Mt Kilimanjaro Mt.Kilimanajro

Mount Kilimanjaro

Mt. Kilimanjaro is the tallest free standing mountain in the world, the highest mountain in Africa and the fourth highest of the Seven Summits. 

“The mountains,” said the great explorer Francis Young, reserve their greatest secrets for those who attain their summits. There is something exalting and supremely rare about climbing a great peak, a gift that can never be taken away. This is especially true of a legendary Mount Kilimanjaro. It provides dramatic views of the surrounding plains and offers virtually every ecosystem on earth – tropical jungle, savannah, alpine moorland, desert, snowfields and glaciers.

Mount Kilimanjaro is situated entirely in Northern Tanzania, 340 km South of Equator. Its highest point, Uhuru Peak, majestically rises to an altitude of 5,895 m (19,341 feet), and is commonly nicknamed: the Roof of Africa.

Kilimanjaro is composed of three distinct volcanic cones, three main peaks: Kibo 5,895 m (19,341 feet); Mawenzi 5,149 m (16,893 feet); and Shira 3,962 m (13,000 feet).

Three peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro

Three-peaks-of-_Kilimanjaro

 

Uhuru Peak is the highest summit on Kibo's crater rim and it is the only one of the three summits permanently covered in snow, due to the majestic glaciers that blankets much of its surface.

Mawenzi is the second highest peak on Kilimanjaro and Shira is the oldest peak.

There are six official climbing routes: Marangu, Rongai, Lemosho, Shira, Umbwe and Machame. These provide a range of opportunities for experiencing the mountain. All trekkers must follow one of these established paths. All of the ascents are quite difficult by virtue of the altitude, but some are harder than others. We have prepared a summary of all routes, which will help you match your physical ability to a route so you can successfully reach the summit.

For additional answers on choosing the best route for you or your group, please contact our office. Our chief guide, Godfrey, and our friendly staff will be happy to help you to make that choice.

kilimanjaro-route-map

Machame Route

The most popular ascent route is the Machame Route. This longer climb is harder and more spectacular. It is also known as the “Whisky Route”, you will have to follow steeper trails, longer distances while sleeping in the tents.

Of all the routes, Machame is by far the route of choice amongst most climbers because it provides sweeping views across the Maasai Steppe and Mount Meru, the majestic Barranco Valley and variety of habitats. The trail starts from south-west and enjoys some of the finest forest and moorland scenery on the mountain. The descent path for this route is the Mweka Route.

machame-image

This route can be climbed in minimum of 6 days (5 nights on the mountain) but we strongly advise, for better acclimatization to tackle this challenge in 7 days in some cases 8 days. If only 6 days are available to climb, be prepared for a couple of challenging 10-hour pushes. If you are in a good – confident physical condition, living in a higher altitude elevation, and practice an active lifestyle you will be able to manage the 6 day option.

Great advantage of choosing Machame route is the initial 2 day steep ascent that eases the altitude stress in the following days. The trek starts at Machame Gate, located in the south-west base of the mountain and quickly rises to the relative high elevations (3040m). It continues with a short ascent to the Lava Tower site (4560m) before descending back to Barranco Camp (3870m) on the same day. This follows the “climb high, sleep low” golden principle to maximum effect, unlike on the standard Rongai, Marangu and Umbwe Route.

Machame-2

The disadvantage of this route is the high number of climbers in the peak season. To minimize this slight annoyance we try to leave each morning the camps much earlier than other groups.