The ascent up Kilimanjaro is in no way easy you will need to be physically fit and be properly equipped. The high elevation, low temperatures and weather (wind, snow, and ice) make the trek difficult and potentially dangerous. Most of the routes will take around 7 days to hike and may require extra days to acclimatize, as altitude sickness is a really concern. All trekkers will suffer considerable discomfort, shortage of breath, headaches and hypothermia getting more severe the higher you ascend. You must also be physically prepared, as you have to walk uphill and downhill for long periods whilst breathing in less oxygen than normal. Most days require you walk for around 5 hours except on the day you attempt to reach the summit, it takes 11-14 hours to reach the summit and descend to the next camp.
When to go:
Tanzania's proximity to the equator means there is a dry season and a wet season. The wet season starts at the end of March to June, there is also a short wet season in November and December where it tends to rain in the afternoon. The best time to climb Kilimanjaro is during the warmest and driest months, usually January, February and September are the best and therefore busiest. June to August is also good but the temperature is colder.
Route:
There are 7 routes up Kilimanjaro: Lemosho, Machame, Marangu, Northern Circuit, Rongai, Shira, and Umbwe. The Rongai route scales the mountain from the North. The Machame, Marangu, and Umbwe from the South and Mweka for the decent. The Lemosho, Northern Circuit, and Shira from the West. The Machame route is the most popular and has the best scenery, the easiest route is Rongai, it is also the least scenic.
Kilimanjaro is separated into five zones each has its own characteristics, weather and ecology:
Bushland - lowest at 800-1,800m (2,600-6,000ft) has crops and grassland
Rain Forest - 1,800-2,800m (6,000-9,200ft) High rainfall that supports a wide variety of plants and animals
Heath - 2,800-4,000m (9,200-13,200ft) Vegetation is heath-like (low-shrubs) and there is abundant wild flowers.
Alpine Desert - 4,000-5,000m (13.200-16,500ft) receives little rainfall, around 250mm (10 in) annually, and extreme temperatures dropping below freezing at nights.
Arctic - +5,000m (+16,500ft) Named because of its ice and rock landscape, the levels of oxygen is half compared to sea level, there are almost no plants and animals, and nights are extremely cold
The Machame Route takes 6 or 7 days is fairly difficult and more suited to walkers with some experience hiking over multiple days as the path is steeper and days are longer. It starts in the south to Shira 2 camp, before heading east through the Lava Tower, Barranco and Barafu to Uhuru Peak. Then it takes the Mweka Route back down.
The Lemosho Route takes 6-8 days. It has some of the best views and has relatively low traffic. It begins in the west, crossing the Shira ridge to Shira camp. It then joins the Machame route through the Lava Tower, Barranco and Barafu to Uhuru peak.
The Northern Circuit Route takes 9 days and is the newest and longest route. It has great views and scenery and a low number of walkers. The route starts in the west following the Lemosho route to the Lava Tower then instead of taking the southern traverse it follows the northern slopes around to Uhuru Peak, before following the Mweka route back down.
The Rongai Route takes 6 or 7 days and is the only route to approach Kilimanjaro from the North. It's popular for hikers in the rainy season as it receives less rain then the southern side. It passes Rongai, Second and Kikelewa caves before turning west at Mawenzi Tarn Hut to Uhuru Peak. It then takes the Marangu Route back down.
Getting There:
The closest airport to Mount Kilimanjaro is the Kilimanjaro international airport (JRO) most major international airlines offer flights to JRO. From the airport either your tour operator will pick you up or you can catch a taxi to the town of Moshi, 50km from Kilimanjaro. When booking your climb check to see if the operator provides transport to and from the airport and the mountain
Accommodation:
Before and After- There are hotels in Moshi and a few in the Kilimanjaro National Park. Your tour operator may include accommodation in the tour or you may have to book a room in advance. Expect to pay around $100 for a room for 2 per night. During the trek you will be camping, unless you take the Marangu route which has huts. All the other routes have campsites with pit toilets and no showers, very basic conditions.
Equipment:
Most tour operators provide porters to carry your gear for you, so they require a duffel bag or something to make easy to carry. Check with your operator when booking. Here is a list of the sort of equipment you need to bring, you may want to bring more or less:
Duffel bag - for porters to carry / backpack
Daypack
Sleeping bag - four seasons
Sleeping bag liner
Trekking poles (optional)
Head lamp
Camera and extra batteries
Clothing:
Waterproof jacket and pants
Insulated jacket and a soft-shell jacket
Hiking pants 2x
Fleece pants
Long sleeve shirt 2x and Short sleeve shirt
Underwear 3x
Hiking Boots - waterproof
Socks - thick and wool 3x
Sock liners 3x
Shoes for the campsite
Hat and Beanie
Gloves - warm and waterproof
Other
Sunglasses or goggles - above 400ft dark sunglasses with side panels
Water bottle or bladder
Towel
Toiletries, toilet paper, Sunscreen, insect repellent
First aid kit, hand sanitizer,
Snacks
Paperwork:
Trip receipt, Passport, Visa, Immunization papers, Insurance documents etc.
Something waterproof to keep them in
Costs:
The cost of the tour package, can vary between operators, look around and pick the best one for you. It costs the operator around $200-$300 per climber per day (fees, guides, porters, food, transport) so beware of tours that charge excessively more. The Park fees should be covered by the operator. You are also expected to tip your guides, porters, cooks and assistants during the trek, around $200-300 per hiker for a 7 day trek is common.
Guided or Solo:
It's compulsory to trek Mount Kilimanjaro with a licensed guide. The easiest way to book it is through a tour operator because they work out all the logistics for you.
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When to go:
Tanzania's proximity to the equator means there is a dry season and a wet season. The wet season starts at the end of March to June, there is also a short wet season in November and December where it tends to rain in the afternoon. The best time to climb Kilimanjaro is during the warmest and driest months, usually January, February and September are the best and therefore busiest. June to August is also good but the temperature is colder.
Route:
There are 7 routes up Kilimanjaro: Lemosho, Machame, Marangu, Northern Circuit, Rongai, Shira, and Umbwe. The Rongai route scales the mountain from the North. The Machame, Marangu, and Umbwe from the South and Mweka for the decent. The Lemosho, Northern Circuit, and Shira from the West. The Machame route is the most popular and has the best scenery, the easiest route is Rongai, it is also the least scenic.
Kilimanjaro is separated into five zones each has its own characteristics, weather and ecology:
Bushland - lowest at 800-1,800m (2,600-6,000ft) has crops and grassland
Rain Forest - 1,800-2,800m (6,000-9,200ft) High rainfall that supports a wide variety of plants and animals
Heath - 2,800-4,000m (9,200-13,200ft) Vegetation is heath-like (low-shrubs) and there is abundant wild flowers.
Alpine Desert - 4,000-5,000m (13.200-16,500ft) receives little rainfall, around 250mm (10 in) annually, and extreme temperatures dropping below freezing at nights.
Arctic - +5,000m (+16,500ft) Named because of its ice and rock landscape, the levels of oxygen is half compared to sea level, there are almost no plants and animals, and nights are extremely cold
The Machame Route takes 6 or 7 days is fairly difficult and more suited to walkers with some experience hiking over multiple days as the path is steeper and days are longer. It starts in the south to Shira 2 camp, before heading east through the Lava Tower, Barranco and Barafu to Uhuru Peak. Then it takes the Mweka Route back down.
The Lemosho Route takes 6-8 days. It has some of the best views and has relatively low traffic. It begins in the west, crossing the Shira ridge to Shira camp. It then joins the Machame route through the Lava Tower, Barranco and Barafu to Uhuru peak.
The Northern Circuit Route takes 9 days and is the newest and longest route. It has great views and scenery and a low number of walkers. The route starts in the west following the Lemosho route to the Lava Tower then instead of taking the southern traverse it follows the northern slopes around to Uhuru Peak, before following the Mweka route back down.
The Rongai Route takes 6 or 7 days and is the only route to approach Kilimanjaro from the North. It's popular for hikers in the rainy season as it receives less rain then the southern side. It passes Rongai, Second and Kikelewa caves before turning west at Mawenzi Tarn Hut to Uhuru Peak. It then takes the Marangu Route back down.
Getting There:
The closest airport to Mount Kilimanjaro is the Kilimanjaro international airport (JRO) most major international airlines offer flights to JRO. From the airport either your tour operator will pick you up or you can catch a taxi to the town of Moshi, 50km from Kilimanjaro. When booking your climb check to see if the operator provides transport to and from the airport and the mountain
Accommodation:
Before and After- There are hotels in Moshi and a few in the Kilimanjaro National Park. Your tour operator may include accommodation in the tour or you may have to book a room in advance. Expect to pay around $100 for a room for 2 per night. During the trek you will be camping, unless you take the Marangu route which has huts. All the other routes have campsites with pit toilets and no showers, very basic conditions.
Equipment:
Most tour operators provide porters to carry your gear for you, so they require a duffel bag or something to make easy to carry. Check with your operator when booking. Here is a list of the sort of equipment you need to bring, you may want to bring more or less:
Duffel bag - for porters to carry / backpack
Daypack
Sleeping bag - four seasons
Sleeping bag liner
Trekking poles (optional)
Head lamp
Camera and extra batteries
Clothing:
Waterproof jacket and pants
Insulated jacket and a soft-shell jacket
Hiking pants 2x
Fleece pants
Long sleeve shirt 2x and Short sleeve shirt
Underwear 3x
Hiking Boots - waterproof
Socks - thick and wool 3x
Sock liners 3x
Shoes for the campsite
Hat and Beanie
Gloves - warm and waterproof
Other
Sunglasses or goggles - above 400ft dark sunglasses with side panels
Water bottle or bladder
Towel
Toiletries, toilet paper, Sunscreen, insect repellent
First aid kit, hand sanitizer,
Snacks
Paperwork:
Trip receipt, Passport, Visa, Immunization papers, Insurance documents etc.
Something waterproof to keep them in
Costs:
The cost of the tour package, can vary between operators, look around and pick the best one for you. It costs the operator around $200-$300 per climber per day (fees, guides, porters, food, transport) so beware of tours that charge excessively more. The Park fees should be covered by the operator. You are also expected to tip your guides, porters, cooks and assistants during the trek, around $200-300 per hiker for a 7 day trek is common.
Guided or Solo:
It's compulsory to trek Mount Kilimanjaro with a licensed guide. The easiest way to book it is through a tour operator because they work out all the logistics for you.
Planning an Adventure? Save up to 80% off Outdoor Clothing and Gear on our gear page
Visit Knowhow Adventure, for more Travel and Adventure Holiday guides and tips
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