Highlights of a Mt. Kilimanjaro Trek
Africa's tallest mountain is in the heart of Tanzania - Mt. Kilimanjaro. Towering at 19,341 feet (5,895 meters) above sea level, this mighty peak is an enticing climb for active travelers who want to trek to the absolute top of the African continent.
The Machame Trek is the most scenic way to reach the peak, but it is most certainly a challenging climb. This trip is not for the faint of heart. If you're up for the climb, then you don't have to worry about dining or accommodations along the way - you will stay at comfortable tented camps that have a dining area and portable toilets. For safety's sake, you can count on oxygen, portable hyperbaric chamber, and oximeters for monitoring blood oxygen levels being available.
Your trek starts at Machame Gate, where you'll set out through a thick mountain forest of Kilimanjaro’s lower slopes as you gain approximately 4000 ft during the 6-8 hour hike. Then you'll traverse the moorland zone, while you take in views of Shira Platea and Mount Meru en route to Shira Camp at 12,600 feet. You'll continue climbing in altitude through various vegetation zones for the next several days, with hikes varying between 2.5-8 miles/ day until you reach the summit.
Once you've summited the mountain and taken your pictures, you'll start your descent back down to base camp, where you'll appreciate the oxygen like never before!
