“As wide as all the world, great, high and unbelievably white in the sun was the square top of Mount Kilimanjaro”, wrote Ernest Hemingway of this highest mountain in Africa rising to 5,895 metres above sea level. Situated near the town of Moshi in northern Tanzania, Mount Kilimanjaro rises from the dry plains, through a wide belt of forest and high alpine heath to an almost bare desert and finally the snow capped summit, Uhuru Peak, just 3 degrees south of the Equator. One of the world’s highest free standing mountains, Mt. Kilimanjaro is composed of three extinct volcanoes: Kibo 5895 m (19340 ft.), Mawenzi 5149 m (16896 ft.), and Shira 3962 m (13000 ft.).

The ascent of Kilimanjaro can be done from six routes: Mweka, Umbwe, Shira, Rongai, Machame, and the Marangu Route which is the easier and the most popular. Depending on which route one wants to use, the climb of Kilimanjaro can take between four nights to six nights on the mountain. The two most popular routes are Marangu and Machame. On the Marangu Route, accommodation is in alpine huts while on Machame Route it is camping throughout. While expert guides and porters will accompany you on your climb, unlike Mount Everest, no technical equipment is required.

Most fit individuals with some mountain walking experience can make it to the top of Africa. You do not need to be super fit - just take it slowly (pole-pole the guide will say) and be determined. Easy Travel and Tours is one of the top Kilimanjaro operators with an excellent reputation and a very high success rate. But success depends mainly on you - it is up to you to make some important choices; in particular which route you ascend and for how many days. If you have little previous mountain walking and camping experience and are not sure of your fitness go for the Marangu Route (entirely hut based) and make sure you have at least one acclimatization day at Horombo Hut or that you have acclimatized on Mt Meru, Mt Kenya or elsewhere previously. Please read the route descriptions carefully and if necessary discuss your choice with us.

If you are on your own, or with just one other person, we will try, as far as possible, to fit you in with another group following the same program as yours. It is however possible, on request, to have your own private trip.

Route Summary
You should plan spending at least 6 days (5 nights) on the mountain (5 days on the Marangu Route if already acclimatized). This is a Kilimanjaro Park guideline which should be adhered to. -1 indicates the possibility of shortening the trip by one day.

This is the longest and most remote route to Kilimanjaro. After beautiful forests and moorlands it crosses the Shira Plateau to meet up with the Machame Route. Groups may be accompanied on the first day by an armed ranger as the forests around the Lemosho Glades are rich in buffalo, elephant and other game. The South Circuit is then followed, offering superb views of the Southern Icefields, past the Barranco Hut then on to Barafu and hence the summit. Descent is by the Mweka Route. A party wishing to ascend slowly can comfortably take 8 days on this route as described below. However the campsite at Shira Hut and at Karanga Valley could be left out by a very strong party on request. Accommodation on the mountain is in tents which the porters will pitch for you. You will need a sleeping bag, warm clothes and walking poles. This is a steep, tough trek within the limits of a fit individual used to walking in mountain areas.

This is the easiest route to the summit of Kilimanjaro, sometimes called the Coca-Cola Route. The Marangu route takes you at a gentle pace through forests, moorlands and then across The Saddle, a high-altitude desert separating the main summit, Kibo, 5896m, from craggy Mawenzi, 5149m, to Kibo Hut. From here an early start is made for the ascent to Uhuru Point (the highest top of Kibo). The path zig-zags up steep scree which is easier to climb when frozen. The views from the crater rim at Gillman's Point at dawn can be spectacular. Uhuru Peak lies a further 1h30min around the rim. Accommodation on the mountain is in comfortable huts. You will need a sleeping bag, warm clothes and walking poles. This is a tough walking trip but within the limits of a fit individual used to walking in mountain areas. An extra day for acclimatisation to the altitude is recommended at Horombo from where there are various walks to enjoy.

Lying just south of the equator Kilimanjaro is affected by the passage of the Intertropical Convergence Zone, which brings with it the main rainy periods. The highest rainfall occurs between mid March and early May, and slightly less between the beginning of November and late December. Maximum rainfall occurs in the forest belt and on the south side of the mountain where it reaches 2000mm. per year. Precipitation on the summit is about 100mm. per year; this coupled with the very porous ash soils results in the Saddle being considered a high altitude desert. Rain and, higher up, snow, can however be encountered at any time of year - even in the driest periods (January, February and September). Normally the drier seasons are associated with clear, dry weather which can last for weeks on end. The best weather is generally encountered in the mornings, and convectional rainfall, if any, tends to come in mid-afternoon. After long periods of dry weather some of the higher streams dry up. Temperatures vary considerably with height and time of day. On the plains surrounding Kilimanjaro the average temperature is about 30°C. At 3000m. frosts can be encountered at night while day time temperatures range from 5 to 15°C. Night time temperatures on the summit can be well below freezing.

Tips on what to bring : anorak, fleece, walking boots, training shoes, water proof jacket,  pants, shirt, trousers, skirts, socks, gloves, sun hat, balaclava, woolen hat, gaiters, thermal underwear, towel, toiletries, toilet paper, sun glasses, snow goggles, water bottle, walking pole, crampons, flash light, sun cream, sun block, lip salve, whistle, penknife, day  pack, camera, film, emergency foil blanket, four season sleeping bag, heavy duty plastic bags, water purification kit and first aid kit.

Kilimanjaro guides all receive a license to work on Kilimanjaro from the National Park. Without this they are unable to operate as guides. The license is obtained after several years of experience of working on the mountain as porters or cooks then as assistant guides after which they attend courses in First Aid, Mountain Rescue, Flora and Fauna and History.

From the guides that have acquired their guide qualification we select those who have worked with us in the past and have an excellent record of working on the mountain. Their professionalism is hard to rival anywhere in the world and one of their prime objectives will be to help you achieve your dream and gain the summit of Kilimanjaro, safely. If at any stage they suggest you should turn back then trust them, respect their experience - they must have an excellent reason for this as this is one of their last resorts.

Our reputation depends on our guides. We hope to have some of the best there are. We hope you will enjoy their company on your trip up the mountain. If you have already climbed the mountain please contribute a comment about your experience. Just send us an email or leave a comment in the comment book.

Mount Kilimanjaro lies on the border of Tanzania and Kenya, just south of the Equator. To the west lies the Great African Rift Valley, created by tremendous tectonic forces which also gave birth to a string of other volcanoes. One of these, Mount Kenya, was originally much higher than Kilimanjaro.

The three summits of Mount Kilimanjaro, Shira, Kibo and Mawenzi are all of very recent origin. Shira and Mawenzi both have suffered considerable erosion and only jagged peaks remain. Kibo, the central, youngest and highest peak has survived as an almost perfect cone.

Although East Africa and nearby Olduvai Gorge is thought to be the cradle of mankind it is unlikely that early man would have been attracted to the steep and cold slopes of Kilimanjaro at a time when it was probably very active and dangerous. A Wachagga legend talks of Mawenzi receiving fire for its pipe from his younger brother Kibo. The Wachagga who live on the fertile volcanic soils around the base of the mountain probably only came to the area about 300 years ago thus this legend suggests very recent activity. Another of their legends talks of demons and evil spirits living on the mountain and guarding immense treasures. Stories are told of a king who decided to go to the top, few of his party survived and those who did had damaged arms and legs.

Arab and Chinese traders and historians make mention of a giant mountain lying inland from Mombasa or Zanzibar but few early traders ventured into the interior of the continent. Slave traders passed below it and sometimes raided the villages of the Wachagga but it was not till the middle of the 19th century that a more serious interest was taken in the mountain and attempts were made to scale it.

In 1848 Johann Rebmann a missionary from Gerlingen in Germany while crossing the plains of Tsavo saw Mount Kilimanjaro. His guide talked of baridi - cold, and of tales how a group of porters were sent up the mountain to bring back the silver or other treasures from the summit.They came back only with water. Rebmann's report stimulated great interest in Germany and in the following years several expeditions were organised; first by Baron von Decken then later by Dr. Hans Meyer who finally stood on the highest point on the 5th of October 1889.

Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, now attracts many thousands of walkers each year. On the 1st of January 2000 over 1000 people reached the summit to see the sun rise over a new Millennium.

For sodas and other drinks bring smaller Tanzanian bank notes with you, change is scarce on the mountain

Machame Village	1,200m
Umbwe Village	1,200m
Mweka Village	1,200m
Marangu Gate	1,800m
Machame Gate	1,828m
Mandara Hut	2,743m
Machame Hut	3,100m
Mweka Hut	3,100m
Horombo Hut	3,657m
Shira Hut	3,840m
Barranco	3,900m
Karanga Valley	4,200m
Wedge	4,590m
Barafu	4,600m
Kibo Hut	4,709m
Arrow Glacier	4,850m
Gillman’s Point	5,681m
Great West Notch	5,686m
Stella Point	5,745m
Uhuru Peak	5,895m

Make the ascent in a pace that suits you do not rush and rest frequently.

Make sure that you drink at least 3 – 4 liters of liquid a day, preferably water. The water on the mountain is safe to drink. Take a sip every now and then. You will lose a large amount of fluid through the lungs and by sweating.

Documents
Passport Yellow fever certificate Entrance visa Medical insurance
Clothing
Jersey Waterproof jacket Water proof pants Shorts T-shirts Jeans Warm jacket Thermal underwear Balaclava Gloves Sunglasses Woolen socks Hiking boots Light shoes Cap/hat Towel Underwear Socks
Equipment
Sleeping bag Day pack Water bottle Toilet paper Torch and batteries Pocket knife
Food
Energy drinks Chocolate Sweets Fruit Nuts Energy snacks
Photographic
Camera Spare batteries Film Different lenses Video camera Binoculars Video tapes
First aid/medical
Aspirin Assorted plasters Sun protection cream Anti malaria tablets Insect repellent Lip salve Water purification tablets Antiseptic cream Bandages Adhesive tape Throat lozenges
Personal items
Toothbrush & paste Matches Candles Soap Address book Travelers cheques Travel insurance
Miscellaneous
Walking stick Notebook Pens Plastic bags Pencils Cash dollars (smaller bills) Alcohol

Tipping Guidelines

PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE ONLY GUIDELINES AND TIPS CAN BE GIVEN ACCORDING TO SERVICES GIVEN TO CLIENTS.

"TIPS ARE HIGHLY APPRECIATED AT THE END OF THE TRIP!!"

Important: Before you travel please check your tour voucher and arrival information for the latest joining instructions. This will be sent to you upon receipt of final payment. All itineraries are subject to change without prior notice.