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Mount Kilimanjaro

Climb to the Roof of Africa, 5,895 m

Plan this trip
7 daysIdeal stay₹57,060From / night₹480Food / day₹23,780Entry

Africa's highest mountain, climbed without ropes in six to eight days on a guided trek through rainforest, heath, alpine desert and the glaciers of the summit, Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Every climb goes with a licensed operator, guides, a cook and porters; the classic routes are Machame (6-7 days, scenic, camping), Lemosho (7-8 days, best for acclimatising), Marangu (5-6 days, huts) and Rongai (drier, from the north). Allow seven days: the extra day raises the summit success rate. The stay price here is the whole climb package per night for two (park fees, crew, tents, meals, gate transfers and a hotel night in Moshi), about US$2,100 a climber with a budget operator and US$3,000 mid-range; crew tips of about US$250 a climber are on top. Best January to early March and June to October.

Highlights

  • Summit night to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m)
  • Sunrise over the glaciers from Stella Point
  • Rainforest with colobus monkeys on day one
  • The Shira Plateau and Lava Tower
  • Scrambling the Barranco Wall
  • Summit certificate at the gate

Things to do

  • Climb day 1: Machame Gate through the rainforest to Machame CampMorning · 6h
  • Climb day 2: up through the heath to the Shira PlateauMorning · 6h
  • Climb day 3: Lava Tower (4,600 m) and down to Barranco CampMorning · 6h
  • Climb day 4: the Barranco Wall to Karanga CampMorning · 6h
  • Climb day 5: across the alpine desert to Barafu base campMorning · 6h
  • Climb day 6: summit night to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), down to Mweka CampMorning · 6h
  • Climb day 7: down through the forest to Mweka Gate and the summit certificateMorning · 6h

Tours & tickets

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When to go

Best time: January – March, June – October

Worth knowing

Kilimanjaro's Wettest Months

April and May are the wettest months on the mountain: muddy rainforest trails, cloud on most days and snow near the summit. Climbs still go (the Marangu and Rongai routes are drier), but success rates and views are better from June to October and in January to early March.

Heads up

Short Rains on Kilimanjaro

November brings the short rains: afternoon showers in the forest and cloud lower down, but climbs run and the summit is often clear at dawn.

Heads up

Peak Climbing Season

The best weather brings the most climbers, above all on Machame and round full-moon summit nights. Book 2-3 months ahead, or take Lemosho or Rongai for quieter camps.

Heads up

Altitude Sickness

Uhuru Peak is 5,895 m: headaches and nausea are common above 4,000 m, and altitude sickness can kill. Take a 7-day route rather than 5 or 6, go slowly ("pole pole"), drink well, and turn back if your guide says so. Ask your doctor about acetazolamide (Diamox) and make sure your insurance covers trekking to 6,000 m and evacuation.

  • Kilimanjaro Marathon — Full and half marathons and a fun run through Moshi and up the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro, usually in late February or early March. Moshi's hotels fill for the weekend.
  • Christmas and New Year peak — The busiest fortnight of the year in Zanzibar and on the northern circuit: lodges set peak rates and minimum stays, Zanzibar resorts add gala dinners, and Kilimanjaro climbs fill. Book lodges, bush flights and the climb by September or October.