Rain
forest and Glacier Ice
Rising upward from the plains,
climbers ascend through
a belt of wet tropical forest
through zones of moor land
and ice fields to the arctic
conditions of Uhuru Peak
atop Kibo crater. The perspective
of an easy climb up Everyman’s
Everest is however unfounded.
Altitude sickness is the
greatest challenge and a
real danger faced by unprepared
climbers.
Kilimanjaro
is not one but three extinct
volcanic cones: Shira, Mawanzi
and the highest at 19,340
feet (5,895 meters), Kibo.
The peak atop Kibo, destination
to most climbers, is Uhuru
Peak.
Best
Times to Go
Climbers are able to ascend
the mountain throughout
the year. However for best
conditions and clearest
skies, January and February
are typically the best months,
with December to February
and July to August usually
offering good climbing conditions.
July however can be very
cold at night. Specific
recommendation will depend
upon the chosen route up
the mountain. The rainiest
period is March to June,
when snow and heavy clouds
with poor visibility can
be encountered at the summit
with rain at lower altitudes.
The
Routes up Mount Kilimanjaro
There are several routes
up the mountain. Selection
of the right route to match
your preparedness, experience
and expectations is of utmost
importance in maximizing
the probability of success
in reaching the summit.
The routes vary widely in
degree of difficulty, scenic
appeal and tourist traffic.
The gentle slopes of the
lower levels can become
a 30 degree scramble above
13,000 feet (4,000 m).
The
two most popular routes
are:
Marangu
Route (the “Coca Cola”
Route) – 5 or 6 days
This route offers the least
scenic variety but is generally
considered to be the easiest
route. The route has a moderate
slope and offers an emergency
evacuation service. It is
the only route offering
huts (dormitory type). However
Marangu is not one of our
recommended routes, popular
with budget operators and
frequented by poorly prepared
climbers. As a consequence,
it has the reputation for
the highest incidence of
deaths on the mountain and
lowest summit success rate.
Machame
Route – 6 or 7 days
The Machame Route offers
an invaluable extra acclimatization
day. It is a varied and
interesting scenic route
approaching the mountain
from the western side and
is considered to be the
most beautiful route up
Kilimanjaro. It has become
a high-traffic route in
the peak climbing season.
Climbers sleep in mountain
tents, since huts are in
poor condition. Porters
are provided and plain but
wholesome meals are prepared
for guests.
Email
or call
for further details |
