After conquering Kilimanjaro, reward yourself with an unforgettable adventure. Options include gorilla trekking in Rwanda or Uganda, a Big Five safari in Tanzania’s iconic parks, or relaxing on the beaches of Zanzibar. Each offers a unique way to celebrate your achievement.
Climbing Kilimanjaro is a demanding yet rewarding adventure. With proper preparation and a determined mindset, the trek is manageable despite the challenges.
Here’s what to expect:
A Long Climb to the Summit
At 5,895 m (19,340 ft), Kilimanjaro is Africa’s tallest mountain, requiring a significant uphill trek. Fortunately, it’s a non-technical climb, so no special equipment or mountaineering skills are needed—just physical fitness and determination.
Support from Porters
Porters carry the bulk of the gear, including camping equipment, food, and most of your personal belongings. Trekkers only need a daypack for water, snacks, and extra layers, making the hike more manageable.
Hours of Hiking Each Day
The trek involves several hours of hiking daily, often over rough terrain. Summit day is the most demanding, requiring 12 to 15 hours of effort starting at midnight.
Challenging Sections
Most of the climb is gradual, but some routes—like those on the southern slope—feature steeper sections, such as the Barranco Wall. While these sections involve scrambling, they’re achievable. Northern routes are a better option for those who prefer to avoid steep climbs.
Freezing Temperatures
The summit zone has an arctic climate, with nighttime temperatures below freezing and strong winds. Summit day requires enduring these extreme conditions, especially in the pre-dawn hours.
Basic Camping Conditions
Except for the Marangu route, which offers huts, trekkers camp in tents set up by their operators. Camping means no showers and basic sleeping arrangements, which can be tough for some.
High-Altitude Effects
The high altitude can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, and difficulty sleeping. These side effects can make the trek even more challenging, but with preparation and proper acclimatization, they’re manageable.
Climbing Kilimanjaro demands a solid level of hiking fitness. You should be prepared to walk for several hours each day and handle the more challenging sections where steep uphill trekking is the main focus.
Did you know that the youngest person to ever undertake to climb Kilimanjaro was seven years old? And the oldest was 85 years old!
Most days on the trek involve hiking for about four to six hours. However, summit day is a major challenge, requiring 12 to 16 hours of effort. You’ll spend six to seven hours climbing to Uhuru Peak, the summit of Kilimanjaro, and then continue descending for several more hours to reach your campsite for the night in the forest zone.
Achieving a successful Kilimanjaro climb requires well-rounded physical fitness. We recommend creating a training plan that incorporates both strength and aerobic exercises to prepare effectively.
Climbing Kilimanjaro is likely a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so make it count by giving your best effort — both during the trek and in your preparation.
A key element of preparing for your Kilimanjaro climb is building endurance. One of the most effective ways to do this is by undertaking smaller multiday treks. These not only boost your stamina but also strengthen your ankles for navigating Kilimanjaro’s uneven trails. If multiday treks aren’t an option, focus on day hikes with plenty of inclines to simulate the demands of the climb.
When training, use the same gear you plan to bring to Tanzania, including your backpack, boots, and socks. Properly broken-in boots and comfortable socks are crucial to avoid painful blisters, which can derail your adventure. Additionally, practicing with your backpack helps you develop good hiking posture and prepares you for carrying weight during the climb.
If you’re unable to do any preparatory hikes, consider alternative exercises like using a stair master, climbing flights of stairs, or walking on a treadmill set to a high incline.
Remember your high school geography lessons? As you climb higher into the atmosphere, the air becomes thinner, meaning there’s less oxygen in each breath. This makes your body work harder to function. To help your body adjust to the reduced oxygen, it’s important to give it plenty of time to acclimatize at each significant elevation gain.
Altitude sickness, also known as mountain sickness, occurs when your body struggles to adapt to higher altitudes, particularly when the ascent is too rapid. Essentially, your body reacts because it’s not getting enough oxygen at the higher elevations.
The mildest form of altitude sickness is Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), which is more of an inconvenience than a serious concern. On Kilimanjaro, over 75% of climbers experience AMS symptoms once they reach altitudes above 3,000 m (9,000 ft). Given that Kilimanjaro’s summit is at 5,895 m (19,340 ft), it’s common to experience some symptoms of AMS. If you’re fortunate enough to avoid them, consider it a lucky break!
Most trekkers on Kilimanjaro will experience some symptoms of altitude sickness during their climb.
The most common symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) include headaches, nausea, dizziness, disrupted sleep, general fatigue, and loss of appetite. While these symptoms are not usually cause for alarm, they can make your climb more difficult.
In some cases, these symptoms can escalate into more severe forms of altitude sickness. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to predict who will develop a serious case, as altitude sickness can affect anyone, regardless of age or fitness level. Therefore, it’s important for everyone to be aware of these risks and take necessary precautions.
If a climber shows signs of severe altitude sickness, as assessed by their trek guide, they will be advised to stop the climb and descend the mountain immediately. Severe altitude sickness cannot be treated by staying put, and it’s crucial to take the condition seriously, as it can be life-threatening.
Climbing Kilimanjaro carries inherent risks, just like any adventure. While it’s more challenging than staying at home, it’s important to approach the trek with caution and preparedness.
Before attempting the climb, we strongly recommend getting a medical checkup to ensure you’re fit for the challenge. Tragically, every year, there are fatalities on Kilimanjaro, many of which are related to altitude sickness. It’s crucial to discuss high-altitude concerns with your doctor, who may prescribe altitude medication like Diamox to help your body acclimatize better to the thin air.
The second step to ensuring your safety is selecting a reputable tour operator that employs guides certified as Wilderness First Responders or Wilderness First Aiders. A good guide is one of your best assets when it comes to safety. They are trained to spot symptoms of altitude sickness and can take immediate action if necessary.
Well-trained guides are also equipped with wilderness first aid skills to handle emergencies, from providing first aid to facilitating a swift evacuation down the mountain if needed.
Reputable tour operators like Follow Alice prioritize your health and safety during your Kilimanjaro climb. Each day, one of our guides will use a pulse oximeter to monitor your oxygen levels and pulse rate to ensure you’re adjusting well to the altitude.
In addition, our guides are equipped with a comprehensive first aid kit, a stretcher, and bottled oxygen, providing extra support in case of emergencies.
It’s crucial for your safety to select a reputable and experienced Kilimanjaro operator.
Finally, while your tour operator is responsible for your health and safety during your trek, it’s important that you also take steps to prepare. (And since you’re reading this, you’re already on the right track – well done!) For example, reducing the risk of altitude sickness can be achieved by selecting a Kilimanjaro route with a solid acclimatization profile.
Once on the mountain, it’s crucial to maintain open communication with your guide about how you’re feeling. If you start to feel unwell, don’t push through it thinking you can tough it out. Always speak up if something feels off, and be sure to follow your guide’s advice. Your safety and well-being are the top priorities.
One of the best ways to ensure a safe and enjoyable Kilimanjaro climb is to choose a responsible tour operator. Look for one that provides high-quality camping gear to keep you warm and dry, serves nutritious meals, and ensures that its guides are experienced and trained in wilderness first response, among other key factors.
Our top piece of advice: don’t get too fixated on finding the cheapest option. While we understand the desire to save money, this is not the time to compromise on safety or comfort. Climbing Kilimanjaro is a significant undertaking, and you’ll already be investing in airfare and the trek itself—so don’t risk the quality and enjoyment of the experience just to save a few dollars. That’s our perspective, anyway! 🤓
When planning your Kilimanjaro trek, it’s important to understand that there are three main types of tour operators: budget, value-for-money, and luxury. Your choice will depend on your budget and preferences, so it’s helpful to narrow down your options based on the experience you’re looking for.
Budget tour operators are the most affordable, typically charging between $1,500 and $2,000 per person for a seven-day trek. While the price may seem appealing, it’s essential to consider that lower costs often mean lower wages for guides and porters, as well as subpar camping and medical equipment. Meals may also be of lower quality, and these operators often recommend higher tips to compensate for their staff’s low wages.
When comparing Kilimanjaro tour package prices, it’s important to consider both the inclusions and exclusions in each package.
When planning your Kilimanjaro trek, it’s important to understand that there are three main types of tour operators: budget, value-for-money, and luxury. Your choice will depend on your budget and preferences, so it’s helpful to narrow down your options based on the experience you’re looking for.
Budget tour operators are the most affordable, typically charging between $1,500 and $2,000 per person for a seven-day trek. While the price may seem appealing, it’s essential to consider that lower costs often mean lower wages for guides and porters, as well as subpar camping and medical equipment. Meals may also be of lower quality, and these operators often recommend higher tips to compensate for their staff’s low wages.
Mid-range Kilimanjaro tour operators typically:
At Follow Alice, we fall into this mid-range category, and our packages also include one night of accommodation and transport before and after the trek, along with other essential services.
Luxury Kilimanjaro tour operators generally offer seven-day treks priced above US$3,200 per person. The key features of these packages are often luxury extras, such as:
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Climbing Kilimanjaro requires a dedicated team of individuals, and as you embark on the journey, you’ll become part of a close-knit community. The days spent together on the mountain forge strong bonds among all who take part.
Porters are essential to every Kilimanjaro expedition. They carry all the necessary equipment for your entire mountain journey, including tents, food, water, cooking supplies, and climbers’ personal belongings (though you’ll still carry your own daypack). Not only is it illegal to climb without a porter, but it’s also practically impossible to manage all the gear on your own!
Although tipping isn’t mandatory, it is widely expected and serves as a meaningful way to show appreciation to the crew who supported you in reaching your goal!
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