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Mt. Kilimanjaro
Towering over the Serengeti Plain, Mt. Kilimanjaro broods and beckons. For nearly two centuries Kili has inspired explorers, authors and adventures to stand on the rooftop of Africa. And still today, for many trekkers, Kilimanjaro has become the ultimate goal: The highest summit easily attainable for an average enthusiast. Part of the allure is due to its exotic location, but, cementing its popularity is the fact that Kili is one of the Seven Summits (the highest peaks on each of the seven continents). Furthermore, it is the only one readily accessible to trekkers. It can be climbed in less than a week, making it logistically possible to fit in the standard two/three week vacation.
This ease of access is not without its price. Some of the routes can be downright crowded. Perhaps even more dangerous, however, is the risk of Altitude sickness. On few other treks does one climb so high so quickly. If you have flown in from near sea level you could be striding above 15,000 feet within a few days. This can be a dangerous proposition and some trekking companies would prefer not guide this peak for this reason.
All in all, it is hard to pass the opportunity to claim one of the seven summits. Don’t forget in all your planned glory, that the sunrise from the crater rim is spectacular and you will get some unique vantage points of the glaciers before they are gone.
Fundamentals Marengu Route Machame Route |
Orientation Kilimanjaro is one of a chain of volcanic peaks that dot the east African plain including Mt. Kenya and Mt. Mehru. It is located in Tanzania and can be accessed from both Kenya and Tanzania although the most common routes originate in Tanzania from the City of Arusha. There are several routes available to the average trekker. The two most popular are the Marengu Route and the Machame Route. The Marengu is the shortest and most popular. It was the first to have huts and garner widespread attention. As more trekkers and climbers battled their way to the top and the Marengu became crowded, new routes were pioneered. The Machame is now the second most popular route. It is also possible to combine the two routes into a traverse - going up one and down the other. This will eliminate most of the backtracking providing fresh sites everyday. |
Highlights
- Climb one of the famous “Seven Summits”
- See a spectacular sunrise from the crater rim
- See the imposing Glaciers surrounding the summit (before they are gone)
- Combine a safari on the nearby Serengeti Plain
- Visit a nearby Masai Village
When to Go
There are two seasons for climbing Kili. The Christmas Holiday season from Mid December to Mid March is the busiest and warmest. The June to mid October season is cooler and provides clearer days. Don’t expect to be alone on the trail at anytime for the
Guided vs Independent Treks
Mt. Kilimanjaro National Park requires that all climbs and treks on Mt. Kilimanjaro be accompanied by a certified guide. This eliminates the option for a truly independent trek. However, It is always fun to interact with a local guide and there are a lot of characters that ply the guide trade and trails on Kili.
Arusha is the closest city to Mt. Kilimanjaro. Today you can fly directly into Kilimanjaro Airport, which is between Moshi and Arusha. If you are traveling overland or combing other destinations, Arusha is a long day drive/bus ride from Nairobi, Kenya or Dar es Salaam Tanzania.
Eyewitness Account - Kirk Markus - Breathing is Fundamental
My personal trip to Kilimanjaro started in my imagination many years before, but, its physical manifestation began in Capetown South Africa in June 1994. I had just chucked my job and bought a one way ticket to Africa to find out how the other 80% of the world lives. Two and a half months later I would be standing nervously at the Machame Gate at the base of Kilimanjaro. more...
Day to Day Account - Jeff Salvage - First Big Challenge
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