Kilimanjaro is climbable all year round. The best months to climb are December-March, and September-October, which are the warmest and driest months. The next best are June to August, but they are colder. July, August, and September are the busiest months.
Summiting on or soon after a, full moon, is very beautiful and helps illuminate the landscape without using headlamps. However, it is also very bright for sleeping and stars are not as visible.
Temperatures range from 25 to 30 degrees Celsius at the foot of the mountain and -15 to -20 degrees Celsius on top plus wind chill. Lower down, it can be wet and humid, but higher up, there can be snow, Rain and snow may be encountered any time of the year!
It requires no technical climbing experience, and any moderately fit person can summit the mountain. However, for most people, it is the most difficult thing they have ever done.
Your decision will depend on where you want to sleep and the hiking distance each day and number of days of each route. On the Marangu Route, you sleep in huts with simple beds, while on all the other routes, you sleep in tents. There are two main routes on the mountain: the Marangu and Machame. You may also want to consider the Rongai Route as it is far less traveled. The Lemosho Route is a good choice if you want a longer route (8+ days), None of these routes are technical.
It will depend on the route you pick and your pace. It can take from 4-8 hours to reach the summit from the high camp.
Always remember to maintain a slow, steady pace from beginning to end. Going slowly allows the body to acclimatize while hiking. Those who start out too quickly will have troubles higher up the mountain as the body will be overexerted. This still holds true if you are spending and extra day on the mountain. Drink lots of water and get lots of sleep.
Talk to your doctor about getting
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Typhoid
- Yellow fever
- Tetanus
- Polio
- MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
- Meningococcal Meningitis (Africa/Asia)
The minimum age set by the National park Authorities for summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro is 12 years old, However, younger children can attempt the summit with special permission. Younger children can also trek on the mountain without reaching the summit.
Groups are limited to 10 people, but they are typically around 5 people. We will combine groups up to this limit if they are starting the same route on the same day. However, we can also arrange for private groups at no extra cost. We will try to add single travelers to a group if at all possible, but we cannot guarantee it. We can also accommodate large groups of any size.
Expect 1 guide per 2 hikers, 1 assistant guide per 3 hikers, and 1 cook per 8 hikers. Porters as follows:
- 2 porters per hiker on the 5-day Marangu Route and Mt. Meru (minimum of 4 porters)
- 3 porters per hiker on a 6 or 7-day trek (minimum of 5 porters)
- 4 porters per hiker on the 8-day Lemosho Route (minimum of porters)
- Sometimes extra porters are required based on the weight of the luggage.
Kilimanjaro guides are trained in acute mountain sickness (AMS) and basic mountain first aid., However, they are not doctors or paramedics. Climbers are responsible for bringing their own first aid kit and medical supplies.
Kilimanjaro guides are trained and certified by the Kilimanjaro National Park. They start out as porters and work their way up to assistant guide., When they are ready (after about 2-4 years), they go through the national park certification process.
Yes, all guides carry cell phones, but reception on the mountain can be spotty.
Our tents are 3-person 4-season dome-style mountain tents, two people each.
Our 24 hr. emergency phone is Office Phone.
Oximeters and Oxygen are included on all treks at no charge.
We can provide hyperbaric bag for $120/group.
All climbers pay a rescue fee to the Kilimanjaro National Park (included in the price)., If a client cannot walk because they are injured or sick, the guides, assistant guides, and porters will assist this climber down. There is no extra charge for coming down and taken back to the hotel, but you will not get money back for the mountain days you missed, and you will be responsible for medical assistance and extra hotel nights., We highly recommend, travel insurance, to cover any medical expenses and further evacuation.
Extra expenses include:
- Tips for guides and porters
- Rental equipment (sleeping bags, hiking poles, etc.)
- Lunches, dinners and drinks at your hotel in Moshi/Arusha.
- Any personal expenses (visas, airport taxes, etc.).
The typical tip is $20/day for guides, $15/day for assistant guides and cooks, $10/porter/day for porters. These tips are from the whole group, not per hiker.
Remember, tips should not be dependent on whether you summit or not, but rather whether they were professional and had your best interests in mind.
The trek price includes 2 nights at a 3-star hotel like the Bristol Cottages, which is a comfortable tourist hotel near the center of Moshi.
On the Marangu Route, the first two huts sleep four people each, and the last hut is dorm-style with bunk beds. While on the other routes, you sleep in 3-person 4-season dome-style mountain tents, two people each.
The one pack that the porters carry for you is limited to 15 kg (35 pounds). Overweight or extra luggage will require an extra porter at $20/day plus tips.
The staple foods in Tanzania are meats, starches, vegetables, and fruits. Most meals will also have a selection of hot drinks like instant coffee, tea, and hot chocolate.,
Your trekking party will be supplied with a cook to prepare your meals in a safe and hygienic manner.
The porters will purify water for you at each camp.
You will be able to buy any drinks before getting to the gate at local mini-markets in town., Sometimes there are drinks available at the lower camps, but that service is unreliable and expensive.
Donations are easier to take with you when you travel to Tanzania rather than mailing them after you get back from your trip. Porters welcome old hiking boots, warm clothing, and cash donations.
Most people start with the trek and end with the safari, so they get done with the hardest part of their trip and are able to relax on their safari., However, we can accommodate either order.
