Climb Kilimanjaro

The World’s Highest Freestanding Mountain

Climb Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro is a name that creates excitement. And your first sight of Africa’s highest mountain, with its snowy collar, will be unforgettable.

As the world’s highest freestanding mountain, it will surely take your breath away. But just looking at Kilimanjaro is not enough, you really need to get yourself to the summit, to the ‘Roof of Africa,’ where that first sighting will be surpassed by an indescribable sense of achievement. And nothing can beat the sensation of looking down on our incredible continent from a height of over 19,000 feet!

Kilimanjaro Articles

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What is altitude sickness and how to prevent it on Kilimanjaro?

Climbing Kilimanjaro: Everything you want to know

The ultimate training guide for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

Top 20 interesting facts about mount Kilimanjaro

What to pack for Kilimanjaro

How to choose the best Kilimanjaro operator

Best time to Climb Kilimanjaro

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec

Kilimanjaro: Four routes to Uhuru peak

1. Lemosho Route

Choosing the Lemosho route for your trek can provide you with the most spectacular path on Kilimanjaro. This route will grant you scenic views on different sides of the famous mountain.

2. Machame Route

Machame route, also known as the whiskey route is the most famous route in Kilimanjaro due to its scenic landscapes. However, this mountain trail is challenging due to its steep hills and difficult path.

3. Rongai Route

The Rongai route is near the Kenyan border. It’s the sole route that advances Kilimanjaro from the north. This route has low crowds and has a gradual slope than other routes of the mountain.

4. Marangu Route

The Marangu ‘Coca Cola’ route is the oldest, most well-established path on Kilimanjaro. Many trekkers prefer this route as this is the most straightforward course on the mountain due to its gradual slope.

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Reviews

Your adventure is unique, every trip is different. But others have gone before you.
Read what they have to say.

 5/5

A group of 4 of us went to Mt Kilimanjaro in February to climb to its 5,895m summit! My friend had organised the trip and so I personally hadn't had any contact with Easy Travel until the day we arrived at our lodge.

Laura D, Spain

Tanzania - group climbing kilimanjaro reviews - climb kilimanjaro | kpap-certified tour operators

 5/5

We climbed the Kilimanjaro - private tour and had a great experience. Very helpful and friendly staff from the moment we arrived at the airport until departure. All was arranged very well, and we really enjoyed the trip. The crew on the mountain was so dedicated, cheerful…

Ariana V

Tanzania - after summit reviews - climb kilimanjaro | kpap-certified tour operators

 5/5

We had a fantastic Kilimanjaro expedition with an amazing group of guides and porters! From beginning to end very well organised. We were impressed by the organisation and the optimistic and positive spirit with the singing and dancing!

Eline de Gruijter

Tanzania - couple summit review - climb kilimanjaro | kpap-certified tour operators

FAQ

You have questions, many questions. With over 35 years of experience, we at Easy Travel believe we have the answers.

Pre-climb training: How to prepare

The chances are that you will be planning your Kilimanjaro climb many months before you arrive in Tanzania. Of course, our expert team here at Easy Travel will be very happy to help you plan your adventure. But when it comes to physical preparation, you are the one who will take responsibility to be in good shape. ‘Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.’ In the meantime, we suggest that you look at our comprehensive information on preparation.

Do you look after your staff?

Our staff are 100% dedicated to looking after our climbers and we are 100% dedicated to looking after them and you. Any climb is only as good as the mountain crew that accompanies it. That’s why we employ top professionals and look after them. We pay them properly, on time and in full – not something you can take for granted with cheap operators. We equip and clothe them appropriately, we make sure they are fed nutritiously, three times per day and we ensure that the tipping by the climbers is done in a transparent manner. We are a partner of the independent porters’ welfare organisation, KPAP who ensure that operators look after their porters. There is a KPAP representative porter on every climb, something we are very happy to encourage.

Most of our guides have worked with us for many years, which is testament of the great relationship we have with them. But we never take them for granted, as we know how valuable they are – to you and to us.

What is altitude sickness and how can I prevent it?

Everyone responds differently to altitude and the effects cannot be predicted in advance. Although you should be in good shape to climb, this will not prevent you getting altitude sickness. What happens at altitude is that the available oxygen decreases with the reduced air pressure. This can lead to headaches, nausea, dizziness and breathing difficulties. If it really persists, it can be fatal. Although altitude sickness cannot be prevented, taking a longer climb can help avoid it. The most important thing then is that its symptoms are detected earlyand action taken. Our guides are experts in detecting the symptoms and if your body is not acclimatizing, you will have to descend. No ifs, no buts, no arguments: safety always comes first. Even though we do everything to get you to the summit. If it is ‘summit versus safety’, thensafety wins every time.

How much will my climb cost?

A trip to Tanzania to climb up Kilimanjaro is not a cheap adventure. The cost will depend on which tour operator you choose, the route you select, the time you choose to spend on the mountain itself, and any extras you add on to your trip cost. Remember that this is probably a once in a lifetime experience, so you want to be safe and comfortable and climb with a responsible operator – not the cheapest operator. Easy Travel trip costs are quoted in US Dollars and will include airport pick-up, your transport from Arusha to Kili and back, full board, porters, guides, cooks, national park fees and permits. For Prices, please fill the Enquiry form and our Easy Travel Kilimanjaro specialists will get back to you will all necessary information on prices.

What are the relative summit success rates for the different routes?

Remember that the more time spent on the mountain, the better the chances of you reaching the summit. So, a 9-day Machame climb has a better success rate than an 8-day Machame climb; and a 10-day Lemosho climb will be even better. Based on statistics for 2019/ 20, the success rates for the routes are:

Lemosho Route (8 Days + 2 days in Arusha): 95%
Marangu Route (6 Days + 2 days in Arusha): 90%
Rongai Route (6 Days + 2 days in Arusha): 96%
Machame Route (6 Days + 2 days in Arusha): 92%
Machame Route (7 Days + 2 days in Arusha): 95%

When is the best time to climb Kilimanjaro?

Climbing Kili is possible at any time of the year, but is best undertaken in the drier months. The best times to climb are between the start of December upto the start of March, or between the end of June upto the end of October. Of course. These are the busiest times, but only experienced hikers are advised to tackle the mountain in the wetter months. It can rain unexpectedly in the dry season, of course!

For more information on Kilimanjaro, click here .

What is included in my trip cost?

The price you pay includes your hotel accommodation before and after the climb, transportation from the hotel to the trailhead and back, all park fees, hut/camp accommodation and all meals on the mountain, breakfast at the hotel before and after the climb, and the services and expertise of the mountain crew. Prices do not include your airport pick-up, any flights (whether international or internal), lunch, dinner or beverages at the hotel, personal gear and equipment, or tips for the mountain crew.

Can Easy Travel organize a safari for me after my climb?

Of course we can! Kilimanjaro is close to some of the greatest wildlife-spotting locations in the world. Think of the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, Lake Manyara. After your climb, you deserve something truly special, and there is nothing more special than a Tanzanian safari. We have been offering first-class safari adventures for over 35 years, in either Private Tours or Small Group Tours format.

Do I have to be extremely fit to take part in this trek?

There’s no need to be a superhuman to get to the top, and there is certainly no need to be a mountaineer, but a reasonable level of fitness is required and will make the whole climb much more comfortable. In preparation for your climb, start your training a few months before you arrive. Build your stamina, your core strength, build your cardio. Best of all, put on your daypack and do some hiking!

What are the differences between the Marangu, Machame, Rongai and Lemosho routes?

On a practical level, the Marangu route is the only one which offers accommodation in mountain huts. On the other three routes, climbers stay in tents in designated campsites. Marangu is perhaps less scenic than the other ones. A more detailed description of each can be found on our Mount Kilimanjaro page. The other main difference is the time spent on the mountain (see ‘How long is the hike?’ above.)

I don’t want to go on a safari, but I would love to visit Zanzibar after my climb. Can you organize a trip for me?

No problem, this is another popular option for climbers who want to really relax. Speak to our booking advisor when you’re organising your climb, they’ll be happy to help.

What weather can I expect on Kilimanjaro?

The weather on Kilimanjaro varies throughout the year, and also with the altitude as you ascend and descend the mountain. You will be warm when you start, but it is cold at the summit.

So, essentially, you can expect all sorts of weather, but it is best if you can avoid the rain. Tanzania’s two dry seasons last from December to the start of March, and then from late June until the end of October. Rain brings with it the possibilities of snow and ice on the higher slopes and it can also be muddy. For safety and the best chances of reaching the summit, you should certainly choose a dry season climb.

You will find the warmest months are between January and mid-March, with clear skies in the morning and night and maybe some cloudy conditions in between.

The period between March and mid-June is called the ‘Long Rains’ and this is not a good time to be tackling Kilimanjaro, in our opinion. It will not be busy, but as well as having to put up with the cold and wet, you will also miss out on some spectacular views, due to poor visibility caused by cloud cover. The so-called ‘Short Rains’ run from around the start of November until the beginning of December. This period is characterized by afternoon rains, but morning and evening skies are generally clear. November is not a month we would recommend for a Kilimanjaro climb.

Between the Long and Short Rains (from the middle of June to the end of October), the temperature cools but conditions are dry.

Tanzania avoids the temperature and climate extremes of other countries, but rain can fall in the dry seasons as well. Even Easy Travel cannot control the weather!

How many hours do we hike each day? How far do we have to walk each day?

How far you walk, how long it takes each day depends on which route you choose, which stage of the route you are on, how much you are ascending or descending and your own individual pace. A day’s trek might be only a few kilometres, involving only a few hours of walking. On summit day, however, you could be hiking for up to 12 hours. For more information, please see details of all our Kilimanjaro Trekking Tours, with their days’ stages and expected length of hiking times.

And remember, most importantly of all, that this is not a race: we are looking for pole, pole (slowly, slowly) all the way to the summit.

How many days are needed to climb Kilimanjaro?

Remember that the more days you spend on the mountain, the greater your chances of summit success. The longer the route, the better your chances, simply because you have more time to acclimatize to the altitude. Our Easy Travel trips last between 8 and 10 days in total (between 6 and 8 days actually on the mountain.) For a full review of all our trips, please see our Kilimanjaro Trekking Tours.

What’s the accommodation like on the mountain?

On the Marangu route, you’ll stay in huts, on the other routes you’ll camp in tents provided by Easy Travel. The Marangu huts each have dormitories, a dining-room and a separate bathroom (flush toilets or ‘long-drop’ toilets). At the campsites, the toilets are ‘long-drop’ style and Easy Travel provide a kitchen/dining-tent. If required, climbers can hire a mobile toilet on the Machame, Rongai and Lemosho routes, at extra cost.

What dangers will I face on the mountain?

The good news is that your Easy Travel team will look after you. Safety is our priority, always. You will spend most of your climb above the altitude where mosquitoes are a nuisance, and above the altitude where wildlife roam. (You might see some animals on the lower slopes.)

The biggest danger is that you suffer from the effects of altitude, which can strike anyone, however fit they are. This can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea and other symptoms. But we test your health daily, and our guides are experts in spotting symptoms and taking action.

THE WALL OF EXCELLENCE

It’s one thing to receive an award for high achievement, but it’s another to consistently rank on top for customer satisfaction.

Why Climb with Easy Travel

Trust

Over decades of providing reliable, safe, exciting and fun operations, Easy Travel has built an unrivalled reputation amongst its guests and indeed its competitors.

Safety

At Easy Travel, we never cut corners, we never compromise on safety. We’ll take you up the mountain, we’ll bring you down. Safely.

Attention to Detail

Attention to detail runs throughout our company, from checking the condition of equipment, to overall customer service and of course, to safety.

Consistency

Consistency is all about providing the same, high-standard, quality service to our visitors, every time. and our desire to give those visitors an unforgettable experience never changes.

Experience

The old saying states: ‘There’s no substitute for experience’ and at family-run Easy Travel we have 35 years of it

The Best Guides

Easy Travel chooses its mountain guides very carefully, our reputation depends on doing exactly that. They must be experienced, safety-conscious, responsible, and all to a very high standard.

Porter Welfare

As a company, we are partners of KPAP, (Kilimanjaro Porters’ Assistance Project), the organization created to ensure the fair and ethical treatment of porters

The Best Equipment

Easy Travel are 100% committed to providing the best. Top-quality gear is key to both comfort and safety, so we make no compromises in this area.

Excellent Food

Within your Kilimanjaro team you will discover a dedicated chef and his assistants, all committed to ensuring that your food on the mountain will be a highlight of your climb.

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Climb Kilimanjaro

The World’s Highest Freestanding Mountain