Halfway to the top of Africa (Kilimanjaro)
While most people use six to seven days to climb Kilimanjaro (5.895 meters above sea level), we only had one. So going all the way up was not an option.
From Moshi it is possible to do daytrips to Kilimanjaro. Not to the top of course (as that would be dangerous), but to the first base camp (where climbers spend the night) at 2720 meters.
So we drove to the park headquarters where the Marango route starts at 1800 meters. Our guide Michael has been on the top of Kilimanjaro more than 200 times.
The weather was beautiful and the plan was to spend the normal four hours up to Mandara huts (2720 meters). As we only used two hours through the tick forest to reach the camp, we continued to the Maundi crater (around 3000 meters). We enjoyed the view towards Kenya and had our lunch there. And even though we were still in Tanzania, Jurgita got an SMS saying “welcome to Kenya”.
We were happy to have walked halfway up Kilimanjaro, but are eager to come back one day to do the full tour. And I think we will!
It is quite expensive, but I guess something you do once in your life.
Halfway to the top of Africa, on the powerful mountain of Kilimanjaro.
Kilimanjaro, 5895 meters above sea level.
Selfie with our guide, Michael, who has reached the top of Kilimanjaro 200 times.
First base camp, the Mandara hut at 2720 meters.
Maundi crater, close to 3000 meters above sea level.
Beautiful rainforest on the way down from Kilimanjaro.
