Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro with its three volcanic cones, Kibo, Mawensi, and Shira, is an inactive stratovolcano in North-Eastern Kenya/ Tanzania border.  Although it does not have the highest elevation, Kilimanjaro is the HIGHEST free-standing mountain rise in the world, rising 4,600 m (15,100 ft) from its base, and includes the highest peak in Africa at 5,895 meters (19,340 ft).
 The highest point is Uhuru Peak on the volcano Kibo, 5,895 meters (19,340 ft). Kibo has a 1.5 miles wide crater on the top of it. As the highest point in Africa, Uhuru Peak is one of the Seven Summits. The summit was first reached by the Marangu army scout, Yohanas Kinyala Lauwo, German Hans Meyer and Austrian Ludwig Purtscheller, on October 6, 1889. Two other peaks are also extinct volcanoes: Mawenzi (5,149 metres, 16,890 ft), the third highest peak in Africa (after Mount Kenya) and Shira (3,962 m, 13,000 ft). Yohanas' Notch is named after Lauwo.

CLIMATE

Kilimanjaro can be climbed any time of the year but the best time is considered to be from August to October and January to March.  It is wet in the rainforest from April to June and November.  December through to February is the warmest months.

GEOGRAPHY

Kilimanjaro is 340 km south of the Equator, 280 km from the Indian Ocean and just over 400 km from Lake Victoria. It lies on the eastern side of the eastern branch of the Great Rift Valley, and north-north east of the Maasai steppe, the great plain of north-eastern Kenya/Tanzania renowned as the homeland of the nomadic Maasai cattle-herders.
 Principal human habitation lies on the southern and eastern slopes of Kilimanjaro, where the fertile and well-watered soil supports farming, especially of horticultural crops by the Chaga people. The city of Moshi, just over 30 km from the summit, is the main urban centre and has paved highway and rail connections to the Tanzanian coast at Tanga and Dar es Salaam. The area's is served by Kilimanjaro International Airport or one Can fly Through Nairobi Jomo International Kenyatta Airport.
The grasslands exploited by the Maasai extend west and north of Kilimanjaro into Kenya as far as Nairobi, 200 km north-north-west. The Kenyan border runs along the lower slopes of the mountain on the north-eastern and eastern sides, only 20 km from the summit.  Amboseli National Park in Kenya reaches to the lower slopes on the northern side, while the hot dry savanna plains of Tsavo National Park, also in Kenya, are farther east.
These extensive plains surrounding the mountain have an elevation of 1100–1400 m except in Tsavo, which is lower at 800 m.  The only other nearby highlands are a chain of hills running south-east to the coast where they are called the Usambara Mountains, and 50 km to the west-south-west is another isolated volcanic mountain, Mt Meru, above the city of Arusha.
The best view of Kilimanjaro is from Amboseli National Park and 90% of pictures with wildlife at the background are taken at these vantage area. Kilimanjaro's middle and lower slopes catch more rain than the surrounding plains. The southern slopes are the wettest, feeding the Pangani River which has formed a valley flowing south-south-west, parallel to the Usambara Mountains. To the east streams feed the Galana River. The northern slopes drain into the seasonal Lake Amboseli and Kiboko River. Streams on the south-western side join the Pangani.

CLIMBERS - INFORMATION

An ascent of Mawenzi requires rock climbing and/or snow/ice climbing skills. The climb to Uhuru Peak is considered to be a relatively straight-forward endeavor;  however, ample time must still be provided for proper acclimatization to prevent altitude sickness. The easiest route, Marangu can be climbed by a person of good health, and require no mountaineering experience. Many who climb get altitude-sickness medication and find this to be helpful in preventing the pounding headaches that plague many travellers. Those who travel on Marangu route usually take 5 or 6 days to complete their climb.
The final part of the climb, from Kibo hut at 15,500 ft (4,720 m) to the summit, is generally undertaken at night, because the scree  is frozen together, making the climb significantly easier. Gilman's Point, on the rim of the crater, but about 1½ hours hike from Uhuru, is attained at 5:00 - 6:00 am; those who have the strength to continue may then hike on to Uhuru in the growing sunlight and rising temperatures. Another route is the Western Breach, which is much more technical in nature.
At the summit, there is a sign reading "Congratulations! You are now at Uhuru Peak 5,895 m. AMSL. Africa's Highest Point - World's Highest Free-Standing Mountain. One of World's Largest  Volcanos. Welcome." The sign is covered in travel stickers from past trekkers who have left their mark on the top of the peak.
Due to the mountain's equatorial location as well as its high elevation, climbers can experience almost every type of climate on earth during the journey to the top. It is also has its year round snow-topped summit.

KILIMANJARO TIPPING  POLICY

Tips will vary depending on the length and complexity of the trip, the number of staff on the trip and the number of clients on the trip. Generally, groups like to meet together before the end of the trek to discuss how much they would like to tip each staff member based on their individual trek experience.

Tips should not be dependent on whether you summit or not, but rather whether your guides and porters were professional and had your best interests in mind.

Do not pay tips on the mountain nor should you pay for any extra services while you are on the mountain other than for the purpose of refreshments (only regularly available on the Marangu Route). It is also worth bearing in mind that items of clothing and footwear, for children or adults, used or new, are also highly valued and can be given as well as money tips.

Tipping can either be in Euros or US Dollars.

The following are the daily rates as recommended to tip per staff member:

Guide 20 $
Assistant guide 15 $
Cook 10 $
Porter 10 $
For all Kilimanjaro routes except Marangu, you will have:

1 climber:  > 1 guide, 3 porters, 1 cook
2 climbers: > 1 guide, 6 porters, 1 extra assistance guide, 1 cook
3 climbers: > 1 guide, 9 porters, 1 extra assistance guide, 1 cook
4 climbers: > 2 guides, 9 porters, 1 extra assistance guide, 1 cook, 1 waiter

For Marangu you will have:

1 guide and 1 cook for each 8 climbers, 1 extra assistant guide per each
3 climbers, 2 porters per climber

Note: Each client should expect to tip between US$ 200 – US$ 250

Additional notes: