8 Days Machame Route
Day wise itinerary:
HIGHLIGHTS:
⦁ Conquer the “Roof of Africa” atop Mt Kilimanjaro Machame route
ITINERARY:
Day 1: Arusha
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport you will be met by a Benson Safaris Tanzania representative and transferred to your hotel where the remainder of the day is at leisure – rest in your room, relax in the manicured gardens with a good book, enjoy a swim in the pool or explore Arusha and the surrounding areas on one of our day tours, the choice is yours.
Overnight – Ilboru Safari Lodge, Arusha
Day 2: Mount Kilimanjaro, Machame Route
After breakfast you will depart Arusha and drive to the village of Machame located at the base of the world’s tallest free-standing mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro. Standing at 5,895m high, it is known as the Roof of Africa. The road from the Machame village to the Machame gate can become very muddy and at certain times of the year may be impossible for vehicles to pass. In this instance, you will complete the 3km walk on foot and upon arrival at the Machame Gate you will sign in, complete your registration and other formalities before beginning your trek with your team of Guides, Chefs and Porters.
You will enter the rainforest and continue up a winding trail up a ridge and have the opportunity to see black and white colobus monkeys and exotic birds before arriving at the Machame Camp in the late afternoon.
Starting Point: Machame Gate 1,640m
End Point: Machame Camp 2,835m
Walking Time: 5-7 Hours approx.
Overnight – Machame Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Mount Kilimanjaro, Machame Route
Today you will leave the rainforest behind you and continue through the gentle moorland up a steep rocky ridge to the Shira Plateau where you will be able to see Kilimanjaro’s great western breach and its stunning glaciers and at certain times of the year, its extensive ice curtains. You will continue your hike to Shira Camp where you will spend the night. This is an exposed campsite and you will notice the temperature drop, often below freezing, during the night.
Starting Point: Machame Camp 2,835m
End Point: Shira Camp 3,850m
Walking Time: 4-6 Hours approx.
Overnight – Shira Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Mount Kilimanjaro, Machame Route
From the Shira Plateau you will continue east up a steep and rocky trail to Lava Tower. At 3,901m high, this chunky remnant of Kilimanjaro’s earlier volcanic activity is several hundred meters high and the trail passes right below. You will then descend to the lower cliffs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall to Barranco Camp where you will be rewarded with beautiful landscape and spend the night. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, today is an important acclimatisation day.
Starting Point: Shira Camp 3,850m
Via: Lava Tower 4,600m
End Point: Barranco Camp 3,900m
Walking Time: 6-8 Hours approx.
Overnight – Barranco Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Mount Kilimanjaro, Machame Route
For clients trekking the Machame Route in 7 days today is an acclimatisation day with a short but steep hike from Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp where you will spend the night.
Today you will continue your ascent along a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall and the Helm Glacier to the Karanga Valley Camp and on to Barafu Camp. You have now completed the Southern Circuit and the Barafu Camp is located on a narrow, rocky ridge with no barriers to block the wind but offers views of the summit from many angles. You can now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is and from now, all eyes are on the summit.
Tonight you will enjoy an early dinner and retire to your tent where you will prepare for your hike to the summit later tonight. At 11:30pm you will be woken with tea or coffee and a snack before making your way into the night.
Starting Point: Barranco Camp 3,850m
End Point: Barafu Camp 4,680m
Walking Time: 8-10 Hours approx.
Overnight – Barafu Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Mount Kilimanjaro, Machame Route
You will continue your trek into the early hours of the morning and the route from Barafu Camp to the summit is mentally and physically, the longest and most challenging day of the entire trek. You will pass the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers before reaching Stella Point at 5,756m which is located on the Crater rim in time to watch the sun rise from the Roof of Africa, a once in a lifetime experience. Here you will rest and take in the magnificent beauty around you. You will continue the snow covered trail to Uhuru Peak, the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro at 5,895m. Temperatures near the summit can range from -23 degrees Celsius in the morning to just below freezing during the night. Upon arrival at the summit you will have the opportunity for a short rest and celebrate a successful climb. Note: faster climbers will see the sun rise from the summit at Uhuru Peak.
From the summit you will now make your descent to Barafu Camp where you will enjoy some well-deserved rest before continuing your descent into the moorland and then the forest before reaching Mweka Hut where you will spend your final night on the mountain.
Starting Point: Barafu Camp 4,680m
Via: Uhuru Point 5,895m
End Point: Mweka Camp 3,100m
Walking Time: 11-14 Hours approx.
Overnight – Mweka Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Mount Kilimanjaro, Machame Route
After a leisurely breakfast you will continue your descent to the Mweka Gate where successful climbers receive their summit certificate. Your vehicle will be waiting for you and will drive you to Arusha where the remainder of the day is at leisure.
Starting Point: Mweka Camp 3,100m
End Point: Mweka Gate 1,640m
Walking Time: 3-5 Hours approx.
Overnight – Ilboru Safari Lodge, Arusha
Meals – Breakfast and Lunch
Day 8: Arusha
Today you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.
Price:
$2,250 USD per person, based on 2-travellers
You Trek Includes:
⦁ Arrival transfer from Kilimanjaro/Arusha Airport to hotel
⦁ Pre trek accommodation at the Ilboru Safari Lodge in Arusha
⦁ Return transport from Arusha to Mount Kilimanjaro
⦁ Guide, Assistant Guide, Chef and Porters
⦁ Hut style accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro
⦁ Meals as specified and drinking water
⦁ All national park entry and climbing fees
⦁ Rescue fee
⦁ Post trek accommodation at the Ilboru Safari Lodge in Arusha
⦁ Departure transfer from hotel to Kilimanjaro/Arusha Airport
⦁ All current Government taxes and surcharges
⦁ Price:
INCLUDES:
Mt Kilimanjaro:
⦁ Experienced and professional Mountain Guides, Porters and Chef
⦁ All meals including large portions of fresh, healthy and nutritious food
⦁ Clean and purified drinking water and soft drinks
⦁ Hut accommodation including mattress, sleeping bag and pillow x6 nights
⦁ Quality mess (dining) tents with tables and chairs
⦁ Private and portable flush toilets
⦁ All park entry fees
⦁ Rescue fee
RECOMMENDED PACKING LIST:
CLOTHING:
⦁ Shorts, mid-thigh or longer
⦁ Lightweight, breathable pants
⦁ Undergarments, socks
⦁ Sport bra for women (roads can be bumpy)
⦁ Sun hat with brim and chin strap
⦁ Bandana (for dust, washing etc.)
⦁ Short-sleeved shirts, cool and breathable
⦁ Belt
⦁ Pajamas
⦁ Long-sleeved shirt or sweater for evening.
⦁ Rain racket and pants or rain poncho
⦁ Gloves
⦁ Warm head protection
⦁ Waterproof jackets
COLD WEATHER CLOTHING:
⦁ Long underwear
⦁ Fleece jacket or wool sweater
⦁ Fleece pants
⦁ Mittens and/ or gloves (waterproof, one thin pair, one thick pair that can be layered)
⦁ Wool or pile hat
⦁ Balaclava or neck gaiter
⦁ Hand and foot warmers (chemical activated)
⦁ Down jacket or parka (for temperature below freezing plus wind)
FOOTWEAR:
Be sure to break in your shoes before the hike
⦁ Trekking shoes for hiking during the day, preferably warm, waterproof, and with ankle support ( not too light and not too heavy)
⦁ Tennis shoes or sandal for lounging in the evening
⦁ Hiking socks for warmer conditions
⦁ Wool socks for colder conditions
⦁ Sock liners to wick away moisture
⦁ Gaiter ( for mud )
⦁ Snow cleats (optional)
BAGGAGE:
⦁ Large duffel bag or backpack with rain cover, for porters to carry
⦁ Day pack and rain cover, for you to carry
⦁ Waterproof plastic bags for storing clothing and gear (zip locks are great)
⦁ Bottled water is also available for purchase on safari
⦁ Sun hat with brim
⦁ Money
⦁ Bandana( for dust, etc)
⦁ Maps, guidebooks
ELECTRONICS:
Store electronics in sealed water – proof bags (double bagged if possible)
⦁ Headlamp
⦁ Camera, lenses, filters, memory disks
⦁ Video camera, tapes /disks
⦁ Tripod
⦁ Cell phone
⦁ Batteries
⦁ GPS – (for Geocaching)
TOILETRIES:
⦁ Soap
⦁ Shampoo, conditioner
⦁ Shaving supplies
⦁ Nail clippers, file, brush
⦁ Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
⦁ Deodorant
⦁ Moist hands-wipes
⦁ Hand sanitizer
⦁ Lotion (Badger foot balm is also helpful)
⦁ Hairbrush, comb, mirror
⦁ Small towel and washcloth
⦁ Toilet paper
⦁ Facial tissue
⦁ Sunscreen
⦁ Lip balm with sunscreen
⦁ Insect repellent
⦁ Q-tips
⦁ Sewing kit
⦁ Feminine products
⦁ Cosmetics
FIRST ID:
You really only need one first aid kit in your travel group, so coordinate with your travel companions.
⦁ Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen
⦁ Band-Aids/plasters
⦁ Disinfectant, antiseptic cream, antibiotic ointment
⦁ Gauze bandages and tape
⦁ Throat lozenges
⦁ Vitamins
⦁ Diarrhea medicine
⦁ Antihistamines
⦁ Ace bandage
⦁ Melatonin, Acetaz Acetazolamide, or other sleep aid
⦁ Malaria pills (talk to doctor)
⦁ Antibiotics (talk to doctor)
⦁ Prescription drugs (talk to doctor)
⦁ Diamox for altitude (talk to doctor)
⦁ Ginger and Gingko can be helpful for stomach problems
OTHER:
⦁ Sunglasses with straps
⦁ Eyeglasses, contacts, solution
⦁ Binoculars
⦁ Pocket knife
⦁ Notebook, pencil and pen
⦁ Playing cards, games, crossword puzzles, books, frisbee, football, kite
⦁ Energy bars, hard candy, snacks, and comfort foods
⦁ Duct tape (can be wrapped around water bottle)
⦁ Matches or lighter
⦁ Energy bars (also nice to share with other climbers, guides, and porters)
⦁ Gatorade or other drink mix helps with taste and minerals.
⦁ A plastic syrup bottle with handle and spout makes a good water bottle. Put a rope or lanyard through the handle, and it fits nicely under your jacket.
⦁ Write your name on your bottles and bladders to easily identify whose is whose.
SUMMIT DAY:
A few more packing tips for summit day:
⦁ Keep your camera and water bottle inside your jacket
⦁ Don’t forget to put on sunscreen when the sun comes out — on your lips too!
⦁ Keep drinking water.
⦁ Wear layers that you can remove and won’t be embarrassed to be seen in (maybe wear shorts over your long underwear)
⦁ To prevent water from freezing on summit day, keep your water and tube inside your jacket. For Camelbacks, blow air back into the bladder after each sip and drink often.
TIPPING POLICY:
Tips will vary depending on the length and complexity of the trip, the number of the staff on the trip and the number of the clients on the trip. Generally group like to meet together before the end of the trek to discuss how much they would like to tip each stuff member based on their individual trek experience.
Tips should not be dependent on whether you summit or not, but rather whether your guides and porters were professional and had your best interest in mind. If your guides and porters have not met your expectations, please contact us and don’t feel obligated to give a tip, if they press you for a tip during your trek please inform us as well, as this against company policy.
Do not tip on the mountain nor should you pay for any extra services while you’re on the mountain other than for the purpose of the refreshments. Also you are also welcome to invite your guides after trip just for drinks or dinner (on you) as a thank you in addition to their tip. You can use US dollars, Euro, Tzshillings or combination of these.
The following are daily rates the group as a whole is recommended to tip per staff member:
⦁ Guide 15,000 – 20,000 per day
⦁ Assistant guide 10,000 – 15,000 per day
⦁ Cook 10,000 – 15,000 per day
⦁ Porters 8000 per day per porter
All tipping is based per day per person.
To avoid confusion on the first day of your climb please confirm with your guide the correct number of baggage you or your group have. Do not pay tips to any other persons. -When
Booking Terms and Conditions:
Benson Safaris Tanzania is a locally owned and operated, TALA Licensed, tour operator and is governed by the laws of the United Republic of Tanzania. Please read these Booking Terms and Conditions carefully as together they set out our respective obligations and form the basis of your contract with us.
In these Booking Terms and Conditions, “us” / “we” / “our” refers to Benson Safaris Tanzania and “you” / “your” / “travellers” refers to all persons on the booking.
To Make a Booking: To make a booking we require the full names and dates of birth of all travellers, a 25% non-refundable deposit (unless otherwise stated) and a signed copy of our Booking Terms and Conditions.
To Make a Flight Booking: To make a flight booking we require the full names and dates of birth of all travellers, a scanned copy of your passport and full payment. All flight bookings are instant purchase therefore we are not able to hold seats and cannot confirm the price until we have received your payment. For travellers making flight bookings we strongly recommend paying by credit card as your payment is received instantly. All flight bookings are non-changeable and non-refundable.
Prices: All prices quoted are in USD and subject to availability at the time of booking. The price is only guaranteed once full payment has been received by you. Price changes may occur by reasons outside our control which increase the cost of the product or service. Such factors include, but are not limited to, adverse currency fluctuations, fuel surcharges, Government fees and taxes. In the event of a price increase, we will notify you immediately and the additional monies will be added to your invoice and paid for by you.
Payments: To confirm your booking we require a 25% non-refundable deposit and full payment is due no later than 45 days prior to departure unless otherwise state. Some services must be paid in full at the time of booking (including, but not limited to, flights). In the event your final payment is not received 45 days prior to departure some services may auto-cancel. We are subject to the booking terms and conditions of suppliers therefore if a service auto-cancels it may not be available to be reinstated at the same price, if at all. In the event a service is rebooked at a higher price, the additional monies will be added to your invoice and paid by you. For bookings made within 45 days of departure, full payment is required at the time of booking. For international clients; payments can be made by credit card or bank transfer and for local clients; payments can be made by credit card, bank transfer or cash in USD. These Booking Terms and Conditions are effective the moment we receive any payment from you, regardless of whether we have received your signed copy or not.
Booking Terms and Conditions during COVID19 – Starting from Jan, 2022
At the time of COVID – 19 pandemics, we have come up with the flexible term and conditions to make it easier to reassure our clients who wish to book a safari in this time of Corona pandemic. As safari begins to resume, we at Benson Safaris we give our staff and our clients a top priority.
If a traveller needs to cancel due to COVID-19 reasons, the following special terms will apply for the Benson Safari Tanzania:
Booking date until 30 days before arrival a 25% deposit will be refunded or opt to postpone trip to future dates and move the full value to new dates.
About these flexible terms and conditions – Please note:
⦁ 25% deposit must be paid to secure the booking and final payment paid 45 days’ prior departure
COVID-19 reasons cancellations are limited to:
⦁ Change in government travel advisory between point of booking and time of travel by country or traveller residence
⦁ Change in entry requirements by destination country which prevents traveller from arriving.
⦁ Cancellation of international flight or change in date of flights by airline by more than 48 hrs
⦁ Travellers receiving a positive COVID-19 test which prevents travel is not covered under these term and conditions – travellers need to take out suitable travel insurance to cover them for this instance.
Amendments: Please notify us immediately, in writing, if you wish to amend your booking. In the event of an amendment, any additional fees or charges, in addition to any supplier fees incurred, will be added to your invoice and paid for by you. In the event the number of travellers decreases your booking will be recosted and we will notify you of the revised price and any additional monies will be added to your invoice and paid for by you.
Cancellations: Please notify us immediately, in writing, if you wish to cancel your booking. In the event of a cancellation with other reason and not a COVID-19, your deposit is non-refundable and where you have paid additional monies (including, but not limited to, flights) you may also incur supplier cancellation fees which can be up to 100% of the booking value regardless of whether travel has commenced. Where you seek a refund for which payment has been made to a supplier, we will not provide a refund to you until we receive the funds from that supplier. Where a refund is made to you, we reserve the right to charge you any credit card or bank transfer fees we incur in relation to the refund. If your booking is cancelled within 45 days of departure, no refund will be offered. Please notify us immediately if you require a letter to submit to your travel insurance company. Once we have received your written request, we will email you a cancellation letter within 72 hours.
Travel Insurance: Comprehensive travel insurance is compulsory for all of our safaris and treks and we recommend you speak to an insurer in your home country prior to travel. Prior to, or upon arrival, we will ask you for the following details in the event we need to contact your insurance company on your behalf: Insurer name, 24-hour emergency contact number and your policy number.
Health: You must ensure that you are aware of any health requirements, immunisations and recommended precautions relevant to your travel and ensure that you carry all necessary vaccination documentation. In some cases, failure to present required vaccination certificates (including, but not limited to, Yellow Fever) may deny you entry into a country. We recommend that you consult with a doctor, travel medical service or specialist vaccination clinic in your home country prior to travel.
Passports: When travelling internationally, you are required to have a valid passport to show upon departure and arrival of your journey. Often this requires at least 6 months validity upon the day of your arrival and a minimum of two blank passport pages. Passports are the traveller’s responsibility and required for all international travel.
Visas: Subject to diplomatic relations, some countries will require you to obtain a visa in order to stay in their country. To find out if you require a visa for your international travel and how to apply for one, refer to the destination’s consulate or embassy in your home country. Some countries enable tourists to obtain a visa at the point of entry but require a fee. Visas are the traveller’s responsibility and required for all international travel.
Special Requirements: Please notify us at the time of booking if you have any requests or requirements including, but not limited to, dietary, bedding configuration and disabled access.
Accuracy of Information: The descriptions, information and opinions given by us via our website, in an email or verbally in respect to day by day itineraries, national parks, animal sightings, accommodation, vehicles, driving times and distance, weather and security is given in good faith based on the latest information available to us. Every care has been take to ensure accurate, truthful and up-to-date information however we do not accept responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions caused by matters beyond our control. While it is our intention to adhere to the route described in your itinerary, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary to make alterations. Due to the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. In the event of a route change your Guide will converse with the office and any decision to alter your route will be final.
Complaints: Complaints must be reported to your Guide who will notify the office and we will do our best to resolve your problem immediately. If you remain dissatisfied, please call or email our office as soon as possible but not later than 7 days after the completion of your holiday with us so we may investigate the matter further. Liability for any complaints not notified in accordance with this procedure will not be accepted.
Privacy: We are committed to protecting your privacy and agree to handle your personal information with care and not to disclose to third parties except in instances where we book services on your behalf, including, but not limited to, airlines tickets.
Liability: We do not accept any liability for any injury, damage, loss (including consequential loss), delay, additional expenses or inconvenience caused directly or indirectly by the acts, omissions or default, whether negligent or otherwise, of third party providers over whom we have no direct control, force majeure or any other event which is beyond our control or which is not preventable by reasonable diligence on our part.