Above the gently rolling hills and plateaux of northern Tanzania rises the snowy peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro, it’s slopes and glaciers shimmering above the rising clouds. Kilimanjaro is located near the town of Moshi and is a protected area, carefully regulated for climbers to enjoy without leaving a trace of their presence. The mountain’s ecosystems are as strikingly beautiful as they are varied and diverse. On the lowland slopes, much of the mountain is farmland, with coffee, banana, cassava, and maize crops grown for subsistence and cash sale. A few larger coffee farms still exist on the lower slopes, but much of the area outside the national park has been subdivided into small plots. Once inside the park, thick lowland forest covers the lower altitudes and breaks into alpine meadows once the air begins to thin. Near the peak, the landscapes is harsh and barren, with rocks and ice the predominant features above a breathtaking African view.
Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro is the highlight of most visitors’ experiences in Tanzania. Few mountains can claim the grandeur, the breathtaking views of Amboseli National Park in Kenya, the Rift Valley, and the Masaai Steppe, that belongs to Kilimanjaro. Hiking on the ‘rooftop of Africa’ -- the highest point on the continent at 5896 metres -- is the adventure of a lifetime, especially because, if paced well, everyone from seasoned trekkers to first-time enthusiasts can scale the snowy peak.
“I climbed Mt Kilimanjaro on June 9th, 1999. Not without a little pride do I say this, because it is certainly something I consider one of life’s achievements. While not a technical climb, the Rooftop of Africa is at 19,341ft, and it was not a walk in the park. The views of the valleys and of the towering mountaintop itself made each day’s hike enjoyable, despite the increasing degree of difficulty. For the summit itself, our guides sang The Kilimanjaro Song in the Swahili throughout the night’s long slow journey to the top and softly reminded us ‘poli poli” (slowly, slowly). Was it worth a trip around the world?? You bet. And maybe someday I will once again see the sun rise from the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro”
Machame Route
For those looking to climb Mt Kilimanjaro the Machame Route is highly recommended by Great Expeditions and probably the most beautiful route up Kilimanjaro. All your equipment and supplies are carried by a porter and a cook prepares all your meals. Accommodation on the Machame route is strictly tents only. This makes Machame (also referred to as the "Whiskey route") better suited to the slightly more adventurous hiker, however rewarding him with a scenic splendour such as not seen on the many of the other routes. From late afternoon sunsets at Shira, to the misty revelations of Kibo at the great Barranco Wall, the Machame route offers the adventurous hiker a stunning scenic "slide show" over 6 or 7 days. The Machame route is normally completed in a minimum of 6 days, but most opt for an additional day at Karanga for acclimatization.
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