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MOUNT KILIMANJARO
Above the gently rolling hills and plateaux of northern Tanzania rises the snowy peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro, it’s slopes and glaciers shimmering above the rising clouds.
Kilimanjaro is located near the town of Moshi and is a protected area, carefully regulated for climbers to enjoy without leaving a trace of their presence. The mountain’s ecosystems are as strikingly beautiful as they are varied and diverse. On the lowland slopes, much of the mountain is farmland, with coffee, banana, cassava, and maize crops grown for subsistence and cash sale. A few larger coffee farms still exist on the lower slopes, but much of the area outside the national park has been subdivided into small plots. Once inside the park, thick lowland forest covers the lower altitudes and breaks into alpine meadows once the air begins to thin. Near the peak, the landscape is harsh and barren, with rocks and ice the predominant features above a breathtaking African view.
Kilimanjaro is the second highest mountain in the World, about 5812 Km height from the sea level.
There are six routes of Climbing Kilimanjaro mountain
1. Marangu Route
2. Machame Route
3. Rongai Routr
4. Lemosho Route
5. Umbwe Route
6. Mweka Route
Kilimanjaro Climbing - Marangu Route
Considered to be the easiest route, and a trek rather than a climb, and suitable for those not experienced in the mountains.
DAY 1:
Arrive Arusha, clear Customs and Immigration formalities and transfer to Mountain Village where a climb briefing will be done, followed by dinner and overnight.
DAY 2:
Transfer to Kilimanjaro Park + After completing the entrance formalities at the National Park gate (1,830 me.) we climb up through attractive and unspoilt forest to reach the clearing containing Mandara Hut (2,700 me.). The volcanic remains of Maundy Crater are nearby, and make a good afternoon excursion. An alternative is to simply rest and enjoy the beautiful forest around you. [3-5 hours walking]
DAY 3:
The first part of the walk is a steep ascent through forest, but the path soon opens out into grassy moorland and, in clear weather, there are good views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. We climb steadily through the moorland zone, containing giant heather and occasional stands of groundsel, to eventually reach the hut complex at Horombo (3,720 m.). Sunrises and sunsets here are often very spectacular, the site is close to the glaciated dome of Kibo, and there is a real sense of being above the clouds. [4-6 hours walking]
DAY 4:
We climb very gradually towards the lunar desert of the Saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo. The terrain changes to scree and there is a palpable sense of high altitude wilderness. We usually reach Kibo Hut (4,703 m.) at the bottom of the crater wall by midday and the afternoon is free (to contemplate the summit ascent!!). The remainder of the day is spent resting and eating in preparation for the final climb before a very early night! [4-6 hours]
DAY 5:
We will start our ascent by flashlight at about 1 a.m. so that we can be up at Gillman's Point by sunrise. The initial climb is steep over loose volcanic scree, but there are some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace should reach Gillman's (5,685 m.) in five or six hours. We will rest there and spend some time taking in the sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the three hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m.), passing close to the spectacular glaciers that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent is surprisingly fast and we return to Horombo for the night. [11-15 hours walking]
DAY 6:
We retrace our steps with a pleasant moorland walk to Mandara and then a lovely forest walk to the National Park gates. [5-6 hours walking] and then transfer to Mountain Village for dinner, a hot shower and a good nights' rest!
DAY 7:
Morning at leisure, followed by lunch and a transfer to Arusha for your onward travel arrangements.
Kilimanjaro Climbing - Machame Route
More difficult than the Marangu Route, and suitable for experienced climbers. Campsite accommodation is in high altitude tents.
DAY 1:
Arrive Arusha, clear Customs and Immigration formalities and transfer to Mountain Village, where a climb briefing will be held, followed by dinner and overnight.
DAY 2:
Transfer to Kilimanjaro Park. After completing the entrance formalities at the National Park gate, the climb starts from Machame Gate (1,800 m.) after a short walk through the attractive banana and coffee farms of Machame village. The path follows a ridge through dense montane forest. This is the richest forested area on the mountain, and also the zone from where 96 % of the water on Kilimanjaro originates. On sunny days, and especially in the dry season, this section is very lush and beautiful; it can also be a very muddy experience, particularly if it has rained recently! We have lunch at 'Halfway Clearing', a small opening in the trees, and continue climbing steadily. The gradient becomes gentler as the forest slowly merges into giant heather close to the next camp near the ruins of Machame Hut (3,000 m.). We may get our first closer look at the glaciated dome of Kibo if the evening clouds permit. [6-8 hours walking]
DAY 3:
A shorter day that begins by climbing up a steep ridge to reach a small semicircular cliff known as Picnic Rock. There are excellent views of Kibo and the jagged rim of Shira Plateau from here, and it is a good rest point too! The trail continues less steeply to reach the Shira Plateau. We camp near Shira Cave (3,720 m.) which has some of the most stunning views on Kilimanjaro; close to the huge volcanic cone of Kibo, the spectacular rock formations of Shira Plateau, and looking across to Mt. Meru floating on the clouds. [4-6 hours walking]
DAY 4:
A morning of gentle ascent and panoramic views, leaving the moorland plateau behind to walk on lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. After lunch near the Lava Tower junction (4,500 m.) we descend to the bottom of the Great Barranco Valley (3,900 m.), sheltered by towering cliffs and with extensive views of the plains far below. [5-7 hours walking]
DAY 5:
A steep climb up the Barranco Wall leads us to an undulating trail on the south-eastern flank of Kibo, with superb vistas of the Southern Icefields. Lunch is usually taken at Karanga , the last water point, in a steep valley. After lunch, the terrain changes to scree and we climb steeply to reach the Barafu campsite (4,600 m.) by mid afternoon. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night. [6-8 hours walking]
DAY 6:
We will start our ascent by torchlight at about 1 a.m. so that we can be up on the Crater rim by sunrise. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to Stella Point (5,735 m.), in about five or six hours. We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the two hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m.), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Barafu is surprisingly fast, and after some refreshment, we continue to descend to reach our final campsite (3,800 m.) at the edge of Mweka Forest. [11-15 hours walking]
DAY 7:
A sustained descent through lovely forest with lush undergrowth takes us to the National Park gate at Mweka (1,650 m.) [4-6 hours walking]. Transfer to Mountain Village for dinner, a hot shower and overnight.
DAY 8:
The morning at leisure, followed by lunch, and transfer to the airport for your onward travel arrangements.
