High adventure climbing Kilimanjaro -  

and a taste of real Africa

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There are several routes to the summit.  A typical ascent is seven days. Acclimatisation is absolutely vital. The secret is Pole-pole (Swahili for Slowly-slowly). Often it is younger people, eager to rush ahead, who succumb to mountain sickness, while the older and wiser make it to the top.

• You must have the correct equipment.
• You must address key health issues
• Adequate insurance up to 5,900 metres (19,350 feet) is vital.

Summiting usually begins at midnight from base camp Barafu.  All being well, you should reach Stella Point (5,585 metres, 18,652 feet) six or seven hours later. Another 50 minutes or so and you should be at the very top – the Roof of Africa: Uhuru Peak, 5,895 metres (19,341 feet).

That same day you must descend to a camp 2,000 metres (6,560 feet) or so below the summit. It is a long and exhausting day.

Next day you exit the Kilimanjaro National Park at Mweka Gate.   And collect your well-earned certificate.

There is a wealth of material on the web about preparing for and undertaking the ascent of Kilimanjaro. See in particular this site  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Kilimanjaro_climbing_routes which gives many other useful links. Also interesting is the personal account http://kilimanjaro.malinikaushik.com/index.htm

And I particularly recommend the guide book Cicerone’s Kilimanjaro – A Complete Trekker’s Guide. See http://www.cicerone.co.uk/product/detail.cfm/book/413

See also The Tanzanian National Parks site: www.tanzaniaparks.com

Kilimanjaro:

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