An old volcano at 5,895 meters high,
the roof of Africa,
and the highest free standing mountain in the world.
It’s hard to explain the beauty of Kilimanjaro in words. You need to see it with your own eyes.
To attack the mountain is first of all a big job and it needs an intense amount of physical preparation.
First you should know how to do it safely. This includes having a professional mountain guide with you otherwise the mountain will be like a monster to you. This also includes carrying recommended mountain equipment.
You can climb the mountain in 5 to 6 days or you can choose a 7 or 8 day trek with spending a night in the crater.
Leave nothing to chance. You need to be well prepared from the start.
The Coca-cola Routes include Marangu and Rongai. The Whiskey Routes include Machame, Umbwe and Londorosi, which is what we are here to talk about.
Here is a simple itinerary for Machame Route (but other Whiskey Routes are also similar).
Day 1
Hike 1,800 meters to Machame Hut at 3,000 meters.
After the start of the first day, you find yourself in an endless jungle surrounded by the sounds of monkeys, including the Red Colobus monkey and birds like the Turaco and Hornbill. This is Kilimanjaro’s tropical rain forest.
Day 2
Hike from Machame Hut to Shira Camp at 3,800 meters.
Get out of bed early in the morning. At the end of the morning you will be already have left the tropical forest to arrive at a more alpine land. You will be above the clouds.
From time to time, still happy and proud, you will be offered some photo moments. But the landscape deserves your attention as well.
A little secret about the mountain is to drink, drink and drink even more. Even when it makes you sick (you might suffer from a strange headache), you have to drink!!!
Day 3
Hike from Shira Camp to Baranco Camp at 3,950 meters.
The porters are those super men who don’t feel the altitude and carry everything on their head or on their back. This is amazing; they’re even faster than you, and they get first to the camp ready to set up your tent.
As we move higher in the day, the nature gets more rough, but it is still beautiful.
Lava Towers Camp is below a little cliff. You can find strength to climb up there for a nice view.
This is good as your body needs time to acclimatize. This is at 4,600 meters. From the cliff top one can see Mount Meru.
Sometimes here the altitude might start to make trouble. Remember the rule. Drink, drink and drink even more to escape from that.
Day 4
After breakfast, this is another day to stare up the beauty of this mountain. Baranco wall (breakfast wall) is scary to climb, but remember your guide is there to assist and make sure you’re safe. The top of the wall is 4,332 meters. There is a really nice view of Kibo, the main peak, the Heim and Derken glacier, Umbwe route and Mount Meru.
Day 5
Hike from Baranco to Barafu Camp at 5,600 meters.
This is a hardest day of all. The way to the summit often starts at around 11 p.m. or midnight. Getting to the top you will cross several glaciers that haven’t melted yet (glaciers on Kilimanjaro are slowly melting).
At a certain points the way up is easier. The hardest part starts from 5,400 meters. To some of the people at this point 5,400 is like the end of their strength and nerves. However, your guide will treat you like you never expect just to make sure you are going to tackle this very last point.
For safety reason one cannot stay too long at the top (Uhuru Peak at 5,895 meters) but you will have at least time to take photos from the top, a nice view of Mt. Meru and of Tanzania. Congratulations to your guide and to you. Thereafter you will descend to Barafu Camp.
Day 6
Hike from Barafu to Mweka Hut at 3,100 meters.
After an 11 to 12 hour walk, you will arrive at 3,100 meters. This is a very long day. Many people feel like they cannot eat due to tiredness and altitude. But please make sure you’re going to eat just a little of whatever your cook has prepared just so you have enough energy to get to the gate the next day.
Day 7
Hike from Mweka Hut to Mweka gate at 1,800 meters.
You will have time to say goodbye soon after signing for your certificate at the gate, which is located at 1,800 meters.
This will be the end of your adventure.
Demi has almost 10 years of experience as a mountain guide - both climbing Kilimanjaro and trekking across Tanzania. He has been certified in medical training since 2003. He is the co-founder, along with his brother Cony, of Diamond Glacier Adventures (www.diamondglacieradventures.com). Demi is from a small village near Kilimanjaro called Marangu. Please feel free to contact him with any questions at info@diamondglacieradventures.com.
