MOUNT KILIMANJARO FAQ's

1. Which Kilimanjaro route is best?
Lemosho is considered the most beautiful route on Kilimanjaro and grants panoramic vistas on various sides of the mountain. It is the most favorite route because it offers a great balance of low traffic, scenic views, and a high summit success rate. Thus, the Lemosho comes highly recommended and is one of our client’s favorites.

2. Can I climb Kilimanjaro?
Sure, you can! Climbing Kilimanjaro does not require any technical skills or special equipment, just some physical fitness and determination, people from all walks of life can achieve a successful summited. Individuals from 7 to 89 years old have made it to the top. But the challenge should not be taken lightly. You do need to understand what lies ahead. Rest assured, you will find the answers to all your questions here.

3. How to avoid altitude sickness at the mountain?
Altitude sickness, also called Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), is an illness caused by exposure to low air pressure; especially low partial pressure of oxygen, which many climbers experience at high altitudes.

There are several practical steps that you can take to minimize the chances of having to abandon your climb of Kilimanjaro due to the effects of altitude sickness:
• Acclimatize before the climb - This is easier said than done if you live at sea level but if you can spend time at high altitude before the actual Kilimanjaro climb then this is the very best way to avoid altitude sickness.

Starting the climb in the best possible health and with an excellent level of physical fitness is imperative. If you are fatigued, unwell, or stressed you are more likely to suffer from altitude seconds.

• Slow and steady - You need to keep your respiration rate low during the climb you should be able to maintain a normal conversation. If you are panting or breathing hard, you must slow down. Overworking your heart and lungs substantially increases your chance of becoming ill.

• Ascend slowly - Your guides will tell you “polepole polepole (slowly slowly) throughout your climb. Because it takes time to acclimatize, your ascension should be slow. You will make slow and steady progress each day to allow for a successful summit, what we want you to achieve.

• Climb high sleep low-Climbing to a higher altitude during the day and then sleeping lower allows for better acclimatization. Most routes comply with this principle and additional acclimatization hikes can be incorporated into your itinerary.

• Drink as much water as you can-Getting up in the middle of the cold night may be an unpleasant thought but altitude dehydrates you and the better you hydrate the quicker your body can acclimatize.

Even though you may not feel like it, you should eat as much as you possibly can at every meal. This will give you plenty of energy and help you to feel great. I find it also helps me to keep warm and sleep well at night, maybe with an extra layer of clothing.

• Sleep well. Sleeping well in a tent is an acquired skill. Spend a few nights out in a tent with a sleeping bag before your climb so that you are prepared for the routine, and that your body is accustomed to sleeping in a sleeping bag on a hard surface.

• Diamox is the prescription name for the generic drug acetazolamide. And, though acetazolamide is prescribed for the medical treatment of glaucoma, sleep apnea, epilepsy, and hypertension, it’s also used to prevent altitude sickness. You should consult with your doctor before taking it and let us know if you are planning on taking it during your climb.

• Relax-Relax and think positively. Although not pleasant, the vast majority of people suffer only mild altitude sickness. Do not think that every headache is cerebral edema and that every cough pulmonary edema as this is very unlikely. By relaxing and enjoying the climb you are far more likely to have a trouble-free experience.

• Daily health checks- Our guides are all experienced in identifying altitude sickness and dealing with the problems it causes with climbers. They are continuously watching you and speaking with you throughout the climb. Twice daily, in the morning and evening, our guides will contact health checks.

4. Who will be my guide?
Our knowledgeable and experienced guides have collectively mounted Kilimanjaro well over a thousand times. They are regularly trained in the latest guiding techniques, first aid, English language, zoological and geological topics, customer relations, and environmental conservation. They are fully licensed by the National Park authorities and most importantly they love their job.

5. What types of food and drinks will be provided during Kilimanjaro?
You will be amazed at the variety, quality & quantity of the food we serve you while you are on your Mount Kilimanjaro climb. As you are trekking for between 6-9 hours a day (before summit night) you will be burning a lot of calories – and as you are at a higher altitude – you are burning even more than at sea level.

• Ensuring that you are well-fed – and fully fueled for climbing Kilimanjaro is paramount – allowing you to have enough energy to get you to the top. On all of our Kilimanjaro climbs you will be fully supported by a team of professional chefs who will cater to every dietary requirement and who will provide you with 3 hot cooked meals a day – plus plenty of water and hot drinks. Every day you will be served different meals whilst on the mountain.

Snacks at camp – on arrival at camp there will be salty snacks & biscuits (we do recommend bringing some of your favorites from home though)
At each stop, there will be purified water, hot water for teas, coffee & hot chocolate!

• Dietary requirement - Remember to inform us if you have any special dietary requirements – Our chefs are also able to accommodate almost any dietary restrictions; vegan, vegetarian, gluten and lactose intolerant, and those with restrictions due to their religious beliefs.

Just let us know in advance of any dietary restrictions that you may have. If you have any questions or concerns about the food whilst on the climb, feel free to speak to our team and we can give you more information!

• Staying hydrated - Keeping hydrated is crucial in the Kilimanjaro acclimatizing process – and you will get dehydrated easily, not just from walking each day but by breathing in the air at higher altitudes. We ensure that there is always a plentiful supply of treated and filtered water in the camp each morning/ night and water will also be provided at lunch. Depending on your physiology you will need to take in between 3-4 liters of water each day. If you are not used to drinking this amount of water, many people find that adding electrolytes or flavored cordials helps to keep the taste buds excited. There will also be hot drinking water at the camp in eat morning/ evening as well as the lunch stop with a selection of teas, coffee, and hot chocolate.

6. What is the best month to climb Kilimanjaro?
The best times to climb regarding the weather (avoiding rain) are from January to early March, and June to mid-October. There’s a long, dry winter and a green season with two rainy periods at each end. December, January, February, and March are the warmest months, with clear mornings and evenings, and clouds during the day that occlude the summit in the early afternoon hours.

7. How fit must I be to climb Kilimanjaro?
Kilimanjaro is often described as “easily accessible” because of the nice trails, the assistance of porters and guides, and technical mountaineering skills that are not required but do not underestimate this mountain. A climber’s biggest problem may be the effects of high altitude, which seem to be unrelated to fitness, age, or gender. General fitness is necessary. Before your visit, physical training should emphasize leg muscles. Include some aerobics and practice hiking with a light day pack. The fitter you are, the easier the climb will be for you. Determination is another important factor.

8. What if I cannot make it to the top?
Some climbers may fall short of reaching the summit, but not at the expense of their overall experience. Certificates are given for reaching the crater rim and gold certificates are given to those who reach Uhuru Point. Guides do everything they can to ensure your success, but if someone decides they cannot continue or a guide deems it unsafe for them to continue, they are escorted to the most convenient campsite or hut. Our guides intimately know the network of shortcuts to escort climbers to safety and are trained to act quickly and calmly under any circumstance.

9. How much equipment will I carry?
Your day pack will sustain you until you reach camp at the end of the day such as water, snacks, first aid, camera, gloves, and clothing layers. Porters carry your backpack/duffel from campsite to campsite and will be there before you arrive. Each porter’s load is limited to 35 lbs. (15kg) so weight is distributed among them.

10. What are the accommodations during the trek?
On the Marangu Route, there are simple huts that sleep four, with the last hut being a dormitory-style hit with bunk beds. On other routes, you sleep in dome-style mountain tents, two people in each. They are modern with flysheets and large vestibules. Porters set up, take down and carry them to each camp each day. A toilet tent is set up at every campsite and hot water is provided for each person every morning if possible (no showers). Meals are served in dining tents with chairs and tables. Before meals, the waiter provides soap and hot water for washing your hands.

11. How long does it take to climb Mount Kilimanjaro?
The minimum duration for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is determined by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority. Currently, this is set at five days for the Marangu and Rongai routes and six days for all other routes.

It doesn't imply that climbing Kilimanjaro in a shorter time is impossible, but rather that climbers must pay park fees for at least this minimum duration. These fees make up almost half of the total package cost. For example, on a six-day Marangu route, the park fees amount to $800 per person. Even if a climber with excellent fitness and acclimatization finishes the climb in fewer than six days, there is no reduction in these fees.

The durations set by the park authority consider the distance an average hiker can comfortably cover between two camps daily while getting reasonable acclimatization.

12. Longer routes provide better acclimatization
Beginners should not consider shorter itineraries to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Years of industry practice revealed that climbers need more days to acclimate successfully. Typically, an average hiker without previous hiking experience in the mountains requires seven days for this trip to acclimate successfully.

13. What is the average temperature on Mount Kilimanjaro? - Around 21 to 27 °C
The temperatures on Mount Kilimanjaro are determined more by the altitude and time of day than the year. At the base of the mountain, the average temperature is around 21 to 27 °C and at the summit, Uhuru Peak, the nighttime temperatures can range between -7 to -29 °C (20 and -20 degrees Fahrenheit). On Summit Night expect a long day starting at midnight and then continuing back down to High Camp by about 4 pm. The route up will be in the darkness and a headlight is required it will also be cold and often windy. Do prepare with good warm clothing and also remember to protect your extremities and face.

14. What is my daily routine on Mount Kilimanjaro?
During your climb of Kilimanjaro ‘bed tea’ is generally at about 6.30 – 7.00 am, breakfast is between 7.30 am and 8.00 am, and departure from camp is at 8.30 am latest. There is a snack lunch at midday, tea and biscuits around 4 pm, and dinner at 7 pm. Summit morning is different; tea and biscuits at 11.30 pm and start hiking at midnight or just after.

Most daily hikes take from 4 – 7 hours. The pace is slow and not forced at all. There is a rest at least once every hour and plenty of time to take photos, enjoy the view, and chat. When you arrive at the campsite you will find the tents erected and your bags will be waiting inside. In the morning, you will pack your bags ready for a speedy departure after breakfast.

SUMMIT DAY:
Expect a long day starting at midnight before continuing back down to High Camp by about 4 pm. The route up will be in the darkness so a headlight is required and it will be cold and often windy. Do prepare with good warm clothing and also remember to protect your extremities and face. From Barafu Camp to the Crater Rim, it will take about 6 to 8 hours, and you will arrive as the sun rises which is very special. From the rim (Stella Point) it is a further hour to the top, so expect summit time to be between 7 am and 9 am. With an hour on top for photos, enjoying the exceptional view, and feeling elated, the route down is dusty, loose, and quite a strain on the knees. Take it easy and stay with one of the guides; they will split up to cover all the mini-groups that naturally form for the descent.

When you get back to Barafu pack your bags ready for the porters to take down (you should prepare this the night before), take a rest, eat lunch, and then we will descend to High Camp which is a further two hours to the edge of the forest. Some people question this, but it is necessary to get lower because Barafu is still at 4600 meters and your body will thank you for losing altitude. It may be the last thing you want to do after having summited Kilimanjaro, but it is necessary.

15. What route should I climb?
There are main six Mount Kilimanjaro climbing routes. These routes vary not only in length, cost, and scenery; they also have different difficulty levels and different success rates. Selecting a Kilimanjaro climb route is one of the most important decisions you have to make. There is no single best Mt. Kilimanjaro climb route. The route that is best for you depends on several factors. The time and money you have available, previous experience and fitness, the time of the year, and your personal preference.

Here below are different Kilimanjaro routes' pros and cons
• Marangu route: This route is also known as the “Coca–Cola” route. The only Kilimanjaro climb route that offers hut accommodation, The route is popular for its comfort while undertaking this classic trek. Regarded as the least difficult of routes, Marangu is the most popular route on Kilimanjaro.Gentle slope; it has a gentle slope for the first several days, before the tough summit attempt from Kibo Hut.

• Machame route: The most popular climbing route up Kilimanjaro, Forest; it is the richest forested area on the mountain. Lush and beautiful; but also gets very muddy during the wet season

• Lemosho route: The eight-day trek itinerary allows for maximum time for acclimatization. Allowing for improved chances of reaching the summit & allowing time to enjoy a variety of scenery in the different climatic zones. The most beautiful Kilimanjaro climb route, but expensive Traversing beautiful forests and moorlands.

• Rongai route: The Rongai route is a more gradual ascent and is therefore preferred by those with little or no backpacking experience. The easiest route on Kilimanjaro and Less traffic

• Umbwe route: It is a very challenging route and very muddy, especially during the rainy season.

• The northern circuit route: This is one of the best routes on Kilimanjaro, offering high degrees of beautiful scenery including the quiet, rarely visited northern slopes. As the longest route on Kilimanjaro, the Northern Circuit also has the most acclimatization time and the highest summit success rate. You must have enough time and money

16. What is the number of crew on Kilimanjaro:
Tour operators are expected to comply with KINAPA guide and porter regulations. Porters are responsible for carrying a trekker's gear as well as key items like tents; water and cooking supplies. The number of crew depends also on the number of trek days. The longer the route the more number of porters. The shorter the route the less the number of porters. Also, there are other factors like the weight of your luggage (we recommend packing not more than 15kg/13Lbs) and the addition of facilities like private portable toilets.

You can refer to the chart to see how the number of crew members corresponds to the number of climbers.

Number of clients	Number of Guides	Number of Cooks	Number of Porters	Total Crew
1	1	1	4	6
2	2	1	6	9
3	2	1	7	10
4	2	1	9	12
5	3	1	11	15
6	3	1	13	17
7	4	1	15	20
8	4	1	17	22
9	5	2	19	26
10	5	2	21	28
11	6	2	23	31
12	6	2	25	33
13	7	2	27	36
14	7	2	29	38
15	8	2	31	41
16	8	2	33	43
17	9	2	35	46
18	9	2	37	48
19	10	2	39	51
20	10	3	41	54
21	11	3	43	57
22	11	3	45	59
23	12	3	47	62
24	12	3	49	64
25	13	3	51	67
26	13	3	53	69
27	14	3	55	72
28	14	3	57	74
29	15	3	59	77
30	15	4	61	80
31	16	4	63	83
32	16	4	65	85
33	17	4	67	88
34	17	4	69	90
35	18	4	71	93
36	18	4	73	95