Climbing Kilimanjaro.
Hiking trips and
mountain climbing in Tanzania are becoming popular options for visitors not
content merely observing the country from the back of a game viewing vehicle.
Instead, adventurous types are taking advantage of the many trails and peaks
Tanzania has to offer.
Above the gently rolling hills and plateau of northern
Tanzania rise the snowy peaks of Mt Kilimanjaro, its 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.
Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro is the highlight of many visitors’
experiences in Tanzania. Few mountains can claim the grandeur, the breathtaking
views of Amboseli National Park in Kenya, the Rift Valley, and the Maasai
Steppe, that belong to Kilimanjaro. Hiking on the ‘rooftop of Africa’ is the
adventure of a lifetime, and anyone from a seasoned trekker to a reasonably fit
first-time enthusiast can scale the snowy peak.
Kilimanjaro Climb - Machame Route
8 Days, Total hiking distance: About 100 km's
Sometimes called the Whisky Route. This is a popular route
up steep paths through magnificent forests to 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.
An extra day could be added to the itinerary, best spent on the Shira Plateau,
where you could walk to the Shira Needles. Strong groups could omit camping at
Karanga River. The Mweka Route is used for the descent.
Accommodation on the mountain is in tents, which the porters
will pitch for you. You will need a sleeping bag, warm clothes and walking
poles. This is a steep, tough trek within the limits of a fit individual used
to walking in mountain areas.
From: $1785. Discounts available for groups.
Summit of Kilimanjaro
The Details.
Day 1
Arrive at the Kilimanjaro International Airport/Alternative
Airport pick up and transferred to the spring lands Hotel for overnight bed and
breakfast.
Day 2
Your day starts early with a briefing, followed by breakfast
and a 45-minute drive from Moshi (910m) to the Machame village (1490m). The
guides and porters prepare and pack the supplies and your equipment in the
village. Depending on the condition of the road, it is possible to drive from
the village to the Machame gate, but if not, the muddy 3 km walk will take
about 1 hour to complete. After registering at the gate office, you start your
ascent and enter the rain forest. You will receive a lunch pack at the gate and
you can also drink bottled water you bought at spring lands Hotel in Moshi.
There is possibility of rain in the forest, which will transform the trail into
a very soggy, muddy and slippery experience. In the evening the porters will
boil drinking and washing water and the cook will prepare dinner, before you
retire to your tent for the night. Night temperatures can already drop to
freezing point at Machame campsite.
Day 3
You rise early at Machame camp and after breakfast you climb
an hour or so to the top of the forest and then for 2 hours at a gentler
gradient through the moorland zone. After a short lunch and rest, you continue
up a rocky ridge onto the Shira plateau. By now you will be able to see in an
easterly direction, the Western Breach with its stunning glaciers. You are now
due west of Kibo and after a short hike you will reach the Shira campsite at 3
840m. The porters will boil drinking and washing water, before serving dinner.
The night at this exposed camp will even be colder than the previous night,
with temperatures dropping to well below freezing.
Day 4
The route now turns east into a semi desert and rocky
landscape surrounding Lava Tower, where you reach an altitude of 4630m after
about a 5 hours walk. Lunch is served in a designated area before ascending the
rocky scree path to Lava Tower (4630m). Definitely the toughest day so far. It
is normally around this point, where for the first time, some climbers will
start to feel symptoms of breathlessness, irritability and headaches. After
lunch you descent again by almost 680m to the Barranco camping area and after
reaching the high altitude of 4600m at Lava Tower, the true acclimatization
benefit of this day becomes clear. This descent to Barranco camp takes about 2
hours and offers great opportunities to take some beautiful photographs of the
Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is situated in a valley below the
Breach and Great Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable
sunset while you wait for the preparation of your dinner and overnight at
Barranco Camp site.
Day 5
Totally exposed to the ever-present gales the tents are
pitched on a narrow, stony, and dangerous ridge. Make sure that you familiarize
yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. The summit is now
a further 1345m up and you will make the final ascent the same night. Prepare
your equipment, ski stick and thermal clothing for your summit attempt. This
should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and make
sure you have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing it will be
wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. Go to bed at round about 19h00 and
try to get some precious rest and sleep for not more than 5 Hours.
Day 6
You will rise around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits
you shuffle off into the night. You will head in a north-westerly direction and
ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This 6-hour
walk to Stella point is for many climbers, mentally and physically the most
challenging on the route. At Stella Point (5685m) you will stop for a short
rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely
to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point you will normally encounter snow
all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. The time you will spend on the
summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as
it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue. Enjoy
your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your life. The walk
back to Barafu from the summit, takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well-earned
but short rest and collect the rest of your gear, before heading down to Mweka
Camp (3100m) for Dinner and Overnight.
Day 7
After Breakfast, From the Mweka Gate you will continue down
into the Mweka village, normally a muddy and long hour walk. In the Mweka
village drive to spring lands Hotel and you will be served a delicious hot
lunch!! You now drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower. Overnight in
spring lands hotel. It is recommended and tips are highly appreciated at the
end of their trip. Tips can be given to the Guide at spring lands Hotel. This
is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those
climbers who reached Stella Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates
and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates.
Day 8
Departure, in the late evening drive to the airport
(Kilimanjaro Airport), to catch the Flight back home or for onward travel.
