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Kilimanjaro Trekking Routes — Complete Guide
Kilimanjaro Climbing Routes — Every Kilimanjaro route has advantages and disadvantages. Some offer fantastic scenery, but they’re not the best for acclimatization. While some have excellent summit success rates. But they might get very crowded during specific seasons of the year.
To climb the tallest peak in Africa. One can choose from seven different Kilimanjaro routes. Only utilized for descent, the eighth way up Kilimanjaro is Mweka.
The Machame Route and Umbwe Route leaves from the southwest face of the mountain. And approach Uhuru Peak by taking the Southern Circuit. Which passes through Barafu and Stella Point. Shira Route and Lemosho Route likewise access the peak via the Southern Circuit. And finally descend via the Mweka route. But the starting point of both paths is on the mountain’s extreme western side.
The Marangu Route starts in the southeast and travels past Gilman’s Point to the summit of Uhuru. It is the only route up Kilimanjaro that uses the same track for both ascent and descent. And offers hut accommodations for the duration of the trip.
Beginning in the northeast. The Rongai Route travels via the Saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi Peak. Before arriving at the summit via Gilman’s Point. Through the Marangu path, the Rongai path falls.
The Northern Circuit is the longest and most recent route. It begins from Lemosho and travels north before Lava Tower. Round the peak and reaching Uhuru Peak via Gilman’s Point.
Trekkers who use the Western Breach usually approach from the Umbwe Route up to Lava Tower, before taking a steep ascent past Arrow’s Glacier and up the Western Breach to Crater Camp and Uhuru Peak. The Western Breach can also be approached using the Machame, Shira and Lemosho Route. Descent is usually via the Mweka Route.
A terrible rock fall that claimed the lives of three hikers in 2006. Forced the closure of the challenging Western Breach trail. Since then, the path has reopened, but few tour companies use it. Because it is steep, offers poor acclimatization. And is still dangerous for novice hikers.
The hikers using the Western Breach. Typically begin their journey from the Umbwe Route and ascend to Lava Tower. From there, they make a sharp turn beyond Arrow’s Glacier. And ascend the Western Breach to reach Crater Camp and Uhuru Peak. The Machame, Shira, and Lemosho Route is another route that leads to the Western Breach. Usually, one takes the Mweka Route for the descent.
As previously mentioned, there are three invasion routes to summit Kilimanjaro’s peak.
One route goes up Kibo’s southern slopes to Stella Point, then round the crater rim west to Uhuru Peak. Trekkers on the Lemosho, Shira, Machame, and Umbwe Routes use this strategy.
The second invasion route enters Kibo from the east. Then goes up to Gilman’s Point and circles the crater rim to the west, where it meets Uhuru Peak. This is the route that hikers take to reach the peak on the Rongai and Marangu Route and Northern Circuit.
Thirdly, hikers have the option to take the Western Breach. A more difficult technically demanding route to the peak.
| Machame Route | Lemosho Route | Marangu Route | Rongai Route | Northern Circuit | |
| Start | Machame Gate | Londorossi Gate | Marangu Gate | Rongai Gate | Londorossi Gate |
| Finish | Mweka Gate | Mweka Gate | Marangu Gate | Marangu Gate | Mweka Gate |
| Distance | 62Km | 70 Km | 72 Km | 73 Km | 98 Km |
| Duration | 6-7 Days | 7-9 Days | 5-7 Days | 6-7 Days | 8-9 Days |
| Traffic | High | Medium | High | Low | High |
| Acclimatization | Good | Good | Poor | Poor | Good |
| Package | 7 Days/6 Nights | 8 Days/7 Nights | 6 Days/5 Nights | 7 Days/6 Nights | 8 Days/7 Nights |
| Difficulty | Moderately difficult | Moderately difficult | Comparatively easy | Relatively easy | Easy |
| Success Percentage | 85% | 90% | 80% | 80% | 95% |
| Success Rate | Medium To High | High | High | Medium To High | Very High |
| Landscape | 4 Out Of 5 | 5 Out Of 5 | 2 Out Of 5 | 3 Out Of 5 | 4 Out Of 5 |
| % Of Climbers On Route | 45% | 8% | 35% | 5% | 1% |
| Western Breach Options | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Scenery | Incredibly beautiful | Most scenic | Good | Not as scenic | Extremely beautiful |
| Best Season | Round the Year | Round the Year | Round the Year | Round the Year | June to September, November |
| Crowds | Very Crowded | Expect few crowds as its remote | Expect Large Crowds | Fewer crowds due to remote location | Extremely Remote |
| Accommodation | Camping | Camping | Sleeping Hut | Camping | Camping |
| Ratings | **** | **** | *** | *** | **** |
| Feedback | Ok | Recommended | Not Recommended | Good | Recommended |
Kilimanjaro Routes — choosing a Mount Kilimanjaro trekking route.
Selecting a Kilimanjaro route that meets your specific needs. And helps you reach the summit eventually is crucial. A few things to give careful thought to are as follows:
- A comparison of the Kilimanjaro routes with real-life wilderness experiences.
- Trekking expenses and distances on the various Kilimanjaro routes.
- The highest summit prospects and success rates on the Kilimanjaro route.
- The potential for extra days on each hiking route for a longer, safer acclimatization.
The current Kilimanjaro routes are all briefly summarized and compared below. To learn more, click on each of the Kilimanjaro routes individually.
Our Recommended Southern Circuit Routes
The Machame Route
- The Machame route has a medium to high success rate. And highly recommended for its scenic appeal. Particularly, if you opt for the seven-day schedule. We do not advise novice hikers to take the six-day option.
- With a high climb on day three and a low sleep on day four. It’s an excellent Kilimanjaro route for acclimatization. Hikers here descend to Barranco Camp (3,900 meters) for a night. After ascending from Shira Camp 2 to Lava Tower (4,600 meters) for lunch.
- The Machame path, like all Kilimanjaro routes. Is an arduous hike across four distinct climate zones that offers breathtaking views.
- To ensure that hikers have enough rest before summit. There is a good chance to break the pre-summit day climb. By adding an additional rest day at Karanga Camp. Which is exclusively accessible to seven-day trekkers.
- But in recent years, the route has become increasingly popular. So it can get crowded, particularly at Barranco. Where climbers meet up with hikers from the Lemosho, Shira, and Umbwe routes.
- Fully catered camping is available only on the Machame route.
There are however two drawbacks on this route:
- The first two hikes are physically strenuous. And may cause issues for hikers who are afraid of heights. They travel through a section right before the Shira Ridge then ascend the Barranco Wall.
- The second issue is that there are plenty of different paths. That connect to the Machame route after day three. Which increases the likelihood of encountering more hikers. Due to the route’s high success rate.
The Mweka route serves as the route’s descent path.
The Machame route, also referred to as the Whiskey route, is one of the most popular routes on Kilimanjaro.
The Lemosho Route
- The West side of Mount Kilimanjaro is the starting point of the stunning Lemosho trek.
- Owing to its route profile, seven to eight days needed to finish the Lemosho route. Further provides ample opportunity for a suitable acclimatization. It is a highly recommended Kilimanjaro route with reasonably high summit success rates. Due to its varied route profile.
- As the beginning site is somewhat isolated. It offers hikers a somewhat undiscovered and untamed beginning to their Kilimanjaro trip. It is rare but not impossible to spot huge species such as antelope, buffalo, and even elephants.
- Additionally, the trek offers unmatched and breathtaking vistas of the striking canyons. That define Mount Kilimanjaro’s western flank.
- Hikers can experience one of the world’s largest high-altitude plateaus, the Shira Plateau. By hiking over it with the Lemosho.
- On the third day, hikers on the Lemosho route usually meet up with those on the Machame route at Barranco camp. And proceed to the summit via the Barafu camp route. Still, it is now quite usual for Lemosho trekkers, to take a detour to the north before Lava Tower. To join the Northern Circuit, which circles the mountain’s northern flank. And follows an assault passage via Gilman’s Point.
- Trekkers who intend to ascend the Western Breach to the top can also take the Lemosho route.
- Similar to the Machame Route, the Lemosho offers exclusively fully catered campsites.
Since the Lemosho Route’s starting point is extremely difficult. To reach during the rainy season. We do not advise hiking it during that time. After significant rain, climbers should be ready to walk the last two to five kilometers of the road. Due to the lengthy travel time to the starting location. And the chance that a car may not reach the road’s end. On the first day to get to Forest Camp requires headlamps.
The path descends via the Mweka Route, which is a route reserved for descents.
Because of its high summit success rate. And expansive views of the mountain from multiple angles. The Lemosho Route is one of the most popular routes to summit Mount Kilimanjaro. The varied picturesque backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro is abundant along the route’s trails. To really enjoy the spectacular experience of Crater Camp. We advise to travel the Lemosho Route on a crater night. Trekking up Mount Kilimanjaro offers some of the most thrilling experiences. Including the trip to the crater camp. It offers you the opportunity to spend the night in the crater’s bowl.
Kilimanjaro Route With Hut Accommodation
The Marangu Route
- The Marangu route was Nicknamed the ‘Coca-Cola’ route as Coke used to be bought along the way in tea huts.
- The route is often selected by unprepared, inexperienced climbers as a result of the reputation for being the “easiest” route, attributing to the lower success rate.
- It is also the shortest Kilimanjaro route with a relatively poor acclimatization profile, which is a major contributor to the low success rates on the Marangu. The six day itinerary does give trekkers an opportunity to climb high, sleep low; however the elevation is moderate and not as effective as other climb high, sleep low opportunities that are present on other Kilimanjaro routes.
- Out of all the Kilimanjaro routes, the Marangu route is the only one with dormitory style accommodation in huts for the whole duration of the climb. The huts come with mattresses and basic amenities, making them a popular choice for budget operators who don’t have the right equipment to tackle the other Kilimanjaro routes.
- The Marangu offers beautiful views from the Saddle but can be considered less scenic than other Kilimanjaro routes due to ascent and descent on same trail.
There are however two drawbacks on this route:
- The success rate is comparative low on this route. Sadly, the route has less striking view than the other routes on Kilimanjaro.
- The route is crowded with tourists, due to which professional trekkers don’t take this route.
The Only Northern Kilimanjaro Route
The Rongai Route
- The Rongai route is the only northern start point to Kilimanjaro, beginning on the North East side of Kilimanjaro National Park
- The Rongai offers a true wilderness experience on the early stages of the climb, and like the Lemosho route it is possible to see large wildlife like buffalo, antelope and elephant
- The Northern slopes tend to be dryer than the southern slopes which makes the Rongai a great Kilimanjaro Route for trekking during the wet season. However, because the northern slopes are dryer they can also be considered less scenic. That being said, a northern approach is often characterized by clear views of Kilimanjaro – something that is not that common from the southern side
- The Rongai is also a flatter route for the first few days which makes for easy trekking. The route is usually completed on a seven day itinerary but has limited climb high, sleep low opportunities which means that acclimatisation opportunities are not as good as on other Kilimanjaro routes
- Typically the Rongai route uses the passage from School Hut up past Hans Meyer Cave and Gilman’s Point to Uhuru Peak
- The route descends via the Marangu route, hence the route has fully catered camping until the last night on the mountain – beers at Horombo Hut anyone?
A disadvantage is the long travel time to the starting point of the route. The route also becomes busier when it connects with the Marangu route just before reaching Kibo hut. The summit path is shared with the Marangu route is also longer, more strenuous and challenging than the summit path used by the Machame, Lemosho and Umbwe routes.
The Longest and Quietest Kilimanjaro Route
The Northern Circuit Route
- The Northern Circuit is the longest route on Mount Kilimanjaro, and has one of the highest summit success rates as the route offers lots of climb high, sleep low opportunities, and time to acclimatize
- The route departs from same start point as Lemosho but then joins the Northern Circuit near Lava Tower, before traversing the north slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro
- The summit assault is via Gilman’s Point
- The route can be completed on an eight or nine day itinerary
- If you are looking for a quiet and wild Kilimanjaro experience, then this route is for you.
The Northern circuit is the area that connects the northern side of Kilimanjaro with the western side. The area is pristine with great views and very few hikers. On special request, can we arrange to include the Northern circuit in your hike, as follows:
- Start the hike on the Rongai route and instead of heading east towards Mawenzi peak, head west towards the Shira plateau where you connect with the Machame route, attempt the summit from the Barafu camp and descend via the Marangu route.
- Start the hike on the Lemosho route and on day 3 instead of heading east towards Lava tower, head north where you will connect with the Rongai route, attempt the summit from the Kibo hut and descend via Mweka route.
The Other Kilimanjaro Routes (Unpopular)
The Shira Route
The Shira Plateau is one of the most scenic and most fascinating areas on Kilimanjaro. Depending on the weather conditions you can drive by 4 wheel drive vehicles, to within a 1/2 hours walk of Shira Hut (3850m). Even this drive is very spectacular indeed and offers some magnificent views of Mt Meru and the Great Rift Valley in general.
Game is often sighted and the road features some striking vegetation changes ranging from forest, grassland, heath to moorland. The fast ascend by vehicle to about 4000m will require additional acclimatisation, after which it will be possible to ascend Uhuru Peak either via the Western Breach or via the Barafu hut.
The Shira route is only offered to hikers who are already acclimatized to 4000m, by hiking either Mt Meru or Mt Kenya a few days before attempting Kilimanjaro. Shira has a low summit success rate as being one of the shortest routes up and down the summit (56 kilometers) though we always offer it with an extra acclimatization day to increase your probability.
Advantages of Climbing/Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Shira route:
- Less crowded
- Very scenic
Disadvantages of Climbing/Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Shira route:
- Higher cost
- Higher difficulty level
- Meets the Machame trail, hence possibly busy on the later days
The Western Breach Route
The Western Breach Route is the most technically difficult approach to Mount Kilimanjaro, but perhaps the most rewarding!
The approach to the Western Breach usually starts on the Umbwe Route and then continues north and up from Lava Tower. The trail is rocky and unstable. Rockfalls are common and we do not recommend this route.
An alternative final ascend route which can be taken from all of the western routes, sleeping at magnificent Arrow Glacier on your summit night. The Western Breach poses a very difficult walk up steep scree with some rock scrambling required occasionally. Snow cover makes scree easier but an ice axe is then required.
It is also possible to sleep an extra night inside the Kibo Crater! This option can only be arranged on special request through our higher quality Superior and Deluxe Package options.
The Western Breach was closed due to fatal rockfall in 2006, but reopened in 2007 with a new and safer route configuration. Nonetheless, many tour operators don’t offer the Western Breach on their route roster.
Only advised for experienced trekkers – it is recommended that all Western Breach climbers use helmets and it is not uncommon to need point crampons during the wet season and sub-surface ice can be an issue.
Success rates are typically moderate to high as the route is usually only tackled by experienced high altitude trekkers.
The Umbwe Route
The Umbwe starts in the south and follows a relatively direct path up to Lava Tower, where it joins the Southern Circuit routes to Barranco. Due to it’s fast and direct approach, acclimatisation opportunities are poor and we don’t recommend it.
The Umbwe route is known for its caves. The first night you actually sleep at the Umbwe Cave Camp with two more caves that can be visited en route the following day. The Umbwe route is one of the shortest routes to the Southern Glaciers and the Western Breach. It is probably one of the most scenic, non-technical routes on Kilimanjaro. There are however higher risks involved when attempting to summit via the Western Breach / Arrow Glacier and overnight at the Arrow Glacier camp, which include:
- Safety on the Western Breach – nobody can guarantee your absolute safety, as the area is unstable and rock falls may occur at any time.
- During a normal summit of Kilimanjaro we will sleep at Barafu camp (4 600m) or Kibo Hut (4 650m) before attempting the summit. By sleeping at Arrow Glacier camp (4 850m) the risks for severe altitude sickness are considerably higher.
Most of our Umbwe route hikes are currently re-routed, to join with the Machame route from night 2 on the mountain. On special request we can assist with Umbwe route hikes attempting to summit using the Western Breach / Arrow Glacier path and overnight at the Arrow Glacier camp (and the Crater camp). Please note this can only be arranged through our higher quality Superior and Deluxe Packages and a supplementary rate will apply.
The Mweka Route — This route may only be use as a descending route for all the western routes.
Technical climbs — No Technical climbs or adventure activities such as paragliding or skiing are allowed on Mount Kilimanjaro.
Climbing Kilimanjaro Information
Frequently asked questions
We have a fantastic record of getting climbers to the summit successfully and safely. If you are a regular weekend walker with lots of determination we can get you to the top. That does not mean that it is not an incredibly tough challenge. The difficulties arise from a number of different factors. First you are walking every day for at least 6 days for an average of 7-8 hours a day. There is then one very long day of up to 18 hours. You need to be really determined to handle this.
Second, you are climbing to nearly 20,000 feet at which altitude, air pressure and oxygen availability is about 60% of sea level. This means with every breath you are only getting just over half as much oxygen. To compensate for this you have to do everything slowly with a goal to avoid altitude sickness. Finally you will be camping for up to 8 nights, sleeping on the floor and washing and cleaning in tough conditions. This is nothing that a positive attitude can’t overcome, though.
The terrain on Kilimanjaro varies during a period of seven or eight days and the days vary in terms of hardness. You are traversing the mountain over about 38 miles, ascending from 2000m to 5895m and back down, passing through cultivated farmland, equatorial forest and alpine heath, across a lunar-like volcanic desert and up to a glaciated summit. It is not a technical climb and there are no precipitous drops along the way, no rock climbing or specialist equipment needed, but it is high! And the weather and temperature variance will make it tiring on your body.
The paths are in good condition and well trodden; some are steeper than others (in particular the Great Barranco Wall is an exciting scramble) but obviously they all get harder as you go higher. You will pant more easily, your muscles will feel more tired having had to work in an atmosphere with less oxygen, you will need more calories for the energy needed and a combination of the hot sun (and strong UV) and cold nights will drain you too. The trick is to eat well, drink lots, sleep well and go slowly. It sounds easy but people lose their appetite, forget to drink 3 litres a day, find they don’t sleep so deeply at altitude and often race ahead. A guide’s job is most commonly advising people continually on these four main tenets in order to give yourself the best chance of getting up and down safely.
On summit day the path is mostly scree and loose rock and dust and patches of ice and snow. In the early hours of the night the ground is hard so it’s quite easy, which is one of the reasons we climb at night, but as the sun comes up the terrain becomes loose and slippery, especially on the descent when your knees will probably suffer. Summit night is a long night, leaving at midnight to climb nearly 1300 metres to the top for dawn, and then all the way back down to the forest line in one day. Most people are really exhausted, but also elated by the experience and the magnitude of the challenge. If you have ascended in the cold and wind and snow then there’s no doubting that it’s a big challenging day. And at just under 6000 metres it is similar to the height of camp 1 on Mount Everest.
We have a policy never to run trips less than seven days because it’s too dangerous to try and go to nearly 6000 metres in any less time. Of course, probability will always dictate that some people do, but on the whole those people suffer more and are putting their health at risk from potential altitude sickness. It’s better and far more fun to take a minimum seven days and enjoy the experience. Some trips are eight days which is even better.
But to climb Kilimanjaro is expensive nowadays, the cost per day for a permit is over USD$100.00 so there is an incentive to try and climb the mountain faster. Given the time you could acclimatise on Mount Meru or even Mount Kenya first, but the majority arrive into Moshi airport and go straight up Kilimanjaro. All of the major guiding organisations like the UIAA recommend no less than seven days. Over several decades our experience shows that the success rate is about 95% for a seven day trip.
If you add in a rest day at the beginning and travel days then the time to climb Kilimanjaro is ten days. Most people opt for a a short four day safari to Ngorongoro Crater and two other parks in order to end up with a two week holiday which can be spread over two weekends.
The shortest route Kandoo runs as standard is 6 days. It is possible to climb over 5 days but the shorter climbs have a much lower success rate. Remember it is a long way to travel and a lot of money to spend to not reach the summit. We recommend that you take at least 7 days to give yourself a really good chance of reaching the summit safely. Read more about the best routes to climb Kilimanjaro and the days they take.
We have helped lots of novice trekkers summit Kilimanjaro safely. You need to be fit enough for “weekend walking” and able to do 5-7 hours on your feet for two days back to back. Besides being fit though you will need to look after yourself all the way and have bucket loads of determination.
The best training to climb Kilimanjaro you can do is to get your boots on and cover as many miles as your can before your climb. If you follow this advice, most days will be pretty comfortable for you. However fit you are though, summit night is a very tough experience. You will be climbing for 8-10 hours and descending for 6 – 8 hours.
Expect warm early days to be 18 – 20 degrees Celsius, cooler days up higher around 14 degrees C and summit day to be as cold as minus 5 with a windchill of minus 15 degrees C. The mountain doesn’t experience a wide temperature range from season to season, so it’s much the same throughout the year. However, temperatures are determined by the altitude and the time of the day.
It can be wet and cold, hot and dry and sunny all in one day, and don’t forget the intensity of the sun at altitude means it’s important to protect your skin and eyes. The rainforest ( also known as cloud forest or montane at this altitude) around the base is warm and humid, the moorland and alpine desert is drier and cooler, while the arctic zone is of course very cold with snow and strong winds.
High mountains create their own micro-climates, which are areas in which the climate differs from the prevailing – or main – climate. On Kilimanjaro this is a common feature; it has several micro-climates from hot at the bottom to freezing arctic at the summit. The flow of air masses over Kilimanjaro influences these micro-climates which causes wet (or snowy) weather on one side and a dry, clear climate on the other. Machame is on the wetter side, while Rongai is on the drier side. Read more
The success rate varies hugely by route and by operator. Success rates reported by the Park vary from below 50% on the shorter routes like Marangu up to 85-90% on 7 day and longer climbs. Our success rate on climbs of 7 days or longer is 97%. We get such a high success rate with great preparation, great guides and carefully managed itineraries. And of course clients with grit!
Kilimanjaro is non-technical but it does offer a full mountaineering experience. Experience in hill walking is a benefit but not absolutely necessary, since this is a supported climb. You will have however be outdoors constantly and living in tents so any sort of experience with camping will be useful and a good level of training is expected, especially on the thigh and calf muscles.
It is not necessary to have any experience of high altitude to climb Kilimanjaro. The important factor will be to go slowly and allow your metabolism to adapt to the lower air pressure and the thinner air, and be aware of altitude health at all times.
For most people the key moments on this trip are those hours on summit night in the dark when the hours seem to stretch ahead of you and the giant black bulk of the mountain never seems to get any smaller. This is really where character and teamwork come into play, and in this respect experience can take a back seat to just the fundamental will power and collective spirit to summit. Many people find this process quite transformative, it is inevitably a very personal experience to dig deep within yourself at over 5000 metres and push onwards and upwards. These are moments in Life which are life changing.
We always answer this question by saying you should try and get out and do as much hill-walking as you can. Nothing prepares your body better for climbing Kilimanjaro than some weekends doing long walks of 7-8 hours.
For a more technical answer there are four aspects of fitness you need to work on.
- First is pure cardio. As you ascend there is less and less oxygen in the air and this makes your cardio system work very hard. Prepare for this with any intense cardio exercise. We are big fans of High Intensity Interval Training where you work very hard for a short period and then rest.
- Second is leg strength. Consecutive days climbing puts a lot of strain on the legs and specific leg exercises like squats work really well.
- Third is stamina. On summit night you need to keep going and going. Try and do some longer exercises that require real stamina like a long ride or a really long day hill-walking.
And finally don’t forget your flexibility as lots of injuries are caused by lack of flexibility. So both before your climb, and on it, remember your stretches.
The main seasons are traditionally December to March and June to October with temperatures in Moshi averaging 22 degrees C and summit temperatures around – 7 degrees C. The rains are in April, May and November but nowadays climate change has changed this pattern so sometimes the rains come earlier or later. During the rains we run our Rongai climbs as the northern side of the mountain is more sheltered.
A full moon climb of Kilimanjaro, or indeed a new moon climb, is often a popular time to climb. Summit night can be spent walking under the light of a full silvery moon so that you don’t even need a headtorch; or, since Kilimanjaro is situated on the equator, under a full sky of both north and south constellations. In fact from high up on the peak you can see the North Star and the Southern Cross in the same sky. If you want to avoid the busier nights on a full moon then we recommend that you offset your summit night. There can be no doubt that on certain nights the summit route can be very busy with a lot of people leaving camp at the same time and initially creating a bottleneck. These groups spread out fairly quickly though. Read more
Altitude sickness (often just called AMS) is caused by climbing to altitudes where the air pressure is much reduced.
By the time you have reached the summit of Kilimanjaro air pressure is down to 49% of what it is at sea level. The first effect of this is that every lungful of air contains only half the amount of oxygen it would normally have. This make any physical exertion very hard work. Slowly, slowly is the key.
The second and most dangerous effects of low pressures are on the parts of the body where fluid and air meet. The two most important are in the skull and lungs. With low air pressure fluid gets into the lungs and the gap between the brain and the skull. In the lungs this causes something like pneumonia, where your lungs fill with water. In the brain it causes bad headaches. Both of these can become so bad they will kill you.
The good news is that we plan our ascents very carefully to minimise the risk of you getting AMS and have well tested emergency plans on how to prevent altitude sickness.
A well-equipped weekend hiker will have most of the essential kit you need. We provide a full list of what you need on Kilimanjaro packing list as well as a printable checklist.
The public toilets on Kilimanjaro are horrible. Fortunately, we now provide private toilets on Kilimanjaro as standard on all climbs. This is a chemical toilet in a small tent. This is kept clean and hygienic by our crew. Lots better than the long drop public loos.
Private climbs to climb Kilimanjaro are your own personal tailor-made adventure. They give you total flexibility and the highest chance of success. Just choose your date, route and any of our tailor-made options. Perfect for a group of friends or a charity group. Or perhaps for a couple looking to celebrate a special birthday or anniversary. Upgrades to private climbs start from £100 per person depending on the size of the group.
If you want the company of others while you climb Kilimanjaro then an open group is perfect for you. Our group climbs run every week during the main climbing season from June – October and December – March. They are limited to a maximum of 12 climbers to make sure you get the best chance of summit success. Particularly popular are our open group full moon climbs which run every month.
The differences between the routes can be looked at in different ways. First and most critical is how many days they take.
- The shorter routes are Marangu and Umbwe.Both of these have low success rates.
- The Machame and Rongai routes both take 6-7 days and offer much better chances of summiting.
- The longer routes are the Lemosho and Northern Circuit which take between 8 or 9 days.
Besides duration, the start point is very different. Marangu and Umbwe both start from the south and take fairly direct routes to the summit. Rongai comes in from the North following a fairly direct path. This is relatively flatter at the begining. All the other routes start on the west of the mountain which is the most scenic. From their start in the west, the Machame and Lemosho routes both circle south-east around the mountain providing great scenery. This also provides good acclimatisation before they turn North to summit. The Northern circuit starts from the West and heads North finally merging with the Rongai route for the summit push. There is more information about all the Kilimanjaro routes.
We use two types of tent on Mt Kilimanjaro. For sleeping we use top of the range Mountain Hardwear Trango 3 man tents. These are the same tents used by most expedition teams on Everest. They are very strong, have lots of space and are warm. Our mess tents are made for us by a supplier in Nepal who makes them for Himalayan expeditions. Good head-height, warm and extremely tough. Along with comfy camp chairs they make for a relaxing meal time.
We are leading members of KPAP, the Kilimanjaro Porters protection group and comply fully with their recommendations about tips. Depending on the group size recommended tips are between $2-300 per person. These are simply recommendations: if for any reason you are not happy with the service provided you are not required to pay.
Every morning and evening you will be provided with a bowl of hot water for washing. As well as this we strongly recommend a good supply of baby wipes for cleaning hands during the day. Also when it gets very cold higher on the mountain you can get by with what we call a “pits and bits” wash for which a baby-wipe is perfect. Remember though that whatever you take up the mountain has to come down so you will need a waste bag to carry used wet wipes.
This is really a matter of personal preferences. On a full moon there is lots more light and the route and path to the summit are much clearer. Some people prefer this, some prefer to get their head down and just keep plodding. Of course when there is a full moon there are almost no stars visible so if you want a great night sky give the full moon dates a miss. Read more
In a word, NO. The National Park Authority do not allow anyone on the mountain without qualified guides and they mandate strict minimum ratios of guides to clients which roughly work out as 1 guide for every 3 people. Porters are actually optional but unless you are super, super-fit and happy to alpine camp for 7 days living on dried food don’t begin to think about it. We provide 3 porters per client to carry everything you need to have a comfortable enjoyable climb.
You will need to have a number of up to date vaccinations for Tanzania. You should always though visit your GP and check with him exactly what you require. Also please note you will need to take an anti-malarial drug. Although there are no mosquitoes on the mountain itself, there is malaria in Moshi.
If you want to climb Kilimanjaro it is necessary to get certain vaccinations. They include vaccination against Hepatitis A and B, rabies, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, typhoid, and yellow fever. You will also need to have a general medical exam to make sure there are no other issues that may cause problems while climbing. It is also important for you to get trekking and travel insurance.
As a condition of our public liability insurance we run a fully integrated Safety Management System. This includes detailed procedures for emergency descent. Depending where you are on the mountain this may involve being carried by porters, being transported on a mobile stretcher, using a 4×4 or helicopter.
There a number of specialists who provide Kilimanjaro travel insurance. We particularly like World Nomad. Whoever you arrange insurance with, you must be sure it covers you to an altitude of 6000m.
Kilimanjaro Park Authority do not allow any climbers on the mountain younger than 12 years of age. There is no maximum – our oldest client who summited was 75. You should be aware though that we do not allow children younger than 16 to join an open group. This is primarily because we feel that for children under 16 we need to provide the more personalized care that is only available on a private trip. Also, we have sometimes had negative feedback from adults about having children on a climb with them.
Kilimanjaro has its own international airport (JRO) which is about an hour’s drive from the mountain itself. For flights to JRO there are an increasing number of good options. There are currently no direct flights available from countries other than the Netherlands, the Middle East and Turkey. From Europe the best options are with KLM via Amsterdam or Turkish Airlines via Istanbul.
Be careful though about flight and connections times on Turkish Airlines – sometimes you seem to get a good deal only to find that you have a 10 hour layover. From North America or the Far East the best options are to fly via the Middle East.
Kilimanjaro is in Tanzania and sits right on the Northern border with Kenya. The nearest airport is Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and the nearest town is Moshi.
Yes most of the time but don’t plan on 4G. And don’t be surprised that when you drop into a valley there will be dead-spots.
The cost of climbing Kilimanjaro can vary widely, from $3,000 to $6,000 (including flights).
The cost varies based on which route you choose to take, how many days you spend on the mountain, how large your group is, and whether you work with a local guiding company or a Western trekking agency.
It’s important to be aware of where your money goes, because many trekking agencies cut costs by drastically-reducing wages for the porters and guides who work hard to make sure your trip is a success.
When shopping around the various trekking agencies, look for those which partner with the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP). KPAP has a list of partners on their website. These agencies are guaranteed to pay their porters a fair wage, make sure they have adequate equipment such as good boots, and verify they’re not carrying loads which are exceedingly heavy. Please support trekking agencies which partner with KPAP, and promote sustainable business practices on Kilimanjaro!
A rough cost breakdown is as follows:
Visa, Vaccinations, Insurance etc: ~$300-$500
Equipment (buying and hiring): ~$200-$500
Flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport/Dar es Salaam/Nairobi: ~$800
Tour Agency: Highly dependent on route and days on the mountain. The cheapest options are around $1,500 to ~$3,500. This includes the cost of the park permit, which ranges from $800 to $1200, or about $120 per trekker per day
Tips: ~$200-$300
Misc (additional food, unplanned travel / hotels etc):$200
Total Costs: $3,000 – $6,000
One of the most publicized celebrity climbs of Kilimanjaro came in 2009 when a team of 9 celebrities attempted to conquer the roof of Africa for Comic Relief. The celebrities climbing were Alesha Dixon, Gary Barlow, Ben Shepard, Denise Van Outen, Cheryl Cole, Chris Moyles, Fearne Cotton, Kimberley Walsh and Ronan Keating. They took the 8 day Lemosho route and, amazingly, every single one of them summited! However, it was reported that nearly every climber suffered some form of altitude sickness along the way. The aim of the climb was to raise awareness and money for Malaria which is a huge killer in Tanzania. The team raised just shy of a million pounds.
Also, 9 times Wimbledon champion, Martina Navratilova, gave the mountain her best shot in late 2010 but sadly failed to summit due to altitude sickness. 4,000 feet shy of the summit, the tennis legend had to call for a rescue as a combination of mountain sickness and a stomach infection made it impossible to continue.
Billionaire and owner of Chelsea Football Club, Roman Abramovich, had to give up his summit bid after collapsing at 15,100 feet. The 43 year old started to experience severe breathing problems and, after collapsing, was taken straight back down to hospital. Like Ann Curry, Mr Abramovich’s small group of 6 tackled the toughest route on the mountain and took with them over 100 porters!
Retired 13-time Pro Bowl linebacker and Superbowl Champion, Ray Lewis, climbed Kilimanjaro in 2013. Sadly, Lewis did not finish due to an injured foot and illness.
