by: Albina Fabiani

Difficulty: Hard Time Required: 7 -10 Days Here’s How:

1. Find a good tour operator. You can only climb Kilimanjaro with an organized trek and along established routes, so you have to go with an operator. The operators vary from excellent to downright negligent so be selective and try not to be too cheap (see tip below for costs).
2. Book in advance. This will enable you to go in high season, which is January-March and September-October. High Season is a good time to go simply because the weather conditions are safest for climbing.
3. Get fit. Break in your hiking boots and walk the dog; climb stairs; hike some hills with a pack on — walking is the best way to prepare yourself for the long hike up Kilimanjaro. You need to build up stamina. It’s a good idea to get a basic medical check-up before you go. You don’t want to be dealing with an ingrown toenail or worse at 18,000 feet. Travel insurance that includes medical is also a must.
4. Pack well. Pack light but make sure you have everything you need to deal with altitude and variation in temperatures. Don’t worry about carrying it yourself since a porter will take up to 30lbs (15kg) of your personal gear in a duffel bag. You can rent some equipment and clothing locally but you may end up with teeny sleeping bags and a fraying pink jacket.
5. Choose your route. Make sure your hike is at least 6-7 days for maximum success. Any shorter and you will not be properly acclimatized. Routes vary in degree of difficulty, traffic and scenic beauty. The least difficult routes are Marangu and Rongai; the more difficult routes are Machame, Shira and Limosho. The longer routes may have more difficult hiking but you’ll be more acclimatized and your chances of reaching the summit are therefore higher. The longer western routes also allow you to start your summit day at a more reasonable hour.For details see Machame Route Descriptions.
6. Dealing with altitude. Pace yourself; you will hear the Swahili phrase “pole pole” – slowly slowly, heed it well. Drink lots of water about 4-5 liters a day is recommended. Luckily the mountain streams after the first day are good to drink and naturally cooled. Walk high and sleep low. Take a walk to a higher elevation during the day and come back down to sleep. Consult a doctor before you go and get some medication to prevent altitude sickness. Also make sure your guides are carrying the proper medical equipment such as oxygen, radios and a recompression bag to deal with altitude sickness if it arises.
7. Reaching the summit. The hardest part of the trek. Pace yourself, be determined, and you will reach the Uhuru peak. The final ascent is usually timed so you can watch the sunrise over the crater and distant plains. Enjoy the view take a few photos and get back down before you get too affected by the high altitude. Take a well earned nap.
8. Book yourself in to the Arusha Coffee Lodge and have a celebratory drink.

Tips:

1. Leave your passport, credit cards and traveller checks at a hotel, you won’t need them on the mountain. Do take copies of your important papers with you in case of an emergency. Also take enough money with you to tip your porters, guides and cooks. Ask your tour operator what the typical tip amounts should be beforehand.
2. Digital camera equipment doesn’t always perform well under very low temperatures. The batteries can’t deal with the cold weather so make sure you wrap them in your sleeping bag or put them in your jacket pocket. Also, check the specs before you go and take extra batteries with you. You probably won’t want to climb up to the summit again to get that snapshot.
3. Familiarize yourself with the symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), usually headaches, nausea and disorientation. If you feel any of these symptoms descend!

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Machame Route is the “Whiskey” route. It is the second most popular and one of the most scenic routes on the mountain. All climbers sleep in tents (tents are included) and meals are served in a dinner tent or on a blanket outside.

It is done over 6 days, so acclimatization is easier, and the success rate is fairly high. It is for physically fit people with some hiking experience. Descent is down the Mweka trail staying at the Mweka or Millenium camp the final night on the mountain.

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Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/how-to-climb-kilimanjaro-1830234.html

About the Author

Albina is the Founder of Abruzzo Passion Walking Holidays