Kilimanjaro Treks
48 Years of Safe Climbs — Est. 1978
A Kilimanjaro trek is a 6–8 day expedition on foot to the highest peak in Africa — 5,895m above sea level. No ropes, no technical climbing. But altitude is serious: the difference between reaching Uhuru Peak and turning back often comes down to route choice and pace. Ready to climb Kilimanjaro in 2026? Get your free climb plan today.
Which Route Is Right For You?
Answer these four questions to narrow down your options. Each route has a distinct acclimatisation profile and personality.
1. How many days can you commit?
Only route option for 6-day climbs. Hut accommodation. Lower summit rate.
Both routes take 7 days. Machame has the Barranco Wall scramble. Rongai approaches from the north.
Best acclimatisation profile. Highest summit rate (97%). Remote, pristine approach.
2. What's your fitness level?
Extra days = better acclimatisation. Slower pace builds confidence. Our most recommended for first-timers.
The classic Kilimanjaro experience. Steep in places, Barranco Wall on Day 4. 95% summit rate.
All routes work. Rongai for solitude. Northern Circuit for maximum summit probability.
3. What's your budget?
Most budget-friendly route. Shorter = fewer porter days = lower cost. Trade-off is a lower summit rate.
Best value 7-day option. Strong acclimatisation, high success rate, dramatic terrain.
Premium 8-day experience. Maximum acclimatisation. Best summit probability of any route.
4. Prior high-altitude experience?
8 days gives your body maximum time to adapt. We don't recommend 6-day routes for first-timers.
You know how your body handles altitude. Machame's 7-day profile is well-suited to this experience level.
Your acclimatisation history is your guide. Rongai or Northern Circuit for variety.
A Typical Day on Kilimanjaro
Every day on the mountain follows a rhythm designed for safety, acclimatisation, and reaching the summit. Summit night is different — described at the bottom.
Wake-up & Breakfast
6:00 – 6:30 AM
Your guide wakes you with a cup of tea or coffee. Breakfast is served in the dining tent — porridge, eggs, toast, fruit, and tea. You eat well: summit night is 17 hours away.
Pack & Depart Camp
7:00 – 7:30 AM
Porters break camp while you finish breakfast. Your day pack is prepared — water, snacks, rain layer, camera. Guides give a briefing on the day's terrain and elevation gain.
Morning Hike (Pole Pole)
7:30 AM – 1:00 PM
"Pole pole" means slowly slowly in Swahili — and it's the rule. You hike at a pace that keeps you slightly breathless but never gasping. 3–5 km per hour. Your guide sets the pace. Water and snack breaks every 45 minutes.
Lunch at Next Camp
1:00 – 2:00 PM
You arrive at the next camp in time for a hot lunch — usually a cooked meal (rice, pasta, vegetables, sometimes meat). You rest, dry out wet gear, and hydrate heavily.
Acclimatisation Rest
2:00 – 4:00 PM
Critical time. Your body is working to adapt to the new altitude. You rest, read, or take a short stroll around camp. Guides monitor your oxygen saturation with a pulse oximeter. Most climbers feel the altitude here — mild headache or reduced appetite is normal.
Afternoon Tea & Briefing
4:00 – 6:00 PM
Hot drinks and biscuits in the dining tent. Your lead guide briefs the group on tomorrow's schedule, terrain, and any weather concerns. This is also when you can ask questions and raise concerns.
Dinner
6:30 – 7:30 PM
Hot dinner served in the dining tent. Your mountain cook prepares fresh-cooked meals — soup, main course, sometimes dessert. Altitude reduces appetite; eat what you can. Hydrate aggressively.
Guide Debrief & Early Sleep
7:30 – 8:30 PM
Your lead guide does a final oxygen saturation check. Any symptoms are noted and shared with the full team. You head to your tent by 8–9 PM. Sleep is critical — you need every hour before summit night.
11:00 PM – 14+ hours
Summit Night (Day 6 or 7)
Summit night is different. Wake at 11 PM. Light breakfast — nothing heavy. Layer all your gear. Depart camp at midnight. Headlamp on. 7–9 hours of hiking in the dark, cold, and thin air. Stella Point at sunrise. Uhuru Peak at mid-morning. Then 4–6 hours descending to the next camp.
Choose Your Route
Machame Route
Most popularThe "Whiskey Route." Varied terrain, excellent acclimatisation profile via the Barranco Wall, and the highest summit success rate of any 7-day route. Recommended for most climbers.
Full route details →Lemosho Route
Most scenicThe finest approach on the mountain. Remote western entry, long acclimatisation, low traffic. Best success rate overall. Recommended for first-timers who want the best experience.
Full route details →Marangu Route
Entry levelThe only route with hut accommodation. Shorter duration means less acclimatisation time — reflected in the lower success rate. Good for those with prior high-altitude experience.
Full route details →Rongai Route
Quietest approachApproaches from the north (Kenya side). Drier conditions, fewer climbers. Good alternative to Machame for those who want solitude. Descent via Marangu.
Full route details →What Is Included in a Kilimanjaro Trek
- Private licensed guide — the same guide from day one to summit
- Porters (3:1 ratio minimum, porter welfare standards enforced)
- All park and conservation fees
- Meals and filtered water on the mountain
- Camping equipment (tents, sleeping mats, dining tent)
- Rescue equipment including supplemental oxygen and stretcher
- Airport and hotel transfers in Arusha
- Summit certificate
Not included: sleeping bag (rental available), personal gear, tips for crew, travel insurance.
Talk to Kassim About Your Trek
Every trek is private — your group, your pace, your guide. Tell us your fitness level and dates and we will recommend the right route and brief you on exactly what to expect.