More About Kilimanjaro And The Routes

The highest mountain in Africa (19,330 ft) and one of the highest volcanos in the world. Kilimanjaro rises 15,000 ft above the surrounding plains and savannahs. It is the highest mountain in the world possible to climb without technical expertise. In climbing it, you will pass from a tropical to an arctic climate in a few days. The encircling rain forest ensures the fertility of the lush, lower-lying shamba (country), where the Chagga cultivate their coffee, maize and bananas. Monkeys, birds and antelope abound. Elephants, buffalo and black rhinos range through the forest and leopards are occasionally seen.

The Marangu Route is the only two-way route; all other routes are one way only. Climbers from the Rongai and Marangu routes only meet climbers from the other routes on the Kibo Crater rim. This system is effective in reducing the impact of large numbers of climbers on all routes except the Marangu Route.

Climbers on Machame, Shira, Lemosho, and Umbwe routes may approach the summit via the Western Breach or to skirt around to Barafu and climb up to Stella Point.

Climbing Kibo Peak via the routes described below requires no mountaineering skills. A guide for each climbing party is required. Porters are highly recommended. The Marangu and the Machame routes are the most popular, carrying 85% of all climbers, while the Shira Plateau, Lemosho, Rongai and Umbwe routes are much less used.

Climbers overnight in basic mountain huts on the Marangu Route and in small portable mountain tents carried by porters on the other routes. Your porters will bring fuel (kerosene or gas) for cooking and heating as cooking with firewood has been banned. The national park guides are not qualified to lead glacier or ice-climbing routes, however, the climb is not technical. The services of a professional guide must be arranged in advance.

Your daily diet while on the mountain is one of the most essential elements in ensuring a successful climb.

Unfortunately, this is an element often overlooked by many budget operators. We choose the ingredients carefully to ensure that the food prepared by our team is tasty, easy to digest at altitude, and has a high energy content. Our meals consist of a high level of liquid and carbohydrates, two essential elements for successful climbing. We accept most special dietary requests. Please read below for a sample daily menu.

Breakfast:

• Eggs with bacon and tomato/cucumber
• Oatmeal
• Seasonal fresh fruit
• Toast with margarine, jam, and honey
• Tea, coffee, Milo or hot chocolate

• Energy snacks such as biscuits, bananas, flapjacks, and chocolate bars

• Sandwiches with cheese and jam or meat
• Fresh fruit, hard boiled egg, and cake
• Hot soup
• Bread or pancakes
• Cheese, canned fish, jam and peanut butter
• Salad or mixed vegetables
• Peanuts or popcorn
• Variety of hot drinks

• Soup
• Chicken, beef, or fish prepared in sauce
• Fresh vegetables
• Potatoes, chips, rice, and pastas
• Fresh fruits
• Pancakes or biscuits
• Variety of hot drinks

It is very important to have appropriate equipment for the ascent. It is frustrating to be uncomfortable, inconvenienced or unable to do all you want because of improper equipment, and it can even be dangerous.