Obviously, one of the first places to start with attractions in Kilimanjaro is at the three volcanic peaks - Mawenzi, Shira and Kibo. Both Mawenzi and Shira are extinct while the youngest one, Kibo, remains dormant. The actual summits of the three centres vary greatly. Shira's peak is a wide plateau which stretches across the entire width of the volcanic cone. Similarly, Kibo's summit is also a broad crater that has a cavernous pit at its centre. The summit area of Mawezi by contrast is a sheer peak bordered by cliffs and gullies, which makes many portions of it completely unreachable.

The sharp ledges making up Mawenzi are made up of slow- cooling, incredibly durable Rocks that are typically resistant to weathering. By contrast, the Shira plateau has eroded substantially since ancient times, but is nevertheless still filled with interesting minerals, such as the obsidian pebbles that you may encounter on the Machame Route up the mountain.

Kilimanjaro's Flora

The slopes of Kilimanjaro have a diverse collection of flora. Most species are endemic to the mountain and the trek offers an excellent opportunity of viewing and photographing these flora. The sheer dimensions of some will take your breath away. The photo opportunities are endless! Feeling tall? Stand next to the protea flower. Tired? Crouch inside a natural donut formation of erica arborea. All guides on Kilimanjaro are trained by the Tanzanian Parks department and will have at least basic knowledge of the vegetation you will encounter on Kilimanjaro's slopes.

Kilimanjaro's Flora View Enlarge

Cloud formations
Because of the weather belt around Kilimanjaro, both Kibo and Mawenzi peaks tend to be completely hidden in cloud cover by late afternoon. Your best bet of viewing the peaks is in the early morning. If you observe, you'll see strange cloud formations in the sky. Clouds move very quickly, tranfiguring as they move across the tranquil sky. These cloud formations are exceptionally beautiful in the saddle region between Mawenzi and Kibo. If you approach Horombo from Mandara in the late afternoon, you might find yourself walking above and in the clouds all at the same time like we did. It's quite the experience!

Additional Travel Tips
Mountain Sickness
This is caused by the body's reaction to lack of oxygen at higher altitudes. The incidence and severity of A.M.S. are related to altitude, speed of ascent, physical exertion and prior acclimatization. Kilimanjaro is over 19k ft (6km) high so altitude sickness is quite common.

The most common symptoms are headache, nausea, loss of appetite and trouble sleeping. If left unheeded, it can cause pulmonary edema.

To prevent AMS or altitude sickness:
Hydrate yourself. Drink at least a minimum of 3 liters a day while on the mountain. On summit night, carry at least 2 liters with you in either insulated containers or insulated hydration packs.
Eat plenty of carbohydrates and avoid excess fats. Loss of appetite is very common at high altitudes. In spite of not being very hungry, wolf down everything that's served you. It helps!
Don't exert yourself. Do the Kilimanjaro shuffle .........."Pole, Pole" should be the motto!
Avoid alcohol at all costs. It will decrease ventilation and make things worse.
Ascend very slowly - Let the body acclimatize to the altitude by going slow. Rapid ascent can not only be uncomfortable, it can only turn out to be dangerous. If it's possible to spend an extra day acclimatizing on Kili, by all means do it!

For headaches, take some Acitominophen(Tylenol) , Ibuprofen (Advil) or Aspirin (Excedrin). Take different pills with you and see which one works best. I found Excedrin works best for me at high altitudes.

If in spite of popping pills every few hours, the headaches dont cease and get more painful, you need to inform your guide. You might have already succumbed to AMS and you need to either take it slow or descend to lower altitude.

Of course, there is the controversial drug DIAMOX (generic name azetazolamide).
Symptoms of AMS may be prevented by taking Diamox. The drug helps the body to use oxygen more efficiently. However the drug is a diuretic and the fact that it changes the body's normal metabolic activity has made it very controversial among hikers and mountaineers.

For a more detailed look and understanding of AMS
visit http://www.high-altitude-medicine.com/

Sun Protection
Sun protection is important! Remember that Kilimanjaro is located at the equator. The sun is strong and it gets even stronger at higher altitude. Use a good quality sun cream with high SPF and wear a wide brimmed hat. Don't forget to protect the lips. The equatorial sun is extremely strong at least for a fair skinned Norwegian like me. There are different qualities when it comes to sun protection creams. Make sure to choose and use the right one for your skin type.

Planning Tips
Do read all you can about climbing Kilimanjaro before you plan your trip. It will make the planning process easier.
Do plan to use a local outfitter. It is very difficult to organize a trek without adequate transportation. Your experience will be more rewarding if you do not have to attend to the numerous details required.
Do request an extra day on the mountain to better acclimatize yourself. It will be money well spent.
Do establish a detailed itinerary when comparing prices and be sure to ascertain what costs are not included.
Do bring your own equipment. If you do not want to carry a bulky sleeping bag, a good alternative is to bring a fleece liner and rent the sleeping bag. You will be thankful for the extra warmth.
Do accept the advice of your guides. They are trained to recognize the symptoms of altitude sickness and the mountain is no place to take chances with your health.
Do explore the Marangu area after your climb. Ask anyone to show you the shortcut between the Marangu Hotel and Kibo Hotel. It is a delightful walk through an area where local people live. They will be happy to point out the three types of bananas that they use for cooking, as a fruit and for making pombe (banana beer).