The short answer
- Summit
- Uhuru Peak, 5,895 m
- Best routes
- Lemosho or Machame, 7 to 8 days
- Best months
- January to early March, June to October
- Typical cost
- About US$2,500 to 4,500
Kilimanjaro is the world's highest free standing mountain and the tallest in Africa. It's a walk rather than a climb: no ropes or ice axes are needed on the standard routes, and every year thousands of people with no mountaineering experience reach the summit.
The challenge is altitude. Uhuru Peak is almost 6,000 metres above sea level, with about half the oxygen of sea level, and many climbers don't make it because they go up too fast. The number of days you choose matters more than fitness.
Which route?
Seven official routes lead to the summit. These are the five most climbed; the lines show where you sleep each night. See the full route comparison.
Machame
Most popular- Days
- 6 or 7
- Sleeping
- Tents
- Scenery
- Excellent
- Crowds
- Busy
The "Whiskey route": scenic and good for acclimatisation thanks to the Lava Tower day, but busy. Choose 7 days rather than 6.
Compare the routes →Lemosho
Best all round- Days
- 7 or 8
- Sleeping
- Tents
- Scenery
- Excellent
- Crowds
- Quiet at first
Starts on the remote west side through rainforest and the Shira Plateau, then joins Machame. The 8 day version has some of the best summit success rates.
Compare the routes →Marangu
Huts- Days
- 5 or 6
- Sleeping
- Huts with bunks
- Scenery
- Good
- Crowds
- Moderate
The only route with huts. Gentle gradients make it look easy, but it goes up and down the same path and the 5 day version has low success rates. Take the 6 day version.
Compare the routes →Rongai
Drier side- Days
- 6 or 7
- Sleeping
- Tents
- Scenery
- Good
- Crowds
- Quiet
Approaches from the north near the Kenyan border, the drier side of the mountain, so a good choice in the rainy months. Less varied scenery.
Compare the routes →Northern Circuit
Longest- Days
- 8 or 9
- Sleeping
- Tents
- Scenery
- Excellent
- Crowds
- Very quiet
Circles the quiet northern slopes for the longest acclimatisation of any route and the best success rates, at a higher price.
Compare the routes →Profiles are approximate and drawn to the same scale (1,500 to 6,000 m, a dotted line every 1,000 m), so a taller line means higher ground. The red dot is the highest point.
How many days?
| Days | Routes | Our view |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Marangu | Too fast for most people. Success rates are low and altitude sickness is common. |
| 6 | Machame, Marangu, Rongai, Umbwe | Possible if you're fit and have been to altitude before. |
| 7 | Machame, Lemosho, Rongai | The sweet spot for most climbers. |
| 8 | Lemosho | Better acclimatisation and a more relaxed pace; among the best success rates. |
| 9 | Northern Circuit | The longest and quietest route, with the best acclimatisation. |
Reputable operators commonly report 85 to 95% summit success on 8 day routes, far more than on 5 day climbs. Overall success across all climbers is thought to be much lower.
A typical climb
Most days involve 4 to 7 hours of walking at a slow pace, called pole pole in Swahili. Summit night is the hard part: you start around midnight from the high camp, climb for six to eight hours in the dark and cold to reach Uhuru Peak around sunrise, then descend for several more hours.
Sleeping altitude on a 7 day Machame climb
What does it cost?
| Item | Typical cost per person |
|---|---|
| Park fees (7 or 8 days) | About US$900 to 1,100 |
| Budget local operator, group | About US$1,900 to 2,500 in total |
| Mid range, reputable operator | About US$2,500 to 4,500 in total |
| Premium or international company | US$5,000 or more |
| Tips for guides, cooks and porters | About US$250 to 400 per climber |
| Gear hire | About US$10 to 30 per item for the whole climb |
Prices include park fees, guides, porters, meals and camping equipment. See our Kilimanjaro cost guide for the full breakdown.
Tip: Be wary of very cheap climbs. Park fees alone are about US$1,000, so a price far below US$2,000 usually means underpaid porters, poor food or kit, or too few days.
When to climb
| Months | Conditions |
|---|---|
| January to early March | Warmer and mostly dry, with clearer skies. A good, quieter season. |
| Mid March to May | The long rains. Wet trails and cloud; few climbers. The northern Rongai route is driest. |
| June to October | Dry and cold at the top, the busiest season. Most popular months are July to September. |
| November | The short rains: showers and cloud, fewer climbers. |
| December | Mixed early in the month, then good and busy over the holidays. |
Altitude sickness and safety
- Go slowly: Choose more days, walk slowly, and drink plenty of water.
- Know the signs: Headache, nausea, dizziness and poor sleep are common. Confusion, breathlessness at rest or loss of balance mean you must descend at once.
- Medication: Many climbers take acetazolamide to help acclimatise. Ask your doctor before you go.
- Insurance: Make sure your policy covers trekking to 6,000 metres and helicopter evacuation.
- Operator safety: Good operators check your oxygen levels twice a day and carry emergency oxygen. See choosing an operator.
Combine it with a safari
Most climbers add a safari afterwards: Kilimanjaro airport is an hour from Arusha, the start of the northern circuit. A 3 day trip to Tarangire and the Ngorongoro Crater is the easiest addition, and your legs will thank you for sitting in a safari vehicle. Build it in our trip planner.
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Frequently asked questions
How hard is it to climb Kilimanjaro?
It isn't technical, but the altitude makes it hard. Summit night is long, cold and steep. Good fitness helps, but taking enough days to acclimatise matters most.
How many days do you need to climb Kilimanjaro?
Seven or eight days gives the best balance of cost and success. Five and six day climbs are cheaper but much less likely to reach the top.
What is the best route up Kilimanjaro?
Lemosho is the best all round route, with great scenery and good acclimatisation. Machame is similar and more popular; the Northern Circuit is the longest and quietest.
How much does it cost to climb Kilimanjaro?
About US$2,500 to 4,500 with a reputable operator for a 7 or 8 day climb, including about US$900 to 1,100 in park fees. Add tips and flights.
Can beginners climb Kilimanjaro?
Yes. Most climbers have no mountaineering experience. Train with long hill walks, choose 7 or 8 days, and use a reputable operator.
Sources we checked
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