7 Days spectacular roof of Africa Machame route climbing

Roof of Africa

The roof of Africa…Mount Kilimanjaro has the highest peak in the Africa Continent known as the Uhuru Peak and can be reached using several Climbing Routes. Today we are focusing on the Machame route with an extra day for acclimatization before attempting the summit. The Route is Scenic and the accommodation is on Basic Camping, we request all the climbers to make sure they have the Best Mountain Type Sleeping Bag. Conquer the Roof Of Africa with your caring partner while on holiday team, The climbing starts and ends in Arusha town.

 HIGHLIGHT

– Machame Route Climbing is one of the challenging routes well known as the Whiskey Route.
– Roof of Africa Climbing is the second best and popular route that is regularly booked as it’s a scenic one on Mount Kilimanjaro.
– Roof of Africa via Machame Route climbing accommodation is on pinched tents which are covered by the package cost.
–  Roof of Africa Machame route climbing allows easy acclimatization with a fairly high success rate and climbers can add an extra day if they wish to.
– The Climbers taking Machame route climbing are required to have climbing Experience as it is for physical fitness.
– Conquer the Roof of Africa and get thrilling views from all directions at the summit.

 ITINERARY

DAY 1: ARUSHA TO MACHAME CAMP.

– Elevation: 1830 meters to 3100 meters.
– Distance: 18 kilometers.
– Hiking time: 5 to 7 hours.
– Habitat: Montane Forest.

The drive from Arusha to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. You now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. You continue a short distance until you reach the Machame Camp where you will overnight at.

DAY 2:  MACHAME CAMP – SHIRA CAMP.

– Elevation: 3100 meters to 3840 meters.
– Distance: 9 kilometers.
– Hiking time: 4 to 6 hours.
– Habitat: Moorland.

After breakfast starts again the roof of Africa, you leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Then it will be time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite.

DAY 3: SHIRA CAMP – LAVA TOWER – BARRANCO CAMP.

– Elevation: 3840 meters to 4630 meters to 3860 meters.
– Distance: 15 kilometers.
– Hiking time: 5 to 7 hours.
– Habitat: Semi Desert.

From the Shira Plateau, you continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As you continue the Roof of Africa, your direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, you come to the second junction which brings you up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 4876 meters or 15,997 feet.

You now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 3860 meters or 12,664 feet. Here, you will rest, enjoy dinner, and 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 summit day.

DAY 4: ACCLIMATIZATION WALK.

After breakfast, you leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite to acclimatize before attempting the Roof of Africa Peak.

DAY 5: KARANGA CAMP – BARAFU CAMP.

– Elevation: 3860 meters to 4600 meters.
– Distance: 13 kilometers.
– Hiking time: 8 hours.
– Habitat: Alpine desert.

After breakfast, you leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall, through the Karanga Valley (lunch at 4200 meters or 13,779 feet), and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. You continue up to the Barafu Hut. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here, you make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.

DAY 6: BARAFU CAMP – SUMMIT – MWEKA HUT.

– Elevation: 4600 meters to 5895 meters to 3100 meters.
– Distance: 7 kilometers ascent / 23 kilometers descent.
– Hiking time: 6 to 8 hours ascent / 7 to 8 hours descent.
– Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit.

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2:00 a.m.), you continue your way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.

At Stella Point (5685 meters or 18,652 feet), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your one-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the Roof of Africa point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.

Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. It can be very cold at night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day. You will want clothing for both extremes with you.

From the summit, you now make your descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon.

DAY 7: MWEKA CAMP – ARUSHA.

– Elevation: 3100 meters to 1830 meters.
– Distance: 15 kilometers.
– Hiking time: 3 to 4 hours.
– Habitat: Forest.

After breakfast, you continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). From the gate, continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to the hotel in Arusha to end Roof Of Africa’s successful climbing.

 RATE INCLUDES:

– Transport to & from the base of Mount Kilimanjaro.
– Accommodation as per the itinerary in tents.
– Porters, Guide & Cook entrance fees.
– Three meals a day whilst on the mountain.
– All camping fees.
– All park entry fees.
– Certificate of achievement after a successful Climbing.

 RATE EXCLUDES:

– Tipping to the guide, porters, and cook [mandatory].
– Personal climbing gear.
– clothing & rucksack.
– Personal travel insurance.
– Beverages & mineral water.
– Items of personal nature use.
– Visa fee to Tanzania.

CLIMBING GEAR CHECKLIST

– A Rucksack For Your Equipment – To Be Carried By Porters
– Sleeping Bag [Mountain Type], Day Pack – For Your Personal Items
– Hiking, Climbing Boots, Camp Shoes, Trainers Not Sandals
– Socks. 2 Thin Polypro Type For Quick Drying, 4 Thick Wind Pants, Wind shirts
– High Gaiters, Warm Pants [Fleece], Jacket Or Pullover, 1 Rain Parka
– 2 Underwears,1 Hiking Shirt, Long Sleeve, 1 Bandanna
– 1 Warm Hat, 1 Hiking Shorts, Pants, Balaclava, Fleece Neck Warmer
– Headlamp, Bulb, Batteries, First Aid Kit, Pocketknife, Sunglasses, Snow
– Goggles, Water Purification Tablets, or hand water purifiers.
– Toiletry Item, Plus Sunblock, Lipsalve, And Moisturizer
– Trekking Stick and Guitars among others.