Classic Machame Route
The Machame route is our most popular choice. Experience everything Kilimanjaro has to offer, with stunning scenery, good acclimatization and all kinds of options.
What we like about this route:
Highlights of this route... The Machame route begins in a tropical rainforest, and ascends slowly towards our first camp on the upper edge of the Machame forest.
As we continue up towards the Shira Plateau, you will see stunted shrubs and heather, and vast sights - over the plateau towards the Serengeti Plain miles below. Through the morning mists, Kibo Peak and the Western Breach appears above us.
Leaving the Shira plateau, our next few days take us through a barren, alpine desert studded with volcanic rock, and onwards to the edge of the Great Rift Valley. Traversing it's outer slopes, we finally reach Barafu Hut, our high camp.
Summit Day...
Our summit day is in the tradition of classic big mountain climbing. Like high altitude mountaineers on Everest, we start out in darkness, climbing headlamps lighting our way. At this altitude, the African sky is a crystal clear black inkpot dotted with thousands of silver stars. Often, we time our summit attempt to coincide with a full moon, allowing our teams to see clearly, even without a headlamp. The going is tough, but the reward is life changing. As the sunrise turns the clouds below you a thousand shades of orange and red, we reach Gillman's Point at 5,685m. Then, we move on to Uhuru Peak, 5,896m the true summit of Kilimanjaro.
This is a moment that you will remember forever.
No technical experience required...
All you need is the desire to stand on the roof of Africa. MountainQUEST will help you prepare with regular support, and instruction from up to 6 months prior to your adventure... right through to the summit. Your camps, your food, and your crew will be to the absolute highest standard available.
Your personal porters... Your personal porters will carry all of your equipment. You carry a light day pack with water, food, some extra clothing and your CAMERA! All of these factors combine to provide a high summit success rate. After the climb we descend to the comforts of our mountain lodge… set in a coffee plantation among the beautiful Tanzanian landscape.
MountainQUEST has 20 years of climbing and trekking experience. We invite you to come and climb Kilimanjaro with us!
