Mt. Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa, it is innately and inexhaustibly symbolic. Writers render it, climbers conquer it, Africans value it, and at the end of the day its magnetic singularity remains undiminished. Though speechless wonder reigns in its presence, the traveler who witnesses Kilimanjaro Mountain, will talk about it for life.
Rising 19,340 ft (5895 m) above the African plain, Kilimanjaro truly stands alone among the mountains of the world. The huge, solitary volcano is unaccompanied by any mountain chain. Though its size is immense, it also has one of the world's most accessible peaks.

People who are in good shape can make the ascent to its summit, Uhuru peak, in a matter of days, passing through five distinct ecological zones along the way
The lower slopes of the mountain are defined by coffee and banana fields that rise up and end where the mountain's forest begins. An average of 80 inches of rainfall in a year make the forest home to some botanical treats. Tree ferns in this region are known to grow up to 20 feet, and giant lobellia often reach 30 feet. At an altitude of about 9,000 feet, the forest gives way to grasslands and shrubbery, and elephant can sometimes be spotted roaming the high slopes. At about 13,000 feet life begins to recede, a result of extreme weather conditions inhospitable to anything more than small mosses and lichens. Once the summit area is reached, three glaciers and three volcanic peaks sit in lofty, placid contemplation of the tremendous plains over 3.5 miles below.

It is highly advisable to take the mountain slowly. The thin air is a well-known killer of impatient weekend climbers, who misjudge their abilities and ascend too fast. Altitude sickness is common and can be fatal. No climb is permitted without a guide, and there are six routes up the mountain with varying degrees of difficulty. Huts are available at different points along the way, and the final ascent begins near midnight (so melting snow isn't a problem) and culminates with a spectacular sunrise at the peak.
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.

The Climbing Routes of Mt Kilimanjaro.

1. Lemosho / Shira / Western Breach route

The Western Breach Route via arrow glacier is very steep, rocky and only recommended for very fit and capable climbers. The trek up the western breach can take anything from 6 to 8 hours and requires a degree of physical exertion. If the snow is heavy, icy picks and crampons may be required. However, the reward for the hard work is that one arrives in the crater floor where one sees the incredible glaciers in the crater and also the chance to see the volcanic vent. Descent is via Mweka route which is a descent route. This route can be accommodated on both the Machame or Umbwe routes.

2. Machame Route

The Machame Route is one of the most scenic of the routes up to Uhuru Peak. It also affords one the chance of acclimatization due to the concept of climb high, sleep low. The ascent is from the western side of Kilimanjaro, with the descent down the southern face along the Mweka route. One passes through changing vegetation from a tropical forest, to scrubland, to alpine desert and onwards to the summit with it incredible ice fields. You will start your trek at Machame Forest and heads through the lush forest, hanging with moss and lichen with its enormous forest canopy, gradually up the Machame Camp for the first night. Next day, the route heads into a scrubland with giant Lobelia and daisy bushes up toward Shira Camp before heading next day into the alpine desert towards Lava Tower and back down to Barranco. From here on in the terrain remains like an alpine desert, with the glaciers reaching down the mountain like long fingers, to about 4800m. You will hit the snow line at about 5700m, maybe higher.

3. Marangu Route

The Marangu Route is a 7-day, 6-night climb of Africa's highest mountain. The Marangu route is the most popular Kilimanjaro climb and is nicknamed the 'Coca-cola' route followed by ninety percent of all climbers. The path is well defined as 'climb friendly' to make your adventure a little easier. The popular Kilimanjaro climb offers accommodation at Mandara, Horombo, and Kibo en route and accommodation on this route consists of built mountain huts providing adequate shelter, bottled water, beer and soft drinks. This is a very scenic route with good views of Mawenzi and excellent prospects for viewing wildlife. The ascent is via the eastern face of the mountain and covers about 80km. The descent is via the same route as the ascent.

4. Umbwe Route

This route is one of the shorter but also one of the more difficult routes to reach Uhuru peak--but quiet spectacular. Umbwe is known for its caves. The first night you actually sleep at the Umbwe Cave Camp with two more caves that can be visited on route the following day. Also sometimes used as a descending route.

 

5. Rongai Route

The Rongai Route is also seldom travelled, beginning on the northern, or Kenyan side of the mountain. The drive to the starting point is long, albeit scenic. Park rules require that the descent route is via the Marangu route.