The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.
St. Augustine
St. Augustine
Machame Route (Seven Day, Day Time Ascent)
Even though we are describing a day time ascent, please be advised that ascending during the day is highly uncommon. Generally outfitters and guides alike discourage day time ascents for reasons such as being able to see the extent of the task ahead may discourage even the most determined climber, while encountering climbers already returning from the top can be equally dispiriting. Furthermore, clouds tend to accumulate around Kibo mid-morning hence you have better chances of clear all around views at sunrise. Last but not least, unless you add an extra day on your descend you will not be able to reach camp before dark since Uhuru Peak is only the half way mark of your summit excursion day. Hence, day time ascents are very unusual and most summit bids start during the night.
Day One
Machame Gate (1800m) to Machame Hut (3000m)
Itinerary
A one hour drive from Moshi will put you at Machame Gate where your guide will be busy to complete all Park Department formalities. At the same time porters will be packing and deciding who is going to carry what. This is your chance to reflect on what lies ahead in the coming days while making your own final preparations.
The trail initially a 4WD dirt track, turns into a single lane path about 45 minutes later. It starts slightly uphill and will continue to do so for the rest of the day, occasionally getting steeper as you progress further up into the forest. Walk slowly and enjoy the beauty this lush and green forest has to offer. Try to listen to the sounds of its wildlife as well as to the occasional stream and waterfall along the way. Except for the trail on which you are standing, this is where you can witness vegetation untouched by human and thriving. Tall trees hovering above countless species of flowers, ferns, mosses and grass, all competing for their own rightful space in the forest.
About 2 hours later the trail widens into an area which features a drop toilet and is often used as a lunch stop. After a short break your hike continues as the path steepens gradually. Another 2 hours later the forest begins to thin and mosses, long grasses, giant heathers and scrub are winning the battle. Larger trees are covered with moss hanging of their branches resembling a beard, hence the name “Old Man’s Beard”. You are now about 15 minutes away from Machame Hut, your first camp for the night, where on a clear day, usually in the mornings, you will have views of Kibo rising above a ridge in the east and Mount Meru in the south-west.
Today you have hiked 10km and gained 1200m in altitude.
The trail initially a 4WD dirt track, turns into a single lane path about 45 minutes later. It starts slightly uphill and will continue to do so for the rest of the day, occasionally getting steeper as you progress further up into the forest. Walk slowly and enjoy the beauty this lush and green forest has to offer. Try to listen to the sounds of its wildlife as well as to the occasional stream and waterfall along the way. Except for the trail on which you are standing, this is where you can witness vegetation untouched by human and thriving. Tall trees hovering above countless species of flowers, ferns, mosses and grass, all competing for their own rightful space in the forest.
About 2 hours later the trail widens into an area which features a drop toilet and is often used as a lunch stop. After a short break your hike continues as the path steepens gradually. Another 2 hours later the forest begins to thin and mosses, long grasses, giant heathers and scrub are winning the battle. Larger trees are covered with moss hanging of their branches resembling a beard, hence the name “Old Man’s Beard”. You are now about 15 minutes away from Machame Hut, your first camp for the night, where on a clear day, usually in the mornings, you will have views of Kibo rising above a ridge in the east and Mount Meru in the south-west.
Today you have hiked 10km and gained 1200m in altitude.
Day Two
Machame Hut (3000m) to New Shira Camp (3840m)
Machame Hut Campsite
Shortly after leaving Machame Hut the last of the trees give way to giant heathers providing little shelter from the sun. You will start hiking upwards on a rocky ridge of volcanic petrified lava, and although the distance to be covered today is shorter than most, expect to be hiking on a somewhat steep incline for almost all day. As you continue upwards beautiful views of Machame Hut and the Tanzanian Plains reveal themselves down below with Machame Hut now being only a small dot in the distance, while Mount Meru stands proudly in the west. Looking ahead the Ridge of Shira Plateau is beginning to appear. The vegetation continues to decrease, and after passing numerous viewpoints, a hand scramble here and there may be required, as you make your way from one side of the ridge to the other and finally to the top. Once on top you are not far from your lunch point hidden behind rocks on a trail that now steepens sharply. Lunch will be in a scenic setting with Senicio and Everlastings dotting the landscape, and on clear day, beautiful views south as well as of Kibo. After lunch, as you continue toward New Shira Camp you will encounter Lobelias (Lobelia deckenii) for the first time. About one hour after lunch, involving some more maneuvering around rocks and boulders on an almost level gradient, you will reach New Shira Camp, your camp for tonight.
Today you have hiked 7km and gained 840m in altitude.
Today you have hiked 7km and gained 840m in altitude.
Day Three
New Shira Camp (3840m) to Barranco Hut (3950m)
Meru from New Shira Camp
Today you have hiked 10km and gained 110m in altitude.
Day Four
Barranco Hut (3950m) to Barafu Hut (4600m)
Day Five
Barafu Hut (4600m) to Uhuru Peak (5895m) and return to Barafu
Day Six
Barafu Hut (4600m) to Mweka Hut (3100m)
Day Seven
Mweka Hut (3100m) to Mweka Gate
