Machame Scheduled Departure
MACHAME SCHEDULED DEPARTURE 7 Days : Machame Route with Karanga Valley Acclimatisation Scheduled Departure: Departs Most Sundays With Minimum Two
MOUNTAIN HIGH
14 Days : Kilimanjaro Trek & Wildlife Safari
Arusha | Kilimanjaro | Tarangire | Serengeti / Ndutu | Ngorongoro Crater | Crater Highlands
Often called the “Whiskey Route” this is a scenically beautiful trail, longer and much gentler than Umbwe or Marangu (the “Coca Cola Route”). Our itinerary provides valuable acclimatisation by having extra, but shorter walking days during the trek.
(Note: You can join a group trek for 7 Machame departing every Sunday OR opt for a private trek daily – subject to availability)
Arrival in Kilimanjaro
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) by Wildwalks Tours and Travel representative and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town. We will have a short meeting that night, your guide will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day.
Day 1 Arrival
Arrive into Arusha arrival point. Meet and transfer to accommodation followed by pre-trek briefing and equipment check.
KARAMA LODGE | Dinner
KARAMA LODGE
Day 2 Arusha-Machame (Hike: 8.2 km | 1840m-3022m | 5-6 hours)
From Arusha drive to the Machame Park gate, then a gentle climb up through the original montane forest, carpeted with unique “busy lizzie” flowers, begonias and ferns. First camp amongst the giant heather at 3,000m. Ascent of 1,182m and 5-6 hours walking.
MACHAME CAMP | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
MACHAME CAMP
Day 3 Machame—Shira (Hike: 5 km | 3022m-3830m | 5-6 hours)
Emerge from the giant heather zone and hike through fine open moorland to camp by the Shira Cave at 3,840m. Herds of eland up here (& occasional lion!) and there are fascinating geological features in the old volcanic caldera which can be viewed during a half hour optional walk in the afternoon. Ascent 808m and 5-6 hours walking.
SHIRA CAMP | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
SHIRA CAMP
Day 4 Shira—Barranco (Hike: 10.4 km | 3830m-3900m | 7-8 hours)
From Shira, climb towards the main peak Kibo, with the western glaciers clearly visible across the rugged high-altitude desert of volcanic rocks and boulders. Skirting around its base and under the imposing Western Breach, descend into the sheltered Barranco Valley for mid-way camp at 3,900m. 7-8 hours walking and only 70m total ascent – but having climbed higher and dropping back down assists acclimatisation.
BARRANCO CAMP | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
BARRANCO CAMP
Day 5 Barranco—Karanga (Hike: 5.1km | 3900m-4100m | 3-4 hours)
Up the steep Barranco Wall with some sections of very easy scrambling and drop down again to the Karanga Valley. This is a short walking day, around 3 hours, and again you climb about 300m but drop back down again to around 4,100m. There’s an optional further acclimatisation hike in afternoon up onto the scree below the glaciers.
KARANGA VALLEY CAMP | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
KARANGA VALLEY CAMP
Day 6 Karanga—Barafu (Hike: 3.5km |4100m-4330m |3-4 hours)
Up to a new camp about 100m above Barafu Hut perched high on a rocky bluff at 4,330m. Fantastic views across to Mawenzi peak, and a bit less to climb tomorrow morning! This is another short walking day, about 4 hours with a 230m height gain, and time for a good rest in the afternoon immediately before the hard summit day.
BARAFU CAMP | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
BARAFU CAMP
Day 7 Barafu—Summit—Mweka (Hike: 17.4 km | 4330m-5895m-3075m | 13-15 hours)
A bracing 1am start to climb the steep frozen scree. This is unavoidable on any route but we aim to reach Stella Point on the crater rim for sunrise – another 40 mins and you’re at the highest point on the continent, usually in warm sunshine. We return on the Mweka descent route. Walking time 7 hours and 1,300m ascent to the summit, 6-8 hours and 2,800m descent to our camp in a clearing amongst the giant heather at Mweka. This is a long and hard day – you’ll feel tired but absolutely ecstatic after you’ve done it.
MWEKA CAMP | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
MWEKA CAMP
Day 8 Mweka—Arusha (Hike: 8.8km | 3075m-1645m | 3-4 hours)
A 3-4 hour descent through the forest to Mweka Gate to collect our certificates and meet our vehicle. Final opportunities to take pictures of your Maasai Wanderings Mountain Team – and on a clear morning, Kibo will loom large in the distance. We will also deal with the issue of tipping (ask for suggested guidelines if you are unsure) and the team will send you off on your final stretch with our farewell ‘Kili Song’. We set off down the last stage of the trek: some parts of the walk are very steep downhill and other stretches are very slippery so please be careful. Upon reaching the gate, we carry out sign-out formalities, the team load up the vehicles and the guides will present you with your certificates and then we are off for the transfer to Arusha. At the lodge its time to take a warm shower, a quick nap and get some laundry done.
KARAMA LODGE | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
KARAMA LODGE
Day 9 Arusha
After breakfast, we join an optional walking town and craft market tour – helps to keep your muscles loose after ‘Kili‘. Return to lodge for overnight.
KARAMA LODGE | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
KARAMA LODGE
Day 10 Tarangire
After breakfast – its time to get WILD with a safari adventure. We set off to the west into the Great Rift Valley system and Tarangire National Park. We partake in game driving and picnic lunch before continuing onto our camp late afternoon. Tarangire is famous for its high concentration of elephants, as well as birdlife and antelope population. It is a great introductory park for your adventures.
TARANGIRE BALLOON CAMP | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
TARANGIRE BALLOON CAMP
Day 11 Serengeti
We transfer to the Serengeti today via the Ngorongoro viewpoint. We pass through Maasai grazing lands and family bomas at Esilalei. Once we enter the Ndutu area and onto Naabi Hill, we can begin game driving all the way to our mobile camp (location dependent on season).
NASIKIA MOBILE CAMP | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
NASIKIA MOBILE MIGRATION CAMP
Day 12 Serengeti
We spend the day with a picnic lunch exploring the Serengeti – the most amazingly broad eco-system. In the months of the Wildebeest Migration, the game viewing is spectacular with predator activity abound. But at any time the Serengeti can put on a wildlife show to remember.
NASIKIA MOBILE CAMP | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
NASIKIA MOBILE MIGRATION CAMP
Day 13 Ngorongoro
An early departure allows us to enter Ngorongoro Crater floor for a day of game driving. This World Heritage listed area is a ’fish bowl’ of wildlife with approximately 120 species of mammals and variety of habitats. This is truly a Wonder of the World that we can marvel at as we see the steep walls surrounding us, like an oasis in Africa!
PLANTATION LODGE | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
PLANTATION LODGE
Day 14 Crater Highlands
A walking tour of the gardens and coffee plantation nearby is a great way to round off our safari and then we continue onto Arusha. There is a safari de-brief before a casual evening of fine food and company.
KARAMA LODGE | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
KARAMA LODGE
Day 15 Departure
Transfer to Arusha departure point for journey beyond…
Breakfast
Arrival in Kilimanjaro
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) by Wildwalks Tours and Travel representative and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town. We will have a short meeting that night, your guide will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day.
Day 1 Arrival
Arrive into Arusha arrival point. Meet and transfer to accommodation followed by pre-trek briefing and equipment check.
KARAMA LODGE | Dinner
KARAMA LODGE
Day 2 Arusha-Machame (Hike: 8.2 km | 1840m-3022m | 5-6 hours)
From Arusha drive to the Machame Park gate, then a gentle climb up through the original montane forest, carpeted with unique “busy lizzie” flowers, begonias and ferns. First camp amongst the giant heather at 3,000m. Ascent of 1,182m and 5-6 hours walking.
MACHAME CAMP | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
MACHAME CAMP
Day 3 Machame—Shira (Hike: 5 km | 3022m-3830m | 5-6 hours)
Emerge from the giant heather zone and hike through fine open moorland to camp by the Shira Cave at 3,840m. Herds of eland up here (& occasional lion!) and there are fascinating geological features in the old volcanic caldera which can be viewed during a half hour optional walk in the afternoon. Ascent 808m and 5-6 hours walking.
SHIRA CAMP | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
SHIRA CAMP
Day 4 Shira—Barranco (Hike: 10.4 km | 3830m-3900m | 7-8 hours)
From Shira, climb towards the main peak Kibo, with the western glaciers clearly visible across the rugged high-altitude desert of volcanic rocks and boulders. Skirting around its base and under the imposing Western Breach, descend into the sheltered Barranco Valley for mid-way camp at 3,900m. 7-8 hours walking and only 70m total ascent – but having climbed higher and dropping back down assists acclimatisation.
BARRANCO CAMP | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
BARRANCO CAMP
Day 5 Barranco—Karanga (Hike: 5.1km | 3900m-4100m | 3-4 hours)
Up the steep Barranco Wall with some sections of very easy scrambling and drop down again to the Karanga Valley. This is a short walking day, around 3 hours, and again you climb about 300m but drop back down again to around 4,100m. There’s an optional further acclimatisation hike in afternoon up onto the scree below the glaciers.
KARANGA VALLEY CAMP | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
KARANGA VALLEY CAMP
Day 6 Karanga—Barafu (Hike: 3.5km |4100m-4330m |3-4 hours)
Up to a new camp about 100m above Barafu Hut perched high on a rocky bluff at 4,330m. Fantastic views across to Mawenzi peak, and a bit less to climb tomorrow morning! This is another short walking day, about 4 hours with a 230m height gain, and time for a good rest in the afternoon immediately before the hard summit day.
BARAFU CAMP | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
BARAFU CAMP
Day 7 Barafu—Summit—Mweka (Hike: 17.4 km | 4330m-5895m-3075m | 13-15 hours)
A bracing 1am start to climb the steep frozen scree. This is unavoidable on any route but we aim to reach Stella Point on the crater rim for sunrise – another 40 mins and you’re at the highest point on the continent, usually in warm sunshine. We return on the Mweka descent route. Walking time 7 hours and 1,300m ascent to the summit, 6-8 hours and 2,800m descent to our camp in a clearing amongst the giant heather at Mweka. This is a long and hard day – you’ll feel tired but absolutely ecstatic after you’ve done it.
MWEKA CAMP | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
MWEKA CAMP
Day 8 Mweka—Arusha (Hike: 8.8km | 3075m-1645m | 3-4 hours)
A 3-4 hour descent through the forest to Mweka Gate to collect our certificates and meet our vehicle. Final opportunities to take pictures of your Maasai Wanderings Mountain Team – and on a clear morning, Kibo will loom large in the distance. We will also deal with the issue of tipping (ask for suggested guidelines if you are unsure) and the team will send you off on your final stretch with our farewell ‘Kili Song’. We set off down the last stage of the trek: some parts of the walk are very steep downhill and other stretches are very slippery so please be careful. Upon reaching the gate, we carry out sign-out formalities, the team load up the vehicles and the guides will present you with your certificates and then we are off for the transfer to Arusha. At the lodge its time to take a warm shower, a quick nap and get some laundry done.
KARAMA LODGE | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
KARAMA LODGE
Day 9 Arusha
After breakfast, we join an optional walking town and craft market tour – helps to keep your muscles loose after ‘Kili‘. Return to lodge for overnight.
KARAMA LODGE | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
KARAMA LODGE
Day 10 Tarangire
After breakfast – its time to get WILD with a safari adventure. We set off to the west into the Great Rift Valley system and Tarangire National Park. We partake in game driving and picnic lunch before continuing onto our camp late afternoon. Tarangire is famous for its high concentration of elephants, as well as birdlife and antelope population. It is a great introductory park for your adventures.
TARANGIRE BALLOON CAMP | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
TARANGIRE BALLOON CAMP
Day 11 Serengeti
We transfer to the Serengeti today via the Ngorongoro viewpoint. We pass through Maasai grazing lands and family bomas at Esilalei. Once we enter the Ndutu area and onto Naabi Hill, we can begin game driving all the way to our mobile camp (location dependent on season).
NASIKIA MOBILE CAMP | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
NASIKIA MOBILE MIGRATION CAMP
Day 12 Serengeti
We spend the day with a picnic lunch exploring the Serengeti – the most amazingly broad eco-system. In the months of the Wildebeest Migration, the game viewing is spectacular with predator activity abound. But at any time the Serengeti can put on a wildlife show to remember.
NASIKIA MOBILE CAMP | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
NASIKIA MOBILE MIGRATION CAMP
Day 13 Ngorongoro
An early departure allows us to enter Ngorongoro Crater floor for a day of game driving. This World Heritage listed area is a ’fish bowl’ of wildlife with approximately 120 species of mammals and variety of habitats. This is truly a Wonder of the World that we can marvel at as we see the steep walls surrounding us, like an oasis in Africa!
PLANTATION LODGE | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
PLANTATION LODGE
Day 14 Crater Highlands
A walking tour of the gardens and coffee plantation nearby is a great way to round off our safari and then we continue onto Arusha. There is a safari de-brief before a casual evening of fine food and company.
KARAMA LODGE | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
KARAMA LODGE
Day 15 Departure
Transfer to Arusha departure point for journey beyond…
Breakfast
View 14 Day Map
Night Game Driving
Enter Lake Manyara amidst the activity of the nocturnal animals, an exciting opportunity for game viewing outside the normal times with very limited partakers. Watch with anticipation as you approach every corner to see what the spotlight reveals.
Serengeti Balloon Safari
Central and Southern Serengeti is an excellent opportunity to indulge in the experience of a Hot Air Balloon Safari, followed by a full champagne breakfast. This is often an adventure highlight for many safari go-ers.
View Accommodation
Nasikia Tanzania Camps
Nasikia Camps are an intimate collection of mobile and semi-permanent camps located in the prime wildlife viewing areas of Tanzania’s northern safari circuit. Experience the wilds of Tarangire, the incredible herds of the southern Serengeti plains and a short drive to the gauntlet of the Mara River. With high quality canvas between your comfortable bed and the sounds of the African night, these camps provide the ideal accommodation for lovers of the great outdoors, while retaining the coziness of a warm bed, a hot shower, gratifying cuisine and a welcoming team.
All Trekking & Hiking Itineraries
Kilimanjaro Challenge
KILIMANJARO CHALLENGE – SOUTHERN SAFARI 7 Days : Machame Route with Karanga Valley Acclimatisation Arusha | Kilimanjaro (Machame | Mweka)
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