Kilimanjaro can be climbed year-round — we run scheduled departures every week. The clearest, driest conditions fall in late June through October and late December through February. March through May brings the long rains, so we adjust route and pacing to keep you comfortable if that's when you're climbing. If you have a specific date in mind — an anniversary, a birthday on the summit — tell us and we'll build the trip around it. The table below shows average monthly temperature (at the start of the climb, not the upper mountain) and rainfall:

Month	Avg. Temp (F ~ C)	Rainfall (in ~ cm)
January	78° ~ 26°	1.4 ~ 3.6
February	78° ~ 26°	2.0 ~ 5.1
March	78° ~ 26°	4.7 ~ 11.9
April	76° ~ 24°	13.8 ~ 35.1
May	72° ~ 22°	9.3 ~ 23.6
June	70° ~ 21°	1.5 ~ 3.8
July	69° ~ 21°	1.0 ~ 2.5
August	70° ~ 21°	.7 ~ 1.8
September	71° ~ 22°	.6 ~ 1.5
October	75° ~ 24°	1.0 ~ 2.5
November	76° ~ 24°	2.5 ~ 6.4
December	77° ~ 25°	2.1 ~ 5.3

You can overpay to climb Kili, and you can under pay. Ask four questions before you compare price: What safety equipment do they carry, and are guides trained to use it? Who actually owns the climb, or is it contracted out to an unknown operator once you've paid? What's the guide-to-climber ratio and group size? And what's included in the price versus billed as an add-on? Climb Kili is locally owned and operated — your guides work directly for us, they're not subcontracted, and every one is Wilderness First Responder-certified.

• Cheap operators may cut safety equipment, contract climbs out to unknown companies, use non-certified guides, or skip private sanitary facilities.
• Overpriced operators often pay a premium for top ad placement, add unnecessary days, or simply charge thousands more for the appearance of security and comfort — without adding to it.

See exactly what's included with Climb Kili, or jump to the comparison table above. Compare us to any operator, overpriced or discount, and we guarantee more service, more safety, and better summit success at a better value.

We recommend applying for your Tanzania visa online 30–60 days before you travel, at www.immigration.go.tz — it's faster and less stressful than handling it on arrival. The fee is $100 USD for U.S. citizens and $50 USD for most other nationalities, payable in USD cash or Tanzanian Shilling only. Make sure your passport is valid at least 6 months beyond your entry date.

Since 1984, Climb Kili has guided thousands of climbers up Kilimanjaro, and the route that matters most is the one matched to your fitness, schedule, and acclimatization needs. For first-time climbers, we generally recommend the 8-day Lemosho route — the extra day builds in more acclimatization time, which contributes directly to our 98.8% summit success rate. If you're already well-acclimatized or on a tighter schedule, the 7-day Machame route is steeper early on and widely considered the most scenic. Both converge on the same corridor before exiting via Mweka. See the full route comparison →

Time on the mountain is the single biggest factor in summit success — more than fitness. Our routes follow a "climb high, sleep low" pattern on key days: you gain altitude while the sun's up, then drop down to sleep, which is the most effective way to adjust. Guides check every climber's oxygen levels daily with a pulse oximeter and watch for early symptoms of altitude sickness, so we can act before anything becomes serious.

We intentionally limit scheduled groups to 6 climbers so guides can monitor every client's health and pace individually — it's a deliberate trade-off, not a cost-cutting one, and it's part of why our summit success rate sits at 98.8%. Traveling as a private group, family, or company team? We can arrange a private departure at any size.

Depending on your route, you'll trek an average of 4–8 hours a day, with summit day being the longest and most demanding. Pace is set by your guides, not a schedule — moving slowly ("pole pole") is part of how we protect your acclimatization.

We send a detailed equipment list in your Welcome Package covering everything you'll need, from boots to base layers, so nothing gets left off your packing list.

Yes — our on-site rental shop at the hotel carries everything from sleeping bags and warm jackets to trekking poles and gaiters, and every climber gets a $50 gear rental credit. If something's missing from your kit, just let us know and we'll have it ready when you arrive.

Just the essentials for that day's trekking — water, layers, snacks, camera. We recommend a 20–30L day pack; your main gear travels separately in a soft duffel carried by your porter (no hard-sided luggage, since it's carried on foot). Our Information Guide covers exactly what to pack each day.

We provide a personal fitness program based on your timeline, current fitness, altitude at home, and age. Fitness affects how comfortable you are on the trail — but altitude affects everyone, even seasoned athletes, if they move too fast. That's why route choice and pacing matter as much as your training plan.

Many of our climbers haven't been at high altitude before and aren't sure how their body will respond. Diamox (acetazolamide) is commonly used to help the body acclimatize faster. Whether to use it is a personal decision, and one best made together with your physician before you travel.

Every Climb Kili departure includes emergency oxygen, a hyperbaric bag, and Wilderness First Responder-certified guides — this is part of why we maintain a 98.8% summit success rate rather than pushing climbers past what's safe. Guides check every climber's oxygen levels daily with a pulse oximeter and watch closely for early signs of altitude sickness so we can act before it becomes serious. Camp hygiene basics — hand-washing water at every meal, private chemical toilets, trained kitchen staff — are standard on all our climbs.

No other operator on the mountain carries more safety equipment than Climb Kili — emergency oxygen, altitude (hyperbaric) bags, portable stretchers, and pulse oximeters are standard on every climb. Every lead guide is certified in their use.

There are no current vaccination requirements for non-Africans entering Tanzania, but check with your local travel clinic for the latest recommendations. Most travelers are advised to be up to date on Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, and Tetanus. For current health guidance, visit the CDC's Tanzania travel page.

We strongly recommend travel insurance for every climb and safari. Whatever policy you choose, make sure it specifically includes high-altitude trekking and helicopter evacuation/rescue coverage — many standard policies exclude both, and those are exactly what you'd need on Kilimanjaro.

Most climbers fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). Some find it more economical to fly into Nairobi, Kenya (NBO) and take the 6–8 hour shuttle to Arusha or Moshi. Whichever you choose, our staff will meet you at the airport or bus station. Other airports of interest: Zanzibar (ZNZ), Arusha (ARK), Dar es Salaam (DAR), and the Serengeti Airstrip (SEU).

The Tanzanian Shilling is the national currency, though US Dollars are widely accepted throughout Moshi, Arusha, and park entrances. Credit cards are only accepted at airlines and major hotels — plan on traveling with sufficient USD cash.

The local supply is 220 volts, 50 cycles AC, using Type G and Type D outlets. Bring your own international adapter to charge your electronics.

Tanzania's official languages are English and Swahili. All Climb Kili guides speak English, with several also conversant in French, German, Italian, or Spanish.

Our hotels have a secure storage room that holds any baggage or equipment you don't need for the climb or safari.

We understand that sufficient caloric intake and purified water are essential to keep the body functioning properly high up on the mountain. Our menu is specific to the activities of that day and the day of trekking ahead, balancing carbohydrates and proteins to keep our clients in top health.

We have vegetarian & vegan menus available and accommodate gluten free diets and do our best with other special dietary situations. For gluten-free or other specialty diets, we recommend bringing your own packaged items — our chefs are glad to prepare anything you bring alongside the menu below.

Breakfast

• Tea, coffee, hot chocolate
• Toast, biscuits with margarine, jam, peanut butter
• Eggs, meat, sausage
• Porridge
• Fresh fruits: mango, banana, avocado, watermelon, oranges

Lunch

• Tea, coffee, hot chocolate
• Chicken or vegetable soup
• Bread, biscuits or pancakes with jam, peanut butter
• Sandwich with meat or cheese, boiled egg
• Snack: peanuts, popcorn, cake, cookies
• Fresh fruits and fruit salad: tomato, cucumber, onion, carrots

Dinner

• Tea, coffee, hot chocolate
• Chicken or vegetable soup
• Bread, biscuits or pancakes with jam, peanut butter
• Roasted chicken, beef or fish
• Potatoes, rice, pasta
• Fresh vegetables: carrots, peas, tomato, beans

Welcome Packet: including detailed itinerary, invoice, information guide, equipment list, personalized fitness training program, Kilimanjaro journal, and warm summit cap.

• Personal trekking coordinator to assist throughout your preparation
• Transport to and from Kilimanjaro Airport
• Private toilet included
• 2 nights hotel with breakfast
• Daily trip reports our office staff emails back home to interested friends and family
• Transportation to and from your selected route
• All personal and group tents
• All Tanzanian National Park fees, government climbing taxes, and climbing permits
• All meals while on Kilimanjaro and safari, plus hot drinks at every meal
• Sleeping pads and private chemical toilets
• Staff salaries, purified water
• Climb Kili exclusive guides, assistant guides, chefs, and porters
• Safety equipment: emergency oxygen, hyperbaric bag, pulse oximeter
• One tree planted on your behalf, free wireless internet at the hotel
• Personal summit certificate signed by the National Park
• Climb Kili's exclusive Guarantee

See the complete breakdown.

Absolutely. Climb Kili has guided Special Olympians, paraplegics, visually impaired climbers, amputees, and many others with special needs to the summit. Contact us to talk through your specific situation.

No — no prior climbing experience is needed. That said, it's not a simple hike either. Our personal fitness program prepares your body and mind for the daily trekking and physical demands of the mountain.

On Kilimanjaro and safari, tipping is an expected practice for the crew who assist you.

As a general rule, $250–$300 per person will adequately cover crew tips on the mountain, and $15 per person per day is recommended for safari. Several factors can shift the amount — a longer expedition increases the overall total, and smaller groups typically tip more since they employ a larger crew-to-client ratio than larger groups. Bring USD bills dated 2006 or newer, in $10s and $20s. Give the tip to your Lead Guide on the final night or the following day at the end gate — they'll distribute it fairly across your mountain crew. See Dates & Prices for full trip cost details.

Confirm your booking through our secure online reservation form. We'll send your Welcome Package shortly after, and you'll be on your way. Book now →