Kilimanjaro Climbing Packages 2026–2027

Africa's Highest Peak — 5,895 m

How Do You Climb Kilimanjaro?

You climb Kilimanjaro on a guided trek of 5 to 8 days, following one of the park's official routes to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), the highest point in Africa. No technical climbing is needed, but you must go with a licensed guide and a support crew of porters and a cook. Our climbs use the Marangu, Machame and Lemosho routes, start from Moshi or Arusha, and cost from $1,600 per person.

The biggest factor in reaching the summit is time. Altitude sickness depends on how quickly you gain height, not on fitness, so longer itineraries with good acclimatisation give you a better chance. That is why we recommend the 7-day Machame or the 7- or 8-day Lemosho for most first-time climbers, while the Marangu Route suits climbers who prefer huts to tents.

This page compares our six climbing packages, explains how to choose a route, what the price includes, when to go and how to prepare, and links to our detailed planning guides.

Summit

Uhuru Peak, 5,895 m

Duration

5–8 days on the mountain

Routes

Marangu, Machame and Lemosho

Start

Moshi or Arusha; nearest airport JRO

Support

Licensed guides, porters and a cook

Price

From $1,600 per person

Who Can Climb Kilimanjaro?

Anyone aged 10 or over who is reasonably fit and in good health. If you can hike 5–7 hours on consecutive days, you are a realistic candidate. No mountaineering experience is needed; pacing and acclimatisation matter more than strength.

What Is Kilimanjaro?

A dormant volcano in northern Tanzania and the highest mountain in Africa. You walk through five climate zones, from rainforest to the arctic summit, on non-technical trails without ropes or crampons on the standard routes.

When Should You Climb?

The driest windows are January to mid-March and June to October. You can climb year-round, but late March to May is the wettest period. Summit temperatures are well below freezing in every season.

Where Is It?

In Kilimanjaro National Park, about 50 km from Moshi. Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) is the most convenient airport, and we include a round-trip airport transfer.

Why Climb With Local Guides?

We are based at the foot of the mountain in Moshi. Our guides know the routes, watch for altitude symptoms every day and set a safe pace. We recommend longer routes because they improve your chances of reaching the top.

How Long Does It Take?

Five to eight days, depending on the route. We recommend seven or eight days for most climbers. The 5-day Marangu is our shortest option but has the least time to acclimatise.

Our Climbs

Choose Your Kilimanjaro Climbing Package

All six packages include park fees, licensed guides, porters, a cook, meals on the mountain and transfers. Prices are per person; open a package for its full itinerary.

Kilimanjaro climbing photo from Kilimanjaro Climbing Packages

5-Day Marangu Route

View the 5-Day Marangu Climb

From $1,600

6-Day Marangu Route

View the 6-Day Marangu Climb

From $1,845

6-Day Machame Route

View the 6-Day Machame Climb

From $1,845

7-Day Machame Route

View the 7-Day Machame Climb

From $2,090

7-Day Lemosho Route

View the 7-Day Lemosho Climb

From $2,090

8-Day Lemosho Route

View the 8-Day Lemosho Climb

From $2,335

Compare Routes

Which Kilimanjaro Route Should You Choose?

Choose Machame or Lemosho for scenery and good acclimatisation, or Marangu if you want to sleep in huts. Within each route, the longer version gives you a better chance of reaching the summit.

Prices are per-person starting rates from each package page. See the full route comparison guide.
Package	Sleeping	Acclimatisation	Difficulty	From
5-Day Marangu	Huts	Limited: no acclimatisation day	Moderate, but altitude gained quickly	$1,600
6-Day Marangu	Huts	Good: rest day at Horombo	Moderate	$1,845
6-Day Machame	Tents	Good: climb high to Lava Tower, sleep low	Challenging	$1,845
7-Day Machame	Tents	Very good: extra night at Karanga	Challenging, steadier pace	$2,090
7-Day Lemosho	Tents	Very good: gradual western approach	Moderate to challenging	$2,090
8-Day Lemosho	Tents	Excellent: the most gradual of our routes	Moderate to challenging, slowest pace	$2,335

Best for Most First-Time Climbers

7-Day Machame: varied scenery, the Lava Tower acclimatisation day and an extra night at Karanga.

Best Acclimatisation

8-Day Lemosho: a quieter western start and the most gradual ascent of our routes.

Best if You Prefer Huts

6-Day Marangu: hut accommodation with an acclimatisation day at Horombo.

Shortest Climb

5-Day Marangu: the quickest option, with the least time to acclimatise.

Scenic With Fewer Days

6-Day Machame: the Machame scenery in six days, with a long fourth day.

Remote Western Start

7-Day Lemosho: begins in the quiet western forest and crosses the Shira Plateau.

Read the full Marangu vs Machame vs Lemosho comparison.

Price and Inclusions

How Much Does It Cost to Climb Kilimanjaro?

Our climbs cost from $1,600 to $2,335 per person (two sharing, mid-range), depending mainly on the number of days and your accommodation level. Park fees are charged per day and make up a large share of every climb, which is why longer routes cost more.

Included in Every Climb

Kilimanjaro National Park entrance and conservation fees
Hut fees (Marangu) or camping fees and tents (Machame, Lemosho)
Rescue fee and emergency oxygen
A registered lead mountain guide and assistant guides
Porters and a mountain cook
All meals on the mountain, plus treated drinking water
Two hotel nights in the Kilimanjaro area, before and after the climb, at your chosen level
Transport between your hotel and the park gate
Round-trip airport transfer
All government taxes and VAT

Not Included

Personal climbing gear (rental is available in Moshi)
International flights and Tanzania visa
Extra hotel nights beyond the two included
Travel insurance, which must cover high-altitude trekking
Tips for your guides, cook and porters
Personal items, snacks and drinks other than water
Any government increase in park fees or taxes

What Affects the Price?

Number of days: each extra day on the mountain adds park fees, crew wages and food.
Accommodation level: your hotel nights before and after the climb can be budget, mid-range or luxury.
Room sharing: solo travellers pay a little more because they have a single room for the hotel nights.
Park fees: Kilimanjaro National Park fees are set by the park authority and can change, so we confirm your price in writing before you pay.

Tipping is customary and is not included. Each package page explains recommended amounts.

When to Go

When Is the Best Time to Climb Kilimanjaro?

January to mid-March and June to October are the driest and most popular times to climb. You can climb year-round, but late March to May is the wettest period.

Season	Months	What to expect
Short dry season	January to mid-March	Generally dry and clear, with cold summit nights and a chance of snow near the top. A popular climbing window.
Long rains	Late March to May	The wettest period, with muddy forest trails and limited views. Fewer climbers; climbing is possible but more demanding.
Main dry season	June to October	Dry and usually clear, with the coldest nights. The busiest period, especially July to September.
Short rains	November	Afternoon showers are common, with quieter trails.
Holiday season	December	Drying out again, but busy over Christmas and New Year.

Whatever the month, nights near the summit are well below freezing, so your gear list is similar all year. For quieter trails, consider the shoulder months either side of the dry seasons.

Altitude and Climate Zones

How Hard Is Kilimanjaro, and What Will You Walk Through?

Kilimanjaro is a non-technical trek, but altitude makes it hard. You pass through five climate zones, from rainforest to the frozen summit, gaining more than 4,000 m in a few days.

Zone	Altitude	What it is like
Cultivation and lower slopes	About 800–1,800 m	Farms and villages around Moshi and the park gates.
Rainforest	About 1,800–2,800 m	Dense, often muddy forest; colobus and blue monkeys are sometimes seen.
Heath and moorland	About 2,800–4,000 m	Open slopes with giant heathers, groundsels and lobelias; cooler nights.
Alpine desert	About 4,000–5,000 m	Rocky, dry and windy, with big temperature swings between day and night.
Arctic summit	Above about 5,000 m	Scree, ice and glaciers around the crater rim; well below freezing at night.

Altitude Sickness: What You Should Know

Most climbers feel some effects of altitude, such as headaches, poor sleep or loss of appetite. These usually ease with rest and a slow pace. Serious altitude sickness is rare but dangerous, and the only treatment is to descend.

Choose an itinerary with enough days to acclimatise
Walk slowly (pole pole) from the first day
Drink 3–4 litres of water a day and keep eating
Tell your guide about symptoms early; never hide them
Ask your doctor whether altitude medication is right for you

Before You Go

How Should You Prepare for Kilimanjaro?

Start training two to three months before your climb, pack proper cold-weather gear, buy travel insurance that covers high-altitude trekking, and arrive in Moshi or Arusha at least a day early.

Training

Build endurance with long hikes on hilly ground, ideally carrying a daypack, and add stair climbing or cardio during the week. Back-to-back hiking days are the best preparation.

See our 12-week training plan

Packing Essentials

Broken-in waterproof hiking boots
A four-season sleeping bag rated to about −10°C or colder
An insulated down or synthetic jacket, plus fleece and thermal layers
Waterproof jacket and trousers
Warm hat, warm gloves and a buff
Headlamp with spare batteries for summit night

Full Kilimanjaro gear list

Planning Checklist

Travel insurance covering trekking up to about 6,000 m
A Tanzania visa and a passport valid for six months
Arrive at least one day before the climb
Check vaccinations and malaria advice with your doctor
Rent missing gear in Moshi if needed
Plan a rest day after the climb before flying home

Add A Beach Stay

Combine Your Climb With Zanzibar

Domestic flights connect Kilimanjaro International Airport with Zanzibar, so a few beach days after the climb are an easy way to rest before flying home.

Zanzibar 1 Day Private

$50 / Person

1 Day Zanzibar Tour (Stone Town, Prison Island, Spice Farm Tour)

Experience the highlights of Zanzibar in just one day, including a tour of Stone Town, Prison Island, and a visit to the Spice Farms.

Zanzibar 2 Days Private

$150 / Person

2 Days Zanzibar Tour (Stone Town and Prison Island)

Explore the historic Stone Town and the fascinating Prison Island on this 2-day Zanzibar adventure.

Zanzibar 3 Days Private

$225 / Person

3 Days Zanzibar Tour (Stone Town, Prison Island and Nakupenda Island)

Discover Zanzibar’s cultural charm and natural beauty with a tour of Stone Town, Prison Island, and Nakupenda Island in 3 days.

Red colobus monkey in Jozani Forest, Zanzibar

Zanzibar 4 Days Private

$300 / Person

4 Days Zanzibar Tour (Prison Island, Stone Town, Nakupenda Island and Spice Farm Tour)

Discover Zanzibar’s rich history and stunning beauty on a captivating 4-day journey.

Zanzibar 5 Days Private

$375 / Person

5 Days Zanzibar Tour (Prison Island, Stone Town, Nakupenda Island, Spice Farm Tour and Nungwi Beach)

Experience Zanzibar's highlights in 5 days, including Prison Island, Stone Town, Spice Farms, and Nungwi Beach.

Combine Your Climb With a Tanzania Safari

A safari before the climb helps you recover from your flight, and a safari afterwards is a relaxed, low-altitude way to unwind. The northern parks are within a few hours of Moshi and Arusha.

1 Day Safaris in Tanzania

A single day is enough for a focused game drive in Tarangire, Lake Manyara, or Arusha National Park — a practical option if you're short on time or adding a quick safari onto a Kilimanjaro or Zanzibar trip.

2 Days Safaris in Tanzania

Two days covers one park properly with an overnight at a lodge or camp in between, giving you both an afternoon and morning game drive rather than a single pass through.

4 Days Safaris in Tanzania

Four days gives you a real circuit instead of a single rushed park visit — typically Tarangire or Lake Manyara combined with Serengeti or Ngorongoro Crater, with two to three full park days.

5 Days Safaris in Tanzania

Five days is our most popular northern-circuit length, typically covering three parks with no single day feeling rushed — enough time for the Serengeti's scale and the Ngorongoro Crater's density of wildlife.

6 Days Safaris in Tanzania

Our longest standard circuit covers Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater with no rushed transfer days, leaving real time at each park for game drives rather than just driving between them.

View All

Booking

How Do You Book a Kilimanjaro Climb?

Choose your route and dates, send us an enquiry, and we confirm the price, inclusions and crew in writing. We then arrange your airport pickup, hotel if needed, and a briefing before the climb.

1. Choose a Route

Compare the packages above, or ask us to recommend one for your fitness, time and budget.

2. Send an Enquiry

Tell us your dates, group size and any questions using the booking form on each package page or our contact page.

3. Confirm Your Quote

We send a written quote with the per-person price and inclusions, and you confirm using the payment terms it sets out.

4. Arrive and Climb

We meet you at the airport, brief you and check your gear the day before the climb.

Request a Kilimanjaro Quote

Common Questions

Kilimanjaro Climbing FAQs

Our Kilimanjaro climbs start from $1,600 per person for the 5-day Marangu Route and range up to $2,335 for the 8-day Lemosho Route, based on two people sharing at mid-range level. The price includes park fees, guides, porters, a cook, meals on the mountain, transfers and a hotel night before and after the climb. Park fees are charged per day, so longer routes cost more, and the final per-person price depends on your group size.

For most first-time climbers we recommend the 7-day Machame or the 7- or 8-day Lemosho, because they combine good scenery with gradual acclimatisation. Choose the Marangu Route if you prefer to sleep in huts. The best route is the one that gives you enough days to acclimatise within your time and budget.

Our climbs take 5 to 8 days. Seven or eight days is ideal for most people, because extra days give your body more time to adjust to the altitude, which is the main reason climbers turn back. Five or six days is possible, but leaves a smaller margin.

Kilimanjaro is a non-technical trek, so you do not need ropes or climbing skills, but it is physically demanding. You walk for several hours a day for up to eight days, and summit night involves 12–15 hours on your feet at high altitude in the cold. Altitude, not fitness, is the biggest challenge.

Success depends mostly on the number of days you spend on the mountain. Longer itineraries with good acclimatisation profiles have noticeably higher success rates than short ones. Our guide to improving your summit chances explains the factors you can control, from route choice to pace and hydration.

The driest and most popular windows are January to mid-March and June to October. You can climb year-round, but late March to May is the wettest period, with muddy trails and fewer climbers. November brings short afternoon showers.

No. None of the standard routes need technical climbing experience. You should be reasonably fit, comfortable walking 5–8 hours on consecutive days, and prepared for cold nights and high altitude. Training with long hikes for two to three months before the climb helps.

Kilimanjaro National Park sets a minimum age of 10 for summit climbs. There is no upper age limit, but older climbers and anyone with a medical condition should get a doctor's advice before booking.

On the Marangu Route you sleep in mountain huts with bunk beds. On the Machame and Lemosho routes you sleep in mountain tents at designated campsites, which your crew carries and sets up. In both cases you need your own warm sleeping bag.

Our climbs start from Moshi or Arusha, with a transfer to the park gate on the first morning. The nearest airport is Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), about 50 km from Moshi, and we include a round-trip airport transfer.

Yes, and many climbers do. A safari before the climb helps you recover from the flight, and a few days on a safari or in Zanzibar afterwards are a relaxing way to finish. We plan the order so transfers and flights connect, with a rest day after the climb.