Kilimanjaro Climbing Guide

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XTREME GAP YEAR

CLIMBING KILIMANJARO

For five long days we had climbed steadily upward. Our tired legs had

taken us forty miles up, through five climate zones to an elevation of

over 15,000 feet. The much anticipated final push to reach Kilimanja-

ro's 19,340 foot glacier-covered summit was finally here...


WHY CLIMB KILIMANJARO?

I first climbed Kilimanjaro when I was 18 on my gap year in Tan-

zania. I was offered a “free” spot on a school expedition as teacher,

meaning I did not have to pay the government fee to climb in ex-

change for leading 25 Tanzanian students up Kilimanjaro. I

jumped at the chance.

I was not nearly prepared enough to take on this challenge, with

no thermals or proper gear with me (I did buy a woolly rasta hat

the day before and had thick socks for gloves) I found my self

nearing Gilmans point in Jeans with swimming shorts over them

doing my best to keep warm. It was lunacy. If only I knew what

this guide can tell you before I set off up the mountain.

This guide is designed to give you an incite into what it is like to

climb Kilimanjaro and stand on the roof of Africa with 360 degree

views of Tanzania. It is an awesome accomplishment and experi-

ence, but very hard to put into words and pictures, but still we

hope you like it and that it inspires you to do something great

with your time off.

Oliver Bray, Co-Founder Xtreme Gap Year

Because it is there...

The allure of summiting Africa´s highest peak resonates with

many people. May be because Mt. Kilimanjaro is considered the

world's highest peak climbable without technical training; mean-

ing, there are no ropes or carabiners, just a long grinding uphill

"walk".

Undoubtedly there are places where a step backwards would be

deadly and caution is paramount. However, those willing to get

into shape, and who have the stamina and willpower, can suc-

cessfully attain their goal. Perhaps it is the challenge and the

reward of the accomplishment, standing proudly at he top with

360 views of Africa, knowing just for that moment you are the

highest person on the continent. Or perhaps, it is just because it

is there.

What every your reasons, we hope you find this guide useful and

an inspiration to tackle the old man of Africa.


Which Route is right for you?

The three easiest routes, Marangu, Rongai and Machame can be

climbed by a person of good health, and require no mountainee-

ring experience.

Many who climb employ altitude-sickness medication and find

this to be helpful in preventing the pounding headaches that

plague many trekkers.

Those who travel on the Marangu route usually take 4-5 days to

complete their climb. Huts with cooking facilities, bathro-

oms, and (sometimes) electricity are available at the end of each

day's journey. The final part of the climb, from Kibo hut at

15,500 ft to the summit, is generally undertaken at night, be-

cause the scree is frozen together, making the climb significantly

easier.

The shorter and most popular route is the Marangu, this is also

significantly cheaper.

The more adventurous and longer route (and more expensive) is

the Rongai.

Please budget a little extra for tips for your porters to, we sug-

gest $15 - $25 USD a day.

KILIMANJARO ROUTES

FAQ


The Rongai Route is know for being a little more adventurous,

but that also means it is tougher! Spectacular views and tented

accommodation are the norm.

Click the images below for the itinerary day by day.

RONGAI ROUTE MARANGU ROUTE

http://xtremegapyear.co.uk/gapyear/category/climb-kilimanjaro/rongai-route-kilimanjaro/


The Marangu Route is the most popular, it is also the easiest

(before you get too complacent still well over 50% of people fail

to make the summit).

Click the images below for the itinerary day by day.

MARANGU ROUTE

http://xtremegapyear.co.uk/gapyear/category/climb-kilimanjaro/marangu-route/


There are 2 ways to get to Moshi (where the Kilimanjaro climb

tends to depart from).

The easiest way is to fly into Kilimanjaro international Airport,

(you then get some cool views of the mountain on approach), or

you can take a tourist bus

from Dar es Salaam, a 9 to

12 hour journey.

You can also cross from Nai-

robi in kenya as well, bt this is

also a full 12 hour journey.

HOW DO YOU GET THERE?

http://xtremegapyear.co.uk/gapyear/australian-working-holiday-visas/


WHAT SHOULD YOU PACK?

Ah the kit list. Before you spend more on the gear than the trip,

time for a reality check. YOU DON¨T NEED THAT MUCH. Ok,

you need more than swimming trunks, jeans and a rasta hat,

but the key is to pack light and you will save yourself a lot of ef-

fort. The key to what to bring is in layers.

Use base layers, like Helly Hansen lifa, thermals and a water-

proof shell jacket for the summit. There are some essentials that

you should bring we have outlined them here.

http://xtremegapyear.co.uk/gapyear/kit-list-for-kilimanjaro/

www.xtremegapyear.co.uk E: [email protected] T:+44(0)203 286 7065 page

WHEN SHOULD YOU CLIMB KILIMANJARO

You can climb Kilimanjaro year round. January, February, and September are

considered to be the best months in terms of weather, and correspondingly are

the busiest months.

From January through mid-March are the warmest months, with clear skies in

the mornings and evenings. During the day, clouds may appear along with brief

showers.

From the end of March to early June is the long rainy season. Visibility may be

low due to heavy clouds, but the crowds are gone. June, July, and August are

good months, but it is colder.

Following September and October, the short rainy season lasts from November

through the beginning of December, where afternoon rains are common, but

skies are clear in mornings and evenings.

Many people like to climb 5 days before the fullmoon too, when the final accent

is the most lit up in the moon light.


AFTER YOUR TREK


Firstly please take a shower. You will be stinking.

Even the baboons will want to avoid you at this

point. Then congratulate yourself and order the

biggest steak possible. That might be a buffalo

steak, or wilderbeast, but whatever, enjoy it!

Wash that down with Tanzanias Finest beer Safari

Lager.

Seeing how you will be in Moshi, you would be

nuts not to add on a Ngorogoro Crater, Lake

Manyara and Serengeti Safari. This is one of the

best regions in Africa to see the wildlife, and the national parks are spectacular.

You can read more about them and other activities in Tanzania on our blog here.

If you really want to go for it as well, stop off in Zanzibar before you fly home, Zan-

zibar has some of the worlds best beaches the perfect reward for your tired legs.

To see all of Xtreme Gap Years Tanzania Trips click here.

http://xtremegapyear.co.uk/gapyear/category/gap-year/gap-year-tanzania/

http://www.xtremegapyear.co.uk/search_programs.php?destination_dropdown=Tanzania&activities_dropdown=&durations_dropdown=

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Kilimanjaro Climbing Guide