MOUNT KILIMANJARO

ARUSHA - Mandara - Horombo - Kibo- ARUSHA

Overview

Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and the World’s highest free standing structure at an altitude of 5896 meters (19,336 feet) above the sea level. Hiking on the rooftop of Africa is the adventure of a lifetime, and anyone who is physically fit can scale this snowcapped mountain. It is only 200 miles from the equator.

Kilimanjaro is located inside the Kilimanjaro National Park outside of Moshi town in a beautiful accessible village of Marangu where the headquarter of the park is located. To accomplish your dream of reaching the roof of Africa, there are different routes to follow. These routes includes Marangu route, Machame route, Rongai route, Lemosho route, Umbwe route, Shira route and Mweka route which is used for descent only.

Mount Kilimanjaro is not only the highest free standing peak in the world but also highest accessible point. The chagga who inhabit the area of the mountain hasn’t yet managed to give the meaning of the word Kilimanjaro with the exception of kipoo (now known as Kibo) which is one the 3 peaks of the mountain.

The vegetation of Mount Kilimanjaro varies accordingly ranging from tropics to the Arctic. At the level of 2700 m the cultivated foot slopes give way to lush montane forest, inhabited by leopard, buffalo, elephant, antelope and other primates. As you ascend the moorland zone show up where a cover of giant heather is studded with other worldly giant lobelias. Above 3900m, the zone changes to alpine desert which support little life to the fauna and flora. The final vegetation is of winter wonderland of ice and snow and the magnificent beauty of the roof of the Africa.

Unlike other snow caped Mountains in the world, Mount Kilimanjaro isn’t a technical climbing and need less personal climbing gear on trekking. Walking stick, proper clothing, sun glass, enough drinking water and determination are the key to a successfully Kilimanjaro climber. To successfully conquer the mountain you have to who prepares yourself properly before attempting the climb, even though prior mountain climbing experience is required. Our local guides are always on hand to offer advice and assistance to all our climbers.

Mount Kilimanjaro is can be climbed in five days using Marangu route, but for those who wants to make a record they can climb in less days provided that they have paid for a minimum of five days. Climbing Kilimanjaro is a breathtaking activity and an extra day for acclimatization is recommended.

An Acclimatization day gives a climber more chance to reach on the roof of Africa as this allows you to experience the climatic changes gradually, which improves your chances of summiting. An extra day on Marangu route is recommended while for Machame route 7 days should be considered to maximize chances of reaching Uhuru peak which is the highest point of Mount Kilimanjaro.

The team which will take you to the mountain will comprise a cook(s), mountain guide and porters. The allocation of the crew is determined by the size of the group. For every 2 climbers one guide and his assistant will be allocated, together with a cook and porters. For every climber 2-3 porters are allocated if the route is Marangu, while for the camping routes such as Machame 4-5 porters are allocated. Porters will carry the luggage of the climber which should not exceed 20kgs.There will also be porters carrying other equipment such as, cooking facilities, dining tent,chairs,bathroom,toilet and sleeping tents depending on the route selected. On camping routes you carry more equipment compared to Marangu route which has some facilities such huts, toilets and kitchen provided by the park.

Accommodation on all the official routes on Mount Kilimanjaro is on camping tents with exception of Marangu route on which you sleep on huts accommodation, you share this accommodation with 4-6 climbers however on the camping routes you have private tents for single occupancy or sharing with a friend.

Mount Kilimanjaro climbing is accessible while you are in Tanzania only and above mentioned routes are the only official routes up Kilimanjaro. The National Park that is Mount Kilimanjaro is managed by Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA) with the park office in Marangu village. Trekking/Climbing Mountain Kilimanjaro normally starts in the morning around 9:00 a.m. to 10:00a.m.It is recommended that you arrive be at the entrance gate for the registration as well as park fees payments in good time. Please observe all the national park regulation especially environmental issues at all times. You will be granted a certificate by Kilimanjaro National Park if your successfully trek to Uhuru Peak (5895 m), Stella or Gilman’s Points.

Mountain Kilimanjaro can successfully be attempted by any mountain fit climber from the age 12 years to 70 years. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro attracts thousands of climber’s different parts of the world. And majority of then who prepare themselves well for the trekking reach the highest point, Uhuru which is the ultimate goal of every climber on Mount Kilimanjaro.

ROUTES

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania can be attempted using six office routes to the roof top of African continent. All the routes are located with the Kilimanjaro region and involve different six villages. The route are defined and listed as follows: Marangu route (used for ascending and descending within itself and descending from other routes), Machame route, Rongai route, Lemosho route, Umbwe route and Shira route.

Due to the increment of visitors who wants to fulfill their dreams of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, Mweka route is reserved only for descending for those climbers using different route to Kilimanjaro with the exceptional of Marangu route. With exceptional of Marangu route climbing Kilimanjaro with other routes force you to descent via Mweka route and for this reason the authority decided to reserve Mweka for descent only to avoid over exploiting the route.

Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Marangu Route affectionately known as the “Coca-Cola route”, Marangu is by far the most popular route to the summit of Kilimanjaro. This could partly be as a result of the fact that the Marangu is the least expensive route, but more so, perhaps the fact that it is possible to do the Marangu route in 5 days, thereby getting to the summit one day earlier than on the Machame route.

Climb Mount Kilimanjaro Machame route sometimes called the Whisky Route. This is a popular route up steep paths through magnificent forests to gain a ridge leading through the moorland zones to the Shira Plateau. It then traverses beneath the glaciated precipices of the Southern Ice fields to join the Barafu Route to the summit.

Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro Umbwe route is one of the shortest routes to the Southern Glaciers and the Western Breach. It is probably the most scenic, non-technical route on Kilimanjaro. It is quite taxing, primarily due to the relatively fast ascent to higher altitude, but the rewards are plentiful. Very steep route best suited to experienced trekkers

Mount Kilimanjaro trekking Lemosho Route, this is the longest and most remote route to Kilimanjaro. After beautiful forests and moorlands it crosses the Shira Plateau to meet up with the Machame Route. Groups may be accompanied on the first day by an armed ranger as the forests around the Lemosho Glades are rich in buffalo, elephant and other game.

Shira Route Mount Kilimanjaro Climb, The Shira route, approaches Kilimanjaro’s summit from the west and crosses the caldera of Shira Volcano before heading beneath the southern ice fields of Kibo. The route is seldom used by other trekkers and so your initial two days on the mountain are less crowded than on most other routes.

Mount Kilimanjaro climbing Rongai Route this remote and less frequently used route is the second easiest route to Kilimanjaro. The approach to the mountain is from the less-forested north side and the descent is by the Marangu Route. There are several variations; the one described is a longer route taking in Mawenzi Tarn.

Marangu Route

Marangu route is arguably the most common Kilimanjaro ascent. This is a relatively easy 5 – 6 days trip Kilimanjaro climb. Marangu Route is also the oldest Route and most popular, at one time the route was drawing over 80% of trekkers on Kilimanjaro, and it also came to be known as Coca – Cola route’s where the final summit bid is undertaken via the Normal/Marangu Route.

On Marangu route, you descend this route by retracting your steps. This is the only route on Mt. Kilimanjaro that all overnight stops are in purpose built huts. Since this is the shortest and cheapest route on the mountain, it is frequently very busy leading to the facilities along the trail sometimes becoming stretched. It is always recommended that you pay and book in advance to secure yourself a room if you plan to use this route.

Marangu route approaches the Mountain from the south, passing to the south of Mawenzi before it crosses to the desolate Saddle of heading to Kibo Hut. The Summit ascent on this route is then conducted via the Normal Marangu Route on an arduous scree slope that culminates in the arrival at Gilman Point on the crater rim. This route can done in 5 days and as a result it has a surprisingly low success rate for getting trekkers to the top compared to the other routes. To improve your chances of reaching Uhuru Peak, it is advisable try to factor in an extra day for acclimatization purposes. This extra day for acclimatization is spent at Horombo Hut from where you can enjoy a number of fascinating side trips to explore various features of the Mountain.

Itinerary

Included and Excluded