Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro
Come meet the greatest guides on mount Kilimanjaro.
Almost anyone with decent, average fitness and strong determination can climb Mount Kilimanjaro, as it is a non-technical hike that does not require mountaineering experience. While it is a 5,895-meter, high-altitude trek, people ranging from children over 10 to adults in their 60s and 70s successfully reach the summit. The key is physical preparation and patience for acclimatization.
Key Considerations for Prospective Climbers:
Physical Condition: You do not need to be an elite athlete, but you should be in good, average physical shape. A couple of months of training (hiking, cardio) is recommended.
No Technical Skills: No specialized climbing equipment or experience with ropes is necessary, as most routes are walking paths.
Altitude is the Main Obstacle: The biggest challenge is the risk of altitude sickness, not the technical difficulty. Taking a longer, 7-8 day route is generally advised to allow for proper acclimatization.
Age Factor: While there is no upper age limit, it is highly recommended that older, 50+ hikers get a medical check-up. Children must be at least 10 years old.
Mental Strength: Determination is just as crucial as physical fitness, as the final ascent is mentally demanding.
When should I go?
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 and August 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.
What is the weather like on Mount Kilimanjaro?
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!
How difficult is it to climb Kilimanjaro?
It requires no technical climbing experience, and any moderately fit person can summit the mountain. Most of the hike is casual if you have done some training with long hikes. However, summit day is very strenuous for just about everyone. Altitude is the biggest factor in summiting.
Which route should I take?
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. The two most popular routes on the mountain are 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.
How long does it take to reach the summit on summit day?
It will depend on the route you pick and your pace. It can take from 4-8 hours to reach the summit from the highest camp.
How do I cope with a change of altitude?
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 an extra day on the mountain. Your guide will remind you to hike “pole pole”, which means very slowly. Some people take Diamox to help with the effects of altitude. This is a prescription you have to get from your doctor.
How big will my group be?
Groups are limited to 10 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.
How many guides, porters and cooks do we get?
Generally speaking, 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.
What happens if one of us gets ill and has to return earlier? Is there an extra charge or is our money returned in case of illness or injury?
All climbers pay a rescue fee to the Kilimanjaro National Park (included in the quoted price). If a client cannot walk because they are injured or sick, 1 guide and a few porters will assist this sick climber down (while other climbers will continue climbing to accomplish the mission). There is no extra charge for coming down and taken back to the hotel, but you will get no money back for the time on the mountain that 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.
What additional costs can I expect when I travel with you?
Extra expenses include:
Tips for guides, cooks, and porters
Rental equipment (sleeping bags, hiking poles, etc.)
Extra nights hotel accommodations and meals in Moshi/Arusha town (apart from the included 2 nights hotel accommodation on your climb/safari with us)
International and domestic flights
Any personal expenses (visas, airport taxes, etc.)
Can I use a credit card to pay for my climb?
Yes, we accept Visa, MasterCard & American Express via our Great Time Experience Payment gateway
What is the deposit amount to hold my climb?
>>A 20% deposit is required at time of booking to hold your Kilimanjaro Climb reservation.
>>A 20% deposit is required at time of booking to hold your Tanzania Camping Safari reservation.
>>A 50% deposit is required at time of booking to hold your Tanzania Lodge/Tented Lodge Safari reservation.
When do I need to pay the balance of my trip?
>>For Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Tour – Final payment is due 21 days prior to arrival in Tanzania.
>>For Tanzania Camping Safari – Final payment is due 21 days prior to arrival in Tanzania.
>>For Tanzania Lodge/Tented Lodge Safari – Final payment is due 91 days prior to arrival in Tanzania.
Do you cancel or charge more in case other people cancel a trip?
A trip will not be canceled by us, but you may have to pay more if your group falls below a certain group size.
Before booking
Preparing for Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro Climbing Packages
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is truly a once in a lifetime adventure. At Great Time Experience Adventures, we offer packages tailored to different styles of travel. Whether you prefer a mid range climb or a luxury expedition, we’ve got you covered.
kilimanjaro map quest
UP GRADE YOUR KILIMANJARO CLIMB
Upgrading you kilimanjaro package to a Kilimanjaro luxury climb offers an enhanced and comfortable experience that goes beyond the standard trek. Here’s how these upgrades make a difference
1. Big Standing Mount Tents
With the Kilimanjaro Luxury Climb package, you’ll enjoy spacious standing mount tents. These tents are tall enough to stand in and move around comfortably. This added space makes it easier to change clothes, organize your gear, and relax after a long day of hiking. The size of these tents provides a greater sense of privacy and comfort, offering a more enjoyable camping experience.
2. Sleeping Cots
Instead of sleeping on the ground, the upgraded package includes sleeping cots. These cots elevate you off the ground, providing a more comfortable and restful sleep. They also help keep you warm by preventing contact with the cold ground. A good night’s sleep is crucial for maintaining energy and stamina throughout your trek, and the cots are a key part of that.
3. Big Mattresses
To complement the sleeping cots, we provide large, plush mattresses. These mattresses add an extra layer of comfort, ensuring you wake up refreshed and ready for the challenges of the day. Combined with sleeping cots, they create a bed-like experience even at high altitudes.
4. Hotel Accommodation
Before and after your trek, enjoy the comfort of best hotel accommodations. This allows you to relax, unwind, and prepare for the journey ahead or recover after your climb. The hotel stay ensures you start your trek feeling rested and end it with a well-deserved rest.
5. Flush Portable Toilets
The upgraded package includes flush portable toilets, ensuring a clean and hygienic experience during your trek. These toilets provide a significant improvement over the standard options available on the mountain, offering a more comfortable and private restroom experience. The flush system helps maintain cleanliness and minimizes environmental impact, making your journey more pleasant and stress-free.
This private portable toilet tents will be set up at each campsite. Our staff maintains the toilet tent to make sure it is clean and ready for use.
Other Luxury Kilimanjaro Trekking upgrade includes:
Special Kilimanjaro guide with Wilderness First Responder certification
Personal porter for carrying day pack
Food resupply (once on trek)
Solar panel for charging USB devices (charges battery, which charges devices)
Solar lights
Hyperbaric pressure bag
Oxygen
Portable toilet (1 per 5 people)
Camp shower (1 per 5 people
Large comfortable dining tent
Dining chairs with backs and arms
Hot lunches on the mountain
Solar lighting in dining tent and personal tent
Camp pillow
Extra sleeping pad or 1 double thick pad
Filtered water with Katadyn filter
Kilimanjaro map for the group
Celebration dinner at hotel after returning from trek
Walk-in tent (4-person, 4-season) for 2 people
Camp beds
Resupply of fresh food (2-3 times on trek)
Hot water bottle for sleeping bag
Private emergency stretcher
NOTE: The upgrade can be applied to any route and any number of days.
Luxury Kilimanjaro Climb Routes
| Package Name | Route | Duration | Experience Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kilimanjaro Luxury Climb | Lemosho Route | 7 Days | Luxury |
| Kilimanjaro Luxury Climb | Lemosho Route | 8 Days | Luxury |
| Kilimanjaro Luxury Climb | Machame Route | 7 Days | Luxury |
| Kilimanjaro Luxury Climb | Northern Circuit | 9 Days | Luxury |
| Kilimanjaro Luxury Climb | Rongai Route | 7 Days | Luxury |
| Kilimanjaro Luxury Climb | Rongai Route | 6 Days | Luxury |
| Kilimanjaro Climb | Umbwe Route | 7 Days | Adventure |