Mount Kilimanjaro Hiking Tours
Mount Kilimanjaro hiking tours offer enthusiastic mountain climbers a lifetime opportunity to conquer Africa’s highest mountain. The legendary Mt. Kilimanjaro stands at an altitude of 5895 meters and is part of Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro National Park. Mount Kilimanjaro is most popular as the world’s biggest free-standing mountain and features among the 7 summits. Unlike other mountains, Kilimanjaro Volcano is snow-capped with its peaks overviewing the lush savanna area and Kilimanjaro National Park with diverse floral and faunal species. This volcano is amazingly an inspirational spot for climbers and outdoor adventure seekers worldwide.
Mt. Kilimanjaro covers about 100 sq.km of the land area and has a width of 65 km. Mount Kilimanjaro boasts of its three unique volcano cones; Shira, Kibo, and Mawenzi. Kilimanjaro Volcano recorded its last volcanic activity about 200 years ago. It was during this volcanic eruption activity that led to the creation of the Kibo. The Mawenzi and Shira are extinct volcanoes and Kibo is dormant. The highest peak on Mount Kilimanjaro is Uhuru, often the target spot for every hiker/climber on Mount Kilimanjaro hiking tours in Tanzania.
Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro is every climber’s or adventure seeker’s dream destination. It attracts several hikers/climbers worldwide who come to challenge themselves here as they conquer its great heights to snowcapped peaks. More than 30,000 people attempt to conquer the magnificent peaks of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Why is hiking Mt. Kilimanjaro most popular?
Conquering the highest free-standing volcano/mountain on earth: Embarking on Kilimanjaro hiking tours is a great deal for climbers/hikers to conquer the world’s highest free-standing volcano mountain. Getting to the peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro is a dream come true for any enthusiastic adventure seeker.
Natural wonder: Mt. Kilimanjaro is without a doubt one of the very few remarkable world’s natural wonders. Kilimanjaro Volcano is known for its unmatched views of the snow-capped summits and surroundings.
An easier trek: Despite its height, Kilimanjaro Volcano is known to offer the easiest hikes out of the 7 top mountains on planet Earth. There are hiking trails that do not require any special skills/prior hiking experience. This makes it an ideal spot for hiking tours even for beginners with fitness levels.
Accessibility: Kilimanjaro Volcano is one of the most accessible hiking destinations. Hikers can get to this volcano by road/air. Most hikers land at Kilimanjaro International Airport and connect to Mount Kilimanjaro.
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Abundant photography opportunities: Hiking tours in Mount Kilimanjaro present a diversity of photography opportunities. It is a must-visit destination for all nature and photography enthusiasts on Tanzania safaris. Mount Kilimanjaro hiking tours come with breathtaking sceneries and landscapes, wildlife, and green vegetation. Kilimanjaro Volcano is part of the stunning Kilimanjaro National Park, home to over 140 species of mammals including primates and birds. A hike to the summits of the Kilimanjaro Volcano allows hikers/climbers to enjoy the sight of the park’s wildlife including elands, duikers, leopards, black rhinos, tree hyraxes, honey badgers, blue monkeys, buffaloes, bushbucks, giraffes and more. These range along the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Quality services: Hiking adventures on Mount Kilimanjaro are popular thanks to the high-quality services. The infrastructure is also well-maintained and all routes take hikers up to the summits. All the hiking routes guarantee hikers a world of extraordinary adventure. There is also high-quality gear to hire or you can come along with yours. Besides, there are porters, guides, and park rangers who are well-trained and professional.
Explore the 7 climatic zones: Hiking tours in Kilimanjaro Mountain allow you to explore the 7 (seven) climatic zones located in the same geographic area. The hike involves farmlands, moorlands, rainforests, alpine deserts, and glaciers.
What is it like to hike Mt. Kilimanjaro?
Planning for a successful Mount Kilimanjaro hiking tour requires you to deal with a recognized tour operator/company. The tour operators/companies have expertise and can guide you on how best you can go about Mount Kilimanjaro hiking adventures. Among other things, you will be advised on visa requirements, hotels, the best hiking route, packing list, and more.
How to get to Mount Kilimanjaro for hiking tours?
You must plan on how to get to Mount Kilimanjaro for hiking expeditions. A flight can be taken up to Kilimanjaro International Airport where you can easily connect to Kilimanjaro National Park. Or drive from Arusha to Kilimanjaro National Park which is a 50 km drive and Moshi, about 42 km.
Briefing: Before you embark on an actual trek to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, the briefing is conducted by an expert. The briefing is done mainly to prepare you mentally for the actual trekking challenge, things you should have for an actual hike, and in case you do not have, you can hire. On the actual hike, your group can comprise a team leader, other trekkers, cooks, and porters. On every hike, a group of 6-12 hikers are led by an expert.
The porters assist in carrying items including sleeping bags, pillows, supplies, mobile toilets, daypack, gas bottles, supplementary oxygen, sitting stools, sleeping tents, and more.
The routes to take: Hiking to the great summits of Mount Kilimanjaro is best done via the major routes including the Lemosho, Umbwe, Marangu, Rongai, Shira, Machame, and Northern Circuit.
Each of the hiking routes requires some level of fitness and takes certain days/lengths to have a complete trek. If you are interested in the most scenic route, then you have every reason to begin your trek from the Lemosho hiking route. This route takes at least 7-8 days. The Shira route is best for hikers who plan to take a direct hike to the summits of Mount Kilimanjaro. This route also requires at least 7-8 days.
Popular Mount Kilimanjaro hiking routes
Rongai Route: Hiking the Rongai route is best done from the North part of Kilimanjaro and takes visitors a short time and also is ideal for budget travelers. A 6-day travel plan can work for this route, but first, be certain about your fitness levels.
Machame route: This is the most popular trekking route to the summit of Kilimanjaro. Over 50% of all hikers on Mt. Kilimanjaro hiking tours prefer this route. Hikes through this route begin from Machame gate and pass via dense montane forest with stunning views of Kibo Volcanic cones as well as the Shira plateau.
Northern Circuit: Embark on a hiking adventure through the Northern Circuit, an ideal route for hikers who desire less crowded hikes. The hikes through this route begin from the Western part and reward climbers with uninterrupted views of the vast plains of Kenya.
Shira route: This route is the best for visitors in search of moderate and challenging hikes on hiking safaris in Mount Kilimanjaro.
Marangu route: Also referred to as the Coca-Cola route, and is the least explored route. It is preferred mainly by hikers who do not like tents and need huts for overnight stays.
Umbwe route: This route is most preferred for trekkers who are in search of the most challenging and strenuous route.
When to go for Mount Kilimanjaro hiking tours
The best time to visit Mount Kilimanjaro for hiking adventures is around the peak dry months that is from December to early March, June to early October. This is when temperature rise is recorded at 22 degrees Celsius. The rainy months fall in April, May and November.
What is the cost of hiking Mount Kilimanjaro?
The cost of hiking Mount Kilimanjaro varies depending on many factors including the route you intend to explore and the duration. At around USD 3000-4000, you can be in a position to engage in hiking expeditions in Mount Kilimanjaro.
How hard is it to hike Mount Kilimanjaro?
Mount Kilimanjaro hikes generally require some fitness level for you to have a complete trek. The hikes through Mount Kilimanjaro involve ascending from 2000 meters to 5895 meters. The treks on Mount Kilimanjaro are challenging and altitudinal acclimatization is needed before you embark on an actual hiking adventure.
