Pre-Departure Guide

Machame Route to Kilimanjaro Summit

Overview

The Machame route starts in the south west side of the mountain and proceeds steeply north, traversing the Shira plateau and eventually joining the Shira and Lemosho routes just after the Shira cave camp. The Machame route can be done in minimum 6 days but a 7-day trek is recommended to allow climbers been well rested and acclimatized before making the final ascent to the summit.

Highlights

Accomplish a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Conquer Africa's highest peak with a group of fearless women.
Watch sunrise from the roof of Africa.
Find your tribe by meeting a group of like-minded people. Make new life-long friends by supporting each other to reach the destination.

Disclaimer

While it is our intention to adhere to the itinerary described, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The itinerary is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to variance due to local circumstances.

Introduction

Country:United Republic of Tanzania
Area: Approx. 947,303 sq. km (365,756 sq.mi.)
Population: 56,313,438 (estimated) as per 2018 census
Capital City: Dodoma
Languages: Swahili
Religion: Christianity 61.4%, Islam 35.2%
Time Zone: UTC+3

Climate & Weather

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The best months to climb Kilimanjaro are December to February and June-October. Due to its proximity to the equator, Mount Kilimanjaro does not experience wide temperature changes from season to season. Instead, the temperatures on Mount Kilimanjaro are determined more so by the altitude and time of day. At the beginning of the climb, at the base of the mountain, the average temperature is around 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (21 to 27 degrees Celsius). From there, the temperatures will decrease as you move through Mount Kilimanjaro's ecological zones.

At the summit, Uhuru Point, the night time temperatures can range between 20 and -20 degrees Fahrenheit (-7 to -29 degrees Celsius). Due to Mount Kilimanjaro's great height, the mountain creates its own weather. It is extremely variable and impossible to predict. Therefore, regardless of when you climb, you should always be prepared for wet days and cold nights.

Fitness

How you would prepare for the trek depends on how active you are currently are and how much experience you already have in trekking. If you are pretty active and have some trekking experiences, keep what you are doing right now and focus on aerobic fitness by running, cycling, and swimming. If it’s possible to train at high altitude, for instance, above 1500m/5000ft for a climb, that would be ideal. If you don't excise regularly and are new to trekking, we recommend you to consult with a fitness trainer to design a customized training plan.

Visa

For foreign citizens who wish to visit the United Republic of Tanzania, check with your local embassy to see if you need a visa to visit Tanzania. (*U.S. citizens traveling to Tanzania require a tourist visa.)

You can now apply for an online visa through Tanzania Electronic Visa Application System.

For the most up-to-date visa information, please visit Tanzania Immigration Department.

(**Note: Travel Her Way tries to provide accurate visa information. However, visa requirements and regulations may change at any time without further notice. We strongly encourage you to check out your local embassy website for the most updated visa information prior to departure.)

Emergency Contact

Should you need to contact us during a situation, it is best to first call our local representative. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information, so they may return your call and assist you as soon as possible.

Emergency Contact Info:

Mr. Sabino Kweka: + 255 757 190 784

Arrival

After passing customs at the airport, our local representative will greet you at the arrival gate, holding placards with our company's logo and your name on it. In case you have trouble finding our representative, please contact the emergency contact and our local contact will help you.

Accommodations & Food

In Moshi, you will stay at a 3- or 4- star hotel depending on avaiabilities. (*Please note that the hotel star rating system in foreign countries may not have the same standard as the ones in the United States.) In the mountain, we will camp in designated campground.

While in the mountain (7 nights), we provide full-service alpine camping at designated communal campsites. Your porters will be carrying your tents, which they will pitch for you at these sites. The campsites are fairly basic, and exposed to the elements. They will not have electricity, nor shower facilities, and toilet facilities are very basic, which could become dirty at times (especially when it is raining), as many other hikers sharing the same facilities. Your crew will prepare basins of warm water for washing daily. All meals on the mountain will be prepared for you by your group's cook. The tents are two-person dome tents which are assembled by the porters. All tents have built-in insect nets. Mattresses are also provided, which are warm and comfortable. All camping equipment (with the exception of your sleeping bag and pillow) is supplied.

Barafu Camp: The night before your summit attempt, on Day 6, you will be staying at a high altitude camp where there is no water facilities. You porters will carry water up to the camp for cooking, bathing, and drinking.

This trek is not for the faint of heart, and the camp sites on Mt. Kilimanjaro are basic. However, many come out of their camping experience on the world’s largest free-standing mountain not only gratified, but ultimately rejuvenated by such an experience of a lifetime.

Please note, if you need to alter the itinerary for any reason (e.g. travel delay or illness or in the event of having to descend from your climb early due to altitude sickness, injury or exhaustion), any unscheduled meals or nights spent in a location other than the tour itinerary will be at your own expense.

The start/end hotel has a number of services and facilities available as follows; Internet, laundry, gear hire, luggage storage, telephone services, TV lounge, outdoor dining area and a shuttle service to/from Moshi as the hotel is located just a few kilometres from the centre of town.

Drinking Water

Foreign travelers should avoid drinking tap water or eating ice cubes at all times in Tanzania, despite improvements to the country's water and sanitation systems over the last few decades. Before and after trek, you may buy bottled water at your own expense or you may bring your own water tablets. During the trek, you will be provided filtered water.

Luggage

Storage

During the trek, you can store your suitcase and unnecessary personal belongings in the hotel where the group stays in Moshi. The service is free of charge.

Weight Limit

The Kilimanjaro Porter Weight Limit is 15kg. They are not allowed to carry anything more than that. Before starting the climb the baggage is weighed and checked if it more than the prescribed weight. The rangers may also inspect the weight limit anytime in between the climb.

Health

You should consult your family physician doctor for up-to-date medical travel information well before departure. You must be fit and should be in good health. Please also make sure you bring all your prescription drugs with you. Our guides will bring a first-aid kit for minor sickness and injuries.

Please note that all travelers are required to complete the sections ‘A’ and ‘B’ of the medical form. If you have indicated that you have a pre-existing medical condition you are required to complete section ‘C’ also which must be signed by your physician. This is to ensure that travelers have the necessary fitness and mobility to comfortably complete their chosen trip.

Vaccinations

Please visit cdc.gov for details. If you are traveling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission, you are required to show the proof of Yellow Fever vaccination when passing customs.

We recommend you to arrange a visit to your personal physician and ask about vaccines and medicines you need based on where you are going, how long you are staying, what you will be doing, and if you are traveling from a country other than the US.

Altitude Sickness

At high altitudes, the decrease in atmospheric pressure makes it difficult to breathe due to less oxygen. However, it is common for people to experience mild altitude sickness, which usually goes away after 2-3 days. Rest well and stay hydrated. If the altitude sickness gets worse, please speak with your guide for medical assistance. If it's urgent to descend immediately, your guide will assit you to move down to a lower altitude. If a helicopter rescue is required, your guide will make the arrangement for you. Please make sure your insurance will cover the helicopter expense prior to your departure. (See the next session "Travel Insurance" for more information related to insurance.)

Signs and symptoms

Headache/dizziness

Nausea/vomiting

Tiredness/fatigue and delirium

Difficulty sleeping

Drunken gait

Loss of appetite

Confusion

Disorientation

Reduced urine output

Prevention: Trekkers must be prepared and understand the symptoms. There are things you can do to help prevent altitude sickness including:

Acclimatize properly

Do not make a rapid ascent

Avoid alcohol, sleeping pills and smoking

Drink plenty of water

Do not carry more than 10 kg

Climb higher sleep lower

When starting at 3000+ m, don’t ascend more than 330m a day

Never travel alone

Treatment

Descend

Provide oxygen canisters

Gamow bags

Diamox pills (125g) before dinner Link to Travel Insurance Purchasing

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is mandatory for all our travelers.

Your travel insurance must specifically include cover you to climb up to 6,000 metres.

Your insurance must cover helicopter evacuation if it becomes necessary.

Your insurance should also cover the costs of getting home should you miss your scheduled flight due to accident, injury, illness or simple bad luck. Your insurance must also provide coverage against personal accidents, death, medical expenses and emergency repatriation with a recommended minimum coverage of US $200,000 for each of the categories of coverage. We also strongly recommend travel insurance that covers cancellation, curtailment, personal liability and loss of luggage and personal effects.

You must provide proof of your travel insurance on the first day of your trip; you will not be able to join the trip without it.

If you have credit card insurance, we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.

Age Requirements

Adventuresses are required to be at least 18 years old if traveling independently. Our tours are open to younger adventuresses aged 15 or older, who must be accompanied by an adult over 21. A parent is required to fill out the “Travel with Minors” form in this case. If the adult is not a parent, he/she is required to fill out a “Parental Consent Guardianship Form” and get it signed by the minor’s parent.

Wifi

WIFI is available at the start/end hotel and is not available during the trek.

Money

The local currency in Tanzania is the Tanzanian Shilling (TSH).
Foreign currency should be exchanged through banks or authorized money exchange. Visitors can exchange currency at the airport upon arrival. It is recommended to retain receipts for money exchange transactions.
There is 5%-10% transaction fee if you use credit cards.
Credit/Debit cards are now widely acceptable in major cities. We recommend bringing both a Visa and a Master credit card to increase your chances of being able to withdraw cash from ATMs.
While there are many ATMs in the major centres, there are no guarantees that your credit or debit cards will actually work in Africa. Check with your bank.
Do not rely on credit or debit cards as your only source of money, a combination of US dollar cash and cards is best. Always take more rather than less, as you don't want to spoil the trip by constantly feeling short of funds.

Currency Exchange Tip:

Please be advised that slightly torn notes, notes that have been heavily marked or are faded may be difficult to exchange. It is best to bring notes in good condition, in denominations smaller than 100USD (or equivalent).
As currency exchange rates can fluctuate often we ask that you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: www.xe.com.

Gratuities

Tipping is an expected - though not compulsory - component of your tour program and an expression of satisfaction with the persons who have assisted you on your tour. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels.

A tipping guideline to determine this amount is 10% of the total cost of their trek towards tips, per person. If there were only one or two of you, it customary to pay slightly more than 10%.

If paying each crew member individually, you can use the following guideline as a reference:

Please note that the recommended daily tipping amount below are per group, not per climber.

Chief Guide: $10-15 USD (per day)
Assistant Guide: $8-10 USD (per day)
Cooks: $7-10 USD (per day)
Porters: $6-8 (per day)

Gear List

We recommend using a backpack or a medium-sized suitcase for your international travel. During the climb, you will need a daypack and a duffle bag. The daypack is essential to carry your personal belongings duirng the hike and the duffle bag will be used to carry your gears by our porters. You may store your suitcase in the hotel at Moshi where we will be staying free of charge.

Equipment