Climb Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro is an inactive volcano in northern Tanzania, near the border with Kenya. At 5,895 metres (19,340 feet) above sea level, Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest peak and the world’s highest free-standing mountain. It is also a major destination for mountaineers and trekkers from around the world.

Mount Kilimanjaro is located in Tanzania, East Africa. Situated in the northern part of the country near the border to Kenya, Mount Kilimanjaro is sometimes erroneously attributed to Kenya. The Mount Kilimanjaro area, starting from its surrounding rainforest—or remainders thereof—at its base all the way up to its peak, is a protected nature reserve, the so-called Kilimanjaro National Park. The entire park bestrides a surface area of 100 kilometers long and 65 kilometers wide.

Tanzania fits the stereotype of being hot, but the hotter/more humid temperatures are found near the coast, where a refreshing beach swim is never far away. A more temperate climate is found in the elevated north/southeast. The country has two sets of rainy seasons; the long and heavy rains fall between March and May while the shorter rains fall between November and January every year.

The temperature on Mount Kilimanjaro swings between the two extremes of very hot or extremely cold. Generally, the lower areas will be humid and subject to plenty of rainfall – particularly in the rainforest and during the rainy season. The higher parts of the mountain are often much colder, with bitter winds and potentially snow at the top.

There are two rainy seasons and two dry seasons in Tanzania. January to mid-March and June to October are the dry seasons – they are also the two main trekking seasons on Kilimanjaro. Late March to May, November and December are the wet seasons, which bring heavier rainfall and thunderstorms.

All routes on Kilimanjaro use specifically designated campsites. Most campsites have a registration office and basic toilet facilities. They are safe, provide a good way to meet fellow climbers, and almost always have spectacular views. Your meals will be provided by your tour operator in a separate mess tent where you will be able to sit comfortably. Apart from the Marangu Route, there are no shops on Kilimanjaro. Furthermore, there are no charging facilities, and there is no heating (except for luxurious offers that can be upgraded to include a mess tent heater). Few campsites have running water, and there are no water sources near the base camps at high altitudes.

Where you sleep on Mount Kilimanjaro depends on your hiking route and climbing package. On all but the Marangu route, you will sleep in tents at designated campsites. Your tour operator will typically organize your sleeping tent and mattress, whereby the quality of tents ranges from cheap locally produced via high-quality imported winter mountaineering tents (mid-range offers) to luxurious walk-in size tents with proper frame beds (VIP offers).

The Marangu Route offers shared hut accommodation with dormitory-style bunk beds. This means you'll have a firm roof, but it also reduces your level of privacy. High-quality tents may feel more luxurious and comfortable than the Marangu Huts.

Sitting south of the equator, Tanzania embodies the picturesque vision one has when it comes to East Africa. Home to Africa’s highest mountain, Mt. Kilimanjaro, and some of the best-known safari national parks, Tanzania has proven time and again that untouched, pristine natural wonders are those that make the best memories and experiences. While the beauty of the country will draw you in, the friendly people and fascinating culture will make you want to stay. The colorful culture, exquisite landscapes, and rich wildlife are all wrapped up in a warm and welcoming package that is Tanzania.

Tanzania fits the stereotype of being hot, but the hotter/more humid temperatures are found near the coast, where a refreshing beach swim is never far away. A more temperate climate is found in the elevated north/southeast. The country has two sets of rainy seasons; the long and heavy rains fall between March and May while the shorter rains fall between November and January every year.

Located in East Africa, Tanzania’s geography is varied and unique. It’s beaches embrace the Indian Ocean to the east while savannahs and mountains creep in as you move towards the north/west part of the country. The snow-capped Mt. Kilimanjaro is located in the northeast and is surrounded by lakes, mountains and many national parks. Towards the center of the country is a large plateau, filled with plains, grasslands, and plenty of arable land. The variety of geographic features provide for an un-paralleled level of diversity in landscapes, flora and fauna.

Known best for safaris, Tanzania has a multitude of exciting attractions to fill your time. The northern town of Arusha sits at the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru, both of which are available to hike. For those seeking a more relaxing experience, the pristine islands of Zanzibar and Pemba spoil visitors with white sandy beaches and some of Africa's best dive spots. Walking tours of the capital city Dar es Salaam and Stone Town in Zanzibar City are available, as you bustle through the lively streets with delicious food waiting for you while overlooking the Indian Ocean.

The spectacular Great Wildebeest Migration is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Annually, more than two million grazers like wildebeest, but also zebras and gazelles, travel from the Serengeti in Tanzania to the Masai Mara in Kenya in search for green pasture.

The wildebeest migrate in a circular pattern in the Serengeti National Park year-round. The annual migration towards the Masai Mara takes place from July to October.

At this time, the wildebeest reside in the north of the Serengeti near the border with Kenya. Here, they cross the Mara River into the Masai Mara. The moment when huge herds cross the river is a dramatic and impressive sight you won't forget fast.

If you are in Tanzania during this time of the year, we recommend seeing this unique spectacle on a safari before or after your climb.

If you are interested in the Great Migration, please have a look at our safari options, book a free consultation with us or request your custom quote.

Malaria is endemic in Tanzania and the risk of contraction is high. There are numerous varieties of malaria, but Falciparum malaria is the disease's most dangerous and potentially lethal form, and this strain proliferates in Tanzania. Infection requires only to be bitten by an infected mosquito. Infection rates are at their highest during the rainy season. Contracting malaria can cause serious illness and even death, so precautions including taking preventative antimalarials is highly recommended.

For most travellers and nationalities entering the country, the passport that you hold must be valid for an additional six months after the date of entry into Tanzania. This applies to visitors from Australia, the United Kingdom, the European Union, the United States, South and Central America, Asia and Canada. This is also the case for visitors hoping to apply for a visa. Travellers planning a visit to Tanzania whose passport expires prior to that date should have their passport updated immediately.

Most visitors require a visa to travel to Tanzania. This includes travellers coming from the United States and Canada, most European countries, Australia and New Zealand, and parts of Asia. There are some exceptions including nationals from Cyprus or Romania, citizens of Malaysia, Hong Kong and a number of other African nations. Be sure to double check the visa regulations for your country as they are subject to change.

The fee for single entry visas upon arrival is US$100 for US citizens and US$50 for all other nationalities that require a visa. The visa on arrival fee needs to be paid in cash (in US dollars). You can now also apply for e-visas online and pre-pay by card.

If you dislike working out at the gym, or you are not an athlete or mountaineer, then fear not. While you do have to be in reasonably good health to climb Kilimanjaro, the type of fitness you have is more important than working out. You could be walking for anywhere up to 10 kilometres for hours on end at high altitudes, so it is important that you are able to do this.

Altitude sickness can strike anyone randomly, regardless of their fitness level. The key to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro is to give yourself more days to climb the mountain, so that you can acclimatise better.

A hike is generally a short walk on charted trails. A hike’s length is variable and can be a day trip or an overnight. Minimal supplies are needed.

A climb can vary in length but is typically more demanding than a hike. A climb has steep terrain and may involve using climbing equipment to scale the face of the mountain.

A trek is the longest type of journey on foot. It involves walking through challenging terrain for multiple days. Because of the length of treks, you need to bring supplies and food.

Scaling Mount Kilimanjaro is generally called a climb. This may lead to the misperception that it might be technically demanding and out of reach for most people—it isn't.

As most trips are 6-8 days in length, it may be more accurately described as a trek, meaning that one needs to carry a substantial amount of supplies. Then again, however, the burden of carrying your gear is handed off to your porters so it ends up being more like a hike for the majority of tourists.

However, calling it a hike might not do justice to the fact that the climb reaches high elevations and could lead climbers to underestimate the difficulty and dangers of high altitude.

You do not need any special skills to climb Kilimanjaro. Even though it's commonly called a "climb", one can literally walk up to the summit – no ropes and harnesses required. Your guide will lead you up the mountain, and porters will carry most of your gear. This is not to say that the climb is easy or doesn't have its dangers. At 5,895 meters (19,340 feet), the climb provides serious risks for altitude sickness. A medical check is mandatory, and you must be in good physical and mental condition to endure long hours of hiking each day.

The average Kilimanjaro summit success rate has climbed from below 50% to around 60% or more. It varies with the route taken and the length of the trek. The longer you spend on the mountain, the higher your chances of reaching the summit will be.

With increasing awareness about the importance of acclimatization, the average success rate has also increased. While in the past 5 or 6 day routes were most popular, climbers now increasingly opt for longer 7 or 8 day itineraries. If you follow a route ideal for altitude acclimatization, your summit success rate approximates 100%, assuming a reasonable level of fitness and average altitude tolerance.

Even though Kilimanjaro is not technically difficult to climb, an average summit success rate of 60% (and historically less than 50%) suggests that it's not just a walk in a park either. What makes Kilimanjaro difficult to climb is its altitude. Its summit at 5,895 meters (19,340 feet) above sea level is in the so-called extreme altitude zone.

From as low as 1,500 meters (4,921 feet), climbers may start to feel the effects of high altitude. Altitude sickness or acute mountain sickness (AMS) becomes a serious risk at higher altitudes, typically above 3,500 meters (11,482 feet).

It is estimated that about 10 tourists die on Kilimanjaro every year. An exact number is unknown because the Kilimanjaro National Park does not release official statistics.

Some report lower numbers based on actually counted and known cases (based on industry insiders and media reports). Others believe that the real numbers might be higher than 10 tourist fatalities per year because most cases end up unreported and unknown.

The fatality rate on Mount Kilimanjaro is low compared to other mountains. Of the 30,000-50,000 people who climb Kilimanjaro each year, an estimated 10 tourists die annually from altitude sickness and other causes. This represents a death rate of 0.03% or less, which is low compared to other mountains in the world.

Mt Blanc at 4,810m in the European Alps, which is lower than Kilimanjaro by over 1,000 meters and attracts a similar number of people, claims the lives of 100 people a year – making it 10 times more deadly!

The only place you are likely to be at risk of rockfall on Kilimanjaro is on the Western Breach. The danger really only applies if you plan to climb through the Western Breach. It is by far the most challenging route variation on Kilimanjaro. The danger comes from the melting glaciers above the Western Breach. When the glaciers melt, they release rocks. However, there are plenty of other routes that do not include the Western Breach, so this problem can easily be avoided.

The best course of action to avoid the risk of rockfall when climbing Kilimanjaro is to choose a route that does not take you through the Western Breach, such as any of our most recommended routes.

Altitude sickness is a serious and potentially dangerous risk when climbing Kilimanjaro.

If ignored and left untreated, it may become severe and, in extreme cases, lethal.

It is the most common cause of tourist deaths on Mount Kilimanjaro and needs to be taken seriously by the climber. It is important to climb with a well-trained and experienced guide who can monitor your individual altitude acclimatization, watch out for symptoms of altitude sickness, and – if required – insist on and assist with your descent.

Kilimanjaro is a major source of tourist revenue and income for Tanzania. The local government naturally has an incentive to keep a clean safety record in order to attract more climbers. Therefore, local tour operators are encouraged by the government to keep safety incidents confidential.

Moreover, no tour operator would voluntarily want to disclose their own records. Because even if they are much better than any competitor, it would create the perception that they don't have good safety practices if they are the only ones disclosing those incidents.

Shortness of breath is the most common symptom of altitude sickness when climbing Kilimanjaro. It happens because your body isn't able to take in as much oxygen as you're used to.

Some climbers may feel it already on their first climbing day, just as they might experience shortness of breath when climbing stairs. Others may only feel that it becomes harder to breathe above 4,000 meters (13,000 feet) of elevation. Sooner or later, however, everyone will experience shortness of breath on the climb – while climbing that is.

If you are in good health, it is unlikely that you will experience shortness of breath while resting.

Moderate altitude sickness is a little more intense than mild short-term altitude sickness. Fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath gets worse instead of improving over time.

Climbers may start to experience a loss of coordination and although the person may still be able to walk on their own, it will become more difficult for them to do so. Normal activities will also become more difficult.

This may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, tightness, congestion in the chest and severe headaches that are not relieved by pain medication.

If a person is showing signs of moderate altitude sickness, immediate descent is necessary.

It is customary to tip your crew for their assistance and hard work during your climb. While tipping is not mandatory, we strongly advocate paying recommended tips to ensure a fair total compensation for your crew, especially your porters, who rely on gratuities as a substantial component of their income. Learn more about fair porter treatment.

The total recommended tip depends on the length of your climb, group size, amount of camping and safety equipment included in your climb, and the base wages paid by your Tour Operator. For specific tipping guidelines for your Tour by your local Operator, please see the Tour Operator Information section on the Tour page. If missing or in doubt, please check with us.

In the absence of more specific guidelines by your Operator, we recommend that you budget an additional minimum cost for tipping of between $250-500 per climber. Click here to calculate tips depending on climb length and group size. Please also make sure you bring lots of smaller US dollar notes to make it easier to tip crew members individually.

A typical Kilimanjaro climbing package costs anywhere from about US $1,500 on a short 5-day low budget climb in a group to US $5,000 and more on luxurious offers with high-end services and equipment. For a reasonable mid-range offer, you'd be looking at around US $2,000 to 3,500.

In addition to your tour price, you will have significant additional costs for tipping of your mountain crew, flights, medical costs and insurance, gear rentals or purchases, and more. Altogether, your entire trip will easily cost US $3,000 even on a very low budget tour, and usually around US $5,000 and more for mid-range travellers.

Depending on the route, Kilimanjaro climbs take anywhere from 5 days to more than 8 days. As it is important to ascend slowly in order to acclimatize to the high altitude, most climbers opt for 6 to 8 day routes. The longest routes take 9 to 10 days.

While speed record climbers have scaled the mountain in less than a day, the minimum permit issued by the Kilimanjaro National Park for normal tourist climbers is 5 days. Exceptional tourist climbers may complete their climb initially booked for 5 days within 4 days by descending all the way from the summit to the park gate within one day.

All routes on Kilimanjaro use specifically designated campsites. Most campsites have a registration office and basic toilet facilities. They are safe, provide a good way to meet fellow climbers, and almost always have spectacular views. Your meals will be provided by your tour operator in a separate mess tent where you will be able to sit comfortably. Apart from the Marangu Route, there are no shops on Kilimanjaro. Furthermore, there are no charging facilities, and there is no heating (except for luxurious offers that can be upgraded to include a mess tent heater). Few campsites have running water, and there are no water sources near the base camps at high altitudes.

Where you sleep on Mount Kilimanjaro depends on your hiking route and climbing package. On all but the Marangu route, you will sleep in tents at designated campsites. Your tour operator will typically organize your sleeping tent and mattress, whereby the quality of tents ranges from cheap locally produced via high-quality imported winter mountaineering tents (mid-range offers) to luxurious walk-in size tents with proper frame beds (VIP offers).

The Marangu Route offers shared hut accommodation with dormitory-style bunk beds. This means you'll have a firm roof, but it also reduces your level of privacy. High-quality tents may feel more luxurious and comfortable than the Marangu Huts.

There are no power outlets to charge your devices on Kilimanjaro. However, one way to charge your gadgets is to bring portable power stations that can last for hours. Power stations can usually charge more than one device at the same time. Another option is to use a solar charger that uses the energy from daylight to generate enough electricity to charge your devices.

Some high-end tour operators offer packages that include solar chargers. When booking a climb with Fair Voyage, we can also customize your offer to include a rental solar charger.

A mess tent simply is a tent where climbers gather to eat their meals together. After a long day of hiking, this is where your food will be served to you by your tour operator.

It’s also a place where climbers can relax and chill in the afternoon as often it may be too cold and windy to stay outdoors. Mess tents provide welcome shelter from the wind and increased warmth. They are stand-up size, big enough to fit a table and chairs, whereby the exact dimensions usually vary depending on group size.

You will always be able to sit comfortably in a mess tent, even though specific characteristics may vary. Higher-end operators will, for example, provide solar lighting and comfortable chairs with arm and backrests.

Mess tents usually don't include heating. But upon special request, a mess tent heater can be included in real luxury climbs.

Your biggest concern when climbing Kilimanjaro won't be if there is network coverage but whether your battery will last long enough to be able to make use of it.

Over the years, the mobile network coverage on Kilimanjaro has improved greatly. In fact, you will have a signal for almost your entire climb to the summit. Of course, there will be areas with a disrupted connection or no signal at all, depending on the landscape.

However, don't expect the signal to be as strong as it is back home. Usually, it's possible to send messages and make phone calls. But streaming data is a different challenge that will most likely require some patience.

On top of this, keep in mind that many cell phone companies will charge tremendous costs for roaming. You could consider buying a data bundle to avoid it. Alternatively, it's recommended to buy a sim card in Moshi or Arusha with a local bundle. Keep in mind to bring an unlocked cell phone if you plan to do this.

All tour operators typically provide drinking water. In addition to this, it is common that they also bring instant coffee, chocolate powder as well as tea bags.

They mix them with hot water to be able to serve hot drinks at the campsites.

Bottled water is only sold at the Marangu Huts.

The reason that it typically isn't offered by operators on other routes is that porters would have to carry it.

On special request, it's possible to hire additional porters to carry bottled water. However, this is usually not recommended.

Moreover, drinking water provided by high-quality operators is safe to drink.

It is not required to purify water yourself if you are climbing with a higher-end operator.

It is not necessary for any of the offers promoted on Fair Voyage. Regardless of the method, drinking water provided by our high-quality providers is safe to drink.

mess Generally speaking, the food that is provided on Kilimanjaro climbing routes will roughly be the same for all tour operators on all routes.

Depending on the tour operator, they will cater to vegetarians and vegans. They might also take any dietary restrictions into account. Inquire with your tour operator to find out what the possibilities are.

The food options listed below are meant to give a general overview. As a consequence, they might slightly vary from day-to-day and from tour operator to tour operator.

Breakfast typically includes toast, French toast, pancakes, eggs and meat like sausage or bacon. Hot or cold cereals can be offered in addition to fruits like oranges, mangos or bananas. It's also possible that cooked vegetables are served.

Lunch can either be packed or served hot if you take a longer lunch break. A packed lunch typically includes sandwiches with cold meat, tuna, chicken or grilled cheese. The same fruits like breakfast could be offered again. It is also possible that eggs and French fries or chips will be available too.

A hot lunch will be similar to the dinner menu.

Your afternoon snack will consist of an array of popcorn, biscuits, nuts and a hot tea or coffee.

Dinner options include soup, pasta, rice, a variety of prepared vegetables (f.e. in a stew, a curry, boiled or steamed) as well as a variety of meat like beef or chicken (that can f.e. be roasted or in a stew or curry). Usually, potatoes will be offered alongside meat and vegetables. It's also possible that you will get to taste the local dish Ugali which is a porridge made from corn meal. Dessert will consist of fruits like oranges, watermelons, apples, pineapples, mangos or bananas.

When organising a Kilimanjaro climb, your tour operator will do most of the work for you locally. However, you'll still need to decide what kind of climbing experience you prefer, make travel arrangements and organize your gear.

Start by deciding your personal preferences: When and how long? Which route? What level of quality & safety standards? Do you prefer a private tour or to join a group? Browse through our content to find out for yourself, or book a free personal consultation with us.

Once you know what you want, it's important to find a reputable and reliable tour operator who consistently receives high ratings from past climbers. Of course, you will also want to get your best value-for-money quotation for everything that you'd like included in your package. Search climb offers online, or request your custom quote for a climb quote from us.

Once you've booked your climb, you will also need to organize your flight, insurance, vaccinations and health checks, etc, so make sure you start planning well in advance. You will also need to organize your gear, though most items you need can also be rented locally when booking with a high-quality company.

Tanzania fits the stereotype of being hot, but the hotter/more humid temperatures are found near the coast, where a refreshing beach swim is never far away. A more temperate climate is found in the elevated north/southeast. The country has two sets of rainy seasons; the long and heavy rains fall between March and May while the shorter rains fall between November and January every year.

It is possible to climb Kilimanjaro all-year-round. However, the best times to climb Kilimanjaro are from June to October and January to mid-March, which are the two dry seasons.

January to mid-March brings clearer skies and warm temperatures and is known as the short dry season. It ends in mid-March, when the onset of heavier rains and the long wet season begins and lasts until May.

The period between June to October is known as the long dry season and is also a good time to climb Kilimanjaro. This time of year brings less rainfall but bigger crowds. It gradually gives way to the short wet season in November/December.

There are many different routes you can take when climbing Kilimanjaro. The six main routes on Mount Kilimanjaro are:

• Lemosho Route – the most recommended route
• Machame Route – the most popular route
• Marangu Route – the only route where you can stay in huts
• Rongai Route – the only route that starts in the north near the Kenyan border
• Shira Route – the only route that starts at a relatively high altitude
• Umbwe Route – the shortest and steepest, hence most difficult route

In addition to the main routes, the following variations are also possible:

• Northern Circuit – the longest route offering almost 360° views
• Grand Traverse – an easier, quieter and even longer alternative to the Northern Circuit
• Crater Camp – can be added to any route, best with Lemosho or Northern
• Western Breach – shortcut on the southern circuit, but a risk of rockfall

Uhuru Peak is the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. With an altitude of 5,895 meters (19,341 feet), Uhuru Peak is also the highest point in Africa and makes Mount Kilimanjaro the tallest free-standing mountain in the world.

Stella Point is one of three summit points on Mount Kilimanjaro, next to Gilman's Point and the actual summit – Uhuru Peak.  Situated at the edge of the crater rim, at an altitude of 5,756 meters (18,885 feet), climbers who reach Stella Point will receive the official Kilimanjaro climbing certificate and can proudly claim that they have reached the top of the tallest mountain in Africa.

Gilman's Point is one of three summit points on Mount Kilimanjaro, next to Stella Point and the actual summit – Uhuru Peak.  Situated at the edge of the crater rim, at an altitude of 5,756 meters (18,885 feet), climbers who reach Gilman's Point will receive the official Kilimanjaro climbing certificate and can proudly claim that they have reached the top of the tallest mountain in Africa.

The Barranco Wall is a steep wall near Barranco Camp, on the Southern Circuit of Mount Kilimanjaro (Lemosho, Machame or Umbwe Route). Getting to the top of the wall is a scramble more than a climb as you will be using your arms to conquer some of those knee-high rocks and keep your balance. Breathtaking views of the Heim Glacier and Kibo cone reward climbers after one to two hours for their hard work.

If you suffer from serious vertigo, you might prefer to avoid the Barranco Wall and opt for another hiking route such as the Grand Traverse, Northern Circuit or Rongai Route.

The Dendrosenecio, also known as Giant Senecio tree, is a plant endemic to high altitude mountains in East Africa.

A veritable forest of Dendrosenecio trees is found on the southern slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro – one of the mountain's distinct scenic highlights for climbers on the Lemosho, Machame or Umbwe Routes.

You will also get to see a few rare specimens of the Dendrosenecio species when following the Northern Circuit on the Shira Plateau.

The routes on Kilimanjaro vary by length, duration, difficulty, scenery, altitude profile, accessibility, and (lack of) facilities. The better a route scores on all these criteria, the more popular it is.

Popularity is great if you like to share your experience with many other climbers and make lots of new friends. It's also great if you're looking for an affordable climbing package. If solitude and wilderness are what you're looking for, then the most popular routes may not be your best choice.

The Machame Route (also known as the “Whiskey Route”) is a very scenic hiking route. It leads hikers through the montane rainforest, past the eerie forest and up the vertiginous  Barranco Wall. The altitude profile of the Machame Route is ideal for acclimatization, allowing climbers to hike to higher altitudes during the day than they’ll be sleeping overnight.

Its starting point is also easily accessible within a short drive from Moshi and Kilimanjaro airport. With all these advantages, the Machame Route is also the most popular and busiest route on Mount Kilimanjaro.

The Machame Route takes a minimum of 6 days and can be extended into a longer version of up to 8 days. We mostly recommend the 7-day Machame Route Itinerary over the 6-day Machame Route Itinerary to allow more time to acclimatize to the high altitude. Being the most popular route, you will also find lots of open join-in group tours available for the 7-day Machame Route, which also makes the Machame Route one of the most affordable options, especially for single travellers.

If you are looking for the easiest route with the maximum summit success chance, however, then we'd recommend a tailor-made 8-day Machame Route Itinerary. Please contact us for custom offers.

The Machame Route is a very scenic route with an ideal altitude profile for acclimatization (high hike, sleep low). It's starting point is easily accessible within a short drive from Kilimanjaro airport and Moshi. Scenic highlights of the Southern Circuit include the forest, Lava Tower and Barranco Wall. As the Machame Route ticks all the boxes for an ideal hiking route to climb Kilimanjaro, it has naturally also become the most popular route on the mountain.

We recommend the Machame Route if you prefer to experience most of Kilimanjaro’s scenic highlights and don’t mind sharing your climb with many others. The 7-day Machame Route offers you one of the best altitude acclimatization opportunities of all 7-day routes.

Alternatively, if you feel fit and confident of your ability to walk long distances, you might prefer the similar but longer 7-day Lemosho Route. To maximize your acclimatization to the high altitude and hence your summit success chance on this scenic route, we recommend either the 8-day Machame or 8-day Lemosho Routes.

To avoid the crowds, the 7-day Rongai Route will allow you to climb in authentic wilderness. However, the altitude profile of the Rongai Route is not as good as the Machame Route. To avoid the crowds and improve your summit success chance, we'd then rather recommend the longer 8 or 9-day Northern Circuit or Grand Traverse routes.

The Lemosho Route is a very scenic hiking route, starting on the western slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro before merging with the Machame Route halfway through. It leads you through a lush rainforest, past the eerie  forest and up the vertiginous Barranco Wall. The altitude profile of the Lemosho Route is ideal for acclimatization, allowing climbers to hike to higher altitudes during the day than they’ll be sleeping overnight.

The Lemosho Route can be completed in 7 or 8 days, or up to 9 days if you'd like to include an overnight stay at Crater Camp. We mostly recommend the 8-day Lemosho Route Itinerary over the 7-day Lemosho Route Itinerary to allow more time to acclimatize to the high altitude.

We recommend the 8-day Lemosho Route for its optimal altitude profile and duration leading to a fairly high summit success chance. The Lemosho Route also boasts some of Kilimanjaro’s best scenery. Please just be aware that the Lemosho Route is not as off-the-beaten-track as often portrayed. It has become more and more popular in recent years and merges with the busy Machame Route half-way to the summit, so expect to share your climb with others.

For a less busy route in authentic wilderness, you might prefer the 8-day Northern Circuit, or the even more luxurious 8-day Grand Traverse.

The Rongai Route is the only route on Kilimanjaro that ascends from the north, near the border to Kenya. This makes it much less visited than other routes, providing for a true wilderness experience.

The Rongai Route descends along the Marangu Route in the south-east, providing for a cross-over experience with views of the north, east and south of Mount Kilimanjaro and its surroundings.

We only recommend the 5-day Rongai Route if you have pre-acclimatized to the high altitude. For example, given its starting location near the border of Kenya, the Rongai Route can be combined conveniently with a pre-acclimatization climb on Mount Kenya. This would allow you to climb both of East Africa’s highest mountains over 9 days in total – not a bad accomplishment at all!

Otherwise, if you are not used to high altitudes or have not pre-acclimatized, you are running a fairly high risk on the 5-day Rongai Route (as in all 5-day Kilimanjaro routes) that you will not be able to reach the summit due to altitude sickness.

We only recommend the 6-day Rongai Route if you have pre-acclimatized to the high altitude. For example, given its starting location near the border to Kenya, the Rongai Route can be combined conveniently with a pre-acclimatization climb on Mount Kenya. This would allow you to climb both of East Africa’s highest mountains over 9 days in total – not a bad accomplishment at all!

Otherwise, if you are not used to high altitudes or have not pre-acclimatized, you are running a fairly high risk on the 6-day Rongai Route (as in all 5 and 6-day Kilimanjaro routes) that you will not be able to reach the summit due to altitude sickness.

The Rongai Route can be completed through a short and direct approach of the summit in only 5 days, or sometimes extended over 6 days.

However, we recommend the longer 7-day Rongai Route Itinerary with a detour to Mawenzi in the east of Kibo. This allows more time to acclimatize to the thin air and improves your summit success chance.

The Northern Circuit is the longest route on Kilimanjaro. It starts in the west along the Lemosho Route, then circumvents the peak on the northern slopes, approaches the summit from the east and descends in the south. As such, it offers 360° degree views of the peak and afar.

Together with the Grand Traverse, the Northern Circuit is the only route that circumvents the peak on the northern slopes, providing the most authentic wilderness experience away from the crowds.

The route offers plenty of opportunities to acclimatize to the high altitude and therefore also has a very high summit success chance. Even though it is the longest route, it might as well be one of the easiest!

The Grand Traverse is the most luxurious route to climb Kilimanjaro. It is ideal if you value privacy and authentic wilderness away from the crowds. It offers stunning 360° degree views of the peak. You'll also be able to peer across into Tanzania and Kenya. Furthermore, it is one of the easiest routes with a very high summit success chance.

Starting in the west along the Shira Route, the Grand Traverse then circumvents the peak on the northern slopes. It approaches the summit from the east and descends in the south. This provides you with an authentic wilderness experience.

The biggest difference with the Northern Circuit is that climbers on the Grand Traverse get driven up to a fairly high altitude of 3,400 meters (11,200 feet) on their first day, along with the old Shira evacuation route. This makes the Grand Traverse a shorter and less challenging variation. The route is typically completed in 8 days: 8-day Grand Traverse Itinerary.

The Marangu Route is sometimes jokingly referred to as the ‘Coca Cola route’ and ‘tourist route’. This is because it is perceived as being easy and the fact that Coca Cola, candy and other confectionery is sometimes sold at the huts based on the route. 

This is the only route which offers shared hut accommodation with dormitory-style bunk beds. This means you'll have a firm roof, but it also reduces your level of privacy.

It is the only route where climbers ascend and descend the same way.

The Marangu route is the only route with hut accommodation. This includes 60 bunk beds each at Mandara and Kibo Huts and 120 bunk beds at Horombo Hut.

The Marangu Huts offer dormitory-style accommodation of between 4 – 20 bunk beds per room. It is not possible to rent a private room, and the allocation of beds is on a first-come-first-served basis. Therefore, expect to be sharing your hut with strangers.

However, it is worth noting that the huts do not come with mattresses and pillows - tour operators provide that. You’ll need to bring your own sleeping bags. 

The first hut you will stay in will be the Mandara A-frame Huts, which include solar lighting, flush toilets and piped water.

The Shira route is the only route that starts at a relatively high altitude and approaches Kilimanjaro from the west. Although it is a varied and beautiful route, its starting point at a high elevation means it is not as good for acclimatization.

The route starts on the Shira Ridge and covers the entire Shira Plateau, which is a relatively pleasant and flat hike. The route then continues on the Southern Circuit and approaches the summit via Barafu.

The Shira route overlaps a lot with the Lemosho Route, but the altitude profile of the Lemosho Route is much better for acclimatization.

The Umbwe route is a short and challenging route, which is steep and goes pretty much straight uphill. It offers the most direct path to Uhuru Peak.

However, don't mistake short for easy as the opposite is true. You need to conquer almost the same altitude difference on any route. Therefore, it leaves less time for acclimatization. Hence it has the lowest success rate.

This route is not as popular as the other routes and is really only recommended for strong hikers who are used to hiking at high altitude.

The Crater Camp is a unique area of Kilimanjaro. At 475 feet (144 meters) below the summit, it is the highest campsite on the mountain. 

It lies within the Kibo Crater - one of the three volcanic peaks -, this is the one you always see on aerial photos. You can also see it from the summit, but to visit it is a whole different experience.

Crater Camp sits right between the Uhuru peak and the Furtwangler Glacier. While Uhuru is the highest point of Kilimanjaro, the crater actually is the center of the volcano. 

While staying at Crater Camp, you will literally sleep on the crater floor right next to one of Kilimanjaro's last remaining glaciers. The possibility to stay at the highest camp on the Kilimanjaro is something that only a few climbers get to experience. 

Crater Camp appeals to those climbers who don’t want to go where everyone else goes but to places that have that special unique edge and thrill.

Furthermore, you will have the unique opportunity to explore the thick wall of ice of the Furtwangler glacier up close. 

Another exciting opportunity is a visit to the actual Ash Pit of Kilimanjaro. The Ash Pit is a perfect circle with a width of 395 feet full of boulders and volcanic rocks. You can even still smell the sulfur; better known as the smell of rotten eggs.

In general, a climb with a stay at Crater Camp is not offered very often in group tours. However, it is possible to add a stay at Crater Camp to private tours upon requests. Keep in mind that a responsible tour operator will only add it in combination with one of the longer routes.

When organising a Kilimanjaro climb, your tour operator will do most of the work for you locally. However, you'll still need to decide what kind of climbing experience you prefer, make travel arrangements and organize your gear.

Start by deciding your personal preferences: When and how long? Which route? What level of quality & safety standards? Do you prefer a private tour or to join a group? Browse through our content to find out for yourself, or book a free personal consultation with us.

Once you know what you want, it's important to find a reputable and reliable tour operator who consistently receives high ratings from past climbers. Of course, you will also want to get your best value-for-money quotation for everything that you'd like included in your package. Search climb offers online, or request your custom quote for a climb quote from us.

Once you've booked your climb, you will also need to organize your flight, insurance, vaccinations and health checks, etc, so make sure you start planning well in advance. You will also need to organize your gear, though most items you need can also be rented locally when booking with a high-quality company.

You can stay at Crater Camp both before or after summiting Mount Kilimanjaro.

Most articles on this topic refer to climbers ascending Kilimanjaro via the Western Breach route. They stay overnight at Crater Camp and then ascend the summit. However, we recommend avoiding the dangerous Western Breach at all times.

Moreover, it is possible to combine Crater Camp with all other routes. In this case, you always reach Crater Camp via Stella Point at the crater rim. From an acclimatization point of view, the altitude difference between Stella Point and Uhuru Peak is not significant. Therefore, you can actually choose when you'd like to stay overnight at Crater Camp.

It's possible to descend to Crater Camp straight from Stella Point. You can then spend the afternoon exploring the crater and ascend to Uhuru Peak the next day. Alternatively, you can ascend Uhuru Peak from Stella Point and go to Crater Camp afterwards. The next morning, you can either explore the crater or ascend to Uhuru Peak a second time to see the sunrise. Both options are possible and can usually be discussed and agreed with the guide on the spot, depending on how everyone in the group is doing.

The biggest difference between the Machame and Lemosho Routes is their length: Lemosho is about 8km (5miles) longer. Therefore, the Lemosho Route takes one more day to complete: While Machame can be completed in 6 or 7 days, Lemosho takes 7 or 8 days.

Another difference is the starting location: Machame starts in the south, not far from Moshi, while Lemosho starts in the west. This makes the Lemosho Route a longer drive on your first day if you arrive from Moshi, therefore also slightly more expensive.

As both routes join mid-way, they are otherwise identical and offer the same scenic highlights further up the mountain.

The biggest difference between the Lemosho and Northern Circuit routes on Mount Kilimanjaro is the way they circumvent the peak. Both start in the west of the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, at Lemosho Gate, and are identical for the first two to four days (depending on the variation).

On the Shira plateau, or latest at Lava Tower, they split: The Lemosho Route continues along the popular and most scenic southern slopes to join with the Machame Route, while the Northern Circuit branches off to avoid the busy southern circuit and circumvents the peak on the rarely visited northern slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro, near Kenya.

Both routes join again at Stella Point on the summit for the final path to Uhuru Peak, and follow the same descent route down to Mweka Gate.

In terms of difficulty, we consider both routes roughly equal. At 72km (44mi) of total length, Lemosho is a little shorter than the Northern Circuit, which is the longest route on Kilimanjaro.

Depending on its variation (8 or 9 days, including or excluding an acclimatization detour to Lava Tower), the Northern Circuit has a total length of 80km (49mi) to 94km (58mi).

Therefore, the Northern Circuit takes one more day to complete: While Lemosho can be completed in 7 or 8 days, the Northern Circuit takes 8 or 9 days.

The average distance covered per day, however, is 9-10km for both routes. Therefore, even though the Northern Circuit is longer overall, we do not consider it to be more difficult.

In terms of acclimatization and summit success chance, we don't see a major difference as both routes have a very high summit success chance (read the golden rules of altitude acclimatization).

To maximize your summit success chance when climbing Kilimanjaro, taking 8 or 9 days is recommendable over 7 days or less, such as for the 7-day Lemosho Route.

However, the 8-day Lemosho Route, 8-day Northern Circuit and 9-day Northern Circuit all have a summit success chance of close to 100%. So which one should you take? Read more here.

Both the Lemosho and Machame Route have spectacular scenery that gives you an authentic view of the Kilimanjaro landscape. In fact, both routes join halfway through and are identical thereafter. They both include many of Kilimanjaro's most distinctive landmarks including hiking up to Lava Tower, clambering over the Barranco Wall, and passing through the eerie Dendrosenecio forest.

While both routes are popular, there are still more climbers following the Machame Route. Therefore, one could argue that the Lemosho Route offers a slightly more authentic experience away from the crowds during the initial days of your climb.

The competition for the title of the most authentic Kilimanjaro route is a tough one. It is also very subjective in many ways and depends upon your definition of the word ‘authentic’.

If you are referring to unique sceneries and panoramic views, then the Lemosho route is probably your best bet.

On the other hand, if you are referring to quiet paths away from the crowds, then less popular routes might be more authentic. choice. These include the Rongai Route, the Northern Circuit or Grand Traverse, or even the difficult Umbwe Route 

The 5-Day Umbwe route is the shortest hiking route in terms of distance. It has the most direct path to Uhuru Peak. Alternatively, the 5-Day Rongai Route can be completed in the same amount of time.

However, don't mistake short for easy as the opposite is true on Kilimanjaro. You still need to conquer almost the same altitude difference as on any route. The shorter the route is, the steeper is its path and the less time you have to acclimatize to the high altitude.

Therefore, only pre-acclimatized or very fit climbers who are confident of their ability to acclimatize to the high altitude should choose a short route. 

The Umbwe Route is one of the most challenging routes on Kilimanjaro, despite being one of the shortest routes. It involves steep climbs from day one and you need a reasonable level of fitness to be able to handle this path.

This route does not allow sufficient time for acclimatization as you will be trekking at altitude for the majority of your journey. Therefore, it is best to only attempt this route if you are an experienced climber.

On the opposite end, the Northern Circuit also has a reputation for being difficult, due to its length. However, it offers more time to acclimatize, so most climbers should find it easier to reach the summit when following the Northern Circuit.

The Northern Circuit and the Grand Traverse are the longest routes on the Kilimanjaro. They both circumvent the peak on the northern slope and offer 360° degree views of the peak and afar. It offers some of the most diverse and spectacular scenery on Kilimanjaro.

The biggest difference between the two routes is that climbers on the Grand Traverse get driven up to a fairly high altitude of 3,400 meters (11,200 feet) on their first day, along with the old Shira evacuation route. This makes the Grand Traverse a shorter and less challenging variation. The route is typically completed in 8 days: 8-day Grand Traverse Itinerary.

The Machame Route is the most popular route since awareness about the importance of proper acclimatization started increasing.

This route offers an ideal acclimatization profile "hike high, sleep low". It can also be extended over 7 days which drastically increases the summit success rate. Furthermore, this route offers some of the best sceneries on Kilimanjaro.

Historically, the Marangu Route was the most popular route due to its hut accommodation and the duration. The route can be completed in 5 days. As a consequence, it also has the lowest summit success rate as it doesn’t allow enough time to acclimatize.

The biggest cause of fatality on Kilimanjaro is altitude sickness. Therefore, the safest route will be the one which allows for the best acclimatization.

The Northern Circuit and Grand Traverse are the longest routes on Kilimanjaro. They also offer plenty of opportunities to climb high and sleep low. This is the best way to get your body used to the high altitude and reduce the severity of altitude sickness. Therefore, they have the highest summit success rates.

However, on any route, it is most important that you don't push beyond your limits and follow an experienced guide who will assist with descent if required. If you do so, all the popular routes may be considered more or less equally safe or risky.

Besides acclimatization, the routes that avoid the dangerous Western Breach are definitely safer than the routes that don't. To go even further, some routes also avoid the Barranco Wall. Therefore, the Northern Circuit, the Grand Traverse and the Rongai route could be deemed safest.

All hiking routes on Mount Kilimanjaro are roughly similar in terms of facilities, or lack thereof. You will sleep in designated campsites with basic public toilet facilities.

There are flush toilets and running water at lower altitudes, but only long drop toilets at higher altitude, and no toilets along the path.

Only the Marangu Route offers accommodation in huts and some more facilities, but they are not necessarily more comfortable than the other routes.

For a more comfortable experience, it's best to book with a high-quality tour operator and upgrade your climbing package. Mess dining tents with tables and chairs are fairly standard for all mid-range offers, and private toilet tents have become very popular.

For a true VIP experience, we can add luxuries such as a walk-in size tent with frame beds, a portable mountain shower, or even a comfortable lounge tent with a heater to your climbing package.

Less popular routes such as the Northern Circuit, Grand Traverse or Rongai Route may also feel more comfortable as you'll get to enjoy more privacy, quiet campsites and unspoilt wilderness.

Depending on the route, Kilimanjaro climbs take anywhere from 5 days to more than 8 days. As it is important to ascend slowly in order to acclimatize to the high altitude, most climbers opt for 6 to 8 day routes. The longest routes take 9 to 10 days.

While speed record climbers have scaled the mountain in less than a day, the minimum permit issued by the Kilimanjaro National Park for normal tourist climbers is 5 days. Exceptional tourist climbers may complete their climb initially booked for 5 days within 4 days by descending all the way from the summit to the park gate within one day.

One of the main benefits of taking longer climbs is that it gives you more time to acclimatize to the high altitude. This is important for reducing the symptoms associated with altitude sickness such as breathlessness, dizziness, and nausea; and to mitigate the risk of developing more severe forms of acute mountain sickness. If you are serious about making it all the way to the summit of Kilimanjaro, then it is worth taking the extra time to climb because better acclimatization is one of the single most important factors when it comes to increasing your chances of success. You’ll also get more time to enjoy the breathtaking scenery and natural landscapes away from the rest of civilisation.

Budget and time permitting, we recommend that you climb for at least 7 and ideally 8 days.

Taking your time helps you to acclimatize naturally to the high altitude, therefore reduces discomforts and the risks of altitude sickness. The better you acclimatize, the more likely you will reach the summit (and safely so).

There is statistical evidence that 7 days leads to a higher summit success rate than 5 or 6 days. Route permitting, you may even want to consider 8 days or more. However, please note that we do not (yet) see sufficient evidence that your summit success chance significantly further improves beyond 7 or 8 climbing days.

On private Kilimanjaro climbs, it is theoretically possible to extend your climb by adding an additional acclimatization day (or more) at any of the campsites or Marangu Huts. If you wish to do so, you need to arrange this with us/your tour operator before booking your climb.

Practically, however, most climbers would rather choose a longer route if they wish to extend the duration of their climb, in order to avoid staying at the same campsite twice and enjoy more varied scenery.

When booking your climb through Fair Voyage, all itineraries are fully customizable, including the possibility to extend your climb by another day.

If you wish to extend the duration of your Kilimanjaro climb, we recommend taking a longer route for more varied scenery and to avoid potential boredom when staying at the same location twice overnight. Except:

1. If you prefer to stay overnight in huts and therefore choose the Marangu Route which only takes 5 days if you do not add an additional acclimatization day (or two).
2. If you are seriously worried about your ability to walk every day and prefer to add rest days. However, please note that the biggest challenge of climbing Kilimanjaro is not the length of its routes, but the altitude (which is the same for all routes).

The fatality rate on Mount Kilimanjaro is low compared to other mountains. Of the 30,000-50,000 people who climb Kilimanjaro each year, an estimated 10 tourists die annually from altitude sickness and other causes. This represents a death rate of 0.03% or less, which is low compared to other mountains in the world.

Mt Blanc at 4,810m in the European Alps, which is lower than Kilimanjaro by over 1,000 meters and attracts a similar number of people, claims the lives of 100 people a year – making it 10 times more deadly!

The best routes for altitude acclimatization allow you to climb high during the day and sleep low at night. Climbing high during the daytime gets your body used to the high altitude. By sleeping at a lower elevation during the night, your body has enough time to take a break from the lack of oxygen associated with higher elevations. You should also ascend slowly over multiple days so that your body can acclimatize better.

7-day Machame, 8-day Lemosho, 8-day Grand Traverse and 9-day Northern Circuit (including acclimatization hike to Lava Tower) are all excellent routes for altitude acclimatization that allow you to hike high, sleep low and ascend slowly over multiple days.

Altitude sickness is a serious and potentially dangerous risk when climbing Kilimanjaro.

If ignored and left untreated, it may become severe and, in extreme cases, lethal.

It is the most common cause of tourist deaths on Mount Kilimanjaro and needs to be taken seriously by the climber. It is important to climb with a well-trained and experienced guide who can monitor your individual altitude acclimatization, watch out for symptoms of altitude sickness, and – if required – insist on and assist with your descent.

The truth is that most climbers will be affected by altitude sickness in some way. You can however reduce the severity of it. Make sure to follow the so-called 3 golden rules of altitude acclimatization. Take your time over multiple days and ascend very slowly during the day. Drink lots of water while climbing.

It also helps to sleep at lower altitudes overnight than you've climbed to during the day. You can do this upfront by choosing a route with a beneficial altitude profile. While climbing, depending on route and tour operator, you may have the option to go for altitude acclimatization hikes in the afternoon or on rest days.

The Kilimanjaro routes with the highest summit success rates are those with the best altitude profile so that you can acclimatize to the thin air before attempting your final summit push.

Climbing high during the day and sleeping low at night is ideal. Furthermore, it's important to ascend slowly over multiple days so that your body has more time to get used to the high altitude.

8-day Machame, 8-day Lemosho, 8-day Grand Traverse and 9-day Northern Circuit (including acclimatization hike to Lava Tower) are all excellent routes for altitude acclimatization that allow you to hike high, sleep low and ascend slowly over multiple days. With the right preparation and the right guide, these routes all have a summit success chance of close to 100%.

The average Kilimanjaro summit success rate has climbed from below 50% to around 60% or more. It varies with the route taken and the length of the trek. The longer you spend on the mountain, the higher your chances of reaching the summit will be.

With increasing awareness about the importance of acclimatization, the average success rate has also increased. While in the past 5 or 6 day routes were most popular, climbers now increasingly opt for longer 7 or 8 day itineraries. If you follow a route ideal for altitude acclimatization, your summit success rate approximates 100%, assuming a reasonable level of fitness and average altitude tolerance.

The major benefit of taking a 9-day route, or adding additional acclimatization days to extend your route to 9 days, is to acclimatize your body to the high altitude, thus improve your summit success chance. One of the biggest hazards affecting Kilimanjaro climbers is altitude sickness, but walking slowly and spending more days climbing gives your body time to get used to the altitude.

The flipside of this is that each day spent on Kilimanjaro can be stressful for some climbers, due to insomnia, feeling unwell or the stress of camping. This may weaken a climber and outweigh the benefits of improved acclimatization. It is not yet clear whether 9 days significantly boosts your success chance compared to 8 days. Both 8-day and 9-day routes have a summit success chance of close to 100%.

For most climbers who prefer to scale the mountain when the weather is sunny and dry, and to maximize your summit success chance without having had prior high altitude experience, our most recommended routes are:

• 8-day Lemosho Route: Best scenery and easy to join an open group climb, as long as you don't mind the crowds
• 8-day Machame Route: Easiest route with the best scenery, as long as you don't mind the crowds
• 8-day Grand Traverse: Easiest route in authentic wilderness, as long as you don't mind missing some scenic highlights
• 9-day Northern Circuit: A somewhat more difficult alternative to the Grand Traverse (similar to Lemosho), yet with more opportunity to acclimatize and more scenic variety compared to the Grand Traverse

Arguably, 8 or 9 days on the mountain may sound just a bit too long. If you prefer a group climb, you will also be somewhat limited in your choice of affordable options for the above routes. So if either time or budget is a constraint, then we recommend:

• 7-day Machame Route: Most popular route with great scenery and ideal profile for altitude acclimatization (similar to Lemosho, just shorter)
• 7-day Rongai Route: Authentic wilderness away from the crowds. However, the scenery and profile are not as good as the Machame Route.

For the vast majority of climbers, we would highly recommend that you climb during dry season and avoid the rains as much as possible. However, if you are used to harsh climates and the outdoors, you may have your reasons why you still prefer to climb during rainy season – avoiding the crowds just being one of them.

When climbing during rainy season, you will want to try to reduce your exposure to the rain as much as possible, and make sure to stay dry at least at camp. Here are the rainy season back-up routes and options that we recommend:

• Climb on the Marangu Route, the only route offering accommodation in huts, and rest in the dry comfort of a firm roof at camp; or
• Follow the Rongai Route on the northern slopes which tend to attract less rain than the southern slopes; or
• Upgrade your climb on any route to a luxurious walk-in size sleeping tent. This will not only keep you dry but also offers plenty of space to keep your gear clean and tidy.

Choosing between the Lemosho and Northern Circuit routes to climb Kilimanjaro is a  tradeoff between best scenery versus serene wilderness. Which is more important to you?

If you don't want to miss out on the fairytale-like Forest or the infamous Barranco Wall on Mount Kilimanjaro, you have no choice but to take the Lemosho Route, or another route that follows the southern circuit.

On the flip side, the southern circuit is very busy which means that you'll share your path and campsites with an entire village of hikers, guides and porters. If you're looking for a more quiet and meditative experience, it would be recommendable to escape to the far less visited northern slopes. If you suffer from vertigo, you might also prefer to take the Northern Circuit in order to avoid the scramble atop the steep Barranco Wall.

Another consideration is the time you're planning to spend for your Kilimanjaro climb. If you're in a rush, then you might prefer the Lemosho Route which can be completed in 7 days, while the Northern Circuit takes a minimum of 8 days.

Finally, if you're looking to join an open group climb, you'll be spoilt for choice for both the busier 7-day Lemosho and 8-day Lemosho routes, while there's fewer options for the 8-day Northern Circuit and hardly any open group climbs for the 9-day Northern Circuit. Read more about the differences between the Lemosho and Northern Circuit routes here.

If you are looking for a real challenge and thrilling adventure away from the crowds, the following routes and itinerary variations options may offer you exactly the kind of unique experience that feels right to you:

1. Combine your Kilimanjaro climb with an overnight stay at the Crater Camp, sleeping next to one of Kilimanjaro’s last remaining glaciers
2. Combine your Kilimanjaro climb with a pre-acclimatization climb on Mount Kenya (or Mount Meru), scaling two of East Africa’s highest peaks in one go
3. Attempt a 5-day speed-climb on the steep & challenging Umbwe Route or the 5-day Rongai Route

Please note we don't recommend the so-called Western Breach shortcut to the summit due to the risk of rockfall and increased risk of altitude sickness.

When organising a Kilimanjaro climb, your tour operator will do most of the work for you locally. However, you'll still need to decide what kind of climbing experience you prefer, make travel arrangements and organize your gear.

Start by deciding your personal preferences: When and how long? Which route? What level of quality & safety standards? Do you prefer a private tour or to join a group? Browse through our content to find out for yourself, or book a free personal consultation with us.

Once you know what you want, it's important to find a reputable and reliable tour operator who consistently receives high ratings from past climbers. Of course, you will also want to get your best value-for-money quotation for everything that you'd like included in your package. Search climb offers online, or request your custom quote for a climb quote from us.

Once you've booked your climb, you will also need to organize your flight, insurance, vaccinations and health checks, etc, so make sure you start planning well in advance. You will also need to organize your gear, though most items you need can also be rented locally when booking with a high-quality company.

The two most popular tour options are group tours and private tours. If you prefer to travel alone or with people you know, you may opt for a private tour. However, if you are on a budget and prefer to climb with others, then a group tour may be your best option.

Highly experienced climbers can also organize a mostly self-supported tour to save costs. You will always need to climb with a guide no matter what type of tour you take. The type of tour you book will depend upon your priorities, experience and time constraints.

Some tours may include luxury food and accommodation, while others are more suited to those on a lower budget.

The best advice when booking your Kilimanjaro time is to book ahead as much as possible. If you book long in advance you will quite often be able to get cheaper flights and better deals on your tours. You will have enough time to train and prepare for the climb.

Booking in advance will furthermore provide confirmation and reassurance of the tour. It also reduces the possibility of not being able to get onto the tour you want, due to lack of spaces and some of the vaccinations you will need to take in time to become effective.

Where possible, try to book at least 6-9 months in advance.

The predominant problem caused by Kilimanjaro tourism is the exploitation of porters. There is only one independent organization that monitors porter treatment practices locally – the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP), an initiative of the International Mountain Explorers Connection (IMEC). To make sure that you're booking an ethical climb and that your porters will be treated fairly, verify that your tour operator is listed on the official list of approved KPAP Partner companies on IMEC's website.

Environmental damage and pollution is not such a big problem on Mount Kilimanjaro as it is for other destinations. Most tour operators, and including all KPAP approved companies, adhere to the Kilimanjaro National Park's leave no trace guidelines to collect waste at campsites and bring it down the mountain. Therefore, it's not a major consideration when booking your climb.

A typical Kilimanjaro climbing package costs anywhere from about US $1,500 on a short 5-day low budget climb in a group to US $5,000 and more on luxurious offers with high-end services and equipment. For a reasonable mid-range offer, you'd be looking at around US $2,000 to 3,500.

In addition to your tour price, you will have significant additional costs for tipping of your mountain crew, flights, medical costs and insurance, gear rentals or purchases, and more. Altogether, your entire trip will easily cost US $3,000 even on a very low budget tour, and usually around US $5,000 and more for mid-range travellers.

We believe that responsible companies who treat your porters fairly are also more likely to offer you as a client higher quality standards, and that porters who are treated fairly by their companies are also more likely to have your best interests in mind. That means first and foremost not your summit success, but your health and safety.

Amongst others, you rely on your porters for your water and food to be treated properly. In the worst case, you might have to rely on them for a safe descent. Will your porters be able to do a good job if they are hungry, cold and get paid significantly less than their colleagues camping right next to your group?

While there is no guarantee, we believe that booking your climb with a responsible tour operator who treats your porters fairly will be the safer choice for you.

It usually costs around US $100-250 for you to hire a personal porter, depending on the length of your climb and the porter compensation practices of your tour operator. The participants of the Kilimanjaro Partners Assistance Program have agreed a minimum fair porter compensation of TZS 30,000 (ca. US $13.50) per day, whereby the minimum wage is TZS 20,000 (ca. US $9) per day. This is only a minimum, and some tour operators pay porters well above the minimum guidelines. In addition, tour operators incur costs to organize a porter for you. The above price range reflects all these costs.

Booking your flights and tours well in advance will help you to cut down on the costs of Kilimanjaro.

Your flights will be cheaper and it will be easier to get the best deals. You can also save by renting some of the equipment you need from your friends or tour operator, rather than buying it.

Another way to save money is to pre-acclimatize at home by climbing mountains in your local area. This means that your body may cope better with the high altitude once you get there and then you can attempt shorter climbs which will cost less. Joining a group tour or travelling with friends will also reduce the cost per climber.

Wilderness First Responder is the industry standard for professional guides, trip leaders, search and rescue team members and anyone who works outdoors to be able to deal with medical emergencies in wilderness settings. It emphasises the prevention and identification of medical emergencies, appropriate technology, and risk management. It trains participants to administer CPR, basic life support, and the emergency treatment of conditions such as asthma. It also gives guides the tools they need to be able to treat altitude sickness, frostbite, heat illness, environmental toxins and other injuries or hazards.

Currently, there are no objective certifications or ratings for Kilimanjaro guides. We are hoping to change that eventually and create an industry standard. However, there are ways that you can increase your chances of finding a good guide.

Firstly, you should book with a responsible tour operator. They tend to have the best guides, because they are better paid, trained properly and given the resources they need to navigate the mountain.

The two things you want to look for are Wilderness First Responder (WFR) training and CPR first aid training, should you fall ill on the mountain.

When climbing Kilimanjaro, you must have at most 2 climbers per guide, and at least 2 guides for groups of 2 climbers or more.

This ensures that there will always be enough guides to assist climbers who require descent, while at the same time allowing all other climbers to continue their summit ascent safely.

The minimum guide-to-climber ratios are stipulated by Kilimanjaro National Park regulations and they apply to all climbs booked via Fair Voyage. So for every group, there will always be one lead guide, and we have classified all other guides as assistant guides.

Please beware that guides and companies operating illegally on Kilimanjaro may not adhere to these minimum ratios, which can lead to dangerous, life-threatening situations. While it may be tempting to save costs by booking with a low-budget operator, your financial savings may come at the cost of your own safety.

Minimum ratio of Kilimanjaro climbers per guide for all climbs booked via Fair Voyage:

The following items are normally included in all Kilimanjaro tour offers as per industry standards:

• Mountain guide and porters
• Mountain accommodation in tents (or Marangu Huts)
• Drinking water and full-board meals on the mountain
• All Kilimanjaro National Park fees: conservation fees, camping or hut fees, rescue fees
• Transfers to and from the Kilimanjaro National Park gates
• Climbing certificate (if you reach Gilman's Point, Stella Point or Uhuru Peak)

However, these are only the bare minimum, and all offers on Fair Voyage include a lot more. Please see our additional curated inclusions and customization options.

We aim to offer you the full range of climbing offers from low-budget no-frills to luxurious VIP tours. Being committed to responsible travel, however, means that we insist on and strictly vet all tours against minimum standards of quality and safety. Therefore, different from industry average, all our quotations typically also include:

• 100% ethical climb, independently monitored and verified by the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP)
• Duly registered English-speaking mountain guide(s) with minimum level of training
• Assistant guide(s) with a maximum ratio of 2 clients per guide
• Mess dining tent, table(s) and chairs; eating utensils
• Properly treated drinking water and hot meals (when possible) on the mountain; prepared by properly trained cook
• Pre-climb briefing & gear check with your guide (usually in the afternoon before the start of your climb)
• Secure online payment; no hidden credit card or other transaction fees
• Swiss Travel Security (STS) traveller deposit guarantee to safeguard your payments against default or non-delivery of services
• Fully customizable offers – any itinerary variations, upgrades, equipment rentals, etc.

Whether it's worthwhile to have a portable mountain shower for your Kilimanjaro climb depends on your personal preferences. Most climbers do not need it, while those who have it wouldn't want to miss it.

If you're new to camping in the wild for consecutive nights, imagining a week without a shower may be a scary thought. However, most climbers will find that it's not as uncomfortable as they imagine it to be. Overcoming this initial fear is all part of the unique personal growth experience that makes Kilimanjaro such a rewarding mountain to climb. In hindsight, you will likely feel proud of having managed a week without a shower. Even though operators who offer mountain showers would typically also provide warm water, you may also find it too cold to take off your clothes and shower.

Climbers who book a portable mountain shower & wash tent, on the other hand, also tend to use it. They enjoy the comfort and flexibility to take a shower on days when they don't feel too cold, and are happy about their decision to book that includes a warm mountain shower.

If you prefer more comfort, it may be worthwhile to upgrade your climb with a walk-in tent and sleeping cot. Crawling in and out of standard sized tents multiple times a day can become quite tedious for some people. The space may also feel very confined with not much room to spread out your gear or get changed, especially when shared between two climbers. A larger tent will feel more spacious and give you more room to move. On the flip side, larger tents will also feel colder because they don't trap the heat as well.

Whether you feel more comfortable sleeping on a cot compared to standard foam sleeping mats used on the mountain is very individual. Cots can feel more comfortable to sleep on for some people, as they're softer and give the feeling of a familiar frame bed. For others, however, the relatively narrow width of cots may feel less comfortable compared to sleeping closer to the ground, where you can simply rest your arms or legs on the floor if you need more space.

It is not possible to have access to a private toilet tent while hiking. If you have hired one or it is included in your package, your private toilet tent will be available as soon as you arrive at camp, as your toilet porter will transport it between the different camps and set it up for you.

On longer hiking days that include a warm lunch stop, you may also have access to your toilet tent during lunch. If you need to use the toilet while you are hiking or between camps, your guide will help you find the best option.

It is almost always possible to find bushes or rocks en route that will allow you to go native in privacy.

Toilet facilities are generally only available at camp. When hiking, guides will coordinate breaks with spots where there are rocks or trees to hide behind so that you can go native in privacy.

At the camp, public toilets are generally available. However, they are notorious for poor cleanliness and hygiene. Therefore, private toilet tents have become popular on Kilimanjaro and can easily be included in your climbing package.

Whether it's worthwhile to have a portable mountain shower for your Kilimanjaro climb depends on your personal preferences. Most climbers do not need it, while those who have it wouldn't want to miss it.

If you're new to camping in the wild for consecutive nights, imagining a week without a shower may be a scary thought. However, most climbers will find that it's not as uncomfortable as they imagine it to be. Overcoming this initial fear is all part of the unique personal growth experience that makes Kilimanjaro such a rewarding mountain to climb. In hindsight, you will likely feel proud of having managed a week without a shower. Even though operators who offer mountain showers would typically also provide warm water, you may also find it too cold to take off your clothes and shower.

Climbers who book a portable mountain shower & wash tent, on the other hand, also tend to use it. They enjoy the comfort and flexibility to take a shower on days when they don't feel too cold, and are happy about their decision to book that includes a warm mountain shower.

A Kilimanjaro open group tour is one in which anyone can join the climb. This means that you will join other climbers that have booked the same tour and it is not limited to the people in the group knowing each other.

Group tours tend to be cheaper when compared to private tours and they have a set schedule. Some operators require a minimum of two people to join the tour before the booking can be confirmed. All climbs have a maximum number of participants, so be sure to book in advance to secure your place.

The maximum number of people in a Kilimanjaro group tour is usually between eight and 12. This does not mean that tours will always fill up to that number. Tours that are well advertised and popular tend to fill up while others may have fewer participants but still offer an equally good service.

There are also open group tours containing just three people and bigger tour groups with more than 15 people, although these are not as common.

Kilimanjaro group tours can reduce the cost per climber significantly, because tour operators are able to spread some fixed costs per climb amongst the number of participants. Joining a group tour also makes it easier to meet people and form close bonds and friendships with other climbers. Indeed, some climbers describe the bonds they form with others on the tour as one of the most rewarding aspects of their Kilimanjaro experience. Other people in the group may also offer much needed mutual support and inspiration during that last summit push.

One of the disadvantages of joining a Kilimanjaro group tour is that you may have to adjust your walking speed to that of others. If you're a faster climber, you may have to adjust your walking pace to that of the slowest. Conversely, the slowest person may feel pressured to walk faster. Tour operators will handle this differently. Some keep the group together at all times, while others allow faster climbers to go ahead with a guide and slower hikers to stay behind with another guide.

Another disadvantage is that pre-scheduled group tours run on a fixed schedule – which may not always be convenient for you.

Group tours have their advantages and disadvantages. If you can find a Kilimanjaro group tour that runs on a date that is convenient for you, we would certainly recommend this option. This is because joining a group tour helps to keep costs down and allows you to meet other likeminded people. This aspect of a group tour cannot be understated. Many lasting friendships have been formed while climbing. Climbing Kilimanjaro is a very unique and challenging experience and the bonds you share with others who climb with you can be profound and life-changing.

When joining an open group to climb Kilimanjaro, please note that you will have to adjust your walking speed to that of others, which typically means the pace of the slowest person in your group. It is not uncommon for this to create some frustrations amongst group members. Faster climbers would prefer to go ahead and take less frequent breaks, while the slowest person may feel pressured to walk faster.

When booking a group trek, please expect that you will need to adjust to the pace and needs of the entire group. Furthermore, you will not be able to adjust your itinerary spontaneously (unless needed), such as shorten your climb by a day if you feel that you can go faster. While there will always be a sufficiently high guide to client ratio to assist with early descent if needed, groups will not split up to accommodate the preference of some climbers to walk faster than others.

If you prefer more flexibility during your climb to set your own pace and adjust your itinerary while climbing, please contact us for private climbing packages.

Unfortunately, when joining an open group trek to climb Kilimanjaro, it is not possible to downgrade the package to make it cheaper. For example, you might not require emergency oxygen or a dining tent that are included in the climb package. However, the cost of these items is already factored into the price paid by other climbers.

It wouldn't be fair to them if they would be required to pay more, and it could lead to friction in your climbing group.

In case of emergency, of course your guide would use the emergency oxygen paid for by other climbers for your safety benefit. Other climbers may be annoyed about you getting a free ride at their cost.

However, to the extent allowed by Kilimanjaro National Park regulations, it is always possible to downgrade and fully customize a private group climb.

This may help you save a lot of money if you are a group of at least 5 climbers booking together. If you are a solo traveller, or you are travelling as a couple, please note it would almost always be cheaper to join a higher-quality group climb, then organize your own lower-quality budget climb.

The number of climbers in a private Kilimanjaro tour really depends upon your requirements and preferences. So if you are going by yourself, your private tour will consist of one person although you should be aware that you will need to pay a single person supplement. However, if you are planning to climb Kilimanjaro with a group of people, then the number of people in a private tour will depend upon the number of people in your group.

The main disadvantage associated with a private tour is that it works out to be more expensive for solo climbers or couples.

For single people it is a particularly expensive option as it means they will have to pay a single person supplement.

On a private tour it is also unlikely that you will get the same group bonding experience that you would on a group tour.

This can be a rather lonely experience if you are by yourself. However, you will still meet other hikers along the way and at campsites, so there is some opportunity to socialize with others.

If you prefer more comfort, it may be worthwhile to upgrade your climb with a walk-in tent and sleeping cot. Crawling in and out of standard sized tents multiple times a day can become quite tedious for some people. The space may also feel very confined with not much room to spread out your gear or get changed, especially when shared between two climbers. A larger tent will feel more spacious and give you more room to move. On the flip side, larger tents will also feel colder because they don't trap the heat as well.

Whether you feel more comfortable sleeping on a cot compared to standard foam sleeping mats used on the mountain is very individual. Cots can feel more comfortable to sleep on for some people, as they're softer and give the feeling of a familiar frame bed. For others, however, the relatively narrow width of cots may feel less comfortable compared to sleeping closer to the ground, where you can simply rest your arms or legs on the floor if you need more space.

You will find the following rating symbols for Tour Operators and accommodations throughout our website:

We have sourced these ratings for you from TripAdvisor and other leading platforms to validate that our partners are top-rated. Please note that many of our local partners are selling tours predominantly via international agencies rather than directly. Therefore, some of them do not yet have as many independent ratings in their own name as you will find for international brands.

In rare cases, there are no meaningful independent ratings for the above reason. When we have verified and curated such companies that we deem to deserve a 5-star rating (e.g. because their tours are 5-star rated when sold by other agencies), you will find "n.m." instead of the number of reviews next to the rating symbol.

We have gone to great lengths to compare Kilimanjaro tour operators and offers for you, including onsite meetings in Tanzania with all KPAP approved outfitters and our work though KiliGATE. Based on objective price-value comparisons, we have already pre-selected the best offers, carefully vetted all tour inclusions, and made them easily comparable for you.

All partners are furthermore top-rated by travellers on leading review platforms such as TripAdvisor. We remain open to working with all KPAP Partner companies who can give you the best offer for your requirements.

We only promote approved companies under IMEC's Partner for Responsible Travel Program. This means that all our climbs are monitored locally by KPAP to ensure minimum fair porter treatment practices. As KPAP is the only independent organization that monitors Kilimanjaro climbs, this is the best and only way to ensure that you are booking an ethical climb.

If you dislike working out at the gym, or you are not an athlete or mountaineer, then fear not. While you do have to be in reasonably good health to climb Kilimanjaro, the type of fitness you have is more important than working out. You could be walking for anywhere up to 10 kilometres for hours on end at high altitudes, so it is important that you are able to do this.

Altitude sickness can strike anyone randomly, regardless of their fitness level. The key to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro is to give yourself more days to climb the mountain, so that you can acclimatise better.

The best training you can do to prepare for your Kilimanjaro climb is hiking. Running, swimming and cycling are all very good exercises but what you will be doing on Kilimanjaro is hiking.

You will need to condition your body to walk in ascension, over uneven terrain for long periods.

If you live in an area with hiking trails and mountains, this is a great opportunity to practice. If you live in a city or somewhere flat, taking stairs instead of elevators and targeted muscle exercises are excellent practice.

Hiking is the best possible preparation for your Kilimanjaro climb. If you're a beginner, you should start by going for walks and carrying no weight with you. Gradually as you get more comfortable you can increase the duration of your walks, the height of ascension, and begin to add weight to your pack. You should also wear the boots you are planning to wear on your climb. Ideally, you should hike the kind of mountainous terrain you will be faced with at Kilimanjaro, but if that terrain is unavailable to you, you can try to simulate with stairs.

The most important areas on your body to strengthen before your Kilimanjaro climb are your legs and your core. Strong legs are essential as they are going to be doing most of the work, but a strong core will help keep pressure off your back as you climb carrying gear.

In addition to hiking and long walks, targeted muscle exercises such as squats, lunges and deadlifts are great for strengthening the legs.

Try to add and increase weight as you get comfortable with a set of up to 10-15 repetitions each. In addition, core strengthening exercises like pilates, planks, and abdominal work will support your back.

We recommend all travelers visiting Tanzania to take anti-malarials, even if you are only planning a short trip or a mountain climb because you will not be able to entirely avoid your exposure to malaria-transmitting mosquitoes.

Before leaving for Tanzania your doctor can recommend an anti-malarial medicine, along with instructions about dosage. Very often doctors will prescribe a course of antibiotics or anti-parasitic medicines as a preventative measure to be begun one to two weeks before departure for Tanzania. Whatever is prescribed, it is important that travelers follow dosing directions carefully.

Kilimanjaro climbers generally do not need to worry about tsetse flies and sleeping sickness. There are no tsetse flies on Mount Kilimanjaro, and you are not likely to come across them during your travels in the Kilimanjaro area, including the Kilimanjaro airport, the cities of Moshi and Arusha which are commonly used as base to climb the mountain, and the area in between. Therefore, tsetse flies and sleeping sickness are not a risk when climbing Kilimanjaro.

We strongly recommend taking anti-malarials preventatively. We suggest you consult your physician to decide which drug could work best for you. Besides medication, the single best precaution to protect yourself against contracting malaria is by preventing mosquito bites.

Mosquitos that are responsible for transmitting malaria are most active during dusk and dawn. In general, it's recommended to stay indoors at this time. If your room has no air-conditioning or isn't well-screened, it's best to sleep under a mosquito net.

Whenever you are outside at this time, you can protect yourself by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants and a hat in a very light colour. Apply insect repellent to all exposed skin, but not under your clothes, and wear clothes that are treated with permethrin. Also, burn mosquito coils when you are sitting outside.

You can choose to only use mosquito repellent at this time, but you can also use it throughout the day. This way you protect yourself against different types of mosquitos that are active during the day. Among them are mosquitos that carry yellow fever and dengue fever.

In the occasion that you feel ill with flu-like symptoms, it's important to seek professional medical help right away.

YES. It is essential that you and anyone included in your booking are covered by insurance before setting out on holiday. This insurance must cover personal accidents, medical expenses, loss of effects, repatriation costs and all other expenses that might arise as a result of loss, damage, injury, delay or inconvenience. If you are undertaking a hazardous activity, your insurance must also cover this particular activity. It is also advisable that you take out travel cancellation insurance as soon as we have confirmed your booking, to cover your non-refundable costs in case of cancellation or changes to your Tour. Please note that insurance included with credit cards is normally NOT sufficient for Tours promoted by Fair Voyage.

We normally recommend the travel insurance by World Nomads which offers comprehensive coverage at good prices. You can easily apply for it online – it only takes 3 minutes:

Please note that it is your responsibility to read your insurance terms and conditions carefully to  ensure that your insurance will provide adequate coverage and protection for your Tour and particular circumstances, and to provide the necessary proof of insurance to your local Tour Operator.

Travel insurance is essential for all trips, and especially for activities with increased physical and financial risk such as Kilimanjaro climbs. In the interest of your own safety and budget, good operators and agencies typically make travel insurance mandatory for you to participate in their climbs. For the same reason travel insurance is also mandatory for all trips booked via Fair Voyage.

To protect your financial investment in case of cancellation due to illness or other unforeseen changes, it is best to take out your insurance (that should cover cancellations) as soon as you've booked your climb.

To maximize your Kilimanjaro summit success rate, the right preparation will go a long way to help you reach your goal:

1. Choose a responsible tour operator with experienced and well-trained guides
2. Allow enough days for your climb in order to acclimatize to the high altitude
3. Choose a route that allows you to hike high, sleep low
4. Train as much as you can, including cardio and strength exercises
5. Believe that you can summit; practice visualization and affirmations
6. Pack adequately so that you will stay warm, safe and healthy while climbing
7. Share your goal to get support and stay on track
8. Pre-acclimatize (if possible)

Please click here to download our gear & packing list. Many items can also be rented locally from your Tour Operator. If you do not see a price list with available gear for this Tour (or anything you need is missing), please contact us.

A pee bottle is nothing more and nothing less than a plastic water bottle with a wide mouth. This way, it's easy to pee in.

It comes in the shape of the bottle displayed on the image. It looks exactly like a water bottle you could use for drinking. Therefore, it's recommended to label which one you would use for pee.

However, it's also available as a water bag with a wide mouth. In this form, it takes up much less space in your backpack.

At night, it becomes very silent at the mountain which means that you hear all sorts of sounds much better. Moreover, you're also not used to various sounds as they are probably different from the sounds you hear at home.

This can disturb your sleep, especially if you are a light sleeper.

Noise can be caused by travellers who keep you awake by snoring if they go to bed early or by sharing stories if they stay up late at night. Especially if you share dorms on the Marangu trail, earplugs come in handy to deal with all the snoring.

Not only people but also the wind can make strange and loud sounds between the tents.

Keep also in mind that porters and guides get up earlier than you do to prepare your breakfast among others.

To make sure you get as much sleep as possible during the night, it is recommended that you bring earplugs.

The higher the altitude, the more intense the sun is. If you ever did winter sports, you'll remember how harsh the sun and the wind could be on your skin. That means that you need sun protection with an SPF of at least 30.

It is also recommended to use a lip cream with an equally high SPF.

Since you are physically very active, we recommended that you choose a sun cream that is sweat resistant for optimal protection.

Women can use a pee bottle if they put a special funnel-shaped urinary on top of it. This urination device literally allows them to direct their urine.

It can be used to pee in a pee bottle but women can also use it to pee in a stand-up position.

Globally, DEET is recognised as the most effective broad-spectrum insect repellent. It protects against mosquitos but also against ticks, biting flies and fleas.

Tanzania is an area with a high risk of mosquito-borne infections like f.e. malaria and dengue. Therefore, using DEET is a necessity. Avoiding mosquito bites is the best protection after all.

DEET is available in different concentrations ranging from 20 % to 50 %. The duration of protection varies accordingly with a 50% concentration lasting up to 12 hours. Higher concentrations do not increase the length of the protection.

Keep in mind, however, that you have to reapply it sooner when you are sweating. And, when using it in combination with sunscreen, you have to apply it after your sunscreen. DEET may decrease the SPF so it's recommended to use it with a higher SPF than you would typically use.

The amount of weight you can bring for your porter to carry depends upon your company and package – ranging from as little as 8kg to up to 20kg. Most companies allow you to carry up to 15kg.

Please be aware that even though 20kg is the maximum weight limit per porter, the total weight that your porters carry for your group reduces over the course of your climb because your food supplies will gradually decrease. The weight of your personal bag, however, is unlikely to reduce. Therefore, even if you are allowed to bring 20kg, this is not ideal for your porter, especially at higher altitudes.

If you need to bring more gear, we can customize your offer to include the services of an additional private porter.

Luggage delays do happen. Facing one can seriously impact your trip and could potentially cause you to miss your climb. For that reason, it is advised that you travel with the most critical pieces of your climbing gear in your hand luggage. Wear your hiking boots on the plane and one full hiking outfit including outerwear. These are the most difficult and costliest items to replace, and the ones that will most affect your ability to participate in the climb. Any critical pieces of outerwear, raingear or footwear should also come with you in your hand luggage.

Tourists usually book fully organized climbing tours. Porters carry all gear and supplies, while you only need to carry what you need during the day. Your daypack will usually not weigh more than 5 to 8kg.

It is also possible to hire an additional personal porter to carry your daypack. Climbers with back issues might want to do so.

There is also the option to climb only with a guide and carry all your own gear and supplies. Only the strongest climbers with experience trekking in high altitudes should make use of this option.

As a conscious traveller, you care about our environment. To reduce your footprint, you also want to reduce waste. Who hasn't heard of all the problems caused by plastic polluting our environment and waters!

Here are three things that you as a conscious traveller can pack to avoid completely unnecessary new plastic waste:

1. Water container such as a Nalgene bottle – avoid wasting water bottles and plastic cups (read why and how to get a refill)
2. Backpack or cotton bag – avoid wasting plastic bags to carry purchases or supplies
3. Your own toiletries – avoid wasting tiny shower gel, shampoo and other plastic containers in your hotel

Have you ever counted the plastic cups used and thrown out during a long-haul flight? Or the number of tiny plastic water bottles consumed during your hotel stay? Multiply your own consumption by millions of travellers, and you'll reach thousands of tons of new plastics waste created every single day!

Most of the plastic waste created while travelling is completely unnecessary, yet easy to change: bring your own water container. Nalgene bottles are light-weight, durable and easy to clean. By refilling your reusable water bottle, you can save money on buying water when out and about (read how) and reduce waste at the same time.

There are many ways how you can refill your reusable water container and avoid plastic waste while travelling – often for free (read why):

• During your flight: Ask for water to be filled into your bottle rather than wasting new cups.
• On an organized tour: Responsible tour operators usually provide drinking water for you to fill your water container. For example, your transport vehicle may have a water tank.
• When travelling independently: Buy larger water bottles to refill your container for the day. Most hotels will provide boiled water for free – just ask. Best of all, your tap water might be save to drink – make sure to check.

There are no power outlets to charge your devices on Kilimanjaro. However, one way to charge your gadgets is to bring portable power stations that can last for hours. Power stations can usually charge more than one device at the same time. Another option is to use a solar charger that uses the energy from daylight to generate enough electricity to charge your devices.

Some high-end tour operators offer packages that include solar chargers. When booking a climb with Fair Voyage, we can also customize your offer to include a rental solar charger.

A battery pack or portable charger is a device that stores energy for use in charging devices. The battery pack is plugged into a USB port or electrical outlet until it is fully charged. Then, it can be disconnected and taken anywhere.

If you connect your devices to the battery pack with a USB cord, you can use the charged battery pack's reserved energy to power up your smartphones, tablets or other devices.

A portable charger is reliant on a power source like an electrical main to stay charged. Power points are non-existent on Kilimanjaro. So, once it's depleted of energy it won't be possible to recharge it until the end of the trek. This also accounts for your other devices.

It's worth bringing a portable charger if it can hold enough energy to power all of your devices for the duration of your trip to Kilimanjaro. However, keep in mind that batteries get depleted much faster than usual in cold circumstances. Therefore, a solar charger may be the best and most reliable choice.

A solar charger is a device consisting of small solar panels that convert solar energy into electricity. This can be used to power electronic devices like smartphones, tablets and other devices. You can also use it to charge a battery pack if you wish to combine the two.

A solar charger is usually portable and needs to be put in sunlight to be able to charge. Once there is sunlight, you have a limitless supply of electricity. As it is clean energy, it doesn't have a carbon footprint. 

Once you've gone through your list and made notes of everything you need that you don't already have, you can start to decide where you'll get the additional required gear. Most gear can be rented locally from your Tour Operator. Additionally, many community hiking or adventure groups may have gear you can rent or borrow for your trip. In the interest of your budget and our environment, we only recommend to buy new gear if you are sure that you will also use it in future.

When you book your climb via Fair Voyage, you can conveniently rent your required gear as part of your fully customized climbing offer.

The time it takes to organize the necessary gear for Kilimanjaro depends on your individual experience. If you're an avid hiker you may already have much of the equipment necessary to hike Kilimanjaro.

It's also worth keeping in mind that much of the required gear is available for rent from tour providers. Renting equipment instead of buying can save you money and minimize gear-organization. In this case, preparing and organizing all of your gear may only take a week or so.

If you are a beginner it may take you several weeks to organize your gear, particularly if you like to do thorough research.

Tour operators often rent out the necessary gear to climb Kilimanjaro. It's important to check with your specific tour operator to see what exactly they offer for rent. 

Some items that are typically available include synthetic jackets, sleeping bags, inflatable sleeping pads, trekking poles, duffel bags, oxygen systems, private toilet tents and raincoats.

Many of these items are very expensive to purchase, particularly if you're looking for a higher-quality model. Therefore, renting is recommended. Depending on the available equipment, you may still need to supplement it with your own equipment.

Our accommodation recommendations for Moshi depends on your budget preference. Here are some hotels in Moshi that are popular amongst Kilimanjaro climbers:

• Leopard Hotel (link to booking.com) : budget hotel in central location
• Bristol Cottages (link to booking.com): mid-range accommodation with green lounge garden in central location
• The Secret Garden Hotel (link to booking.com): chilled hotel with garden & lounge within 2km of central Moshi
• Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel (link to booking.com): modern hotel with swimming pool within 2km of central Moshi. This is one of the nicest options in Moshi

Please note that there are no 4-star hotels in Moshi, and no 5-star hotels in the entire region. If you prefer something more luxurious, there are a few 4-star hotels in Arusha (see our recommendations). For a more exclusive and private experience away, their are also a few luxurious lodge options in quiet countryside near Usa River (between Arusha and Kilimanjaro airport).

Arusha has many accommodation options from low-budget to 4-star, depending on your preferences. Here are some recommended hotels and lodges in and near Arusha:

• Equator Hotel (link to booking.com): very affordable business hotel in central Arusha
• Outpost Lodge (link to booking.com): affordable green hotel with swimming pool, within 20 minutes walk of central Arusha
• Arusha Residence Boutique Hotel (link to booking.com): affordable top-rated hotel with green garden, within 20 minutes walk of central Arusha
• Four Points by Sheraton (link to booking.com): top 4-star hotel with swimming pool and green garden in central Arusha
• Rivertrees Country Inn (link to booking.com): premium lodge with Kilimanjaro views, garden and swimming pool in the countryside
• Arusha Coffee Lodge (link to booking.com): truly luxurious accommodation for a very special treat in the outskirts of Arusha

If you prefer to stay close to Kilimanjaro airport:

• Airport Planet Lodge (link to booking.com): top-rated hotel with garden & swimming pool near Kilimanjaro airport

Most visitors of Kilimanjaro use the nearest town of Moshi, located within less than an hour’s drive from both the airport and the mountain, as a base to visit the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park.

Alternatively, the safari capital Arusha is within a two hours' drive from the park gates. It provides more modern accommodation and amenities than Moshi. Used as a base for global attractions such as the Ngorongoro Conservation Area or Serengeti National Park, many Kilimanjaro visitors will also pass by Arusha at some stage.

We recommend that you arrive in Tanzania two nights before the start of your Kilimanjaro climb. This gives you enough time to acclimatize and recover from your flight. It also allows enough time for your check-in luggage to arrive – delays are unfortunately a common occurrence – and to organize any required rental gear or purchases locally.

If you are on a tight timeline and comfortable with the risk of potentially lost or delayed luggage, it is generally sufficient for you to arrive by early afternoon on the day before your climb. This will allow enough time for your pre-climb briefing and gear check which is usually conducted in the afternoon or evening prior to the start of your climb.

On special arrangement, but not recommendable, it is also possible for you to transfer to the park gate directly from the airport if you only arrive early morning on your first climbing day.

You will usually finish your Kilimanjaro climb by noon, latest early afternoon. The drive to Kilimanjaro airport takes about two hours. On the way, you may need to pick up any luggage stored at your hotel, and you'll likely want to have a quick shower if you've pre-booked a day room to freshen up before your flight.

Taking all of the above into consideration, it's usually safe to depart on an evening flight from Kilimanjaro airport from about 6pm. Earlier departures may be possible at your own risk, but are not recommendable.

When joining an open group, your tour usually includes one more night of accommodation after your climb. This gives you the opportunity to celebrate your climb with your group and new friends – a very special occasion that you may not want to miss.

Several major international airlines fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport, including KLM Royal Dutch Airlines from Europe (Amsterdam), Turkish Airlines from Turkey (Istanbul) and Qatar Airways from the Middle East (Doha).

There are also flights operated by major African airlines including Ethiopian Airlines (Addis Ababa), a member of the Start Alliance group, and Kenyan Airways (Nairobi).

As there are no direct flights from the US, and only one direct flight from Europe, most travellers will connect via one of the above cities. Most major international airlines will be able to offer such codeshare connecting flights.

As with any flight, there is always the risk that luggage will be delayed or mislaid. Generally, luggage that is delayed on its way to Kilimanjaro is reunited with its owners within 24 hours, but there are occasional delays of 3 to 4 days. This can cause serious problems for travellers who may have packed their most critical pieces of climbing equipment in their checked luggage.

Travellers going from Kilimanjaro airport to Moshi or Arusha can usually take a taxi. Rates are negotiable whereby we recommend approximately US $40 to Moshi and US $50 to Arusha to be fair to both you and the driver. Make sure that you always agree the price upfront. Taxis are usually safe, but you may prefer to pre-arrange a transfer via your hotel or tour operator for your comfort, which will be slightly more expensive. Many tour operators also offer airport transfer services as part of their package, so check to see if that is available. There is currently no public transport service available to save costs on the transfer.

You have two options to get from Dar es Salaam to Kilimanjaro:

1. Fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport, or
2. Take a bus.

Buses usually leave early morning from Dar es Salaam and arrive in Moshi late afternoon or early evening – it's a full days journey! Unfortunately, as of now, there is no system to pre-book tickets, not even for local tour operators. This means that you need to leave enough time to buy your ticket directly in Dar es Salaam at least one day before your journey. To do so, our local partners recommend a coach/bus service called Kilimanjaro Express which you can get from Dar es Salaam to Moshi.

If you are feeling less adventurous and prefer to save your time (which you could use to explore Moshi or go on a longer safari instead!), we would highly recommend flying into Kilimanjaro International Airport over taking a bus.

The so-called 3 golden rules of altitude acclimatization will help you acclimatize naturally in order to reduce the discomforts and risks associated with altitude sickness. The golden rules are:

1. Take your time: Choose a route that allows you to ascend slowly over multiple days, and walk slowly during the day.
2. Stay hydrated: Drink at least 2-3 liters of water every day, or more if in combination with dehydrating substances such as diamox or caffeine.
3. Walk high, sleep low: Sleep at a lower altitude at night than you've climbed during the day. Some routes offers such a beneficial altitude profile.

Although being in good shape is a good predictor of how you will adapt to the altitude changes, the ability to easily acclimatize to high altitudes is mostly genetic.

To prepare, you can pre-acclimatize at home by hiking at altitude. If this is unavailable to you prior to your trip, you can opt to prepare with an altitude training system.

This system consists of a generator that pushes reduced oxygen into a mask or an enclosed space. You can then sleep or do low impact workouts with reduced oxygen to pre-acclimatize yourself to hiking at high altitudes.

To pre-acclimatize for Kilimanjaro, hikers can hike at other local mountains in the Kilimanjaro region. There, they will experience altitude changes similar to Kilimanjaro.

Mount Kenya and Mount Meru are two mountains that offer a good introduction to challenging altitudes for climbers who have not done this before.

Altitude training systems are also available. Although they are not necessary, they can greatly help travelers prepare for hiking with less oxygen at high altitudes.

An altitude training system is designed to help travellers pre-acclimatize to the oxygen conditions at high altitudes. The system consists of a plastic dome and a generator that pushes reduced oxygen into a tent or a mask.

Travellers can then sleep in the tent to get used to the reduced oxygen levels they will experience at a high altitude. Alternatively, they can use the system with a mask to breathe during low-impact workouts.

The fatality rate on Mount Kilimanjaro is low compared to other mountains. Of the 30,000-50,000 people who climb Kilimanjaro each year, an estimated 10 tourists die annually from altitude sickness and other causes. This represents a death rate of 0.03% or less, which is low compared to other mountains in the world.

Mt Blanc at 4,810m in the European Alps, which is lower than Kilimanjaro by over 1,000 meters and attracts a similar number of people, claims the lives of 100 people a year – making it 10 times more deadly!

Altitude sickness is a serious and potentially dangerous risk when climbing Kilimanjaro.

If ignored and left untreated, it may become severe and, in extreme cases, lethal.

It is the most common cause of tourist deaths on Mount Kilimanjaro and needs to be taken seriously by the climber. It is important to climb with a well-trained and experienced guide who can monitor your individual altitude acclimatization, watch out for symptoms of altitude sickness, and – if required – insist on and assist with your descent.

The truth is that most climbers will be affected by altitude sickness in some way. You can however reduce the severity of it. Make sure to follow the so-called 3 golden rules of altitude acclimatization. Take your time over multiple days and ascend very slowly during the day. Drink lots of water while climbing.

It also helps to sleep at lower altitudes overnight than you've climbed to during the day. You can do this upfront by choosing a route with a beneficial altitude profile. While climbing, depending on route and tour operator, you may have the option to go for altitude acclimatization hikes in the afternoon or on rest days.

Shortness of breath is the most common symptom of altitude sickness when climbing Kilimanjaro. It happens because your body isn't able to take in as much oxygen as you're used to.

Some climbers may feel it already on their first climbing day, just as they might experience shortness of breath when climbing stairs. Others may only feel that it becomes harder to breathe above 4,000 meters (13,000 feet) of elevation. Sooner or later, however, everyone will experience shortness of breath on the climb – while climbing that is.

If you are in good health, it is unlikely that you will experience shortness of breath while resting.

Moderate altitude sickness is a little more intense than mild short-term altitude sickness. Fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath gets worse instead of improving over time.

Climbers may start to experience a loss of coordination and although the person may still be able to walk on their own, it will become more difficult for them to do so. Normal activities will also become more difficult.

This may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, tightness, congestion in the chest and severe headaches that are not relieved by pain medication.

If a person is showing signs of moderate altitude sickness, immediate descent is necessary.

Although all Kilimanjaro climbers may experience mild altitude sickness to some degree, in extreme cases, it can develop into more severe forms, which include HAPE (high altitude pulmonary oedema) and HACE (high-altitude cerebral oedema).

HAPE is excess fluid on the lungs, and if altitude sickness has progressed to this stage, a person may experience shortness of breath while they are resting, coupled with fever and coughing.

Another severe form of altitude sickness is HACE, which is fluid on the brain. Symptoms of HACE include clumsiness, confusion and stumbling.

Sometimes a person with severe altitude sickness may have both HAPE and HACE.

A person suffering from severe altitude sickness may also have a bluish, grey or pale skin tone. In this case, immediate descent is imperative.

If you are experiencing moderate symptoms of altitude sickness, then in the interests of your own safety, we recommend immediate descent. If symptoms do not improve with descent, then hospital treatment is necessary.