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Tips for Kilimanjaro Climbers
This route is the hardest but most
spectacular and direct way to reach
Uhuru Peak. It follows a forested ridge
to the moorlands, then traverses below
the Southern Icefields to reach the
Barafu Route which is followed to the
summit. An early start is made on the
summit day to reach Stella Point, on the
Crater Rim at dawn. Uhuru Peak lies a
further 40 min. along the rim.
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 and in places slightly
exposed trek within the limits of a fit
individual used to walking in mountain
areas. An extra day can be added to our
itinerary to explore or relax along the
route, (best taken at the Barranco Hut).
We will pick you up at the airport and
taking you to Springlands Hotel where
you can relax by the pool or go for an
evening monkey-viewing forest walk. You
then go up your chosen route. We do not
charge you extra if you are on your own!
You will have a guide, a cook and
porters to carry as much of your
equipment as you want. We organise year
round trips on any route. On the last
day you return to the hotel for a clean
up, final meal and overnight, this is a
good time to have a sauna or maybe a
massage. Everything is included in our
prices except for drinks, tips and the
hotel is on a B&B basis. For high
seasons (Christmas - New Year and July -
August) please book in advance to avoid
disappointment.
Now take a look at the routes available
up the mountain ranging from the least
demanding Marangu to the rugged and
spectacular Umbwe or long and wild
Lemosho. The Machame Route is a popular
one as it combines the beautiful and
varied scenery with plenty of
opportunities to acclimatise.
If you are not accustomed to camping and
mountain walking you could consider the
Marangu Route as the most suitable. This
follows easy angled paths through
magnificent rain forests to the Mandara
Hut. Shortly beyond it passes Maundi
Crater, a fine view point located at the
edge of the forest belt. Above you enter
the moorlands with their fine giant
heathers stands, groundsels, lobelia and
other exotic tropical high altitude
plants. The next hut is the Horombo Hut,
soon after this hut you reach the
Saddle, a high altitude desert
separating the rugged Mawenzi summit
from Kibo. The final ascent starts from
the Kibo Hut and involves steep paths on
loose scree. There is fresh running
water at all the huts apart from Kibo
where it will be carried by your
porters. You will be accommodated
generally in 4 person clean huts with
mattresses.
The other routes are all more demanding
as regards steepness and in places
involve some scrambling. Accommodation
is in tents and there is no running
water at the campsites though warm water
for washing is provided. The scenery
more than compensates for these
difficulties. Whichever route you choose
it is essential to allow enough time for
acclimatisation to the altitude.
Although Mt. Kilimanjaro can be climbed
throughout the year it is worth avoiding
the two rainy seasons (late March to
mid-June and October to the beginning of
December) when the route becomes
slippery. Probably the best time to
visit is January to February and
September to October when there is
usually no cloud.
Mount Kilimanjaro (19340’) (5895m) lies
just 3 degrees south of the equator and
is one of the highest volcanoes in the
world. It rises some (15000’) (4572m)
above the surrounding plains and
savannahs. The Kilimanjaro National Park
covers some 1864 sq. Km (720 sq. miles)
The base of this immense mountain has
diameter of 80 Km (48 Miles) and the
outstanding features are its three major
volcanic centers: Shira (4160m) in the
west. Mawenzi (5280 m) to the east and
the permanently snow-capped Kibo in the
middle.
In climbing, the terrain passes from a
tropical to an artic clime in just a few
days. The encircling rain forest ensures
the fertility of the lower lying shambas
and is rich in birdlife. Above the rain
forest lies the Alpine Meadow, a
beautiful moorland, offering many
splendid views. Exotic plants such as
the giant Lobelia and the fork-like
Groundsel are to be seen. The latter
blooming once every 50 – 70 years.
Leaving the Alpine Meadow we reach the
Alpine Desert and eventually the ‘’snows
of Kilimanjaro’’.
Mt. Kilimanjaro by the Umbwe Route
This route is the hardest but most
spectacular and direct way to reach
Uhuru Peak. Extra days can be added to
our itinerary to explore or relax along
the route or to camp in the Karanga
River valley. Accommodation on the
mountain is in tents; you will need a
sleeping bag and mat. The porters will
pitch the tents for you.
Programme
Day 1 Arrive at hotel.
Day 2 Drive to the Umbwe Roadhead
at 1800m. The route initially follows a
forestry track winding up through the
natural rain forest. It then narrows and
steepens to climb the ridge between the
Lonzo and Umbwe rivers. The first
campsite is in the forest by some rock
overhangs at 2940m, (5-6 hours walking).
Day 3
Shortly after leaving the camp the
forest ends and the path continues along
a narrow spectacular ridge. Above, the
sheer 1000m of the Breach Wall appears
and disappears as the afternoon mists
roll up the Great Barranco. From the
Umbwe ridge the route descends slightly
to the Barranco Hut and our camp in the
valley floor at 3900m, (5-6 hours
walking).
Day 4
Scramble easily to the top of the Great
Barranco and then a traverse over screes
and ridges to the Karanga Valley camsite
(3h, 4000m.), beneath the icefalls of
the Southern Glaciers.
Day 5
After climbing out of the Karanga
Valley the trail ascends a ridge to the
Barafu Hut, a bleak location with little
vegetation at 4600m, (3 hours walking).
Day 6
An early start for the ascent to the rim
of the Kibo Crater between the Rebmann
and Ratzel Glaciers, (4 hours); the last
section before the rim can sometimes be
snow-covered and an ice-axe or ski stick
is useful for balance. From here a
further hour leads to Uhuru Peak, from
where there are often fine views of Meru
to the west and the jagged peak of
Mawenzi to the east. After a short time
on the summit you descend to the Barafu
Hut for a rest and lunch before
continuing on down to camp at Mweka Hut
in the giant heather zone on the Mweka
route. Those with energy on the summit
may wish to descend to the Reutsh Crater
and visit the dramatic ice pinnacles of
the Eastern Icefields.
Day 7
A 3-4 hour descent through beautiful
forest brings you to the Park gate and
your waiting transport. Drive back to
the hotel near Moshi.
Day 8
Leave hotel after breakfast.
Climbing certificates are issued by the
Kilimanjaro National Park for successful
climbers. |
