Kilimanjaro Climbing :

There are several routes for Kilimanjaro climbing, namely, Marangu, Rongai, Lemosho, Shira, Umbwe and Machame. Of all the routes, Machame is by far the most scenic albeit steeper route up the mountain. The Rongai is the easiest camping route and the Marangu is also easy, but accommodation is in huts. As a result, this route tends to be very busy and ascent and descent routes are the same.

Kilimanjaro Climbing Routes

Summary of Kilimanjaro climb routes
-Lemosho Route
-Machame route
-Marangu Route
-Rongai Route
-Umbwe Route

Current Kilimanjaro climbing conditions
After the Western Breach route was closed in January 2006, many expeditions that had intended to use this route have instead used the Lemosho/Barafu route. As the Western Breach route, this route starts to the west and goes up the Shira Ridge towards Lava Tower. Instead of going up to Arrow Glacier camp and the breach, however, this route goes around the southern edge of Kili towards Barafu Camp. From Barafu Camp, around 15,200 feet (4,633 m) altitude, a nighttime summit is usually attempted. As of December 2007, the Western Breach was re-opened, but it sparsely used by Kilimanjaro outfitters due to its inherent risks.

Kilimanjaro Climbing description:
The climb to Uhuru Peak is considered to be a relatively straightforward endeavour; however, ample time must still be provided for proper acclimatization to prevent altitude sickness. The three shortest routes, Marangu, Rongai and Machame are less challenging and are often climbed by individuals with limited mountaineering experience. Many climbers employ altitude-sickness medication, including acetazolamide.

An ascent of Mawenzi requires rock climbing and/or snow/ice climbing skills.

Route travel times range from 5 to 9 days to summit and return to the base of the mountain. Huts with cooking facilities, bathrooms, and electricity are available on the Marangu route, and camps with less facilities are available on many other routes. All huts and many camps have rangers stationed at them with rescue facilities (modified wheelbarrows to transport climbers stricken with altitude sickness to lower altitudes).

Summit attempts are generally undertaken at night, because the scree is frozen together, making the climb significantly easier. Climbers on the Marangu route first encounter Gilman's Point on the rim of the crater, which is roughly a 1½ hour hike from Uhuru. Another route is the Western Breach, much more technical in nature and attempted by serious mountaineers. Annually, approximately 15,000 people attempt to climb the mountain, of whom 40% reach the summit.

The rapidly retreating Furtwängler Glacier is near the summit. At the summit, there is a sign posted by the Tanzanian government. The sign (printed in English only) reads "Congratulations! You are now at Uhuru Peak, Tanzania, 5,895 m. AMSL. Africa's Highest Point. World's Highest Free-Standing Mountain. One of World's Largest Volcanos. Welcome." The sign is covered in travel stickers from past trekkers who have left their mark on the top of the peak. Near this famous sign is a box containing a log that many climbers have signed. As of January 2007 this box has either been removed or buried.[

Lemosho Route:
Long access drive, remote, less frequented, beautiful forests, scenic traverse to Barafu, camping. Excellent for acclimatisation. 8 (-1) 56km

Machame Route
Second most popular route. Beautiful forest, very good for acclimatisation, scenic traverse to Barafu. 7 (-1) 49km

Marangu Route
Very popular. Gentle gradients and long sections up to 4700m. Beautiful forests and moorlands, comfortable but basic huts. The 6 day variant provides good time for acclimatisation.
6 (-1) 64km

Rongai Route
Long access drive, remote, less frequented, some fine, wild, high-altitude mountain scenery, camping. Good for acclimatisation. 6 65km

Umbwe Route
Shortest and steepest route, tough. Beautiful forest, spectacular ridge, bad for acclimatisation, scenic traverse to Barafu, camping.
Dangerous route.6 (-1) 37km

Lemosho Route
This is an unspoilt, remote, less-used and beautiful way up to the Shira Plateau. Climbers sometimes use it to ascend the Western Breach route, or follow it with the Kibo South Circuit to ascend by the easier Barafu Route. The first day of the route is rich in game animals, and armed rangers may accompany a climbing group temporarily.

The standard route takes 7 days on the mountain, and is sometimes extended to 8 days with a stay at Karanga Valley.

Outline Programme
Drive from Moshi or Arusha to Londorossi Park Gate (2250m, 2 hours). From here a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades (2100m, 11km, 45 minutes) and a possible campsite (park fees are not paid to camp here). Walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite, (2750m, 3 hours).
The trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone. Several streams are crossed then it gains the Shira Ridge at about 3600m and drops gently down to Shira 1 camp located by a stream on the Shira Plateau (3500m, 5 hours). This campsite could be omitted.
A gentle walk across the plateau leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream (3850m, 1.5 hours). A variety of walks are available on the Plateau making this an excellent acclimatisation day.

Continue east towards Kibo passing the junction, then east towards the Lava Tower. Shortly after this, you descend to Barranco hut (3940m, 4 hours).

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).

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. 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.

A 3-4 hour descent through beautiful forest brings you to the Park gate and your waiting transport.

Detailed description:
Machame route
The Machame route as of 2006 is described here. The route is typically done on a six or seven day hike.

The campsites and gates (with corresponding elevations) are as follows:

Machame Gate (start of trek) (5718 ft/1738 m)
Machame (9927 ft/3018 m)
Shira (12355 ft/3756 m)
Barranco (13066 ft/3972 m)
Karanga (optional camp, used by 6-day climbers)
Barafu (high camp before summit) (15239 ft/4633 m)
Mweka (descent) (10204 ft/3102 m)
Mweka Gate (end of trek) (5423 ft/1649 m)
(The given altitudes are sourced from a GPS device and are accurate to a few hundred feet)

One benefit of the Machame route is its quick rise to relatively high elevations (~10,000 ft/~3,040 metres), and a short ascent to the Lava Tower site (~15,000 ft/~4,560 m) before descending back to Barranco Camp (12,700 ft/3,870 m) on the same day. This follows the climber's adage 'climb high, sleep low', and helps altitude acclimation. The initial steep ascent also helps climbers acclimate better.

The Machame route starts from Machame Gate and travels upwards through the montane rainforest, characterized by dense vegetation, a muddy trail and short sections of steep climbs. The first campsite, Machame Camp, is right after the dense tree cover in an area with lower but still thick bushlands.

The second day continues through increasingly sparse trees and bushes into moorlands. Picturesque hanging mosses often cover trees and offer an ethereal quality to the landscape. The day finishes with Shira Camp, which is on a small plateau in the high moorlands, and features views of Kibo in the northwest and Mount Meru towards the east. White necked ravens can be seen throughout the day. There is also a set of small caves a short walk from the campsite known as the Shira Caves.

Garden of the Senecios, with part of Kibo in the background. The third day starts in the moorlands and moves into alpine desert, with fewer trees and more rocks. The highest point is the base of the Lava Tower, after which the trail descends into the Barranco Valley. More vegetation is present in this zone, especially the area just before the campsite. This area is called the 'Garden of the Senecias' which features many of the huge senecio plants. Shorter lobelia plants are also present.

The fourth day starts with the ascent of the Barranco Wall, which is considered a scramble in climbing terms. The top of the Wall has attractive vistas of Kibo and the surrounding landscape. The trail continues with many up and down sections across small streams and rivulets, and finally crosses the Karanga River to the Karanga campsite.

The fifth day follows the path up and across a rocky zone, finishing at the high camp Barafu. Very little vegetation can be found on the inhospitable terrain. A field of sedimentary rocks litters the ground like many broken mirrors. (Note - the six day trek omits the Karanga campsite, and climbers continue directly to Barafu on the same day.)

The summit is usually attempted on the very early morning of the 6th day (around midnight). Barafu is also used as a summit campsite for the Umbwe route. Climbers typically take somewhere between five and seven hours to ascend, using headlamps and cold weather gear. Making the ascent on a full moon or shortly thereafter can make the headtorch unnecessary and the night ascent a beautiful experience. The first milestone, generally reached shortly after dawn, is Stella Point (18,652 ft/5,685 m), which is on the crater rim. Following Stella Point, the trail continues for another 30 mins to the summit - Uhuru Peak.

The descent back to Barafu takes roughly four hours. Some climbers 'scree slide' down the slope, which entails skidding/running down the loose gravel at medium speed. From Barafu, climbers typically take a short break, and continue downwards through the alpine desert and ensuing moorlands to Mweka Camp.

The seventh and final day has trekkers continue through the montane forest to Mweka Gate. Troops of black-and-white colobus monkeys can often be seen in the dense growth.

Detailed description:
Simple Marangu Route hiking
The Marangu Route (also known at the 'Coca-Cola' route) is the easiest ascent of Kilimanjaro, although any ascent can be challenging. It crosses The Saddle, a 5km wide, high-altitude, semi-desert that separates craggy Mawenzi from the main summit Kibo. From the summit, glaciers, screes, cliffs, afro-alpine moorland and forests lead down to the cultivated foothills.

Climbers sometimes spend an extra day to acclimate to the altitude at Horombo Hut. Also, climbers often start the final ascent to Uhuru Peak early from Kibo Hut, since the scree is easier to climb when frozen, and dawn views from the crater rim are often spectacular.

Outline Programme
-Drive to Marangu Gate. Walk through the rain forest to Mandara hut (2743m), about 3 hours.
 

-Leave the forest and cross open moor land to Horombo hut (3760m).
 

-Rest and acclimatisation day at Horombo Hut. Day walk to Zebra Rocks or to Mawenzi Hut. This day can be missed out making a 5 day itinerary; however, the less accimilatized climbers are, the less likely they will be able to summit.
 

-Walk through moorland then alpine desert to "The Saddle" between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo. From here you will walk for about an hour to reach Kibo hut (4730m).

-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 an relative warmth of Horombo hut.
 

-Descend to Marangu gate.
 

-Detailed description:

Rongai Route
Highlight of Rongai Route trek outline Programme:
-Drive 4 hours to the Rongai Gate. Walk to Simba Camp at 2650m, 2½-3 hrs. The walk is initially through plantations then rain forest and finally bush country.
-Walk to 2nd Cave at 3450m, 3½ hrs. A gentle day through bush then heathers.
-Gentle rising traverse through moorland over several ridges to Kikelea Caves, 3600m, 3 hours.
-Moorland then screes to Mawenzi Tarn Hut, 4330m, 3-3½ hrs.
-Easy angled screes slopes lead across the Saddle to Kibo Hut, 4700m, 4½-5 hrs.
-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 an relative warmth of Horombo hut.
-Descend to Marangu gate.
-Climbers often omit the 2nd Cave during ascent, although the climb is more difficult. Detailed description:

Umbwe Route
Southern Icefields viewed from Umbwe Route (Barranco Camp)The Umbwe route is often considered the hardest but most spectacular and direct way to reach Uhuru Peak.

Simple Umbwe route climb outline Programme:
-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).
-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).
-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).
-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.
-A 3-4 hour descent through beautiful forest brings you to the Park gate.

Lemosho (Shira) - Machame route
The Lemosho - Shira route is comparable with the Machame route, but uses a more remote approach from the west. In fact they are 2 parallel routes merging at Shira plateau, but mostly the Lemosho variation is used.
As this is the one of the 2 routes where wildlife can be encountered (with the Rongai) you will be accompanied by an armed ranger.

It is a mix of the wild en remoteness of the Rongai and the variety and toughness of Machame route. For the fitter and more experienced mountain hikers as it is a long way if you are not fit.

Approaching across the remote Shira Plateau, in the area of Shira Hut the route joins up with the Machame route via Barranco and Barafu to the summit (the Breach variation continues up the Western Breach).

Descent is down the Mweka trail with a stay at the Mweka camp or nearby Millennium camp the final night on the mountain. This route is usually done in 7 days but 8 or 9 is recommended, with 10 being a very nice option as well. (The extra day(s) can be spent resting at Shira plateau or to add a slight acclimatization detour through Lava tower camp.

 

Useful Information For Kilimanjaro Treks:

Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Kilimanjaro in Tanzania:
At 5896 metres, Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest point. It is one of the highest volcanoes in the world. Kilimanjaro attracts many trekkers from all over the world. The attraction is even greater because with time and adequate preparation, it is possible to walk all the way to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro without technical mountaineering equipment or experience.

The Kilimanjaro massif has two main peak areas: Kibo, the flat-topped dome at the centre of the massif, and Mawenzi a group of jagged points and pinnacles on the eastern side. The top of Kibo dips inwards to form a crater which cannot be seen from below. Although Mount Kilimanjaro lies just three degrees south of the equator, both Kibo and Mawenzi have permanent caps of snow and ice.

The highest point on Kibo and the whole Kilimanjaro massif is Uhuru Peak. Also on Kibo is the slightly lower peak of Gillman's Point, both are goals for most trekkers. The peaks of Mawenzi are for mountaineers only.

Trekkers need to have adequate and accurate information on the various aspects of the mountain as they prepare for it. They need to know about the seasons, and the weather, temperatures, altitude etc. Below are some of the major aspects that trekkers need to know about.

Seasons and Weather Conditions
Mount Kilimanjaro Weather Kilimanjaro weather Best time to climb Kilimanjaro what is weather like in Mount Kilimanjaro.

 

The best time to go climbing Mount Kilimanjaro would be during the dry season. Tanzania and East Africa in general has two rainy seasons, long rains from the end of March until June, and the short rains which normally occur between October and November.

Naturally conditions on the mountains can become very slippery in the rains and snow can become a problem on some of the routes to the summit. Dry season months of June to September and December to February can usually be counted as the best months for trekking. Mount Kilimanjaro Weather Kilimanjaro weather Best time to climb Kilimanjaro what is weather like in Mount Kilimanjaro.

Temperatures
The altitude normally affects the temperature as the trek progresses, especially considering the Mountain is only three degrees south of the Equator.

Day-time temperatures on the lower parts of the mountain are often pleasantly warm, even hot, although a brief rain shower in the afternoon is always possible. As soon as the sun goes down the air temperature becomes cold and as the trek progresses, on the higher parts of the mountain the temperatures often drop to below freezing. Warm clothes and a warm sleeping bag are therefore essential. Mount Kilimanjaro Weather Kilimanjaro weather Best time to climb Kilimanjaro what is weather like in Mount Kilimanjaro.

Altitude
Although many thousands of trekkers successfully reach Gillman's Point or Uhuru peak every year without any real difficulty, many others do not make it to the top because they suffer from altitude sickness. Altitude sickness is caused by a combination of the decrease in atmospheric pressure and the decreased oxygen content of the air. To avoid this, it is very important to acclimatize by ascending slowly and steadily. Even if you feel that you are well-prepared and fit, you should not try to rush up Mount Kilimanjaro. Mount Kilimanjaro Weather Kilimanjaro weather Best time to climb Kilimanjaro what is weather like in Mount Kilimanjaro.

The Guides and Porters
The guides and porters are all men between 20 years and 40 years old. They are employed by the Hotels on piece-work terms but have to be officially registered by the Park Authorities, who periodically give them medical check-ups. Anybody with heart or lung condition is not allowed to climb above the Kibo Hut. The guides work as a team throughout the year, with the porters being added as required. Each porter carries about 10 to 20 Kilograms, usually on their heads or back. At the end of the climb, recommended tipping is US$20 per person for the porters to distribute amongst themselves.

The Physical ad Mental Aspects
The huts are positioned so that the ascent each day is harder than the previous day, even without considering the thinner air. As a result one feels more and more tired at the end of each stage but not to the extent of losing confidence. To provide some encouragement there are notices on the huts and the upper parts of the climb giving in both feet and metres the height above sea-level that you have reached. In most cases the ratio of these figures is incorrect. One effect of each morning's climb and afternoon's rest is that you assume (wrongly as it happens) that the next day will be no worse than the last. Despite the difficulty in getting a good night's sleep and the resulting aches and pains, you expect to be fit enough by the next morning to reach that day's objective. This optimism may vanish on the third day, for which the final part of the ascent is really hard, but unless illness intervenes you feel that by then you have nothing to lose in attempting the final climb.

As is often the case with such climbs, mental attitude is just as important as physical fitness. For both the ascent and descent, walking seems to be far easier when the weather is sunny rather than dull and misty. However it will almost certainly be cloudy for part of the first two days.

The Kilimanjaro climb is strenuous but interesting, and worth doing once preferably before you reach fifty. Although it is possible to plan a good deal of the trip beforehand, you cannot rely on the weather at any time of the year or on any part of the climb. You should perhaps take some books to read during afternoons, and a wide-angle lens as well as standard lens for the final climb. Extra baggage can be left behind in the store at your base hotel. The trip will be easier and more enjoyable if you can forget minor difficulties and take each day as it comes. Mount Kilimanjaro Weather Kilimanjaro weather Best time to climb Kilimanjaro what is weather like in Mount Kilimanjaro.

Rongai Route This remote and less frequently used route is the second easiest route to Kilimanjaro. The approach to the mountain is from the less-forested north side and the descent is by the Marangu Route. There are several variations, the one described below is a longer route taking in Mawenzi Tarn. More details....

Umbwe Route The Umbwe route is one of the shortest routes to the Southern Glaciers and the Western Breach. It is probably the most scenic, non-technical route on Kilimanjaro. It is quite taxing, primarily due to the relatively fast ascent to higher altitude, but the rewards are plentiful. More details....