Mt Kilimanjaro Trekking Information

At 5895m high, Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest peak, rising above the East African plains. It is also the highest free-standing mountain in the world and one of the highest peaks you can scale without technical expertise. As a high-altitude mountain close to the equator, Kilimanjaro kicks up plenty of surprises. Few other treks in the world offer rainforests with primates and game, alpine pastures, high moorlands of giant eerie plantlife and snowfields at the summit. And once on Kibo peak you are rewarded with unforgettable views from the Roof of Africa!

As long as you are fit, healthy and have the determination, there's every chance you'll reach the top of Africa's most famous mountain. Choose between four routes to the summit:

Machame Route (6 days trekking - camping)

The second most popular route, the Machame is also one of the most beautiful. This camping trail climbs the Shira Plateau on the west side of Kibo peak and ascends the imposing Barranco wall, below stunning icefields, before it converges with the other trails for the final route to the summit. It is more strenuous than the Marangu Route but you'll be more than rewarded by the fantastic views all the way up!

Rongai Route (6 days trekking - camping)

This less frequented route approaches from the north. You'll have great views across the Amboseli Plains in Kenya, letting you climb Mt. Kilimanjaro and game view at the same time! Passing through alpine meadows and giant vegetation, we camp near mountain caves before joining the steep route to the summit. The descent follows the southern Marangu Route, allowing you to trek right over Kilimanjaro!

Shira Route (6 days trekking - camping)

This, the longest trail, begins in the west of the mountain, following a path to Shira, Kilimanjaro's third highest peak, before joining the Machame. It is one of the most beautiful areas of the mountain and on the lower pastures, buffalo, eland and even leopards have been seen. The start of the trail is only accessible by 4x4 and can become impassable during the wet season.

Marangu Route (5 days trekking - mountain huts)

The most direct and popular Kilimanjaro climb, this path is well defined and 'climber friendly' to make your adventure a little easier. Camps on the route have solar-powered sleeping huts and beds with pillows, in communal dorms. The trail runs via rainforests and waterfalls onto high moorland, where you trek amongst amazing giant plantlife! The final steep push takes place on the morning of the fourth day, before you stand, elated, on the Roof of Africa! The descent follows the same route down.

Acclimatisation Day

If you are unaccustomed to trekking at high altitudes it is recommended that you take an extra day on the mountain to acclimatise. This day, useful for resting or taking easy, localised walks with your guide, is added to day 3 of the tour and helps increase your chance of reaching the summit. It can be added to any of the routes, but must be requested and paid for when you book.

Luggage on the Mountain

Porters help us on trek by carrying food and equipment, preparing group meals and putting up our tents, where necessary. We use porters who come from the villages around the base of the mountain, to bring employment to local families and support their economy. There is a weight limit on the mountain, but luggage you don't need can be kept in the hotel in Moshi while you trek.
Click here to find out about our Responsible Tourism Porter Policy

TRAINING

Although trekking up Mt. Kilimanjaro is not a technical climb, it does nevertheless require a reasonable amount of fitness and a strong will to succeed. Remember that you are walking between 4 and 8 hours a day, uphill to an altitude of 5895m (almost 20,000 feet). Training should involve long uphill walks (with a daypack) to accustom yourself to long distance hiking.

MEDICAL

Altitude induced 'illness' may occur at heights over 3600m and affect different people in different ways. Typical symptoms are nausea and headaches, which at their extreme can be seriously debilitating. Gradual acclimatisation is the usual preventative measure and for those who suffer from extreme symptoms, a return to lower altitude is necessary. The majority of those who do not success in reaching the summit fail because of the affects of altitude. The best defence against this is acclimatisation although there are drugs on the market which may reduce the symptoms. Please consult your GP or travel clinic for professional advice on this subject. The usual advice given by your guide will be walk slowly - in Swahili 'pole pole'. Walking slowly conserves energy and helps you acclimatise more easily. Also fluid intake whilst walking is very important as dehydration can occur very quickly, especially with physical exertion and exposure to the elements at high altitude.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Drink at least 2-3 litres of water per day on the trek
• Take energy snacks
• Conserve energy by trekking slowly
• Keep items in your daypack to a minimum
• Keep personal medicines with you always e.g. Asthma inhalers
• Try to keep your camera insulated - batteries will go flat in low temperatures
• A head torch/flashlight is more convenient than a hand held for packing in dark tents and walking the final ascent in the dark
• Ensure spare clothing is insulated from wet weather - pack clothes in plastic bags
• Synthetic undergarments dry more quickly
• Keep a small pocket mirror if you wear contact lenses
• Keep your water in a thermal or insulated flask on the final ascent day or in very cold weather
• Keep some anti-bacterial hand gel (dry soap) with you for clean hands during meals on the trek
• Do not skimp on quality clothing and footware. The last thing you want to worry about if being cold or wet because of poor trekking gear.
• It might be cold but you face can get exposed to the elements. Take sunscreen and lip balm.
• Take your own pillow case for hygiene purposes
• Stretch before and after each days trek
• Contact lenses will dry out so take extra ones and glasses, especially when summiting. You want to be able to see the summit and surrounding landscape once you are there!

Download Packing list

Notes

• The pack that the porters carry is limited to 15 kg (35 pounds)
• Overweight or extra luggage will require an extra porter at $5/day
• Store electronics in sealed water-proof bags (double sealed if possible)
• Wrap clothing in plastic bags
• In the day pack, take along water, sunglasses, camera, binoculars, rain pants, and jacket at a minimum.
• Add any other items you might need during the day, since you may not see your porters until the end of the day.
• Acacia's groundhandler is interested in purchasing second-hand gear for rentals.
• You may want to bring some older items of warm clothing as gifts for your guides and porters or donations to the Mount Kilimanjaro Porters Society.
• You can leave extra luggage in a locked storage room at the Springlands Hotel for no charge.
• You can leave valuables in a safe deposit box at the Springlands Hotel for $1/day.
• See the Equipment list for details on what is provided.

Baggage

• Day pack, for you to carry
• Large duffel bag or backpack, for porters to carry
• Plastic bags

Clothing

• You want your inner layer to be wicking - no cotton
• Your next layer should be insulating and warm, and your top layer should be water proof but breathable.
• You will need clothes for hiking during the day, lounging in the evening, and for sleeping.
• Layers are important as temperatures vary greatly.
• Kilimanjaro may be near the equator, but it gets cold up there!
• Shorts, for first and last day only
• Pants, for hiking and for lounging in the evenings
• Short-sleeved shirts or t-shirts
• Long-sleeved shirts, for hiking and for lounging in the evenings
• Long underwear
• Fleece jacket or wool sweater
• Fleece pants
• Down jacket or ski parka (for temperatures well below freezing plus wind)
• Rain jacket, needed in hot rainforest and cold snow
• Rain pants, needed in hot rainforest and cold snow
• Underwear
• Sport bras, for women

Cold Weather Accessories

• Mittens and/or gloves (waterproof, one thin pair, one thick pair that can be layered)
• Wool or pile hat
• Balaclava or neck gaitor
• Hand and foot warmers (chemical activated)

Footwear

• Be sure to break in your shoes before the hike!
• Trekking shoes for hiking during the day, preferrably warm, waterproof, and with ankle-support - not too light and not too heavy
• Tennis shoes or sandals for lounging in the evening
• Gaiters
• Hiking socks for warmer conditions
• Wool socks for colder conditions
• Sock liners to wick away moisture

Sleeping

• Sleeping bag (Rated -25 degrees C/-10 degrees F or colder is recommended)
• Sleeping pad and repair kit
• Tents are supplied by Zara at no charge
• Foam sleeping pads are provided by our groundhandler at no charge (Thermarest is highly recommended, however)

Other

• Water bottles and Camelback (2-3)
• Get 3 litres of bottled water before the trip (available at the Springlands Hotel).
• Your guides will boil water for you along the route, or use steripens for water sanitization.
• To prevent water from freezing on summit day, keep your water source inside your jacket.
• For Camelbacks, blow air back into the bladder after each sip and drink often.
• Gatorade or other drink mix helps with taste and minerals.
• Water filter or iodine purification tablets
• Sun hat with brim
• Sunglasses
• Bandana
• Money ($400 or more in cash and/or travellers cheques, including some small U.S., Euro, or Tanzanian bills)
• Ski or trekking poles
• Headlamp or flashlight
• Camera, film, tripod
• Video camera, tapes
• Batteries
• Bring extra sets for headlamp/flashlight and camera as cold weather shortens their life
• Binoculars
• Notebook, journal, pencil, and pen
• Pocket knife
• Electricity adapter
• Energy bars, hard candy, snacks, and comfort foods
• Playing cards, games, books, frisbee, football, kite
• Chocolate or pens for village children, momentos for guides, porters, and other climbers
• Umbrella, particularly useful in the rainy season, can be purchased in the market for around $2
• Plastic bags and zip-lock bags for waterproofing
• Sewing kit
• Salt, pepper, and spices for bland food
• Business cards
• Alarm clock
• Calculator (for currency conversion)
• Swim suit for hotel swimming pool

Toiletries

• Toilet paper (and baggie to carry used paper while on trail)
• Small towel
• Soap
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Handi-wipes (moist towelettes for cleaning)
• Hand sanitizer
• Lotion
• Glasses, contacts, solution (take contacts out each night to prevent blurred vision)
• Comb, mirror

First Aid

• Ibuprofin, Aceteminophen, or Aspirin
• Throat losenges
• Bandaids
• Moleskin
• Sunscreen (SPF 15+)
• Lip balm with sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Disinfectant, Antiseptic cream
• Bandages and tape
• Diahrea medicine
• Antihistemines
• Ace bandage
• Melatonin (1-3mg) or other sleep aid
• Malaria pills (talk to your doctor)
• Antibiotics (talk to your doctor)
• Prescription drugs (talk to your doctor)
• Diamox (talk to your doctor)
• Gifts for Guides, Porters, Locals
• Shoes
• Any warm clothing
• T-shirts
• Hats
• Nerf football, frisbees
• Pens

Responsible Tourism Porter Policy

The Mount Kilimanjaro Porter Society (MKPS) was founded by our Kilimanjaro ground handlers in 2004 with the goal to improve the working condition of all porters on the mountain and other hiking areas in Tanzania. A set of rules were defined and the majority of Kilimanjaro operators have agreed to implement these terms which include:

Porters must me appropriately dressed for the trek with warm clothing and waterproofs

Porters must be adequately fed on the trip

The load per porter must be limited to 20 kgs (We stipulate 15 kgs for our porters)

There must be adequate porter-client ratios (2 porters per client on the Marangu Route, 3 per client on other routes).

Porters,guides and cooks must be provided with a set wage. Clients should be advised to tip staff appropriately for their services at the end of the trek. (Please see our dossiers for tipping advice)

Today, most porters at Mount Kilimanjaro (and ALL porters of Acacia) are members of the Society and can benefit from various resources such as language classes, classes in environmentally sustainable tourism, healthcare and first-aid classes, training in providing customer services, classes to know their rights, legal advise, assistance in micro-finances to improve their family’s living conditions and guarantee a proper education of their children, year-round employment possibilities, and access to an affordable equipment and clothing store.

info@acacia-africa.com