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Climbing
Mount Kilimanjaro
Are
you looking for adventure?
|
Mount
Kilimanjaro Quick Facts
|
| Height: |
19,340
ft (5,895 m)
|
| Size: |
60
miles x 40 miles (100 km x 65 km) |
| Location: |
Tanzania,
near Kenyan border in East Africa |
| Volcanoes: |
Kibo,
Mawenzi, Shira |
| Ecosystems: |
Bushland,
Forest, Heath, Alpine, Arctic |
| Nearby
Cities: |
Moshi,
Arusha |
| Nearby
Airport: |
Kilimanjaro
International Airport (JRO) |
|
Tanzania Quick Facts
|
| Population: |
38
million |
| Size: |
365,000
sq miles (945,000 sq kms) |
| GNP: |
$2.5
billion |
| Religions: |
Muslim,
Indigenous Beliefs, Christian |
| Languages: |
English,
Swahili, Arabic |
| Currency: |
Tanzanian
Shilling ($1 = 1,160 TSh 2/5/08) |
| Time
Zone: |
GMT
+ 3 hrs |
| Voltage: |
230V,
Plugs D&G |
|
Do
you want to challenge yourself - physically, mentally and spiritually?
Do you want a once-in-a-lifetime experience? One that you can
look back upon years from now and proudly share tales of excitement,
achievement and empowerment, as well as moments of exhaustion,
anguish and doubt? We know how you feel.
You've
come to the right place.
Every
year, over 25,000 adventurers set foot in Tanzania to take their
shot at climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak.
Also the tallest free-standing mountain in the world, Kilimanjaro
is a place of myth and folklore. Located just 200 miles (325 km)
from the equator, the mountain defies logic with its glaciated
peak. As Ernest Hemingway wrote, Kilimanjaro is "as wide
as all the world, great, high, and unbelievably white in the sun."
Climbing Kilimanjaro does not require any technical skills or
special equipment. However, the journey is not to be taken lightly.
You need information to understand what lies ahead. You have a
seemingly endless number of questions. Rest assured, you will
find the answers to all your questions here.
|
How
to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro
|
| (1)
How do I Choose a Climb Operator?
There
are literally hundreds of companies who service
the mountain. Selecting an operator can be a daunting
task, and requires research. You want to be sure
that your operator staffs experienced, competent
guides, who practice high safety standards and treats
porters well. You want an operator that has proven
expertise, successfully serving a wide range of
clients for many years. Our local operator has lead
climbs on Mount Kilimanjaro since 1987, and has
helped literally thousands of climbers reach the
peak.
|
(2)
How Much Does it Cost to Climb Kilimanjaro?
Do
not select a company strictly based on price! Price
should be only one component in your overall decision.
Prices vary significantly between operators, ranging
from less than $1,000 to as high as $5,000 for a
seven-day trek. Low budget operators cut corners
to give you a "bargain" price, but what
you are getting is anything but. High budget operators
promise added luxury and higher safety in exchange
for exorbitant prices.
Ultimate
Kilimanjaro offers quality climbs at reasonable
rates. Our prices are a great value at about $1,500
per climber, excluding tips. At this price level,
we can satisfy all park fees, pay decent wages to
staff, supply adequate food and equipment, while
still providing great service to our clients.
|
|
(3)
When are the Best Months to Climb Kilimanjaro?
The
best times to climb Kilimanjaro tend to be the warmest
and driest months - January, February, and September.
June, July, and August are also good months. However,
temperatures and weather are unpredictable, and
can change drastically based on the time of day
and altitude. The risks associated with climbing
increase significantly when the weather is foul.
The effects of rain, mud, snow, ice and cold can
be very strenuous on the body. Correspondingly,
your chances of a successful summit also increases
significantly with nice weather. It's best to avoid
the long rainy season, from the end of March to
early June, and the short rainy season, from November
through the beginning of December.
|
(4)
Which Route Should I Take?
The
routes each have different characteristics which
may or may not appeal to you. Consider the difficulty,
scenery and traffic when you select your route.
Other factors that should be considered are your
age, fitness level, medical conditions, climbing/backpacking/hiking/camping
experience, experience at high altitude, degree
of motivation, and any other special considerations.
Ultimate Kilimanjaro recommends Lemosho, Machame
and Rongai.
|
|
(5)
How Many Days are Needed to Climb Kilimanjaro?
The
more days you spend on the mountain, the better
your chances for successfully reaching the summit.
Statistics show that each additional day you spend
acclimatizing increases your probability of success.
Do not book the minimum number of days. Chances
are, you will not enjoy your climb nor will you
reach the top. Seven or more days is recommended.
|
(6)
Should I Climb Kilimanjaro by Joining a Group?
No.
A private, small-party climb is the best way to
climb Kilimanjaro. A small-party climb ensures individualized
attention, added flexibility and increased safety.
Most
climb operators run group departures for up to 12
people. Once they add the support staff, a "small"
group of 12 climbers becomes almost 50 people total!
That's hardly the way to enjoy the mountain.
|
|
(7)
What Do I Need for the Climb?
Follow
the gear list and resist the temptation to bring
more. You won't need it and it is just extra weight
that you or your porters must carry. There are stories
where climbers' luggage was lost by the airlines
so they arrived with no gear. So they rented only
the essential gear and upon completion of their
climb, realized that what they had originally brought
from home was very excessive. Try to limit all of
your gear to less than 40 lbs. It can be done.
|
(8)
How Do I Physically Train for the Climb?
It
is very hard to gauge the mental and physical strength
needed to climb Kilimanjaro. If you've spoken to
those who have successfully or unsuccessfully climbed
it, you'd get a wide range of accounts. The truth
is, like any other activity, some people excel at
it and some people struggle. Two months of physical
training is usually sufficient. If you can do day
hikes for four to six hours, with moderate elevation
changes (~2,000 ft) while carrying a 20 lb pack,
or if you can walk on a stairmaster for a 2 hours,
at 30 steps per minute while carrying a 20 lb pack,
then it's likely you'll have no problems with the
physical part of the climb (altitude acclimatization
is unknown, however).
|
|
(9)
What Do I Need to Know About Altitude Sickness?
Altitude
sickness is potentially fatal. However, most climbers
will get some form of mild AMS while on the mountain.
Your guide will monitor you closely during the duration
of you climb. However, you should be aware of the
symptoms of mild, moderate and severe AMS, and you
must inform your guide of any symptoms immediately.
Never try to hide your symptoms in order to continue
climbing.
|
(10)
What Else Do I Need Before I Arrive in Tanzania?
Not
many people have been to such high altitudes before.
Therefore, all climbers should have a medical check
prior to attempting to climb Kilimanjaro. Speak
with a health-care provider to determine which immunizations
and medications to obtain for your travels to East
Africa. A valid passport, six months prior to the
expiration, is required for entry into Tanzania.
Most travelers will need a visa to enter the country,
which can be obtained ahead of time through the
Tanzanian Embassy, and are also issued at points
of entry, including Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Climbers should obtain travel insurance. Finally,
make copies of your passport, visa, airline tickets,
itinerary, medical and insurance documents. Give
copies to someone from your home country and carry
copies with you in case the originals are lost.
|
|
|
Have
Questions? Just Ask!
  
2008
Price List
Marangu
Route:
4 nights/ 5 days + 2 nights hotel
$1,050
Machame
Route:
5 nights/ 6 days + 2 nights at hotel $1,305
Lemosho
Route:
5 nights/ 6 days + 2 nights hotel $1,305
Shira
Route:
5 nights/ 6 days + 2 nights hotel $1,305
Rongai
Route:
5 nights/ 6 days + 2 nights hotel $1,305
Umbwe
Route:
5 nights/ 6 days + 2 nights hotel $1,305
Tanzanian
Safari: Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater & Serengeti as low
as $180/ day

For
your gear needs, we proudly recommend:
For
your international and domestic Tanzania flights, we proudly recommend:
|