Kilimanjaro Climbing Tours
Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa at 5,895 metres, and the highest free-standing mountain in the world. You do not need ropes or climbing skills to reach the top, only good preparation, the right route and a guiding team that puts your health first. Thousands of trekkers reach Uhuru Peak every year, and our guides help you be one of them.
Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa at 5,895 metres, and the highest free-standing mountain in the world. You do not need ropes or climbing skills to reach the top, only good preparation, the right route and a guiding team that puts your health first. Thousands of trekkers reach Uhuru Peak every year, and our guides help you be one of them.
Golden Memories Safaris offers Kilimanjaro climbing tours on all the main routes, with prices from USD 1,910 per person. Every Kilimanjaro climb package includes park fees, mountain crew, meals, camping or hut accommodation and transfers from Arusha or Moshi.
Choose your Kilimanjaro route
There are seven official routes. These are the six we guide most often, and what makes each of them different.
Machame route: 6 or 7 days
The most popular route, nicknamed the Whiskey route. It climbs through rainforest, moorland and the Barranco Wall and is a camping route with strong scenery. The 7 day version gives better acclimatisation.
Lemosho route: 7 or 8 days
A quieter route that starts in the west and crosses the Shira Plateau. Longer itineraries and a gentler profile give it one of the highest success rates.
Marangu route: 5 or 6 days
The only route with sleeping huts, called the Coca-Cola route. It is less expensive, but the 5 day version is short for acclimatisation, so we recommend the 6 day option.
Rongai route: 6 or 7 days
Approaches from the north near the Kenyan border. It is drier and quieter, and a good choice in the rainy season.
Umbwe route: 5 or 6 days
The steepest and most direct route, for experienced hikers who have acclimatised before.
Northern Circuit: 9 days
The longest route, circling the mountain with the best acclimatisation and views. It has the highest summit success rate.
What is included in our Kilimanjaro packages
Our price covers the mountain operation, so you only need to pay for flights, visas and tips.
- Kilimanjaro National Park conservation, camping or hut and rescue fees
- Licensed mountain guides, cooks, porters and a summit assistant guide
- All meals on the mountain and drinking water
- Sleeping tents, mattresses and a mess tent with a dining table
- Emergency oxygen, a pulse oximeter for daily health checks and a private toilet tent
- Transfers from Arusha or Moshi and a night before the climb
How hard is Kilimanjaro?
Kilimanjaro is a long, steady walk, not a technical climb. The challenge is altitude. The summit is nearly 6,000 metres, where the air has about half the oxygen of sea level, and altitude sickness is the main reason people do not reach the top. The best protection is a longer route, a slow pace, plenty of water and honest communication with your guide. Read our guide to altitude sickness for symptoms, prevention and when to turn back.
Fitness matters too. A training plan of six to eight weeks of hiking, stairs and cardio makes the walk far more enjoyable. Our training and packing list guide has a full plan.
Our approach to safety and our crew
We use experienced mountain guides who are trained in wilderness first aid, check your oxygen saturation twice a day and make the call to descend when needed. We hire our porters fairly and respect the weight limits per porter set by the park. Good crew welfare is not only the right thing to do, it is part of what gets you to the top.
Combine Kilimanjaro with a safari or Zanzibar
Most climbers add a safari after the mountain, when the legs rest and the wildlife viewing is comfortable. A common plan is a 6 or 7 day climb followed by a 3 to 5 day safari and a few days on Zanzibar. We plan the whole trip in one booking, with transfers between each part.
A typical day on Kilimanjaro
You are woken with a cup of tea at about six o’clock, wash with warm water that the crew brings, and eat a cooked breakfast. You walk for four to seven hours at a slow pace, with a packed or hot lunch on the trail. You arrive at camp in the early afternoon, where the tents are already up, and rest before an evening meal and a briefing from your guide. You check your oxygen levels twice a day. By eight o’clock most people are asleep.
The summit night
The final climb begins around midnight from the high camp at Barafu or Kibo. You wear all your warm layers and a headlamp, and walk very slowly in a line behind your guide for six to eight hours. The cold is intense and the air is thin. At about sunrise you reach Stella Point or Gilman’s Point on the crater rim, and a short walk takes you to Uhuru Peak. You spend a few minutes at the top for photographs and descend to a lower camp for a rest.
Your Kilimanjaro crew
A typical group of two climbers has a head guide, one or two assistant guides, a cook, a waiter and about eight to twelve porters. They carry your equipment and food, set up camp, cook and clean. Park rules limit the weight each porter may carry, and we make sure the crew is paid fairly, fed well and equipped with warm clothing. A happy crew works better and makes your climb safer.
Training and preparation
Start training eight weeks before you travel. Walk or hike with a small pack several times a week, and add one long walk on weekends. Climb stairs, walk uphill and use the same boots you will wear on the mountain. Practise drinking plenty of water and eating small meals often. Read our training plan and our altitude sickness guide before you leave.
Kilimanjaro climbing packages
Prices are per person. Rescue fees, park fees and crew are included.
- 6-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Adventure via Marangu Route (6 Days / 5 Nights, from USD 1,910 per person) The classic Coca-Cola Route offering comfortable communal hut accommodations and optimal acclimatization.
- 5 Day Mount Kilimanjaro Climb via Umbwe Route (5 Days / 4 Nights, from USD 2,141 per person) The steepest, most direct path to Uhuru Peak for fit and experienced trekkers seeking a rapid alpine challenge.
- 7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Adventure via Lemosho Route (7 Days / 6 Nights, from USD 2,787 per person) The scenic western route traversing pristine wilderness and Shira Plateau with high summit success.
- 6-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Adventure via Machame Route (6 Days / 5 Nights, from USD 2,484 per person) The scenic Whiskey Route condensed for fit trekkers with strong endurance and high stamina.
- 7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Adventure via Machame Route (7 Days / 6 Nights, from USD 2,762 per person) The premier 7-day Whiskey Route with a dedicated acclimatization night at Karanga Camp.
- 6-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Adventure via Umbwe Route (6 Days / 5 Nights, from USD 2,484 per person) The optimized steep western approach with an extra acclimatization night at Karanga Camp.
- 7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Adventure via Rongai Route (7 Days / 6 Nights, from USD 2,762 per person) The only northern approach starting near Kenya, offering drier trails, solitude, and Mawenzi views.
- 9 Day Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking Adventure via Northern Circuit Route (9 Days / 8 Nights, from USD 3,452 per person) The ultimate 360° mountain traverse with maximum solitude and the highest summit success rate (~98%).
- 8-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking Adventure via Lemosho Route (8 Days / 7 Nights, from USD 3,136 per person) The gold-standard Kilimanjaro route featuring unmatched acclimatization, dual Shira camps, and 95%+ success rate.
- 10 Day Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Via Lemosho Route, Day Summit (10 Days / 9 Nights, from USD 3,647 per person) The most scenic Kilimanjaro route over 10 days, with excellent acclimatization and a daylight summit of Uhuru Peak.
- 10 Day Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Via Northern Circuit Route, Day Summit (10 Days / 9 Nights, from USD 3,647 per person) Kilimanjaro’s longest and most gradual route: remote northern slopes, the best acclimatization profile and a daylight summit.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to climb Kilimanjaro?
Our climbs start from USD 1,910 per person. The price depends on the route, the number of days and the group size. See our full Kilimanjaro cost guide for a breakdown.
Which Kilimanjaro route is best?
For most people, the 7 or 8 day Lemosho or the 7 day Machame route offers the best balance of scenery and acclimatisation. Our route comparison explains each route in detail.
What is the best time to climb Kilimanjaro?
January to mid March and June to October are the dry seasons. Read our best time to climb guide for details.
How fit do I need to be?
You need to be able to walk for four to eight hours a day for several days. You do not need climbing experience. We recommend six to eight weeks of hiking and cardio before you go.
Do you provide equipment?
We provide tents, mattresses, cooking gear, oxygen and safety equipment. You bring your own boots, clothing and sleeping bag, and we can rent sleeping bags, poles and jackets in Arusha or Moshi.
Is it safe to climb Kilimanjaro?
It is safe for healthy people with the right preparation and guides. Altitude sickness is the main risk, and our guides monitor your health every day.
Can children climb Kilimanjaro?
The park has a minimum age of ten for the mountain. We advise caution and a good medical check for any young climber.