- Location: Northeast Tanzania
- Mountain system: East African rift valley
- Ridge or Massif: East African Plateau
- Form of the volcano: Stratovolcano
- Height of the summit: 5895 m
- First ascent: 1889 (Hans Meyer, Ludwig Purscheller)
In the north-eastern part of Tanzania , towering above the plateau of Masai, is the highest point of the entire African continent - Mount Kilimanjaro.
Kilimanjaro is a sleeping stratovolcano, which consists of numerous layers of tephra, frozen lava and ash. According to scientists, the volcano Kilimanjaro was formed more than a million years ago, but the date of opening is considered May 11, 1848, when it was first seen by the German pastor Johannes Rebman.
Historians have not recorded the eruption of the volcano Kilimanjaro, but, according to local legends, it still was about 200 years ago. According to the results of research conducted in 2003, lava was found in the crater at a depth of 400 meters, but it does not carry any danger, much more unrest is caused by gas emissions that could lead to the destruction and subsequent eruption of the Kilimanjaro volcano.
Description
Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania consists of 3 peaks: in the west - Shira, whose height is 3,962 meters above sea level; in the east - Mavenzi (5149 m) and in the central part - Kibo with the peak of Uhuru, which is the highest point of Mount Kilimanjaro and all of Africa - its height is 5895 meters above sea level.
The top of Kilimanjaro is covered with snow, which overflows in the bright African sun, perhaps, that's why the mountain bears such a name: Kilimanjaro is a sparkling mountain. Local ancient tribes took white snow for silver, but for a long time did not dare to conquer the summit because of the fear of many legends associated with Mount Kilimanjaro, but one day the tribal chief ordered his bravest warriors to go to the top of Kilimanjaro for silver. Imagine their surprise when the "silver" began to melt in their hands! Since then, Mount Kilimanjaro has received yet another name - "Abode of the God of Cold."
An interesting feature of the mountain is the change of all types of the climate of the world when climbing to the top - you will start your journey in a humid tropical climate and the average daytime air temperature + 30 ° C, and finish the trip on the snowy peaks of the mountain where the air temperature day hardly reaches +5 ° C , and at night falls below zero. Go up to the top of Kilimanjaro at any time of the year, but the most successful periods are the periods from August to October and from January to March.
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Climbing Kilimanjaro
The most popular tourist routes for climbing Kilimanjaro are the following trails:
- The Lemosho route starts in the west and passes through the Arusha reserve and the Shira plateau. Travel time will be 8-9 days, the route is considered the most smooth and one of the easy ways to the top of Kilimanjaro, in addition, it is one of the most expensive routes - the price of the tour for this route starts from about 2 to 7-10 thousand dollars per person .
- Machame - the second most popular route, starting from the south-west. The route takes, as a rule, 8 days and is characterized by positive statistics on the ascent to the summit of Kilimanjaro, t. due to the sufficient number of days and good patency of the trails refers to one of the easy ways. Approximate cost of the tour on this route starts from 1500 US dollars per person.
- Marangou Route , or Coca-Cola way . The easiest, and therefore the most popular route for climbing to the peak of Uhuro. The journey takes 5-6 days, along the way you will meet three mountain lodges: the Mandara hut, located at an altitude of 2700 meters above sea level, the homb of Horombo (3,700 m) and the Kibo hut (4,700 m). The approximate cost of this tour is 1400 US dollars per person.
- Route Rongai . This is a little-known route that starts from the north of Kilimanjaro, from the town of Loytokytok. The tour lasts 5-6 days, suitable for people who are not accustomed to crowds of people. Since this route is not the most popular among tourists, it is possible to meet on its way a herd of wild African animals. The cost starts from about 1700 US dollars per person.
- Umbwe Route . The hardest route with steep slopes and barely passable jungle, travel time is 5-6 days, for which you will have the opportunity to test your strength and endurance. Suitable for people with physical training above the average level, accustomed to an individual approach and work in a small, cohesive team. The cost of the route starts from 1550 US dollars per person.
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Tours for climbing Kilimanjaro can be purchased in the nearest town of Moshi in travel agencies. The most common are hikes lasting 5-6 days - in this way, if desired and for a fee, you can be accompanied not only by local, but also by English speaking guides. The difficulties of walking travel more than pay off with the spectacle seen: eternal ice, volcanic activity with the release of ash and gas, landscapes and the famous 7 trails to the top of Kilimanjaro, along which tourists descend and rise. Which route to choose depends on your physical and financial capabilities. In each round there is a cook and porters, the tourist will have to bear only the necessities of life.
How to get there?
Mount Kilimanjaro is located near the town of Moshi, which can be reached in the following way: from the largest city of Tanzania Dar es Salaam by intercity bus, the distance between cities is 500-600 km. In the city there are a lot of cozy hotels, where you will not only be given a night's lodging pleasure, but also will pick up a suitable tour, advise an experienced guide.
To the tourist on a note
- To visit Mount Kilimanjaro you need a special permit, which can be easily obtained at any travel agency.
- We recommend that you make the necessary vaccinations before visiting Kilimanjaro in Africa.
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