Kilimanjaro

Six route options take climbers to the summit of Kilimanjaro. These are Machame, Marangu, Rongai, Umbwe, Lemosho Glades and Londorosi. Depending on the route, trips spend four to six nights on the mountain itself. Marangu and Machame are the two most popular routes. Expert guides and porters accompany you on the whole climb and no technical equipment is required.

Weather and temperatures on Kilimanjaro vary day by day and by altitude! Ensure that you have the gear specified on the equipment list. The main rainy season is from April to the end of May with shorter rains in November. This is not a recommended time to climb Kilimanjaro.

Trips can be scheduled in these months, but then expect more rainfall than ‘usual’. The rest of the year is great for climbing. Pick a full moon date for your summit night.  Read more about Tips & Precautions when climbing Kilimanjaro

Route & Cost Options to Climb Kilimanjaro

Below is a brief description of each of the routes and the costs for a climbing package. The detailed list of what is included in these prices is laid out below these route descriptions.

The Marangu Route
Known as the ‘main route’, the Marangu Route is by far the most popular. This is most likely because accommodation on the way up and down is provided in mountain huts which are equipped with basic necessities. It usually takes 8 days / 7 nights for the round trip. An extra day and night, for acclimatisation at Horombo Hut on the ascent, can be added.

2 persons travelling together - $2,440 per person sharing (including parks fees)
Solo traveller - $2,875 per single (including parks fees and single room supplement, hotel stay only)

The Machame Route
The Machame Route is touted as ‘the most beautiful route up Kilimanjaro’. Accommodation on the way up and down is strictly camping only in mobile tents. This route is more physically strenuous and is better suited to more adventurous hikers. The Machame route is normally completed in a minimum of 6 days / 5 nights on the mountain.

2 persons travelling together - $2,435 per person sharing (including parks fees)
Solo traveller - $2,840 per single (includes parks fees and single room/tent supplement)
Extra night on the mountain - $295 per person sharing plus park fees of $153 per person sharing
Extra night on the mountain - $385 per solo traveller plus park fees of $153 per solo traveller

The Umbwe & Rongai Routes
It is a long drive to the starting point of the Rongai Route and as such is one of the least used routes. This is ideal for novice hikers if done as a 6-day / 5-night hike. Daily distances are shorter and less steep compared to other routes. The trail begins on the northern slope of the mountain, offering views into Kenya, and descends via the Marangu route on the southeastern side. Climbers are accommodated in tents. The Umbwe Route is the shortest in distance but it is the steepest and the ascent is rapid, especially on the first two days. This route is quieter than the Machame and Marangu routes, which will appeal to fit climbers who prefer to be away from the crowds. Climbers are accommodated in tents and while usually done in 6 days/ 5 nights an additional day for acclimatization can be added.

2 persons travelling together - $2,470 per person sharing (including parks fees)
Solo traveller - $2,950 per single (includes parks fees and single room/tent supplement)
Extra night on the mountain - $295 per person sharing plus park fees of $153 per person sharing
Extra night on the mountain - $385 per solo traveller plus park fees of $153 per solo traveller

The Lemosho Glades & Londorosi Routes
The Lemosho Glades Route is really off the beaten track and is an 8-day / 7-night route. The trail starts in the forest and passes through areas rich in fauna and flora. This is a quiet route where you are unlikely to encounter other climbers for the first few days until you join more popular routes. The scenery is incredible, wildlife is more abundant and accommodation is in tents. The Londorosi Route is also a camping route and takes a shorter village trail to ascend Shira than the Lemosho route. Both routes are picturesque and interesting. The routes merge at the Shira Hut. The trail crosses streams along the Shira plateau and offers scenic views of the Western Breach Wall of Kibo. This is an 8-day / 7-night route.

2 persons travelling together - $3,065 per person sharing (including parks fees)
Solo traveller - $3,725 per single (includes parks fees and single room/tent supplement)
Extra night on the mountain - $295 per person sharing plus park fees of $153 per person sharing
Extra night on the mountain - $385 per solo traveller plus park fees of $153 per solo traveller

Included in the above standard land packages
Return airport transfers from Kilimanjaro Airport
Pre- and post-night accommodation at Keys Hotel on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis (Marangu) / bed and breakfast basis (Machame/Umbwe/Rongai/Londorosi/Lemosho)
Gear storage at Keys Hotel for the duration of the hike (items you do not want to take on the hike such as your swimsuit, safari clothes etc..)
Transfers to/from Kilimanjaro National Park Gates
Service of experienced, Kilimanjaro-registered head guide and assistant guides during the hike
Porter service (hiker’s baggage weight limit is 12kg)
Climb briefing before the hike in Moshi
Guide and porter fees as stipulated by Kilimanjaro National Park
National Parks Mountain rescue fees
Government tourist tax
Three meals per day on the trail prepared by a seasoned Kilimanjaro cook
Camping equipment (alpine tents, enclosed mess tents, compressed foam sleeping mats, camping chairs, tables, cutlery and crockery)
Water during the hike (boiled for consumption and washing)
Portable oxygen for emergency use
Pulse Fingertip Oximeter
Kilimanjaro certificate issued by Kilimanjaro National Park post-hike (if you reach Stella Point/Gilman’s Point or Uhuru Peak)

The Guides

Good guiding gets you to the top and makes your experience on the mountain memorable. Local guides have years of experience on all major routes - including those with technical climbing. A number have attended training in the US and on Everest.

Guides frequently attend a Mountain Rescue refresher course as well as Rope Courses. They have also completed first aid courses and they are regularly updated on emergency scene management, artificial respiration, rescue CPR, choking, wounds and bleeding, shock, unconsciousness and fainting, fractures, burns, and head and spinal injuries. Guides provide motivation and are there to look after your every need to see you safely to the top.

The Porters

With a high guide and porter-to-climber ratio, you can be assured that your safety and well-being is a priority. For groups with disabled or elderly members, more staff are included. For a group of six hikers without special needs, 24 staff members (one senior guide, two additional guides, two cooks and 19 porters) make up the crew. A group of 16 people requires one senior guide, six additional guides, four cooks and 53 porters for a crew tally of 64.

Local Chagga people are employed to make up the crew required to run a safe operation. Porters carry all equipment used by the expedition group to establish camp each night. This includes tents, tables, chairs, mess tents, all food and cooking utensils, gas cookers and also climbers’ personal gear as well as their own gear. A large porter crew ensures that individuals are not overloaded. As every person on the mountain has an effect on the environment, crew and climber ratios are calculated to combine safety and comfort with limited environmental damage.

Crews appreciate tips at the end of the climb. This is an additional way for you to thank them for the hard work that they put into making your climb comfortable and enjoyable, whether you reach the summit or not. Our tipping system is transparent and fair and ensures that tip money is fairly distributed. Tipping guides are provided.