How Long Does It Take to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro?

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro takes at least five days. A least of six days, and preferably seven or eight, provides a significantly higher chance of reaching the summit. For those with more time on their hands, there are other more leisurely and picturesque climb routes that may be completed in 10 or more days.

Kilimanjaro is a magnificent natural symbol. It is the world’s tallest freestanding peak, rising about 5km/3mi above the scorching dry plains of northeast Tanzania. The craggy glacier peaks that enclose the gaping Kibo Crater are covered in snow all year. Despite being barely 400 kilometers/249 miles south of the equator.

Many enthusiastic hikers and peak-baggers, or those seeking to achieve a collection of peaks, have Mount Kilimanjaro at the top of their bucket list. Not only is its 5,895m/19,340ft Uhuru Peak Africa’s highest peak, but it can also be reached without any specialized climbing knowledge or equipment.

Despite this, this spectacular peak should not be overlooked. Climbing Kilimanjaro demands some fitness and commitment. Hikers should also be aware of the health dangers linked with the abnormally quick altitude climb.

All Kilimanjaro climbs must be organized through an authorized Tanzanian operator, who will supply guides and porters, as well as camping equipment, food, and water. The length of a Kilimanjaro climb is usually always decided upon in advance and is determined by a number of variables. These include the route you choose, your budget, your degree of fitness, and the amount of time you allow for acclimatization.

Karl Egloff, a Swiss mountain runner, established the world record for a Kilimanjaro climb in 2014, completing the entire ascent and descent in under seven hours. At the opposite end of the spectrum, relaxed mountaineers may consider committing two weeks to circumnavigating Kilimanjaro’s top slopes before summiting. However, they are extremes. The majority of commercial treks last between five and seven days.

Recommended Duration & Success Rate

The longer you allocate to a Kilimanjaro expedition, the larger the odds of summiting. Data collected by way of Kilimanjaro National Park suggests that fewer than 30 percentage of these who try a five-day climb attain the top. For six- and seven-day climbs, the success price will increase to round forty five and sixty five percentage respectively. By contrast, extra than eighty five percentage of these who allocate eight days or longer attain the summit.

Allowing seven days or longer for a Kilimanjaro has various advantages. It is safer than a shorter climb, with a decreased threat of altitude-related sickness and fatigue-related accidents. A longer climb additionally approves you to choose for one of the quieter and greater scenic options to the oversubscribed Marangu Route. It offers you increased probability to respect the landscapes and vegetation, ranging from leafy montane rainforest to Afro-alpine moorland studded with massive lobelias and heathers. And it presents a higher risk of encountering monkeys, chameleons, birds and different wildlife.

There are two main downsides to a longer climb. The first is that each more day on the mountain attracts extra park prices and will increase the typical value of the expedition. The 2d is that it approves much less time for exploring different iconic Tanzania points of interest such as Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and Zanzibar. Despite this, given that the climb is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, we strongly endorse allocating at least six or higher seven days to Kilimanjaro.

Kilimanjaro Route Choice

How lengthy it takes to climb Kilimanjaro relies upon generally on which route you use. There are six most important routes, and all have their execs and cons. Most hikers use the Marangu Route, on the grounds that it is quicker, more cost effective and in many methods extra handy than any alternative, Unfortunately, the Marangu Route additionally suffers from overcrowding. Of the different routes, Machame is a famous compromise for cost-conscious visitors trying to keep away from the crowds. More scenic, gradual and quieter choices acceptable to solitude-seeking outside fanatics with deep pockets are the Shira, Lemosho, Rongai and Northern Circuit routes.

There are additionally two different routes: Umbwe and Mweka. These quick however steep routes are recommenced solely to very skilled mountain hikers who don’t require a whole lot acclimatisation. However, the Mweka Route is regularly used as a speedy descent route by means of human beings who ascended by means of Machame, Shira or Lemosho.

Marangu Route (Minimum 5 days; Recommended 6 days)

Marangu is the most famous route up Kilimanjaro, and it attracts greater climbers than the different 5 picks combined. It begins at Marangu Gate, close to the well-equipped city of the equal name. The five-day, four-night hike consists of in a single day stays at Mandara Hut (2,700m/8,858ft), Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,205ft) and Kibo Hut (4,703m/15,430ft) on the ascent. It returns to Horombo Hut on the descent. A six-day version provides a 2d night time at Horombo on the ascent. This longer model reduces the chance of altitude-related problems and will increase the hazard of summiting successfully. It additionally permits you a full day to discover the otherworldly vegetation of the Afro-alpine zone.

Marangu has various benefits over the alternatives. For budget-conscious climbers, it is substantially the most inexpensive option, partly due to the fact it can be accomplished in 5 days. It is additionally the least difficult route, with the first-class rescue service, and the solely one the place you can sleep in appropriate huts with bathing services throughout. Several of the huts even sell bottled drinks, as a result the nickname ‘Coca Cola Route’.

On the terrible side, many hikers experience that Marangu has end up a sufferer of its very own popularity. It tends be overcrowded, in particular over the top trekking seasons of August, September, late December and early January. In addition, unpleasant litter can be a problem, and the visitor visitors capacity you are not going to see a good deal wildlife.

Machame Route (Minimum 6 days; Recommended 7 days)

The 2d most famous route up Kilimanjaro consists of a few challenging sections, however presents a gentler ascent than Marangu and is extra scenic. Altitude-wise, it approves for greater acclimatisation, mainly if you select the seven-day, six-night option. The ascent includes nights at Machame Hut (2,890m/9,482ft), Shira Hut (3,840m/12,598ft), Barranco Camp (3,950m/12,959ft) and Barafu Hut (4,600m/15,092ft). Despite the deceptive names, there are no longer purposeful huts on this route; you want to camp.

Shira Route (Minimum 6 days; Recommended 8–10 days)

This stunning however little used route up the western flank of Kilimanjaro begins at Shira Gate (3,590m/11,778ft) and connects with the Machame Route prior to summiting. It includes a gradual multi-day ascent via a little-visited tract of Afro-alpine moorland regarded for its hanging volcanic rock formations. There is additionally the opportunity of seeing eland, buffalo and different massive mammals. Altitude-wise, the Shira Route starts offevolved out above the 3,500m/11,483ft contour, which offers you lots of time to acclimatise earlier than summiting. It can be carried out over six days, however an extra day or two is advised.

Lemosho Route (Minimum 6 days; Recommended 8–10 days)

One of the most stunning routes up Kilimanjaro, Lemosho, like Shira, begins on the western slopes, however at a some distance decrease altitude. This ability you’re much less probably to journey altitude-related problems on the first day. It additionally has the gain that you spend the first day in the woodland zone, which lies under the begin factor of the Shira Route. The Lemosho Route converges with the Shira Route on the 2d day.

Northern Circuit (Minimum 9 days; Recommended 10–11 days)

The most far off route up Kilimanjaro begins at Lemosho, then loops north round the peaks earlier than summiting from the east. It is the longest route, requiring at least 9 days. However, there is the alternative of extending the itinerary via a day or two to in a single day inside Kibo Crater, a tremendously advocated experience. A full week is allowed earlier than you address Uhuru Peak. This gradual ascent potential this route has the absolute best success rate, but is the most pricey option.

Rongai Route (Minimum 6 days; Recommended 7 days)

Rongai is the solely ascent route of Kilimanjaro from the northern side. It comes into its personal all through the wet season, as it receives a long way much less precipitation than any of the southern routes. It is additionally a right preference at different times, presenting a moderately gradual ascent, and an above common hazard of encountering massive wildlife. It is very uncrowded too, at least till it converges with the Marangu Route at Kibo Hut the day earlier than summiting. The seven-day variant comes with a a long way greater success charge than the six-day base route.

Factors Affecting How Long It Takes to Climb Kilimanjaro

The quantity of days allotted to surely all Kilimanjaro climbs is constant in advance. So, when it comes to duration, there are seldom any surprises, different than that sick or injured climbers may also want to reduce matters brief to return to base. However, a wide variety of elements will have an effect on how possibly you are to summit successfully, and it is well worth wondering these via in advance.

Altitude

The largest impediment to summiting Kilimanjaro correctly is the fast attain in altitude from base to the peak. Almost all climbers trip some consequences of altitude. These encompass headaches, breathlessness and insomnia, as nicely as greater uncommon and doubtlessly deadly stipulations such pulmonary or cerebral oedemas.

The nice way to minimise the extra serious consequences of altitude is acclimatisation. This ability allocating as many days as feasible to the ascent. People who climb over eight days are three instances as probable to summit efficaciously as these who do the minimal 5 days.

It additionally helps to spend a few days at a mid-altitude place prior to the ascent, such as Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha National Park or Marangu. Once on the mountain, hike at a slow, consistent tempo as an alternative pushing to attain camp early.

Seasons

Weather prerequisites on Kilimanjaro differ substantially with the seasons. Sub-zero nocturnal temperatures and excessive winds are probably at all instances of year, however it is a ways preferable to climb in dry conditions. For this reason, January to March or July to October are a ways higher for trekking than the wet seasons of April to June and November to December. Should different elements pressure you to time table a climb in the wet season, attempt the Rongai Route, the solely one that sticks to the dryer northern slopes.

Fitness

A realistic degree of health is required to climb Kilimanjaro successfully. If you are an inexperienced hiker, it is really worth assignment a coaching schedule, constructing to a factor the place you’re relaxed trekking for round 5 hours in hilly terrain. Ideally, use the coaching hikes to spoil in the boots and get used to the day pack you will take on the mountain. Running and biking will assist make bigger your cardio health too.

Other Preparations

Kilimanjaro is bloodless at night, and it can be very moist too, with a fierce tropical solar with the aid of day at greater altitudes. The following gadgets are vital or rather ideal for a profitable trek:

• A windproof and water-proof jacket and trousers
• Plenty of heat garb to layer
• Waterproof gloves
• One pair of thick trekking socks and skinny inner socks per day
• A large hat and UV sunglasses
• A pair of broken-in one hundred percentage water-proof trekking boots and lighter footwear for the evenings
• Adjustable trekking poles
• A four-season drowsing bag and magnificent floor mat (if now not furnished by way of the operator)
• A water-resistant bladder or water bottles with a complete 2L/68oz capacity
• A clinical package containing ache killers, anti-inflammatories, plasters for foot blisters, sunblock, chap-stick and medicine to decrease the threat of altitude-related problems
• A beneficiant stash of energy-rich snacks such as dried fruit, nuts, chocolate and electricity bars

FAQS

1. Why is Mount Kilimanjaro famous?

Aside from the wonderful stats, Mount Kilimanjaro is well-known for its beauty. The most famous attitude for photographers is the shot taken from Amboseli National Park in Kenya. Yet, in truth all of Mt Kilimanjaro sits in Tanzania, shut to its border with Kenya. Mt Kilimanjaro is additionally certainly a volcano with three separate cones. Of these, Mawenzi and Shira are extinct, however Kibo is categorized as dormant. However, scientists reckon that Kibo final erupted 360,000 years in the past and agree with there’s little risk of it turning into energetic once more whenever soon.

2. How excessive is the base of Mount Kilimanjaro?

The base of Mount Kilimanjaro is about 16,732 ft (5,100 meters) high. Climbers handle a huge vary of landscapes as they development to greater components of the mountain. On the way to the summit, they navigate lush forests, alpine moorland, scree slopes and rock faces. The intention is the snow-capped Uhuru top above, a reminder that the temperature gradually decreases with each and every step in the direction of the top.

3. Is hiking Mt Kilimanjaro really worth it?

Climbers come from all over the world to address an ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro, we say Mt Kilimanjaro is honestly well worth climbing. It’s one of the so-called Seven Summits, the absolute best peaks on every continent. Mt Kilimanjaro ranks at variety 4 in phrases of elevation, after Mount Everest, Aconcagua and Denali. What it lacks in stature, it makes up for in drama. The first recorded summit try was once made way returned in 1889 with the aid of a German named Hans Meyer, his Austrian mountaineer accomplice Ludwig Purtscheller and a neighborhood information Yohani Kinyala Lauwo. Since then, hundreds have observed in their footsteps and web site the trip as truely extraordinary.

4. Is it tough to climb Mont Kilimanjaro?

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro requires no specialised gear and it’s no longer a technically challenging ascent. But don’t be fooled: this is no stroll in the park. Tens of heaps of climbers begin out on what ought to be the hike of their lives however the danger of altitude ailment is large and now not all be successful in attaining the summit. To make it to the top, it’s necessary to put together properly. Train for steep gradients carrying a weighted backpack for over six to eight months prior to your climb. This will supply you a conflict threat of attaining the height so lengthy as you construct in time to acclimatize alongside the way. Check out our information Hiking at High Altitude: 5 Things to Consider to make sure you are organized for trekking Mount Kilimanjaro.

5. What route is satisfactory for Mt Kilimajaro?

There are seven routes to the pinnacle of Mount Kilimanjaro, every with their very own execs and cons. These are Marangu, Machame, Lemosho, Shira, Rongai, Northern Circuit and Umbwe. Marangu, Machame and Umbwe begin to the south. The Rongai path leads upwards from the volcano’s northern flanks. Meanwhile, Lemosho, Shira and the Northern Circuit method from the west. The Marangu trekking path was once the first to be set up and stays famous as it slopes most gently and additionally gives lodging on the way up. However, the extra difficult Lemosho path is regarded better for scenery. Despite this, incredibly few site visitors select this route, so if you searching for a crowd-free climb, this may want to be it. The Machame route is one of the most famous routes, and we think about it the first-rate route to the pinnacle of Mount Kilimanjaro, and has many possibilities the place you will hike excessive and sleep low making it a incredible choice for acclimatization.

6. How many miles is the Mount Kilimanjaro hike?

The wide variety of miles to hike Mount Kilimanjaro varies in accordance to the route you pick. Umbwe is the shortest route, however additionally the steepest. It measures 23 miles (37 kilometers). The longest route is the Northern Circuit, coming in at fifty six miles (90 kilometers). In between, you have Shira forty two miles (67 kilometers), Marangu and Rongai, every forty miles (64 kilometers), Lemosho at 35 miles (56 kilometers) and Machame at 30 miles (49 kilometers). But remember, it’s no longer simply about length: the gradient and altitude obtain are additionally full-size elements which have an impact on the situation of the hike.

7. Do you want to be in shape to climb Mt Kilimanjaro?

In short, sure you want to be healthy to climb Mt Kilimanjaro. Although you don’t want specialised hiking abilities or preceding experience, the skinny air closer to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro shouldn’t be underestimated. Even these in top health can be defeated by means of altitude health problem and unfortunately, being very suit doesn’t make you immune from its effects. That said, this isn’t a hike for the unfit, so if you’re eager to attain the top, get started out on some serious training.

8. Do you want oxygen to climb Mount Kilimanjaro?

Supplementary oxygen is normally carried as popular by way of tour operators walking Mount Kilimanjaro treks. While oxygen is commonly essential for climbs in environments with altitudes that exceed 23,000 toes (8,000 meters), climbers can journey the results of altitude health problem under this elevation as well. In addition to oxygen, operators will advocate purchasers displaying slight signs of altitude health problem to take a ruin and descend to a decrease section of the trail.

9. What is the pleasant month to climb Mont Kilimanjaro?

On a lengthy distance hike such as Mount Kilimanjaro, rain is no longer your friend. As Mt Kilimanjaro is so shut to the Equator, there’s no wintry weather or summer. However, there is a reported moist season. Most climbers are influenced to handle the mountain when the climate is driest as it is safer and a good deal extra enjoyable. Precipitation is lowest from August to October, making these the exceptional months to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Rainfall totals upward thrust barely from December to February and in June and July. From March to May the rains come, making this a moist time to hike. That’s additionally the case in the course of the brief moist season in November. Wetter months are additionally cloudy, which no longer solely impacts visibility however additionally ordinary traveller satisfaction.