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Mt Kilimanjaro Climbing, Hiking on Mount Kilimanjaro, Trekking Safaris on Mt Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro - The Roof of the World (Enquire)
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Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa with a summit towering 5896m. Situated at the Kenya / Tanzania border, the mountain offers one of the most beautiful sceneries for both locals and visitors, a sight that one never ceases to admire. A further exploration of the mountain by attempting a climb reveals the rich vegetation which consists of cedar, podo and wild olive on the northern and western slopes while, giant camphor, fig trees, ferns lines and epiphytes are a common feature on the wetter eastern and southern slopes.
Kilimanjaro by the Marangu Route
It is a popular one as it combines the beautiful and varied scenery with plenty of opportunities to acclimatise. This is the easiest route to take to ascend Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa with its two main summits, the craggy Mawenzi, 5149 m, and the 'flat-topped', glaciated Kibo, 5896m. The Saddle, a 5km wide, high-altitude, semi-desert separates the two. From the summit glaciers, screes, cliffs, afro-alpine moorland then forests lead down to the cultivated foothills. The Marangu route takes you at a gentle pace through these dramatically different zones. For the ascent to Uhuru Peak from Kibo Hut a very early start is made since the scree is easier to climb when frozen and the views from the crater rim at dawn can be spectacular. Ski sticks are useful when ascending the scree to the summit. Accommodation on the mountain is in comfortable huts you will require a sleeping bag and mat. This is a tough walking trip but within the limits of a fit individual used to walking in mountain areas. An extra day for acclimatisation to the altitude can be spent at Horombo. From Horombo there are various walks to enjoy.
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Programme
Day 1. Arrive at the hotel for overnight.
Day 2. After breakfast drive to Marangu Gate. Walk through the rain forest to mandara hut (2743m), for about 3 hours.
Day 3. Leave the forest and cross open moor land to Horombo hut (3760m)
Day 4. Walk through moorland then alpine desert to "The saddle & quot; between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo. From here you will walk for about an hour to reach Kibo hut (4730m)
Day 5. Very early start for the summit on steep scree up to Gillman's point (5681m), which is on the crater rim. Continue around the rim (which will take about two hours if you are fit.) to uhuru peak (5895m) the highest point in Africa. Descend to Kibo Hut for tea and biscuits or soup and then down to the thicker air and relative warmth of Horombo hut.
Day 6. Descend to Marangu gate. Drive back to the hotel for a shower, dinner and overnight.
Day 7. Depart after breakfast.
Kilimanjaro by the Machame Route
It is a popular one as it combines the beautiful a nd varied scenery with plenty of opportunities to acclimatise. A steep and fine route providing superb views on the traverse below the Southern Icefields. An extra day could be added to the itinerary, spent either at Shira, where you could walk to the Shira Needles, or camping in the Karanga Valley.The final ascent is made very early in the morning from the Barafu Hut. The Mweka Route is used for the descent. Accommodation on the mountain is in tents; you will need a sleeping bag and sleeping mat. The porters do not pitch the tents for you but will help if you wish. This is a strenuous walking trip but within the limits of a fit individual used to walking in mountain areas. Ski sticks or ice-axe are useful when ascending the scree to the summit.
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Programme
Day 1. Arrive at the hotel for overnight .
Day 2. After breakfast drive to Machame village. The climb begins at the end of the tarmac road. Walk through shambas then forest to the Machame hut (3000m, about 6 hours).
Day 3. Continue along the steep ridge going on to rock ridges and through heather. The route turns west into a river gorge, reaching Shirahut at 3800m, 5 hours
Day 4. Continue east towards Kibo passing the junction, then east towards the Lava Tower. Shortly after this, you reach Barranco hut (3940m, 4 hours).
Day 5. A short scramble to the top of the Great Barranco and then a traverse over scree and ridges to the Karanga Valley (4000m, 3 hours), beneath the icefalls of the Heim, Kersten and Decken Glaciers. 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.
Day 7. 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 forest edge. 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 8. A 3-4 hour descent through beautiful forest brings you to the park gate and your waiting transport. Drive back to the hotel.
Day 9. Depart after breakfast.
Variation: Machame route then Uhuru Point by Arrow Glacier This is a really steep, hard but short route to the summit from Arrow Glacier Camp. From December to February crampons and ice axes may be needed.
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