautiful sunrise before descending to Mweka Camp.
Day 8 Descent - Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Moshi
Continue descent through forested lower slopes to Moshi.
Day 9 Moshi
Depart at any time.
I didn't realise how much I would get out of this experience. I couldn't believe how much hands on time there is with the monkeys. So easy to fall in love with them all, makes it less like 'work' and more spending time and having fun. What a great way to meet new and interesting people from all over the world.
Don't hold back - get stuck in and have fun. Try not to stress about learning everything at once, or being afraid to ask for help. Everyone has to start somewhere! Prepare to get messy and don't bother spending any time brushing, plating or styling your hair - they love to jump on your head!
Be prepared that the accommodation for this project is very basic and there's not a lot of space. The outdoor showers, although novel to be outdoors, do come with bugs crawling everywhere, along with leaves etc dropping from the trees above. Oh and the occasional wild baboon! I would also strongly recommend bringing a mosquito net, mainly to keep other bugs out of the bed!
