Kilimanjaro Machame route

Standing at 5,895m, Mt Kilimanjaro is, of course, the highest mountain in Africa.

This vast, snow-capped and fortunately extinct volcano is found in northwest Tanzania, close to the Kenyan boarder. The uppermost point of the world's highest free-standing mountain is Uhuru peak.

This is a 10 day round trip from the UK, using the Machame or 'Whiskey' route as it is sometimes known. This route has the advantage of spending some time in the beautiful rainforest, then leading up to the moorlands of the Shira Plateau. The path then traverses below the southern icefields, joining the Barafu route to the summit.

• 7 days guiding by professional UK or local guides
  
• We'll pick you up and drop you off at Kilimanjaro Airport.
  
• Porter assistance for the entire route.
  
• Set open dates, or bespoke courses for individuals through to larger groups - just ask if the date you want is not listed.
  
• Many years experience in providing these courses.
  
• You need to be pretty fit and have a head for heights.
• Stunning scenery and new cultures - who can resist...?

For this trip we have chosen the Machame route as it is scenically one of the best. It is also less used than the normal route up Kilimanjaro.

We normally run this trip over a 9 day period starting on a Saturday, however dates can be flexible; please contact us. The trip can also be made shorter by one day  if necessary, or for those wanting to add a safari or beach  stay on to the trip, this can also be arranged.

A typical day on the trek starts with a wake up call at about 7am depending upon your activity for the day. Breakfast  will be at 7:30 or 8:00, followed by trekking start at 8:30am. You can stop for tea during the morning and probably break for lunch at about 12:00. If you need to walk in the afternoon, then you will generally be at your day's destination by about 3 or 4pm. Evening meal will be served at about 6:00 before an early bed time. Of course these times are flexible but the rhythm is dictated by daylight and you will need a lot of sleep.

Please note: This itinerary is a guide only. It can be subject to change dependent upon viability, course members' fitness, weather conditions or for any other reason the guide may deem necessary. This trip involves travel to high altitudes and to areas where a short notice change of itinerary may be necessary.

This trek visits high altitudes! It is imperative you are properly acclimatised not only to have a safe trek, but also an enjoyable one as altitude sickness has the capacity to make you feel very miserable! All along the way you will find warnings about ascending too quickly. If you show signs of altitude sickness, appropriate measures (i.e. descent) must be taken. Inform yourself as much as possible about this issue before you go so that you have an understanding of how it can affect you. Keep your guide informed regarding how you are feeling during the trek.

You can choose to do this trip either with with a special UK guide or with a local Tanzanian guide. We have an excellent network of contacts in Tanzania for providing this trip. So even with a local guide, your guide will be certified, accredited and an English speaker. Some of our clients however do prefer to have a UK guide, and are happy to pay a little extra for that service. Either way, you'll of course have the backup of a great local team to help you along. The support team includes local Tanzanian registered guides, porters and a cook. The guides we use have many years' experience guiding Mt Kilimanjaro with some having made over 100 ascents!!

We adhere to the guidelines laid down by the International Porter Protection Group. This organisation works to improve the working conditions of mountain porters in the tourism industry worldwide. Therefore we do not ask our porters to carry more than 30kg per load (this is advised by the IPPG). We provide adequate clothing per porter for the intended trek and full insurance during their time of employment. Because of these guidelines, we ask you to limit the equipment you ask your porter to carry to a maximum of 15kg. Many 'Westerners' feel uncomfortable seeing a local 'carrying their bags'. There are many reasons why this should not be so. Guiding and portering are recognised professions in Tanzania and often form a vital part of a family's income. Remember - for them this is a job, just as in the UK many individuals work for someone else.

The hotel accommodation is in twin rooms (if you want a single let us know, however there is a surcharge) with ensuite bathrooms. The hotel has a pool for you to relax in when not on the mountains or after a long flight and have a refreshing drink! The accommodation on the trek is in tents.

All British nationals require a visa for entry into Tanzania. You need to arrange these prior to departure with the relevant embassy. If you are not a British national then you will also need to contact the embassy to enquire about visa requirements. It is more than likely you will need one. It has until now (2009) been possible to purchase the visa at the airport upon arrival (fee US$50), but it's best to be prepared and get one beforehand. You never know when this rule may change.

For medical and inoculations advice contact your GP before you travel. Do this in good time (3 months) as many injections/ treatments must be given a certain time apart.

Climbing the highest peak in Africa requires considerable fitness. The approach days are relatively manageable, but the tough one will be the summit day. The ascent from Kibo to Gillman's point is hard work by anyone's standard and so you will have to be prepared for this. Therefore it is best to arrive in Africa suitably conditioned, and if you have not done so already then start to get fit. Visit your local gym or go for a bike ride. If you arrive there suitably conditioned then you will enjoy the trip so much more. You will need to be fit enough for a summit day of 12 - 14hrs.

We recommend that you follow a fitness plan in preparation for your challenge, an example of one will be sent to you when you have confirmed your booking.

Although the fitness plan we will send to you has been devised by a fitness professional, this is only provided as a guide and you should seek professional advice before starting your own fitness regime.

Weather conditions permit us to run this course anytime during July, August and September as well as mid December through until the end of February.

The trip dates below are staffed by our UK mountain leaders or with local leaders. Staffing for each trip is indicated in the appropriate columns in the dates table below. All trips are supported by local guides and porters. We can also run bespoke trips for you on dates of your choosing, guided just by our local leaders.

2012 season scheduled dates are:

If the date you want is fully booked or not listed please contact us by clicking on the link below - we may still be able to help!

All requested dates are unconfirmed until minimum numbers have been booked.

If you have a group of 10 or more people we will be happy to run an exclusive trip for yourselves.

Weather conditions permit us to run this course anytime during July, August and September as well as mid December through until the end of February.

The trip dates below are staffed by our UK mountain leaders or with local leaders. Staffing for each trip is indicated in the appropriate columns in the dates table below. All trips are supported by local guides and porters. We can also run bespoke trips for you on dates of your choosing, guided just by our local leaders.

2013 season scheduled dates are:

If the date you want is fully booked or not listed please contact us by clicking on the link below - we may still be able to help!

All requested dates are unconfirmed until minimum numbers have been booked.

If you have a group of 10 or more people we will be happy to run an exclusive trip for yourselves.

• Professional event organisation.
• Qualified UK and local mountain guides.
• Arrival and departure transport from Kilimanjaro Airport.
• All other in country ground transfers relevant to the course
• Twin rooms in comfortable hotel accommodation with breakfast when not on the mountain. Single rooms are available at a supplement.
• Fully catered camping trek
• Cook
• National park fees
• Porter assistance for the duration of the trek.
• Group first aid kit with qualified first aiders.

2012 prices:

UK guide - £1595pp

Local guide - £1195pp

To include flights London - Kilimanjaro rtn add- £550pp

(for dates of Christmas/New Year, July, August and September there is a £250 surcharge for flight inclusive prices)

Please be advised that you are travelling to a completely different part of the world!! This sounds obvious, but it surprising how many people are taken aback by the differences that exist. Local standards are different than in the UK and the Western World and you should be prepared for this and be happy to accept it. The standard of vehicles on the road are lower, the standard of driving is lower, the hotels have different set ups, etc. etc. This also extends on to the mountain. Local guides are trained to a different standard than UK leaders. Food and water hygiene is different. Again, our leaders will advise you of what to do and what not to do to help you adjust as easily and painlessly as possible. You should, as much as possible, try and enjoy the differences in cultures that exist because this is one of the things that make travel so interesting!!

The Tanzanian Shilling is the local currency. You can exchange pounds, dollars and traveller's cheques at the airport and at the hotel.

Tips

For better or for worse a tipping culture has established itself during the treks on Meru and Kilimanjaro. This seems to be a result of the vast wealth differences between the local people who work on the mountains and the clients, and the resultant gratitude of the clients for being looked after in inhospitable and sometimes dangerous situations. We will advise you during the trek of an appropriate amount to give to the local guides and porters. This will be coordinated by the UK leader.

Moshi is a considerably safer town than neighbouring Arusha. Nonetheless it is sensible to use common sense precautions and not wander around the town at night, not to make overt displays of wealth (i.e. hide your watch, wallet, camera, etc.).

The climate during your trip will vary between hot in Moshi (25-35C), to relatively warm on the lower trekking trails (15-25C daytime) to cold at the higher elevations (0-5C daytime). Temperatures at Meru and Kilimanjaro summit can be as low as -25C with snow. You must be prepared to encounter low temperatures. This is particularly relevant when deciding upon which equipment to take. This should be of good quality. Please take advice from a suitable outdoor shop.