HIGHLIGHTS:

•Conquer the “Roof of Africa” atop Mt Kilimanjaro Machame route

Day 1: Arusha

On 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 –

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 impassible for vehicles.

In such an 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 acclimatization 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 acclimatization 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, Lemosho 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 – Meals – Breakfast and Lunch

Congratulations – you have conquered the “Roof of Africa” and summited Africa’s highest

free standing mountain!

Your Trek Includes:

Arrival transfer from Kilimanjaro/Arusha Airport to hotel

Pre trek accommodation at Outpost Safari Lodge in Arusha

Return transport from Arusha to Mount Kilimanjaro

Guide, Assistant Guide, Chef and Porters

Hut style accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro

All national park entry and climbing fees

Rescue fee

Post trek accommodation at Outpost lodge in Arusha

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

Mattress, Tents, sleeping bag and pillow x6 nights

Quality mess (dining) tents with tables and chairs

Private and portable flush toilets

Departure transfer from hotel to Kilimanjaro/Arusha Airport

All current Government taxes and surcharges

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 AID - 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 ITEMS

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 hydrating constantly.

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.