Kilimanjaro Machame (6 Day Trek)

Here is the recommended kit list to bring with you: Documents: • Passport • Travel insurance details • Boarding passes for flights • Two passport photos • Driver’s license (if needed) • Cash • Credit/Debit Card Sleeping: • Sleeping bag liner (optional) Footwear: • Trekking boots: 3 or 4 season lightweight • Shoes for the plane (optional) Clothing: Please make sure that you have non-cotton clothing for trekking. • Two base-layer t-shirts (e.g. running t-shirts) • Fleece/soft-shell jacket • Waterproof jacket • Down jacket for warmth • Travel clothes and city wear • Underwear • Base-layer trousers (optional) • Waterproof trousers • Trekking trousers • Trekking shorts (optional) • Two thick wool mountaineering socks • Lightweight and breathable trekking socks • Gloves and wool hat Other: • A daysack: 35 litres • A duffel or rucksack with straps to go over your back • Dry Liner or Dry Bag • Water bottle/thermos: At least 2L. Nalgene bottles best. • Sunglasses • Suncream • General toiletries, contact lenses, glasses (if needed) • Towel • Electronics - head torch, travel adaptor, phone & charger • Lipsil • Book • MP3/music and headphones • Travel wash • Hand sanitiser, wet wipes • Trekking poles (optional) If you don't want to purchase your own kit or need to travel light, you can hire most of the equipment from our guides in-country. Get in touch for the list and rental prices. Please note that all plastic bags, regardless of their thickness, are prohibited from being brought into Tanzania. This excludes packaging for medical supplies.

See above for inclusions and exclusions.

Kilimanjaro is a steep mountain with a long summit day.  We recommend you train with sport or jogging two to three times a week in the run-up to your trip.

Start: There are three pick-up times (10:00 AM, 5:00 PM or 11:59 PM) from Kilimanjaro International Airport on the first date of your trip. End: On the last date, you can fly at any time, and your guides will arrange transfers that work best for the group. Guests typically fly with BA, Air France, or Qatar. However, we'd recommend comparing a few airlines e.g. https://www.skyscanner.net .

When you go above altitudes of 2,500m (as is the case on Kilimanjaro), there is less oxygen, which poses a risk of altitude sickness. High altitude sickness can happen to anybody, regardless of age or fitness. Symptoms vary between individuals but commonly include headaches, nausea, shortness of breath, and numbness in fingers and toes. These symptoms can come on unexpectedly and get severe quickly. To decrease the chances of experiencing altitude sickness, you need to allow your body time to acclimatise properly. Although impossible to completely prevent, we've designed our itineraries to give guests the best chance to adjust to the altitude changes. This 6-day route is a little shorter than other Kilimanjaro treks. If you have concerns about altitude, we'd recommend taking a longer route like the Machame 7-day option or Lemosho 8-day. These give a better chance for acclimatisation. Ashante guides have years of experience in recognising and helping guests deal with altitude sickness. Note that oxygen is not used on Kilimanjaro to help guests reach the summit or to 'treat' altitude sickness. The only cure for altitude sickness is to immediately descend to lower ground. In severe cases, oxygen may be given to provide enough temporary relief to allow the affected guest to descend. In extreme cases, altitude sickness on Kilimanjaro can be fatal. We put your safety first. Our guides have years of experience, and their decision on whether or not to continue is final.

Yes - citizens from most countries do need a visa. When purchasing your visa, be aware that there are many online companies that are not legitimate. Please be mindful of this if buying your visa online.

The currency used in Tanzania is Tanzanian Shillings. Some places will accept USD ($), but generally with a poor exchange rate.

Yes, If you are travelling solo and would like your own room and tent for the duration of the trip, you can pay for a single supplement. The single supplement is an optional extra with a cost of $90 per traveller. This is payable in-country. Should you not wish to apply the single supplement, we will pair you with another group member to share accommodation during the trek (twin hotel room and shared tent).

You stay in a hotel at the beginning and end of the trek. The lodges offer twin shared rooms and basic showering facilities. During the trek, you will be given a 3-man tent and use it as a twin share. Single supplements are available for the duration of the trip for $90. Please ensure you request this on your registration form before you depart. If you need to book any additional nights at the hotel, you can do so here: http://www.panamagardenresort.com/

Most groups have 12 people, with a maximum of 14.

It is customary in Tanzania to tip guides and porters. The amount that you tip is completely up to you. As a good rule of thumb, generally, participants will tip around US$200 USD per customer (not per guide). You can give this to the head guide, and they will distribute it amongst the team of guides, porters and cooks.

You have chefs with you on the hike who can cater for all dietary requirements. They prepare three nutritious and filling meals each day, which help keep your energy levels high. Please make us aware of any requirements on your registration form before departure. Filtered water will be readily available free of charge.

Portable toilets are an optional extra. The cost for this extra service is $150, payable at our offices, in-country. The group can decide whether they would like this extra service and split the cost between group members.

Every day on the trek we will provide you with filtered water to fill up your bottles. The water is filtered and boiled by a Katadyn filtration system. We recommend you also bring water purification tablets or a filter bottle.

You can see the latest NHS advice regarding immunisations at https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/africa/united-republic-of-tanzania

Kilimanjaro is very close to the equator, so the temperatures are very similar year-round. They can range from around 20°C(68°F) at the base to -10°C (14°F) on the summit. The dry season is June-September, and during these times, there is typically just a dusting of snow on the summit. These are also the busiest months. The wet season is Nov-May, where snow depth on the summit can regularly be 20-30cm.

Yes, of course! Safari in Tanzania is an amazing experience - simply message the Skyhook team before/after booking and we'll help you arrange a 2-7 day safari experience.

The minimum age for this trek is 18 years, or 16 years with a parent/guardian.