From Wikitravel

Mount Kilimanjaro is a currently inactive strato-volcano in northern Tanzania, near the border with Kenya. At 5,895 metres (19,340 feet) above sea level, Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest peak and the world's highest free-standing mountain. As such - and aided by its relatively easy ascent - Kilimanjaro has become a major destination for mountaineers and trekkers from around the world.

Contents 1 Understand 1.1 History 1.2 Landscape 1.3 Flora and fauna 1.4 Climate 2 Get in 3 Fees/Permits 4 Get around 5 See 6 Do 6.1 Routes 7 Buy 8 Eat 9 Drink 10 Sleep 10.1 Lodging 10.2 Camping 10.3 Backcountry 11 Stay safe 12 Get out

Understand

Although positioned close to the Equator (205 miles south), Mount Kilimanjaro is famous as Africa's snow-capped mountain looming over the plains of the savannah. Kilimanjaro National Park protects the area above 2,700 metres (8,850 ft), on the mountain and includes the moorland and highland zones, Shira Plateau, Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. The Park also has six corridors or rights of way through the Kilimanjaro Forest Reserve. The Forest Reserve, which is also a Game Reserve, was established in 1921; the Park was established in 1973 and officially opened in 1977.

History

Queen Victoria of England gave her grandson, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany, Mount Kilimanjaro as a birthday present.

Landscape

Flora and fauna

Climate

Get in

Fees/Permits

Get around

See

Do

Routes

There are several routes that lead to the summit of Kilimanjaro.

Marangu Route Commonly called the Coca-Cola Route Marangu is by far the most popular route to the summit of Kilimanjaro. Typical duration is either 5 or 6 days depending upon whether you elect to spend an extra day for acclimatisation to the altitude. This is the only route that offers huts versus tents.

• Day 1: Marangu Gate (1980m) - Mandara hut (2700m). Hiking time: 5 hours
• Day 2: Mandara hut (2700) - Horombo hut (3720m). Hiking time: 6 hours
• Day 3: Horombo hut (3720m) - Acclimatisation day (if necessary)
• Day 4: Horombo hut (3720m) - Kibo hut (4700m). Hiking time: 6 hours
• Day 5: Kibo hut (4700m) - Uhuru Peak (5895m) - Horombo hut (3720m). Hiking time: 8 hours to Uhuru - 6 hours to descend to Horombo
• Day 6: Horombo hut (3720m) - Marangu Gate (1980m). Hiking time: 6 hours

Machame Route Some call this the most beautiful route up Kilimanjaro. Where accommodation on the Marangu route is in huts, the Machame route offers strictly tents only This makes Machame (also referred to as the "Whiskey route") better suited to the slightly more adventurous hiker, however rewarding him with a scenic splendor such as not seen on the Marangu route.

• Day 1: Machame Gate (1490m) - Machame camp (2980m). Hiking time: 7 hours
• Day 2: Machame camp (2980m) - Shira camp (3840m). Hiking time: 6 hours
• Day 3: Shira (3840m) - Lava Tower (4630m) - Barranco camp (3950m). Hiking time: 7 hours
• Day 4: Barranco camp (3950m) - Barafu camp (4550m). Hiking time: 7 hours
• Day 5: Barafu camp (4550m)- Uhuru Peak (5895m) - Mweka (3100m). Hiking time: 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak 7/8 hours to descend to Mweka

Lemosho Route Little used and more remote than other routes. The route is one of the few where groups may be accompanied on the first day by an armed ranger, as the forests around the Lemosho Glades are rich in buffalo, elephant and other big game animals.

• Day 1: Londorossi Gate (2100m) - Mti Mkubwa camp (2750m). Hiking time: 3 hours
• Day 2: Mti Mkubwa camp (2750m) - Shira 2 camp (3840m). Hiking time: 6/7 hours
• Day 3: Shira (3840m) - Lava Tower (4630m) - Barranco camp (3950m). Hiking time: 7 hours
• Day 4: Barranco camp (3950m) - Barafu camp (4550m). Hiking time: 7 hours
• Day 5: Barafu camp (4550m) - Uhuru Peak (5895m) - Mweka (3100m). Hiking time: 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak 7/8 hours to descend to Mweka
• Day 6: Mweka camp (3100m) - Mweka Gate (1980m). Hiking time: 3 hours

' A variation on the Lemosho Route inserts two extra days in the itinerary for acclimatization and also to avoid having to climb up to the summit in the dark

• Day 4: Barranco (3950m) to Karranga Valley (4000m). Hiking Time 4 hours. This segment takes you up the infamous 'Barranco Wall.'
• Day 5: Karranga Valley (4000m) to Barafu camp (4550m). Hiking Time 3 hours
• Day 6: Barafu camp (4550m) - Uhuru Peak (5895m) - Crater Camp (5640m). Hiking Time about 8 hours
• Day 7: Crater Camp (5640m) - Mweka (3100m). Hiking time: 7/8 hours to Descend

Rongaj Route The Rongai route ascents Kilimanjaro from the northeastern side of the mountain, along the border between Tanzania and Kenya.

• Day 1: Rongai Gate (1950m) - 1st Caves camp (2600m). Hiking time: 5 hours
• Day 2: 1st Cave (2600m) - Kikelewa Cave (3600m). Hiking time: 6/7 hours
• Day 3: Kikelewa Cave (3600) - Mawenzi Tarn camp (4330m). Hiking time: 3/4 hours
• Day 4: Mawenzi Tarn camp (4330m) - Kibo hut (4700m). Hiking time: 4/5 hours
• Day 5: Kibo hut (4700m) - Uhuru Peak (5895m) - Horombo hut (3720m). Hiking time: 8 hours to reach Uhuru - 6 hours to descend to Horombo
• Day 6: Horombo hut (3720m) - Marangu Gate (1980m) . Hiking time: 6 hours

Buy

Eat

Drink

Sleep

Lodging

Camping

Backcountry

Stay safe

Get out

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