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PRE – TREKKING

Mt. Kilimanjaro Pre - Trek Information

WHAT ACCOMMODATION TYPE DO YOU PREFER?

All routes on Mt Kilimanjaro offer camping facilities only with the exception of Marangu Route which offers hut style accommodation. All tents are provided, though you are expected to bring your own sleeping bag and personal climbing gear. If you do not have your own and prefer to rent the equipment we can assist you for this. If camping is not your style but you still want to conquer Mt Kilimanjaro then Marangu route if your best option.

HOW MANY DAYS WILL IT TAKE ME TO SUMMIT MT. KILIMANJARO?

The simple answer is the more time you spend on the mountain acclimatising the safer and more comfortable your trek will be and the greater the chance you will have of reaching the summit. The average person with a reasonable level of fitness can take anywhere from 5-9 days to summit Mt Kilimanjaro.

Trek itineraries 7-9 days are the preferred length for beginners or inexperienced trekkers.

Lemosho, Machame, Northern Circuit and Rongai are the best choices

Trek Itineraries of 5 – 6 days are generally only recommended for experienced climbers who are confident about their bodies ability to acclimatise.

Anyone healthy person can attempt Mt Kilimanjaro with a reasonable level of fitness. If you are able to comfortably sustain walking between 6 – 10 kms daily then you have a very good chance of reaching the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro.

WHAT EXPERIENCE DO YOU HAVE OR NEED TO CLIMB MT. KILIMANJARO?

Any beginner can trek Mt Kilimanjaro as due to the nature of the routes, the mountain does not require any technical climbing experience at all and any reasonably fit person can attempt and summit Mt Kilimanjaro. However it should be noted, that changes in temperature on the mountain, the rapid change in altitude, does make it challenging for the body to adapt to the altitude change inside a week and individuals vary widely in their ability to cope. You can combat this a number of ways:

1. Good preparation - regular exercise, extended walks, gym or aerobic exercise to maximize your fitness and the strengths of your legs in sustaining extended walking periods.

2. Choose an itinerary on Mt Kilimanjaro with extra days 7 - 8-day itineraries have higher summit success due to additional acclimatization days.

3. If time is your friend, then maybe consider tackling Mt Meru which is a lower elevation to acclimatise before attempting Mt Kilimanjaro

WHAT IS YOUR BUDGET AND WHAT ARE YOU WILLING TO SPEND TO REACH THE SUMMIT OF KILIMANJARO?

So often climbers opt for a shorter trek to minimise costs though you have to consider the cost of not achieving your goal, or disrupting your trek as a result of AMS or further complications brought on by a shorter itinerary, after all how many chances do you have to travel to Africa and do this type of activity? Mt Kilimanjaro trek is about the journey not just the destination, so one must consider the amount of time taken to prepare for the trek, the costs involved in travelling to Tanzania and then decide whether or not its worth risking all of this by not selecting the correct itinerary which minimises your chance of experiencing AMS and maximises your chances of having an enjoyable and memorable attempt at summiting Mt Kilimanjaro.

WHAT TIME OF YEAR ARE YOU PLANNING TO TREK?

Whilst Tanzania has definite wet and dry seasons, being so near to the equator (3”S) means the weather is not as extreme compared to higher or lower latitudes, creating ideal conditions for a visit to Tanzania almost 12 months of the year. The weather on Mt Kilimanjaro itself all year round is fairly consistent. Why? Mt Kilimanjaro essentially has its own micro climate due to its enormous size and extreme elevation. The overall climate does impact the mountain, though its not unusual to experience rainfall, snow, high wind or thunderstorms at any time of the year. April to May and November, however, is the wet season so whilst it can rain anytime of the year on Mt Kilimanjaro the chance of rainfall is significantly increased during this time and can be a little less desirable for some trekkers as its colder and wetter. If you have your heart set on trekking during this time we recommend Rongai route as it has a northern aspect so lies in the lee of the rain clouds or we can operate Marangu route as accommodation is in huts rather than tents. The upside of trekking in the wetter months is the higher incidence of experiencing a snow covered summit which is spectacular. As long as additional layers of clothing are worn, with gators and Crampons, then this time of the year can be a safe and memorable time of the year to trek. December through to March is considered the green season and experiences warmer wetter weather with higher temperatures and humidity, whilst June through to October In Tanzania is typically the dry season and is cooler and drier. However, climbers should be prepared for a huge temperature range on Mt Kilimanjaro. Up to 20-30 Degrees during the day and - 15 to -20 degrees or lower at night. At any altitude on the mountain expect to feel very cold at night, with decreasing day temperatures with increased altitude. TrekkingHQ also offer treks that are timed with the lunar calendar. Full moon summits are desirable for guests who like to attempt the summit along the moonlit summit pathway at night. Star Gazer Summits - or New Moon summits are in pitch darkness providing opportune conditions to observe the billions of stars en-route.

DO YO WANT TO JOIN A GROUP OR TREK PRIVATELY?

Once you have decided on your preferred route and number of days, then the only choice remaining is whether you prefer a private or group trek?

-Private tours-

Private tours are best suited if you do not want to share your experience with people outside of your group of friends, family members or by yourself. You will trek with a dedicated support team that is not shared by unfamiliar climbers. The advantage of joining a private trek is that you can choose the date you prefer.

-Group Treks-

Group Treks are best suited if you are a solo traveler or a social small group of travellers that are open to trekking and connecting with likeminded climbers then we recommend you join one of our fixed group departures. Its a great way to meet new friends, share your experiences and if you don’t mind sharing the support team and resources, potentially a more cost effective way of climibing Mt Kilimanjaro.

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TREKKING HQ

Kilimanjaro Trekking Experts

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