Kilimanjaro Climbing Guide
How to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro: Complete Trekking Guide 2025 - 2026
Conquer Africa's highest peak with our expertly guided expeditions
Kilimanjaro Climbing
Climbing Kilimanjaro: Everything a Beginner Needs to Know
Mount Kilimanjaro rises majestically to 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) above sea level, making it the highest free-standing mountain in the world and earning the title "Roof of Africa."
As one of Africa’s most sought-after travel destinations, Kilimanjaro attracts over 40,000 visitors each year. The trek is renowned for its stunning scenery and accessibility, requiring no technical climbing skills—just a good level of fitness and determination to reach the summit.
This guide is designed to help travelers prepare for their unforgettable Kilimanjaro journey. Drawing from 5 years of experience and having guided more than 1000+ climbers, we’ve compiled expert recommendations to ensure your adventure is safe, enjoyable, and truly life-changing.
Preparation Guide
What You Need to Know Before You Go
When is the best time to climb Kilimanjaro?
The ideal periods for climbing Kilimanjaro are from late December to early March and mid-June to late October, when the weather is generally most favorable. While other months can experience rain, it usually falls in the afternoon, leaving ample time for clear skies during the day. There are also many dry days even in the rainy season, offering good trekking conditions. For more details, check out our guide on Kilimanjaro’s seasons.
How much does it cost to climb Kilimanjaro?
In 2025, a safe and comfortable 7-day group climb typically costs around $2,500. Shorter climbs of 5 to 6 days or trips booked during off-peak seasons may range between $2,300 and $2,500. These prices include park entrance fees, which account for about 35% of the total cost. Be cautious of operators offering significantly lower prices, as this often reflects poor treatment of porters and compromises on safety and quality. Learn more about Kilimanjaro climbing costs in our detailed blog post.
How Should I Train to Climb Kilimanjaro?
A moderate fitness level is key to a comfortable and successful Kilimanjaro climb. This means you should be able to run 5 km (3 mi) without difficulty and hike 10 km (6+ mi) in a day. The best ways to train include swimming, cycling, running, and hiking.
See our Kilimanjaro training plan for a detailed guide.
Altitude Sickness and the Dangers of Climbing Kilimanjaro
The biggest risk on Kilimanjaro is acute mountain sickness caused by poor acclimatization. In severe cases, it can lead to cerebral or pulmonary edema, both life-threatening conditions that cause about ten deaths per year on the mountain.
Explore more facts about mortality on the mountain in our Mt. Kilimanjaro death statistics article.
Fortunately, AMS is easy to prevent. Choose a seven-day or longer itinerary, stay hydrated, and walk slowly to allow proper altitude adaptation. Guide expertise is crucial — choose an operator whose Kilimanjaro guides are certified Wilderness First Responders, trained to handle emergencies and evacuations. For more details, check our acclimatization on Kilimanjaro article.
Kilimanjaro Packages
Route Options
Routes and Maps
Kilimanjaro Group Climbs: 2025–2029 Departures
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FAQs
Get answers to the most common questions about climbing Africa's highest peak
Kilimanjaro can be summited year-round, and KiliSherpas Travel offers weekly climbs tailored to your preferred summit date. Weather varies by month, impacting temperature and rainfall at the base (not the upper mountain). January to March and September to October are typically drier with moderate temperatures, ideal for trekking. June to August offers cooler weather, while April, May, and November see heavier rainfall but fewer crowds. Contact us to align your climb with your schedule and preferences.
7 Days Machame Route and 8 Days Lemosho Routes prioritizing scenic beauty, optimal acclimatization, and high summit success rates.
KiliSherpas delivers unmatched value, safety, and service. Budget operators often cut corners on safety gear, guide certifications, or sanitary facilities, risking your experience. Overpriced operators inflate costs with excessive marketing or unnecessary add-ons. KiliSherpas guarantees superior safety, certified guides, premium equipment, and exclusive routes at a fair price, ensuring a safer, more rewarding climb.
Your safety is our top priority. KiliSherpas exceeds CDC guidelines with:
- Hand sanitizer in all vehicles
- Masks for crew, with gloves for chefs and kitchen staff
- Personal hot water basins for client hand/face washing at camp
- Strict staff distancing protocols during treks
Daily trekking averages 4-8 hours, depending on the route, with summit day being the longest. Our 3D interactive maps detail daily distances and elevation changes for your chosen route.
KiliSherpas provides a comprehensive Equipment List in your Welcome Package, covering all essentials for Kilimanjaro and safaris. Rent top-quality gear like sleeping bags, jackets, trekking poles, and gaiters directly from our on-site shop at your hotel.
Your day pack should hold only daily essentials. Our Kilimanjaro Information Guide offers expert tips to optimize your pack for comfort and efficiency.
KiliSherpas leads with industry-best safety measures, including:
- Emergency oxygen
- Hyperbaric bags
- Portable stretchers
- Pulse oximeters All lead guides are certified to use this equipment expertly.
While there are no current restrictions for non Africans entering Tanzania, you should however check with your local travel clinic for the latest recommendations. We highly recommend you are up to date with your Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, and Tetanus.
For current Health information for Travels to Tanzania, visit the Center for Disease Control website.
Fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for convenience. Alternatively, Nairobi, Kenya (NBO) offers cheaper flights, followed by a 6-8 hour shuttle to Arusha or Moshi. KiliSherpas staff will greet you at JRO or the bus station to start your adventure. Other relevant airports: Zanzibar (ZNZ), Arusha (ARK), Dar es Salaam (DAR), Serengeti Airstrip (SEU).
KiliSherpas provides a personalized Fitness Program tailored to your timeline, altitude, age, and fitness level, ensuring you’re ready for the mountain’s demands.
Diamox (Acetazolamide) can help mitigate altitude effects by increasing oxygen in the blood. Discuss with your physician to determine if it’s right for you.
Tanzania’s official languages are English and Swahili. All KiliSherpas guides speak fluent English, with some proficient in French, German, Italian, or Spanish.
We want you to bring home Kilimanjaro and Safari memories, but no matter how hard you try, there are some things you just can’t plan for. You are welcome to choose the best company policy for you. Many of our adventures have found AIG Travel Guard as a perfect policy as it includes high altitude trekking (Kilimanjaro) and AIG Travel Guard was Ranked #1 travel insurance by Forbes.
AIG Travel Guard Includes just some of the following:
- Baggage Delay and Protection
- Trip Cancelation, Delay, Interruption
- Emergency Evacuation, Travel Assistance
- Medical Assistance and Expense
- And much more
Visas cost $100 for US citizens and $50 for others, payable in US dollars or Tanzanian Shillings at airports, the Kenya/Tanzania border, or online at www.immigration.go.tz. Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months from entry.
The Tanzanian Shilling is the official currency, but US dollars are widely accepted in Moshi, Arusha, and park entrances. Credit cards are limited to airlines and major hotels. Bring sufficient US dollars and exchange at local banks or currency exchanges.
KiliSherpas designs menus to fuel your trek with balanced carbohydrates and proteins. Sample meals include:
Breakfast: Tea, coffee, porridge, eggs, sausage, fresh fruits (mango, banana, avocado)
Lunch: Soups, sandwiches, boiled eggs, snacks (peanuts, popcorn), fruit salads
Dinner: Roasted chicken, beef, or fish, potatoes, rice, pasta, fresh vegetables We accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other dietary needs.
Your KiliSherpas experience includes:
Welcome Package (Itinerary, Equipment List, Fitness Program, Kilimanjaro Journal, Summit Cap)
- Personal trekking coordinator
- Airport transfers
- 2 hotel nights with breakfast
- All park fees, permits, and taxes
- Private toilets, tents, and sleeping pads
- All meals and purified water on the mountain/safari
- Certified guides, chefs, and porters
- Safety equipment (oxygen, hyperbaric bags, pulse oximeters)
- Daily trip reports emailed to family/friends
- Free hotel Wi-Fi
- Personal Summit Certificate
- One tree planted on your behalf