MOUNT KILIMANJARO · TANZANIA
YOUR KILIMANJARO ADVENTURE STARTS HERE
Find your route to the Roof of Africa. Explore our Mount Kilimanjaro tours, compare climbing itineraries, and get help planning the climb that suits you.
EXPLORE CLIMBING ROUTES
GROUP & PRIVATE TOURS
PLAN YOUR CLIMB
GET PERSONALISED ADVICE
YOUR ADVENTURE STARTS WITH THE RIGHT TEAM
Choosing your Kilimanjaro team is about more than selecting a route. Clear planning, thoughtful preparation, and dependable mountain support all matter.
PERSONAL PLANNING
Plan around your preferred dates, available time, and travel companions, with guidance on choosing a suitable route and itinerary.
CLEAR TRIP DETAILS
Understand your daily itinerary, accommodation, inclusions, and exclusions before confirming your climb.
MOUNTAIN TEAM SUPPORT
From daily briefings to practical help along the trail, our mountain team supports you through each stage of your trek.
RESPONSIBLE CLIMBING
Respect for mountain crews, fellow trekkers, and Kilimanjaro’s environment shapes how we approach every climb.
START YOUR JOURNEY
WHERE ARE YOU IN YOUR KILIMANJARO PLANNING?
Whether you’re exploring the idea, comparing routes, or ready to choose your dates, find the next step for your Kilimanjaro climb.
01 / START HERE
NEW TO KILIMANJARO?
Find out what the climb involves, how to prepare, and what to consider before choosing your tour.
02 / COMPARE YOUR OPTIONS
FIND YOUR ROUTE
Compare climbing routes, trip lengths, and accommodation options to find an itinerary that suits your time and preferences.
03 / TAKE THE NEXT STEP
READY TO PLAN?
Tell us your preferred dates, group size, and the routes you’re considering. Get help choosing your climb and request a personalised quote.
FIND YOUR CLIMB
EXPLORE KILIMANJARO CLIMBING ROUTES
Compare our climbing routes to find an itinerary that suits your plans. Explore the landscapes, typical duration, and accommodation style of each route.
WESTERN APPROACH
LEMOSHO ROUTE
7–9 days on the mountain · Camping
Begin on Kilimanjaro’s western slopes, cross the Shira Plateau, and join the southern circuit. A varied journey through forest, open moorland, and high mountain landscapes.
SOUTHERN APPROACH
MACHAME ROUTE
6–7 days on the mountain · Camping
Climb through rainforest and moorland before traversing beneath Kilimanjaro’s southern glaciers. The route passes Lava Tower and the Barranco Wall before the final ascent towards Uhuru Peak.
NORTHERN APPROACH
RONGAI ROUTE
6–7 days on the mountain · Camping
Approach Kilimanjaro from its northern side near the Kenyan border. Trek through forest and open moorland towards Mawenzi before joining the eastern summit approach and descending via the Marangu trail.
THE HUT ROUTE
MARANGU ROUTE
5–6 days on the mountain · Mountain huts
Follow Kilimanjaro’s southeastern trail through rainforest, moorland, and alpine desert. Stay in shared mountain huts along the way, with the ascent and descent following the same route.
STEEP SOUTHERN APPROACH
UMBWE ROUTE
6–7 days on the mountain · Camping
Take a steep, direct trail through dense rainforest before reaching Barranco Valley and joining the southern circuit. Its demanding early stages and rapid altitude gain make careful acclimatisation planning especially important.
HIGH WESTERN APPROACH
SHIRA ROUTE
7–8 days on the mountain · Camping
Start high on Kilimanjaro’s western side and cross the open Shira Plateau before joining the southern circuit. The elevated starting point makes acclimatisation an important consideration when choosing this route.
THE NORTHERN SLOPES
NORTHERN CIRCUIT
9 days on the mountain · Camping
Explore Kilimanjaro’s western slopes before circling around its quieter northern side. This longer itinerary offers expansive views and more time to acclimatise before the summit ascent.
Durations shown are typical days on the mountain and exclude arrival, departure, and hotel nights. Final itineraries are confirmed when planning your climb.
OUR FEATURED KILIMANJARO CLIMBS
Compare three mountain itineraries with different durations and approaches. Choose the journey that suits your available time, interests, and preparation.
8-DAY LEMOSHO
8 mountain days · Camping
Begin in western rainforest, cross the Shira Plateau, and follow the southern circuit towards Uhuru Peak. An eight-day journey through varied mountain landscapes.
Shira Plateau • Barranco Valley • Uhuru Peak
7-DAY MACHAME
7 mountain days · Camping
Trek through rainforest and moorland, pass Lava Tower, and climb the Barranco Wall before approaching the summit from Barafu. A classic seven-day camping itinerary.
Lava Tower • Barranco Wall • Uhuru Peak
9-DAY NORTHERN CIRCUIT
9 mountain days · Camping
Start from the west before traversing Kilimanjaro’s northern slopes. This nine-day itinerary offers a longer mountain journey before the summit approach from the east.
Northern slopes • Third Cave • Uhuru Peak
YOUR CLIMB, YOUR WAY
GROUP CLIMB OR PRIVATE CLIMB?
Join other adventurers on a scheduled departure, or plan a private climb with your own travel companions. Explore both options and ask about availability for your preferred route and dates.
SHARE THE JOURNEY
GROUP CLIMBS
Share the mountain experience with other trekkers on a scheduled departure. Ask about available dates, routes, group sizes, and how joining a group works.
YOUR OWN TEAM
PRIVATE CLIMBS
Plan a climb with your partner, family, friends, or a private group. Discuss your preferred dates, route, and trip length to shape an itinerary around your group.
MEET YOUR MOUNTAIN TEAM
Behind every Kilimanjaro climb is a team of guides, cooks, and porters. Get to know the people who help bring the mountain journey together.
GUIDES, COOKS & PORTERS
Your mountain team brings together different roles throughout the trek. Guides lead the journey, cooks prepare mountain meals, and porters transport equipment between camps.
Before travelling, ask about your guide team, the support included in your package, and how the company looks after its mountain crew.
PLAN YOUR KILIMANJARO CLIMB
Good preparation starts before you reach the mountain. Explore when to climb, how to prepare, what to pack, and what to consider when planning your budget.
WHEN TO CLIMB
Consider seasonal weather, trail conditions, and your preferred travel dates when choosing when to climb.
FITNESS & ALTITUDE
Prepare for consecutive trekking days and understand why your itinerary needs time for acclimatisation. Fitness and altitude preparation are separate considerations.
WHAT TO PACK
Plan your clothing layers, footwear, daypack, and sleeping equipment. Confirm what your climb includes and which items you need to bring or hire.
PLAN YOUR BUDGET
Consider your climb, flights, visa, insurance, equipment, tips, and hotel nights. Request a clear breakdown of inclusions and exclusions before booking.
BEFORE YOU BOOK YOUR CLIMB
Ask for the details that matter: your daily itinerary, what your quote includes, how the mountain team supports you, and what happens if your plans change.
YOUR ITINERARY
Confirm your route, mountain days, daily walking schedule, accommodation, and arrival and departure arrangements.
WHAT YOUR QUOTE INCLUDES
Ask whether park fees, transfers, hotel nights, mountain meals, equipment, and drinking water are included. Confirm exclusions and any additional charges.
MOUNTAIN SUPPORT & SAFETY
Ask about guide qualifications, health monitoring, emergency equipment, evacuation arrangements, and how the team responds if you need to descend early.
BOOKING TERMS & INSURANCE
Read the deposit, payment, cancellation, and date-change terms. Confirm that your insurance covers trekking to Kilimanjaro’s summit altitude and the evacuation arrangements you may need.
MOUNT KILIMANJARO IN PICTURES
From forest trails and mountain camps to open alpine landscapes and the summit, discover the changing scenery of a Kilimanjaro climb.
KILIMANJARO CLIMBING FAQs
Find answers to common questions about choosing your climb, preparing for the mountain, and planning your trip.
Can beginners climb Mount Kilimanjaro?
Yes. Standard trekking routes do not require technical mountaineering experience, although previous hiking experience helps. Beginners should prepare for consecutive walking days, uneven terrain, cold conditions, and a demanding summit ascent.
How difficult is climbing Kilimanjaro?
Kilimanjaro is a demanding high-altitude trek. Long walking days and the summit ascent require endurance, while altitude can affect anyone. Physical fitness does not protect you from altitude illness, so preparation and an itinerary that allows acclimatisation both matter.
How many days does it take to climb Kilimanjaro?
Our route cards show typical mountain itineraries ranging from five to nine days. The exact duration depends on the route and itinerary. Allow additional time for arrival, departure, and hotel nights; compare the daily altitude profile as well as the number of days.
When is the best time to climb Kilimanjaro?
January to early March and late June to October are generally popular for drier conditions. Rain, snow, and cold weather remain possible throughout the year, so waterproof clothing and warm layers are necessary in every season.
Which Kilimanjaro route should I choose?
Choose according to your available time, hiking experience, accommodation preference, and acclimatisation needs. Compare the daily itinerary and sleeping elevations alongside the scenery. Share your priorities when enquiring so you can discuss suitable options.
How much does a Kilimanjaro tour cost?
The price depends on your route, mountain days, group size, service level, and inclusions. Request an itemised quote and confirm park fees, mountain accommodation, meals, transfers, and hotel nights. Also budget for flights, insurance, personal equipment, and crew tips.
Will I sleep in tents or mountain huts?
Marangu itineraries use shared mountain huts. The other routes shown above normally use camping accommodation. Confirm the sleeping arrangements and which tents, sleeping equipment, or rental items your specific package includes.
Can altitude sickness affect fit climbers?
Yes. Fitness does not prevent altitude illness. Ascend gradually and tell your guide promptly if you feel unwell. Do not continue higher with symptoms; worsening symptoms require descent and medical attention. Discuss individual health concerns with a travel-health professional before your trip.
READY TO PLAN YOUR KILIMANJARO CLIMB?
Tell us your preferred dates, group size, and the routes you’re considering. We’ll help you explore your options and request a personalised quote for your climb.