Duration To Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

Duration To Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro routes and their variations take between five to nine days to complete. Although Mount Kilimanjaro is known as a “walk-up” mountain, you should not underestimate it and its risks. The overall statistics show that less than half of all climbers reach the summit.

A perfunctory analysis of the KINAPA (Kilimanjaro National Park Administration) records show that only 45% of climbers reach Peak Uhuru. These information is long outdated (the latest report was published in 2006), and the achievement rate has probably somewhat increased since those days because of emergence of the longer trails, improved infrastructure and equipment, increased awareness of pitfalls of choosing short treks, etc

All weather adventures recommend adding an extra day or two to your trip to help you acclimatize to the altitude. We encourage customers to take 7-9 day routes for the best chance of success and the lowest risk of altitude sickness.

Some companies boast that their overall summit success rates are greater than 90%. We have seen competitor advertisements representing overall success rates for few days trekking. It is only a matter of time before someone advertises, that why we recommended to a safe and successful climb is to take the longest routes possible

Every outfitter knows this, but unfortunately it seems some don’t mind attracting customers with misleading or blatantly false statements. The truth is that each of these figures are statistically impossible! or leading climbs only on 8-9 day routes, achieving those extraordinarily high success rates would be impossible to maintain for even a short period of time.

Aim of All weather adventure, is that you have a safe, enjoyable, memorable Kilimanjaro climb.

It is possible to climb the mountain in five or six days, but why take the chance? Some clients want to minimize their days in order to save costs, which is understandable. But we feel that the additional cost is well worth it. Not only is it safer, but you increase the probability of your success, have more time to enjoy the experience, can take acclimatization hikes to other parts of the mountain you’d otherwise miss, and will probably feel better as well, given that there is less stress on your body.

Why you travel far away to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and opt few days that reduce your success rate to summit? How would you feel if you scheduled a route with the minimum required days, only to have to turn around within the first couple days because the rate of ascent was too quick? Wouldn’t you rather have added a couple days to your trip to give yourself a better chance, to be fairer to your body? Were the ‘savings’ you got for not taking additional days worth in order of:

  • Cutting cost and make your climb short,
  • not making it to summit, or even worse,
  • Putting your health at risk?

Recommended Duration on Different Routes 

Kilimanjaro routes have varying acclimatization transition profiles, resulting in the different success rates. The best route are those, that offer “walk high-sleep low” climbing style, which is important for good acclimatization.

Lemosho Route 

Lemosho is the best choice route. Being one of the least frequented, and hence the least crowded, it starts in the south-western slopes of Kilimanjaro.

Due to gradual slopes show somewhat higher successful summiting success rates, the information, which we collected from the different sources, say that Lemosho have high success rate to summit. This route should be taken into consideration to all climber especially beginners.

Distance: 56 km/35 mile

Days: 6 – 7 – 8 days on Lemosho climbs

Machame Route

The most popular Kilimanjaro climbing route, Machame has over 50% of all climbers. If you decide to choose Machame for your Kilimanjaro adventure, surely you do a right decision

This route has a incredible ‘walk-high sleep-low’ trekking style, resulting in safe acclimatization transition.

Distance: 49 km/30 mile

Days: 6- 7 days on Machame climbs

Rongai Route

Rongai Route is the only one that starts in the Northern foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro.

The ‘walk-high sleep-low’ trekking style of Rongai is more inferior to Lemosho and Machame ones.

Distance: 65 km/40 mile

Days: 6 – 7 days on Rongai

Northern Circuit Route

Opening the beauty of the Northern side of the Mount, Northern Traverse is offered by as a 9-day Kilimanjaro trekking adventure, or as a 10-day expedition with an overnight stay in the crater.

Though it is the longest and therefore a physically demanding, route on the Mount, it has an amazing acclimatization transition.  It is the safest climbing option with picturesque landscapes and captivating wildlife, not to mention that together with Lemosho Route it is the least visited one, what may be important for those seeking privacy.

Distance: 90 km/56 mile

Days: 9 – 10 on days Northern circuit

Marangu Route

Marangu was the first route to be used by the climbers for Kilimanjaro climbing expeditions. It is the only route where overnight stays are in huts, and for that reason it is often chosen by the low-profile Kilimanjaro operators.

The practice, however, shows that in reality this route has one of the lowest number of climbers who reach Uhuru Peak.

Distance: 64 km/40 mile

Days: 6 – 7 days on Marangu

Umbwe Route

Umbwe Route is known to be a choice for the hardened mountaineering experts with many climbs under their belt. The route provides the fastest, yet the steepest way to Uhuru Peak with poor acclimatization transition.

There is no reliable success rate statistics on Umbwe route Kilimanjaro expeditions. What is known is that the majority of experienced mountaineers with prior acclimatization mainly reach Peak Uhuru, while the Umbwe summiting rate among the beginners is very low.

Distance: 56 km/35 mile

Days: 6 days on Umbwe

Longer Routes is a Better Choice 

Many climbers often choose 5-day or 6-day treks to reduce the price. However, since Kilimanjaro climbing adventure is not cheap, though affordable, adventure overall, the difference in price for a 5 or 6-day adventure and 7-day one is not overly significant. Apart from safeguarding your organism against unnecessary distress, spending one or two days more on Kilimanjaro will you a chance to explore the areas, which may otherwise escape your attention.

Furthermore, as we illustrated above, taking a shorter adventure in an attempt to save costs may put at risk the whole adventure. After all, obviously the purpose of your Tanzanian adventure is actually to reach the Peak of Africa. Though the trek itself is a attractive adventure, jeopardizing the sense of a lifetime achievement of reaching Uhuru Peak does not justify the economy.

Overall, you should take the question “how long to climb Mount Kilimanjaro” very seriously. However unimportant it may seem, deciding how many days to climb Kilimanjaro is one of the most important elements of your travel preparations.

Guides And Porters

Guides And Porters

Guides and porters are compulsory for all routes on Kilimanjaro. The importance of having competent, high quality guides cannot be overstated when it comes to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. All weather adventure has the best local guides, all of whom are fluent in English and have received extensive training in first aid, mountain rescue, flora and fauna, and history. It is not allowed to climb Kilimanjaro without a guide.

In terms of important factors contributing to a successful summit attempt. For the duration of your Kilimanjaro trek:-

  • Guide will be your advisor.
  • Guide will lead you to the summit.
  • Guide will bring down safely again.

It will be important that you work closely with him and take note of his advice.

All weather adventures Guides

Our Kilimanjaro guides are very experienced and professionals who intimately know the mountain. You can expect the following from our Kilimanjaro guides:

Qualified and competence guides

Guides are required for all routes on Kilimanjaro. All our treks up the mountain are lead by highly trained and qualified guides, registered with the Kilimanjaro National Parks Board.

Experienced guides

Our guides are well prepared to handle any situation one can encounter on the mountain. Each of our guides has been selected over years, based on experience, safety record and through feedback from previous clients.

With this training and experience, they are completely acclimatized to high altitude and are adapted to mountain life. Climbing Kilimanjaro has become second nature to them. Our guides are tough as nails and can teach you everything you need to know about high altitude trekking

High Safety

Your safety is the highest priority for us. Our clients put their lives in our hands and trust us to keep them safe, which means they have the tools to make critical medical and evacuation decisions. They receive annual training in emergency first aid and can prevent, recognize and treat altitude-related illnesses.

Professionalism

With our professional guide you have assurance to climbing Kilimanjaro. Therefore it is importance that your expectations are met or exceeded. All weather adventures take pride in the hard work of our staff and we strive to maintain and grow our reputation of excellence. Our guides uphold a high level of professionalism while still keeping the experience fun for the clients

Mountain Knowledge

Our guides are knowledgeable about general mountain facts. They can tell you about the climate zones, the altitudes of and distances to campsites, and information about the geology, flora and fauna. These types of facts increase the enjoyment during the trek by giving clients an idea of what they are seeing and feeling.

Important of our guides and porters

Support staff ratios

The average ratio of our support staff to climbers is 2 to 3 porters per hiker and two guides for a maximum of 4 hikers. This excellent staff to client’s ratio, bolstered by our superior support equipment, will ensure your safety and enjoyment on the mountain.

Porters and cook

The porters do not only transport your gear and the supplies up and down the mountain. Arriving at every camp site long before you, they will have already erected your tent on your arrival. In the evening they will also boil drinking and washing water and the cook will prepare dinner of a quality that has surprised many previous clients.

Weight limits for porters

Remember that there is a weight limit of 15 kg per climber, on the gear of each hiker to be portered. A soft duffel bag (barrel type) is preferred a rucksack is not necessary as they prefer to porter the loads balanced on their heads and shoulders.

Tipping

This is a “compulsory tradition” on every Kilimanjaro climb. We recommend giving a tip of between US $ 200 to US $ 250 per climber to the mountain crew at the end of the climb. The exact tipping amount depends on group size and how many days were spend on the mountain. We recommend giving the tip to the main guide who will then distribute the tip among the mountain crew.

The average recommended tip per group per day:

  • Chief guide – US $ 20 per chief guide per day from the group
  • Assistant Guide – US $ 12 per assistant guide per day from the group
  • Cook – US $ 8 per cook per day from the group
  • Porters – US $ 6 per porter per day from the group

It is recommended not to pay your porters any tips until you and all your gear have descended from the mountain.

All weather adventures struggle to have the best porters through fair and honest treatment of our staff. We ensure that:

  • Our porters are paid immediately upon completion of a trip
  • Our porters are paid more than the standard compensation on Kilimanjaro.
  • Our porters are paid tips in a fair, transparent manner.
  • Our porters are fed three nutritious meals per day, in adequate amounts, of their preferred local foods.
  • Our porter loads are limited to 15 kilogram.
  • Our porters have the proper gear and equipment to handle the mountain. Their clothing, sleeping bags and tents are sufficiently warm and/or waterproof.

Fitness Informations For Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

Fitness Informations For Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and hiking to the peak is a challenge that should not be under estimated. With all the information you could possibly gather, added to being physically prepared, one’s chances of reaching the summit is substantially increased. Stamina and mental determination to a great extent, will determine whether or not you will be successful in you quest to conquer the Roof of Africa. Being physically prepared for the trek will also greatly contribute to the level of your perseverance, confidence and personal enjoyment.

How fit do you have to be?

The type of fitness is more important than the degree of fitness. Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro is a hike, therefore the best preparation one can do is to hike, preferably under simulated conditions. Although jogging could be beneficial to your fitness level, it does not fully prepare your muscles for a strenuous 6-day hike. We suggest that you spend some of your training by merely hiking. In addition to regular gym workouts, make sure you also go for walks in order to stimulate relevant muscle development. Try to do a one or two day hiking trials in your area. This will not only be an excellent way for physical preparation, but also an enjoyable means to prepare yourself mentally.

We have furthermore developed a practical (in terms of time and costs) fitness preparation guideline to assist you in getting your body ready for a Mt. Kilimanjaro summit attempt. This guide contains a gym and a hiking program that should be followed simultaneously over an 8 week period.

Important points to remember – Before you start!!

Medical Check-up

Before embarking on a fitness program, it is always wise to first seek the advice of a medical doctor. Feel free to share this program with your family doctor for input. Chances are, your doctor will be delighted to know that you undertake to exercise regularly.

Progressive Resistance

In essence, the gym section of our fitness program consists of regular and progressive resistance exercises with either free weights (like barbells and dumbbells) or free weight machines that are readily available in gymnasiums. The idea behind progressive resistance is that your exercise regime can be tailored to your age, physical condition and strength, steadily progressing to higher resistance level as you develop.

Safety Factor

Progressive resistance movements could be customized to individual strength and fitness levels, therefore our fitness program is potentially safe. It is however essential that all of the exercises be performed correctly and that basic safety procedures are followed at all times. It is furthermore always a good idea to invest in reading material on physical fitness and to consult your local fitness instructor about performing each exercise correctly.

Sets and Repetitions

This workout consists of repetitions (reps) and sets. A rep is a single count of an exercise, for example moving downwards for one squad movement. A set is knows as a series of reps an average set consist of 8 to 12 reps.

Warm Up

It is highly recommended that one always warms up the muscles before starting with any exercising routine. The norm is doing a variety of stretching movements to warm up, strengthen and progressively challenge the tendons, ligaments, joints and muscles. Stretching is very important, as it is the best way to prepare for an injury-free workout.

Cost Information For Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

Cost Information For Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

The price quoted for a package may often serve as to what your future climbing experience will be like. Yet, basing your decision only on cost would be a mistake.

With personal safety and a lifetime of memories at stake, choosing the cheapest is never a good idea. As a rule, it is impossible to organize a safe and comfortable Kilimanjaro hike for less than $1,400.

Price Components for Climbing Kilimanjaro:

The price of a Kilimanjaro climb is made up of two kinds of costs: fixed, i.e. park fees per person, and variable, i.e. transfers and equipment, which are shared between all members of the group and, up to a certain point, lower as the number of climbers grows.

There are minimum expenses every Kilimanjaro operator faces, such as:

  • Kilimanjaro National park fees
  • Kilimanjaro climbing crew wages
  • Logistical and supplies costs
  • Camping equipment
  • Hotel Before and After Kilimanjaro Climb
  • Food cost
  • Transportation cost

Kilimanjaro National Park entrance fees, camping/hut fees and Tanzanian taxes by far make up the biggest expense, costing about $200 per climber per day. The other significant expenses are staff wages, food, and transportation costs. Local wages amount to around $80-$150 per climber per day (depending on group size). Food costs come out to about $10-$20 per climber per day (includes food for staff). Transportation costs are about $90 per trip depending on the route. There are also costs associated with wear and tear on camping equipment and administrative costs for arranging your climb. By adding up all the daily costs listed here, you can estimate what it may cost to fund a Kilimanjaro climb on your own. So instead of asking how we can be priced so low, you should be asking how those other companies can be priced so high?

Unless you take the risk of opting for the lowest of offers, slighting most if not all of safety and comfort features that are normally available, the final price of your trek shall include different costs as we explain below, not all but few of them as following:-

  • Kilimanjaro National Park Fees

Every Mount Kilimanjaro climber is required to pay park fees, which inholds conservation, camping, rescue and crew fees. On Lemosho and Rongai routes special forest fees are also applicable. It is another key element of Mt Kilimanjaro climb cost.

Total Park Fees, depending on route and number of days, will amount to between US$800 and 1,100 (all calculations and prices henceforth are given in USD).

Never trust claims that it is possible to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro and avoid fees by bypassing ranger posts. It is simply impossible to reach Uhuru Peak avoiding any encounters with park rangers. Dozens of those who attempt this are caught every year

  • Kilimanjaro Climbing Crew Wages

The next important component of Kilimanjaro climb cost is the crew wages. While the rates paid (and charged to the client) may vary, all reputable Tanzanian trekking outfitters have wage systems for their climbing crews. A guide usually receives USD 20-40 per day, a cook – USD 10-15, a porter – USD 7-10, adding to the total cost to climb Mt Kilimanjaro. The final total payroll will therefore hinge upon the size of the crew necessary to provide the level of comfort expected on the climb. Tips, determined by the client’s experience while trekking, are also appreciated.

On the other hand, many budget operators keep their rates low by relying on high unemployment rates which allow them to staff their crews with those willing to work with no pay guaranteed aside from tips left by the client. These crews will more often than not have a high rate of unqualified personnel

  • Logistical and supplies costs

Within climbing packages that are inclusive of supplies and logistics, such as transfers and re-supplies, a minimum of three meals and water and many other small but essential items, which add to the overall cost of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

  • Camping equipment

A typical climbing package will also include such equipment as sleeping bags and mess tents; cookers and kitchenware; tables and other essential items. As reliable gear means not only comfort but also safety, stocks have to be renewed on a regular basis. Thus, amortization costs for the equipment will be included in the total Kilimanjaro climb cost.

Hotel Before and After Kilimanjaro Climb

Most Kilimanjaro hiking packages on offer include accommodation before and after the climb. Tanzania being a developing country, local hotel rates are among the highest. A night in a reasonable 3-star hotel in Moshi will cost $100-120 if booked directly or $80-90 if it is included in your climbing package. Therefore, accommodation will heighten the cost of your Kilimanjaro trip.

Few Kilimanjaro climbing cost listed above are among different cost take place during climbing period and support high rate of summit success.

LOW BUDGET (Booking Cheap Below $1,400) OPERATORS OFTEN DO EVERYTHING POORLY

Unprofessional Guides

The most important factor in the safety and success of a Kilimanjaro climb is the knowledge and skill of your guide.

Your guides’ (and that of support staff) experience and medical training are what you shall rely on for your safety during the climb. And their general knowledge about the local nature, customs, history as well as the team’s spirit could add and extra dimension to the way you will remember this time for the rest of your life. However, low budget operators often hire :-

  • Temporary guides with little experience,
  • Poor English language ability, and
  • No medical training.

The competence of a guide is not always obvious until a crisis emerges, but by then it is too late. Quality guides do not work for the low budget operators. Quality guides do not wait around for clients to walk in, hoping for some work. Quality guides are hired full time by the top operators and are busy leading groups on scheduled climbs, week after week.

Lack of Safety Measures

To their guides being untrained for medical emergencies, the budget operator does not have any system in place for safe high altitude trekking. Budget operators do not have or know how to use equipment that can help

  • detect altitude sickness,
  • They do not carry bottled oxygen to revive someone whose oxygen saturation has dropped to dangerously low levels.
  • Lack of constant monitoring of the clients’ physical state
  • They do not have portable stretchers to carry injured climbers off the mountain.

Insufficient guide experience have in many cases been responsible for failed summiting attempts when having the foresight to offer the client an extra day for acclimatization would have meant a successful climb.

We are proud to say that our crews have time and again been in the fortunate position to provide emergency assistance with supplies, equipment and medical care to other outfitters on Kilimanjaro.

Poor Quality Equipment

Low budget operators use barely functional equipment. In an attempt to cut climbing Mt Kilimanjaro cost, budget tour operators often disregard the importance of maintaining their equipment in a good state.

Most commonly, this is apparent in the condition of ;-

  • Tents they buy off brand tents that are not waterproof and not durable
  • They use sleeping bags and pads that fail to have adequate warmth.
  • They have quality vehicles that cause break down or get stuck.
  • Quality operators use camping equipment from reputable manufacturers. They regularly replace their tents, sleeping bags, and other gear, and have well maintained vehicles.

In an attempt to cut climbing Mt Kilimanjaro cost, budget tour operators often disregard the importance of maintaining their equipment in a good state.

Unpredictable Service

These companies do not have any operating procedures in place, so how they handle your climb is anyone’s guess. Unfortunately, this is not the model for safe mountain expeditions. Quality operators have guidelines in place for every facet of the climb, resulting in consistency in the service they provide.

Irresponsible Trekking

The guides and porters of low priced operators are untrained, they do not practice responsible trekking that conserves the environment. Often, the mountain crews of low budget operators are seen littering.

Quality operators educate their staff on the importance of conservation. Quality operators practice Leave No Trace ethics so everyone can enjoy the mountain for years to come.

Not to be trusted (Risk of fraud)

There is a higher risk of falling victim to scams when dealing with budget operators due to unfaithful and dishonest.

As with any other business transaction one must beware of fraud when booking a cheap Kilimanjaro climb. The likelihood of being conned heightens as the price lowers. Neither last-minute cancellations with no refund of deposits made, nor simply discontinuing communication and disappearing are unheard of.

Another situation is being stranded on the mountain during the climb with no supplies unless “an immediate additional payment for services not explicitly included in the booked package” is made. Thus, it is better exerting some prudency when the cost to hike Kilimanjaro looks incredibly low and attractive.

Quality operators earn an honest living through great service, not by cheating customers.

Poor treatment of Porters

It is impossible to provide adequate service during a Kilimanjaro climb below a certain price. Unluckily, one of the ways budget operators still manage to do so is by short-changing their climbing crews.

Low or, no wages are all too common in such cases. The members of these crews undertake the climb in hopes of receiving tips (which, actually, are the expected norm in the industry). However, the tips paid by the client are often not distributed fairly among all staff.

Providing outright inadequate food supplies (as little as one meal per day) for the crew is yet another way some budget operators cut climbing Mt Kilimanjaro cost keep their rates low.

Being from disadvantaged backgrounds and receiving inadequate pay from their employers often means that many of the porters cannot afford adequate clothing for the climb. Socially responsible tour operators will invariably provide them assistance in order to ensure their safety. This, of course, is impossible to do when the climb budget is already constrained, leading to cases of exposure among porters.

Thus, choosing to book with a reputable and trustworthy climbing outfitter means that all the support staff, whose job it is to help you fulfill your dream of climbing to the roof of Africa, are fully compensated and treated fairly.

All Weather Adventures hope that we helped you to understand how much does it cost to climb Kilimanjaro. If you have any further questions on how climbing Mt Kilimanjaro cost is formed

Feel free to ask any questions if you are still unsure about costs. We will respond within 24hours.