Mt. Kilimanjaro

Mt. Kilimanjaro is the most empowering hiking adventure that sits atop the bucket lists of many hiking enthusiasts. Offering an unparalleled experience of nature’s grandeur and personal achievement, hiking enthusiasts can experience hiking the mountain without serious training. Kilimanjaro stands as Africa’s tallest peak and the world’s highest free-standing mountain, rising majestically from the plains of Tanzania. This Africa’s tallest mountain renders a stiff challenge to hikers, as it takes them through five different ecosystems ranging from rain forest zone to alpine desert, to arctic snow-cap to climb the 19,340-foot top. Hiking Mt. Kilimanjaro like any other adventure requires preparation and having a knowledgeable guide can make all the difference. It is essential to have a hiking guide for climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro and travelers need to choose the right hiking guide for this expedition.

Reasons to Get Accompanied by Hiking Guides

Trekking at the snow-covered Mt. Kilimanjaro is an arduous yet rewarding experience. However, if trekkers seek a hiking guide in their expedition then they are sure to smoothly climb the tallest mountain of Africa. Anyone climbing Kilimanjaro must be accompanied by a guide licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park. Most climbers have a team that includes a lead guide, an assistant guide, a cook, and porters. Some of the vital reasons to get accompanied by expert hiking guides include:

Safety – The climb to Kilimanjaro’s summit is challenging and may be perilous without proper guidance. A professional hiking guide has proper training to handle emergencies, altitude sickness, and sudden weather changes. These guides have proper training and knowledge to monitor the trekker’s health and can even make vital decisions related to the trekker’s safety, such as when to return or seek medical assistance.

Local Expertise – On accompanied by local hiking guides who have invaluable knowledge about Kilimanjaro’s trails, climate, flora, and fauna, travelers will be mentally prepared for the challenges coming their way. Guides enrich the hiking journey of tourists by providing insights about the mountain’s history, geology, and local culture. Climbing the mountain under their guidance not only enhances the hiker’s experience but also increases their chance of successfully reaching the summit.

Navigational Skills – There are multiple routes to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro, each route offers its own scenic points and set of challenges. Hiking guides will help travelers choose the right route depending on their fitness level and preferences. The guides will also help travelers to aptly navigate the trails, handle the pace, and ensure that tourists properly acclimatize to the altitude.

Support and Motivation – A hiking guide is a great source of motivation, support, and encouragement, as climbing Kilimanjaro is both a physical and mental challenge. The guide will keep the morale and group spirit of the travelers high. This is especially crucial during the final push to the summit when the going gets tough.

Mount Kilimanjaro

Tips to Choose the Right Hiking Guide

Kilimanjaro is an excellent choice for first-time climbers. With proper preparation and physical fitness, beginners can successfully reach the highest peak in Africa. Being well-prepared increases your chances of success. Kilimanjaro is not a technical climb and is suitable for beginners with little or no experience. The most challenging aspects are coping with the altitude and adapting to camping. No technical skills or special equipment are required just physical fitness, determination, and the right guide service to support you along the way.

Certification and Experience – Always prefer a hiking guide who is certified by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority. Experience and seasoned guides who have led numerous successful expeditions are better equipped to handle the challenges that arise on the mountain.

Reviews and Recommendations – Travelers before embarking on this hiking expedition should check reviews and ask for recommendations from previous climbers. Going through testimonials will provide insights into a guide’s reliability, professionalism, and personality. A guide having lots of positive feedback is more likely to offer a great experience.

Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that requires careful planning and the right guidance. By choosing a knowledgeable and experienced guide, travelers ensure a safe, enjoyable, and successful ascent to the Roof of Africa. So travelers should carefully choose a guide and get ready to embark on an adventure of a lifetime.

Kilimanjaro Marangu route

Tekking Mount Kilimanjaro is an unique experience to trekkers. Mt. Kilimanjaro, also known as the “Roof of Africa” is the highest peak of this continent. Standing at 5,895 meters above sea level, the mountain offers awe-inspiring views at every turn. The mountain is popular for its five distinct climate zones with each having its unique ecosystems and landscapes. Hundreds of trekkers follow the Kilimanjaro Marangu route to the peak. The Marangu route is considered a gentle and gradual trekking route to the mountain. Before that contact an experienced safari and trekking organizer to plan your schedule. The best safari organizers will offer you the best experience in this part of the world.

Trek to Kilimanjaro through Marangu route

If you have prepared yourself for the best adventure, you can try the Marangu route. This is regarded as the original route of Kilimanjaro and it seems to be exceptional as trekkers do not camp here but stay in shared A-frame huts. It is not a difficult route and has a higher rate of success as trekkers don’t need to follow any stiff path. The Marangu is regarded as one of the most popular and oldest routes of Kilimanjaro and most often, it is known as the “Coca-Cola route” as the huts where you will stay at night and from time to time, offers different refreshments and Coca-Cola.

If you assess the Marangu route you will find it to be an easy route and it has only some steep climbs. The Kilimanjaro Maraungu route is the only route that offers hut accommodation to everyone because other routes need the trekkers to camp. If you go through this route, you require a dormitory where you can sleep and they are similar to huts where you will find all the basic amenities that include mattresses. It makes this route well-known for various budget operators who lack basic camping equipment. Hence, you must opt for this route only when you do not wish to camp.

5 days Marangu route

Key features of the Marangu route

  • The oldest path to Kilimanjaro

The Marangu route is the most established and most used path to the peak. Being the most popular route for trekking, its trails are well-marked and nicely maintained. Trekkers find it easier and faster to trek.

  • Hut accommodation

It’s one of the most interesting features of this Kilimanjaro Marangu route. At each campsite, dozens of huts exist for refreshment and night stays. All necessary accommodations are available in the camp. Moreover, Ice Rock Trekking ensures that you don’t face any problems in the huts.

  • The shortest route to the summit

The Marangu route enables the trekkers to complete the trekking to the summit in 5-7 days. Ice Rock Trekking arranges 5 days 4 nights trekking through the Marangu route. You have to cover almost 96 Km during that time. The journey is quite comfortable as the route offers gradual and gentle ascent.

Trekking is always fun and adventurous. If you love trekking, you can try the Kilimanjaro Marangu route. Starting from Nairobi till you return after touching the summit, Ice Rock Trekking takes the full responsibility of guiding and providing all necessary articles to the trekkers.

Mount Kilimanjaro

As Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain in Africa, it gives a terrific challenge to the hikers who want to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. However, to climb the mountain, you can choose several routes like Marangu, Machame-Mweka, and Lemosho. To reach the summit of Kilimanjaro which is the highest free-standing mountain in the world, also known as the roof of Africa, climbers need to go through different ecosystems from the rain-forest zone, and alpine desert to arctic snow cap. Trekking to Kilimanjaro is one of the primary attractions of hundreds of tourists in this part of the world. Make a memorable trekking to Kilimanjaro through your preferred route with the help of an experienced tour organizer. 

When is the best time to climb Kilimanjaro?

This free-standing volcano lures thousands of trekkers every year who intend to conquer Uhuru Peak. To reach the twin summit of Kibo and Mawnzi, you need to go through thick and drenched forests along with crossing a desert-like lunar landscape. Although you will be able to climb this mountain throughout the year. The best time for climbing is July to early October, the rainy period (April- May), and November. However, as the weather is unpredictable on the mountain throughout the year, there is no guarantee of good weather. So, it’s recommended to keep your equipment and to keep yourself ready for rainy and cold weather.

Kilimanjaro

Routes to climb Mount Kilimanjaro 

  • 5 days 4 night the Coca-Cola route of Kilimanjaro

The Marangu route is known as the Coca-Cola route due to its popularity as well as for having the reputation that this is the easier route to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and its two main summits which are Mawenzi and Kibo. A 5 km wide semi-desert, the Saddle has separated these two. During this trip, you will be mesmerized by the spectacular views of summit glaciers, afro-alpine moorland, cliffs, and foothills.

  • 6 days 5 night the whiskey route of Kilimanjaro

For climbing the mountain, Machame-Mweka is a more difficult route compared to the Coca-Cola route, due to which this one is named as the whiskey route. As this route is adorned with the terrain and spectacular scenery of Lava Tower, Shira Plateau, and Barranco Wall, it gives a huge chance for acclimatizing.

  • 7 days 6 night Lemosho route

This one is the least traveled but most rewarding route. The route remains uncrowded until it gets connected with the Machame route’s latter half. Through this route, you can hike across the Shira Plateau which is considered as one of the most beautiful hikes in Africa.

End note

The hiking journey to the snow peaks of Kilimanjaro will be partly hiking, partly slog, and partly trekking. As Kilimanjaro is 5896 meters high and remains snow-covered, trekking here is a strenuous as well as rewarding undertaking. To have a safe and guided tour, you can contact Ice Rocket Trekking, the best travel company that offers trekking expeditions to Mount Kilimanjaro as well as to Kenya.