"Crown of Tanzania" - Mount Kilimanjaro (Swahili - "the mountain that sparkles"). It is impossible not to recognize it - towering above the flat plains, covered with a snow cap on top, it became a real symbol of the country. Annually about 15 thousand people "pile" Kilimanjaro and only 40% reach the summit.

Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa (5890 m), the diameter of its base is 60 km.

For those who feel that the patience for a full climb can not be enough for him, his beauty is ready to open the nearby Serengeti National Park - one of the largest reserves in the world. Another oasis of African colorful nature - Tarangire National Park, located on the bank of the Tarangire River flowing from the north to the south.

Climate Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro has a clearly defined rainy season. The air temperature can vary dramatically depending on the height, as well as on the time of day. For example, in the lower plains at the foot of Kilimanjaro, the average temperature is +30 ° C, at an altitude of 3000 m - frost and + 5 ... 15 ° C. At night, the temperature at the top falls below zero.

A surprising feature - the ascent to Kilimanjaro is accompanied by all types of climate of our planet, from the humid tropics to the chilling snow tops.

Tour of Kilimanjaro

To visit the Kilimanjaro National Reserve, you need to find a travel agency in the nearest town of Moshi, accredited in Kilimanjaro National Park and buy a tour for about $ 1,000. Professional guides, porters (porters) and even cooks are ready to accompany you in this adventure, the duration of which usually lasts 5-6 days. The best period for ascents from December to February or from June to October.

The reward waiting for you at the top of the mountain will pay off all your pedestrian labors. First, you will see unique eternal ice (Kilimanjaro is located three degrees south of the equator). Secondly, one can contemplate within the inner Reusch Crater (1.3 km in diameter) signs of volcanic activity, including smoke and the smell of sulfur. Thirdly, if you look from the top down, you can see 7 well-marked trails, along which the ascent to the peak of the world's natural attractions is carried out.

Five of these paths are only for lifting (that is, you can only go up on them, but to descend from the top along these trails is forbidden by the rules of Kilimanjaro National Park). Another track of Mweka (Mweka) serves only for descent. And one more trail Marangu (Marangu, or "Coca-Cola way") serves both for climbing and descent. All these trails at a height of 4 km cross a circular path - the Ring of Kibo, dividing into the North Ring of Kibo and the South Ring of Kibo.

Three paths from the ring road lead to the Kibo peak crater caldera: the Western Path of the Prolom (also known as the Glacier Arrow Route), the Barafu trail and the unnamed third path leading from Kibo's hut to the Gilmand point (you can look back at the Kibo crater).

Approximate prices for organized tours:

• Group 4-5 people. - 3600 usd / person.
• Group of 6-7 people. - 3450 usd / person.
• Group of 8 people. and above - 3300 usd / person.

Climbing Kilimanjaro

Highest point - the peak Uhuru volcano Kibo (5 895 m), referring to the "Seven Peaks" (five thousandths). The peak was first conquered by Hans Mayer in 1889. The other two peaks are Mavenzi's extinct volcanoes in the east (5,149 m, the third highest in Africa) and to the west of the main mountain lies Shira (3,962 m), the oldest of all volcanoes.

Ascent to Mavenzi requires climbing skills on rocks, snow and ice. But the climb to the higher Uhuru peak is considered quite simple, although it takes time for acclimatization. On the three easiest routes: Marangu, Rongai and Mashame - almost anyone can climb without climbing training. Other routes, such as the "Polish glacier" and the "western gap", require special equipment.

Routes

There are six major climbing routes leading to the foot of Kibo Peak:

• a little-used route Shira (Shira),
• route Lemosho (Lemosho),
• route Machame,
• route Umbwe (Umbwe),
• route Marangu, or "Coca-Cola way" (Marangu) and
• northern route of Rongai or Loitokitok (Loitokitok or Ron).

Which path to choose depends on your initial choice of route. If you climb the more difficult and interesting trail "Route of the Glacier Arrow", you need to start climbing the routes of Shiva, Lemosho, Mashama and Umbve. If an easier route from the Kibo Hut is preferred, then you should choose the route Marangu (Coca-Cola) or Rongai. You can also form your own authoring route, but for this you will have to take a permission beforehand in the management of the park (KINAPA). Prepare for extra costs and paperwork.

Route Marangu or Coca-Cola way

It takes 5-6 days and is the oldest and traditionally the most popular. This is the only route that does not require a campground (camping). On the way there are three mountain lodges: the Mandara hut (2700 m), the homb of Horombo (3700) and the hut Kibo (4700).

Route Mashame

6-7 day route Mashame is gaining popularity, although it is considered more difficult than Marangu.

Route Rongai

It lasts 5-6 days and starts from the north side of Kilimanjaro. Despite the fact that the route is little known, the path promises to be exciting and interesting, it is possible to meet with exotic African animals. He begins in the town of Loytokytok, so his second name is Loytokytok.

Umbwe Route

5-6 days of the route Umbwe promise to become uneasy in your marching practice. Steep slopes, dense jungle, in the Kibo crater, the camp is being broken to somehow restore strength. If you move along the Barafu trail, the campsite is called Barafu camping.

Lemosho route and the Shira Plateau route

Will take about 5-8 days. Not particularly popular due to a difficult initial phase, and the beginning of the route, the Shire Plateau can only be reached by an all-wheel drive truck or jeep.

Descent from Kilimanjaro

To regulate the number of people passing through each of the routes, the management of the Kilimanjaro Park (KINAPA) has introduced certain rules that determine the routes of descent from Mount Kilimanjaro: those who climb from the south or southwest (that is, on the routes Mashama, Umbve, Lemosho and Shira), should descend along the Mvek's path. And if you climbed a mountain from the south-east or north (that is, the route Marangu or Rongai / Loytokitok), you should go down the Marangu Route.

Rules of ascent

To climb Kilimanjaro does not require any special physical, and even more technical, training, because the main cause of failure in conquering the summit is the symptoms of mountain sickness. The recipe is a preparation of Diamox (used for quick acclimatization), but it is better to check the reaction beforehand.