Mount Kilimanjaro
5,895 metres • Trekking routes • High-altitude planning
5,895m
Africa's Highest Peak
High altitude
Careful preparation needed
Acclimatisation
Built into the route
3 Routes
Machame, Marangu, Lemosho
Planning a Kilimanjaro climb
At 5,895 metres, Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest mountain. Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira rise through distinct vegetation zones, from cultivated foothills and montane forest to the alpine summit landscape. Any summit attempt requires preparation, a suitable pace and time for acclimatisation; reaching the summit is never guaranteed.
Before you choose a route
Ask us about guide qualifications, porter welfare, emergency procedures and the acclimatisation plan for your route. We can explain the differences between the itineraries before you decide.
Key Routes
- Machame Route: A camping route commonly planned over six or seven days.
- Marangu Route: A hut-based route commonly planned over five or six days.
- Lemosho Route: A longer camping approach commonly planned over seven or eight days.
Climbers on Kilimanjaro
Life on the Mountain
Camping Under the Stars
Camping is part of the Machame and Lemosho routes. Temperatures and conditions change with altitude, so equipment and camp arrangements are confirmed before departure.
The summit objective
Summit night is demanding and conditions can change quickly. The guide’s safety decisions and each climber’s health take priority over reaching Uhuru Peak.
Lower-slope walks & visits
Shorter walks and visits on the lower slopes may be possible. Ask us which routes and local experiences are currently available.
Planning a visit
A climb, not a drive-in destination. The planning that matters most is how many days you give it.
- Getting there
- Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) is the arrival point, with a short transfer to Moshi or Arusha and on to the trailhead.
- Suggested stay
- 7 days on the mountain via Machame, plus a night either side. Six-day versions exist but cut the acclimatisation day.
- Best months
- January to March and June to October are the drier windows. The long rains from March to May make the forest section hard going.
- Altitude
- Uhuru Peak stands at 5,895 m. The Machame route covers roughly 62 km gate to gate, passing through rainforest, moorland, alpine desert and glacier.
- Fitness
- No technical climbing, but consecutive long days at altitude. Reported summit success is markedly higher on the 7-day itinerary than the 6-day, because of that extra acclimatisation day.
- Worth knowing
- Reaching the summit can never be guaranteed. Altitude affects people unpredictably, and turning back is always a decision your guide may need to make.
- Access and mobility
- The climb demands consecutive long days on foot at altitude and is not suitable for limited mobility. There is no vehicle access above the gate and no way to shorten a day once you are on the mountain. Shorter walks and visits on the lower slopes may be possible instead — ask us.
Journeys that include this destination
Ready-made itineraries you can take as they are or adapt to your dates.
Nearby on the same routes
Places that pair well with this one.
Explore the Kilimanjaro itinerary
Review the route, then contact us to discuss preparation, pace and current arrangements.