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Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing
History Mount Kilimanjaro
The Kilimanjaro volcano last showed signs of major activity in the
Pleistocene era, (about 4 million years ago). It is not only the
highest mountain in Africa, rising 4,877m above the surrounding
plains to 5895m, but also one of the largest volcanoes in the world,
covering an area of some 388,500 hectares. The mountain has three
main peaks of varying ages with clusters of small cones around the
base.
Kibo, the highest and most recently formed peak still show signs of
minor activity in the centre. It consists of a crater within a
crater with an ash pit in the centre. Uhuru Peak is on the southern
rim of the outer crater, the sides of which are 2 kms apart. Kibo
still retains permanent ice and snow, although the area covered is
rapidly diminishing, with one glacier extending as low as 4500m. The
oldest peak, Shira, rises to 3962m, with only the western and
southern rims remaining. The remains of the northern and eastern
rims are covered by later materials that have erupted from Kibo.
This has led to the formation of the relatively flat Shira Plateau
which covers 6200 hectares between the two peaks.
The rugged Mawenzi peak at a height of 5149m lies to the east. It’s
erosion-carved form has a steep 1000m eastern face with a complex
series of gullies and rock faces, rising above two deep gorges, the
Greater Barranco and Lesser Barranco. Linking Mawenzi to Kibo is The
Saddle a vast plateau that forms the largest area of high-altitude
tundra in tropical Africa
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This is the most famous and
most popular of the various routes with the trailhead on the
south-eastern side, the main tourist route and by far the
most popular route and some claim the easiest route to Uhuru
Peak. Just outside the small market town that gives the
route its name. The straight trek lasts five days with
overnights at Mandara Hut at 2700m, Horombo Hut at 3720m
(acclimatization days are spent here) and Kibo Hut at 4703m,
from where the attempt on Uhuru Peak starts at midnight,
before returning to Horombo. The Mandara and Horombo huts
are A-Framed alpine huts with bunk beds, Mineral water, soft
drinks, beer and chocolates are also sold at every camp..... Click to
see our Itinerary
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This is probably the most scenic and most beautiful route to
the summit. The 6-day route is however physically more
challenging than the Marangu route. The day walks are longer
and steeper, however the summit night is one hour shorter.
Whilst guidebooks and the Park Authorities, use the rather
grandiose term "huts" to describe the accommodation, it is
primarily a camping route. Camping is permitted only in
allotted areas, which have been sited by the Parks for the
convenience of water and firewood supplies. The descend
route is via Mweka Route.....
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The Shira Plateau is one of the most scenic and most
fascinating areas on Kilimanjaro. The trailhead for Shira is
approached from the west of Kilimanjaro at the village of
Londorossi. Depending on the weather conditions you can
drive by 4 wheel drive vehicles, to within a 2/3 hours walk
of Shira Hut, we recommended starting the ascent from the
trailhead. Despite Shira hut, this is also a camping route.
The route joins the Machame trail after Shira Hut, the
advantages of the Shira Route lie in its approach from the
west through the Londorossi Glades and as a base for trips
to Platz Cone, Shira Ridge and Shira Needles.....
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our Itinerary
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The Rongai route ascend
Kilimanjaro from the northeastern side of the mountain,
along the border between Tanzania and Kenya. This route
retains a sense of un-spoilt wilderness and offers a
different perspective on Kilimanjaro by approaching it from
the north.....
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This route is one of the
shorter but also one of the more difficult routes to reach
Uhuru peak--but quiet spectacular. Umbwe is known for its
caves. The first night you actually sleep at the Umbwe Cave
Camp with two more caves that can be visited on route the
following day....
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Mweka Route
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This route can only be use as a
descending route for all the western routes.
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