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Mt.Kilimanjaro up Machame Route and down Mweka Route

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This option is offered so that if the water supply at the cave on the Umbwe route is likely to be badly contaminated, or non existent, an alternative ascent is provided for.  The Machame route is also considered to be slightly easier to ascend than via Umbwe, particularly on day 2, where, if walkers are particularly slow, or we've been delayed in setting off that morning, arrival at the campsite is more likely to be during daylight. I have known arrival at Umbwe cave to be an hour or so after dark - an interesting experience.  Views of the mountain are slightly more varied. 

Day 1 

 Collection from a central point in Nairobi at 0800. It's then about 21/2 hours from Nairobi to where we cross the border at Namanga into Tanzania. This border process usually takes about 45 min, then it's on to Arusha for lunch, (about 11/2 hr's).  A further 2 hours driving gets us to the Kibo (or other) Hotel, (where we spend the night), at the base of the mountain. Your guide then spends the rest of the afternoon arranging for the required porters and the mandatory local guide /s.

Day 2    

Depart directly from the Hotel,  through Moshi, to the Machame Park Gate where all necessary fees will be paid, and our "permit to climb" before setting off through the start of the forest and the path up the mountain. Hopefully we are able to start walking by about 1030, lunch at about 1300 and arrival at the first nights cave, (2,900m) by about 1600. Quite a hard days walk.

Day 3    

From our campsite on the ridge, we continue to move steeply up through the last of the forest, to join the main ridge for about an hours hard uphill walking. A couple of hours to the start of the moorland proper. The ridge then eases off and we have lunch on a huge flat topped bolder near a stream.  Continue up a short way before contouring round left to soon join the relatively flat area known as the Shira Plateau. Another hour to the hut, though we will be sleeping in tents. Superb views of the summit cone - Kibo.

Day 4   

An easy days walk up the desert like foothills of Kibo cone, to a high camp at Lava Tower. Climbers might expect to suffer minor headaches at this point, but this day / nights walk will be major acclimatization. If anybody is feeling really ill, an option is to continue the days walk to a camp at Barranco Hut. 

Day 5     

An easy days walk, first down the mountain to Barranco Hut, (about 1« hr), then eastwards across a wide glacial outwash plain, and moraines to the Breach wall". Steeply up for about 300m to the top of the wall, and the spectacular views of the whole of that side of the mountain and the expanse of the Southern Glaciers above. Descend a short ridge, then after about an hour (from the ridge), drop down into the Karanga Valley. Total time required for this days walk is less than 4« hours.

Day 6   

Another easy days walk. After climbing out of the Karanga Valley we continue contouring around the mountain. An hour and half later at the top of the ridge bordering the Charrongo valley to the east, we turn left and start to head on up towards the main cone of the mountain it's self. Barafu Hut, (4,600m, is reached after some 5 hours walking. At the hut, subject to available space, we will set a tent up inside one of the huts. It keeps the wind off us and we all sleep a little warmer. Retire to the sleeping bags early 

Day 7   

Well rather it's still day 5 when we get up for breakfast, Ugh, and a hot drink before a midnight departure for the walk up to the crater rim at Stella Notch, (5,780m), where, with luck, we should arrive in time to view the usually magnificent sunrise with the crater rim as a foredrop and the jagged peaks of Mawenzi in the background. Another hour to Uhuru Pt. then it's time to return back round the crater rim to Stella Pt. and the start of the big scree slopes leading back to Barafu Hut.  From this hut it's another 3 hours on down to the Mweka Huts (3,050m), where an early night will be had by all.

Day 8   

Leisurely departure for the 3 hour walk back to the Park Gate at Mweka roadhead. Transport awaits us here, and after obtaining "Achievement" certificates (assuming we got you to Uhuru or Gillmans), we head on down to Moshi,  change clothes and on to Arusha for lunch. Mid afternoon departure for Nairobi. 

On the 9 day variation to this safari it is possible for the fit and well acclimatised person to spend one or more nights actual camped in the crater of the Volcano, and to spend a day exploring this fascinating area; The Reuche Crater, the Ash Pit and the sulphur deposits, plus of course the remnants northern and western icefields.

All the costs include food, drink, tents, park fees, porters and guide, transport and transfers. This Itinerary can be extended to include technical climbing on the mountain and white water rafting

All prices in Sterling Pounds (£)/person and subject to change.

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