Guide To Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

By Pamela Anderson


Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the highest volcanic mountains in the world. It boasts with a height of 5895 meters with one peak called Uhuru. It's massive at the base with a width of about 61 kilometers. The mountain is located in the northern part of Tanzania in East Africa and near the Kenyan border. Many climbers put it in their bucket list as climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is considered to be strenuous but non-technical.

You are likely to see adverts describing the climb to the mountain as a luxurious safari or as simple as a walk in the park with no previous climbing experience needed. This does not imply that no prior preparation is required to climb the mountain successfully. It may be the significant difference between having a successful climb or not. Over 50,000 mountaineers climb this mountain yearly and the number is expected to grow by about 25% every year.

The date of the climb is actually the most important thing you need to think about. January, February, August, and September are considered the best months to climb as it is the driest time on the mountain. During the other months, the weather is unpredictable. Climbing during the preferred months guarantees good weather.

The next thing to plan ahead is the route that you plan to use. There are about six routes available. If you are looking for a quiet climb there are routes that can offer that as they have fewer crowds. The most popular route is the Marangu route followed by the Machame route.

The quiet routes include Rongai, Lemosho, and Shira. Umbwe is the least attractive due to its steepness. Once you choose your preferred route, the length of the trek will be predetermined.

Selecting a climbing agency is the next very important step. You will need one since you are not allowed to climb Kilimanjaro without a registered guide. There are very many to choose from all offering different experiences. A good agency will offer you guidance during the climb, a cook, food, and water plus all the equipment needed for the climb. You may require additional equipment but all these are available on a rental basis for the climb such as sleeping bags. What you must carry are your personal things and enough warm clothing.

The charges for the hike are based on several factors. Different agencies offer different rates. The route you use also determines how much they will charge. The longer your hike in terms of days and nights, the higher the charges. Normally a hike can take up to seven days but the minimum days needed to get to the peak are five. Most of the operators will take a day for acclimatization as this increases the success rate of reaching the summit.

Once you settle on this, you need to ensure you get into shape. Do not be fooled by the adverts that describe the climb as a hike. You may not need mountaineering experience, but it does help to have some exposure to hiking long distances. Plan to arrive days earlier to give your body time to recover from jet lag, the strains of a long flight and adjust to the climate.




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