Because of its incredible biodiversity, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro annually attracts many climbers and tourists from all over the world.
Climbers usually spend about seven days on the dormant volcano, crossing various climatic zones: from tropical forests in the foothills through moorlands and arid alpine deserts to the Arctic closer to the top. By the way, the top of this inactive volcano — Uhuru — rises to a height of 5,895 meters and is its highest point. It is no coincidence that it is called the “roof of Africa”. This seven-day journey begins at approximately 1,800 meters. Due to the steep climb that is overcome in such a short amount of time, climbers must be in excellent physical condition and have experience of previous high-altitude hikes.
Here are some important tips and information about Mount Kilimanjaro from the experts. They may be needed in preparation for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
Time required to climb Mount Kilimanjaro
It is impossible to take an unlimited number of days of vacation, but also to plan in time to conquer Mount Kilimanjaro, that is, to climb and descend in a week of vacation is also unrealistic. Technically this is probably doable, but we don't recommend it if you intend to reach Uhuru Peak. Life is so short and climbing Kilimanjaro can be the ultimate adventure of a lifetime.
It is better to plan to spend 7-8 days on Kilimanjaro for a safe, comfortable and successful hike. Shorter ascents run the risk of poor acclimatization and consequent evacuation.
Total: Together with the time needed to arrive in Tanzania and recover from the jet lag, this adventure will take between nine and eleven days.
Various Kilimanjaro climbing routes
Participants of the trekking route Marangu who try to do this in 5 days may become seriously ill in the middle of the journey and are likely to stop. Despite the relative comfort of living in houses, in this case it will not be possible to fully adapt to the height. You should not take the fastest route up if you want to ensure adequate adaptation and reduce the risk of oxygen deprivation and altitude sickness.
Choose the slowest option. Don't look at the price when comparing a 6 day tour with a 7 day Machame itinerary. Estimate the time right away. Seven days always outweigh six. If you don't follow these instructions, you may suddenly feel sick and have a severe headache right on the second or third night, ruining the whole experience.
7- and 8-day Lemosho are also a great alternative to acclimatize before climbing Kilimanjaro.
The best time of the year to climb Kilimanjaro
There are several options for when is the best time to climb Kilimanjaro. There are no set hours for climbing, so you can basically start at any time of the year. Obviously, there are peak and low seasons. So, most tourists prefer to travel to the peaks of Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira from January to March and from June to October — the weather is dry and the chance of rain is the lowest.
June to October can be a bit cooler and there will no doubt be a lot more people. This is because most tourists from Northern Europe and North America come here in the summer — for summer holidays.
Cost of Climbing Kilimanjaro
Climbing Kilimanjaro — occupation is not cheap. But, on the other hand, of the seven summits, that is, world peaks, Kilimanjaro is one of the least expensive. For example, climbing Everest will cost approximately $70,000.
The cost of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, fortunately, is not that high. When planning your ascent, there are several factors to consider, such as accommodation before and after the hike, desired level of comfort, transportation, and more. If your budget allows, add luxury. But with overly cheap trips, you need to be careful, as they may have poorly trained guides and underpaid porters. By avoiding these budget tours, you can help stop the mistreatment of porters.
Advice from seasoned Kilimanjaro climbing experts
There have been climbers before you, and there will be more even more. Someone motivated you to climb Kilimanjaro, and now you will motivate others to do the same.
The best advice for reaching the top of Kilimanjaro — do not rush. Even though the ascent requires effort, it is definitely achievable. Book with a reliable operator, drink plenty of water, hike at a moderate pace, and follow your guides' instructions. With these tips, you will successfully reach the top.