Kilimanjaro tours & treks

The regulations for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro specify a minimum age of 10 However, all Intrepid travellers are required to be over 15.

While there is no maximum age for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, it is important to remember that the climb is strenuous and presents health risks, especially to people in high-risk categories.

Serious consideration should be given to anyone under the age of 18 and over the age of 60.

Although no mountaineering experience is required, good physical fitness is necessary. You’ll need to be comfortable walking 6-8 hours uphill a day.

The distances may not be long, but the altitude makes it harder than your average uphill hike.

We recommend increasing your aerobic exercise, such as walking, running, or climbing stairs, in the months leading up to the climb.

There is plenty of time available each day to travel between huts or camping sites, so there is no need to rush; in fact, the slower you go, the more time your body has to adapt, and the more you’ll enjoy the experience.

The summit of Mount Kilimanjaro is above 5,800m. At this altitude, it’s common for travellers to experience some adverse health effects – regardless of age, gender or fitness. It even happened to Sir Edmund Hillary!

Everyone will react to the altitude and thinning air differently. As a group, we always try to keep the ascent slow and steady to allow your body to acclimatize and make the journey to the summit easier and more comfortable.

Some pre-existing medical conditions are known to severely worsen at high altitudes and be difficult to adequately treat on the ground, leading to more serious consequences. It is imperative that you discuss any pre-existing medical conditions with your doctor.

Our mountain guides are trained to recognise symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) and to affectively monitor trekkers constantly while on Kilimanjaro. Guides are also trained on how to respond in the case of a moderate or severe case of altitude sickness – which will always mean organising for the affected traveller to descend immediately. During your briefing on the first evening of your trip, your mountain guide will talk to you about symptoms of AMS and how to recognise them.

Learn more about altitude sickness

Our teams carry two key, potentially life-saving drugs on the mountain. These are Dexamethasone and Nifedipine, which are used to treat cerebral and pulmonary edema, the two potentially life-threatening complications of severe AMS. Our mountain guides are fully trained in using these drugs for altitude-related illnesses.

Please note that we do not carry Diamox on our Kilimanjaro treks. This is because, although medical research suggests that Diamox can be very effective in aiding acclimatization to altitude, it has been proven to be far less effective at treating severe AMS. Before travelling, you may wish to talk to your doctor about being prescribed Diamox to assist with acclimatization while you climb Kilimanjaro.

Yes. We carry multiple, comprehensive first aid kits and our mountain guides are fully trained on their use. All of our mountain guides are first-aid qualified.

We carry medical oxygen, and when a group has four passengers or more, multiple cylinders will be distributed among the team of mountain guides to ensure that oxygen is always quickly available in an emergency. The oxygen that we carry is strictly for emergency use only and cannot be used by clients to assist in climbing or summiting.

Gamow bags and PACs are types of portable hyperbaric chambers that are sometimes used for sufferers of severe AMS. We do not carry them on our treks.

Kilimanjaro is unique because it is a "rapid ascent mountain," meaning altitude gain happens exceptionally quickly. Therefore, Kilimanjaro is also a "rapid descent mountain." Our policy is that in the case of severe AMS, our mountain guides will immediately evacuate the patient down the mountain, usually with the assistance of porters to carry the person affected. Often, a descent of just a few hundred metres will be enough to make a difference.

Gamow bags and PACs are more effective in other parts of the world where rapid foot descent is impossible.

To reach the summit, you’ll need the right fuel, which is why our on-trek cooks will provide delicious and nutritious meals throughout your journey. Our porters carry all the equipment and supplies we need.

You can expect hearty dishes like pasta and porridge and lots of hot drinks. You'll also be treated to some local dishes like Tanzanian fried bread. We can accommodate food allergies and dietary requests but please tell us when you book.

It’s also a good idea to bring your own extra comfort snacks from home to keep your energy levels up during more difficult sections of the trail. Trail mix and granola bars are popular options.

While on the trek, your guides will boil and cool 3 litres of water for you per day. This will ensure the water is safe to drink and you stay hydrated on the trek.

We recommend you pack 3 x 1 litre refillable water bottles. Disposable plastic water bottles are not allowed on the mountain.

Your accommodation will vary depending on the route you choose.

On the Machame route, you’ll be camping out under the stars with a full-service camping experience.

You don’t need to bring anything except your enthusiasm. Our two-person tents are ideal for expedition trips and feature a flysheet made from ripstop nylon, anti-mosquito netting, reflective guy ropes and a 3000mm waterhead, ensuring you stay warm and dry even in difficult conditions.

If you choose to trek the Marangu route, you’ll enjoy basic but comfortable accommodation in wooden A-frame huts with single beds and simple mattresses.

Due to limited accommodation on the mountain, you may need to share a hut with non-Intrepid passengers and/or members of the opposite sex.

These sleeping huts are not equipped with facilities; however, there are separate bathroom huts containing shared toilets and washing facilities.

Your maximum gear allowance is 9 kg. At the welcome meeting you will be provided with a duffel/kit bag to transfer your hiking luggage into. This waterproof bag minimizes the weight your porter needs to carry and allows you to store excess luggage at the hotel.

It's important that you bring a day pack you carry yourself. Anything you need during the hike should be in your day pack, including, most importantly, something warm and waterproof. 

Although a guide will always accompany you on the trail, you are unlikely to see your porter until you reach the huts or camp as they are very fast.

Light clothing is generally sufficient until you reach the 3-4000 meter altitude range. Beyond these altitudes, you must always be ready for dramatic changes in the weather, including snow storms.

Warm clothing is essential for the final ascent. The ascents are done at night when the temperatures are the coldest. You must be prepared for temperatures of -25°C. As a rule, you should wear two pairs of socks, two layers on the legs and four to five layers on top. A balaclava or neck gaiter and woolly hat are necessary to keep the head warm. Gloves and sunglasses are a must.

Please ensure your day pack is large enough to carry these clothes, your lunch box, 3 liters of water and camera equipment.

Note: If your bag is too heavy, items may have to be removed, or the climber may have to hire an additional porter.

PACKING LIST

Clothing

• Anorak/waterproof parka with hood x 1

• Down jacket x 1

• Sweater/fleece x 1

• Thermal top x 2

• T-shirts x 3, long sleeve shirts x 2-3

• Waterproof trousers or ski pants x 1

• Warm trousers x 2

• Hiking shorts/trousers x 1

• Long thermal pants x 1

• Thermal underwear

• Socks thin and thick x 6

• Hiking boots

• Gaiters

• Comfortable closed shoes (for around camp)

• Mittens and ski gloves

• Balaclava and woollen hat

• Sunglasses

• Scarf

• Sun hat

Gear:

• Day pack, approximately 30 litres

• Refillable 1-litre water bottles x 3 (single-use plastic is not allowed on the mountain)

• Warm, four-season sleeping bag*

• Thermarest or trekking roll mat (not required on the Marangu route)

• Hand towel

• Head torch and flashlight with spare batteries (needed for summit night)

• Camera and extra batteries - you cannot recharge on the mountain but can at the Kibo Hotel before and after the climb.

First aid & toiletries:

• Small first aid kit

• Headache tablets

• Imodium (loperamide)

• Climbers may like to consult their physicians about acetazolamide (Diamox), a drug that many find mitigates the ill effects of altitude, headache, diarrhea & vomiting.

• Wet wipes

• Sunblock and high SPF lip balm

* Sleeping bags can borrowed from our local operator in Tanzania, but this service is on a request basis only - please book your bag at the time of booking)

Equipment hire:

Additional hiking equipment can be hired in Marangu. However, on a trek of this caliber, tried and tested equipment purchased from home may be more comfortable and better fit.

If you require any gear, please speak to your leader at the welcome meeting on day one. Below is a list of some available equipment and rough rental costs.

• Sleeping bag: free (must be requested through your booking agent before departure)

• Thermarest/trekking roll mat: CAD $27 (not required on the Marangu route)

• Trekking poles: CAD $14

• Waterproof trekking boots: CAD $41

• Gaiters: CAD $14

• 30-litre day pack: CAD $27

• Ski sunglasses/sun goggles: CAD $14

• Waterproof jackets/hooded parkas: CAD $20

• Warm fleece sweater: CAD $14

• Light hiking trousers and shorts: CAD $14 each

• Warm hiking trousers: CAD $20

• Trekking t-shirts/long-sleeved shirts: CAD $14 each

• Mittens/ski gloves/scarf/sun hat: CAD $14 each

• Balaclava/ski mask: CAD $7

Generally speaking, January, February and September are considered the best times to climb the mountain.

Kilimanjaro's proximity to the equator leads to very little seasonal variation in climbing conditions.

The rainy seasons from March to May and November to December may make the trails a little slippery.

Part of what makes Kilimanjaro unique is the diversity of ecosystems and microclimates on its slopes. This same benefit makes predicting conditions challenging.

You should expect everything from tropical rainforests to sub-zero temperatures on your trek. The weather is prone to shift without warning and it is best to be prepared for all possibilities.

In a word, improving. Until recently, the toilet facilities left much to be desired, but thankfully, the park authorities have started to tackle the problem.

Some state-of-the-art eco-toilets have now been built at the major campsites, and drop toilets are available at most camps and huts.

It's always a good idea to come prepared with hand sanitiser and toilet paper, but remember to leave no trace; what you use, you must pack out with you.

Our Tanzanian Destination Management Company (DMC) was established in 2014 to ensure Intrepid's leadership in responsible tourism practices on Mount Kilimanjaro. We're proud to say that we're an official partner of the International Mountain Explorers Connection (IMEC) and the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP). This means all of our climbs have been assessed and scored based on a number of criteria designed to ensure the proper treatment of porters on the mountain.

Learn more or make a donation to the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project

We are committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. We do our best to help you see the world, regardless of physical or mental limitations. 

We are always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them toward the most suitable itinerary for their needs and, where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.