Mountain climbers pass the glacier fields of Furtwangler on Mount Kilimanjaro.

AFRICA

Kilimanjaro Tours

Hiking Tours to the Roof of Africa

If you’re planning to hike to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, you’ll want to do it the right way. Trek the stunning Northern Circuit Route, a beautiful, uncrowded trail on Kili’s remote western and northern flanks. We perfected this trip with seven days on the ascent for optimal acclimatization, full porter service, expert guides, and extra time to acclimate on a mini safari in Arusha National Park. Learn why we have the highest summit success rate—98%!

Kilimanjaro campers.

What Makes Our Kilimanjaro Climb Special?

  • We’re the experts on Kilimanjaro with over 40 years of experience.
  • Our stunning Northern Circuit Route is the best route on Kili, away from crowded trails, with no retracing of steps, and traversing the most magnificent glacier scenery
  • Maximum acclimatization (the key to a successful climb) with a full 7 days on the ascent. We have a 98% summit success rate!
  • On summit day, enjoy a spectacular and short 2-hour ascent, avoiding the grueling 9-hour ascent required on other routes
  • The finest full-service camps on the mountain, with delicious and nutritious food and full porter support
  • Our legendary Trip Leaders—the most experienced on the mountain and all certified Wilderness First Responders (WFR)

Everything You Need to Know

A group of hikers.

We consider the Northern Circuit Route the best route to the summit. Why? It is the most scenic and least-traveled route up Kilimanjaro. With a full seven days on the ascent, this route also provides maximum time for acclimatization and therefore the greatest chance of reaching to top—we have a 98% summit success rate!

We give a detailed summary all the different climbing options on Kilimanjaro, and explain the difference between each.

A group of people hiking in Kilimanjaro.

As with most mountain areas, the weather on Kilimanjaro can change abruptly so you need to be ready for these sudden changes. Kilimanjaro was described by NOVA as “a world in miniature” where you can “journey from dry fields and farms into steaming jungles, then up through exotic heaths and moorlands to an alpine desert and finally a glaciated summit.”

The snow line usually begins at 17,000′ or 18,000′, but a sudden storm may bring it as low as 14,000′. Daytime temperatures range from the 50s to the 70sºF at altitudes from 7,500′, where we start the climb, to about 12,000′. Above this altitude, daytime temperatures are lower, ranging from the high teens to low 40s, and evening temperatures can drop to 10ºF or even lower.

A group of travelers examining a map together.

With any hiking adventure, it’s important to be adequately prepared both mentally and physically. If possible, start training several months before departure. Increasing your cardiovascular fitness (VO2 max) will improve your stamina on the mountain. Activities like hiking, running, using a StairMaster, or bike-riding are great choices and, when combined, can really help boost your fitness levels. Increase your strength and endurance with weight and resistance workouts. Hiking with a 10-20 pound daypack is the most beneficial activity.

We have designed our 9-day climb route with successful acclimatization in mind. The summit of Kilimanjaro, at 19,341 feet, is considered extreme high altitude. As you climb the mountain, the air becomes less compressed and contains fewer molecules of oxygen per breath. At the summit of Kilimanjaro, there is 50% of the air pressure there is at sea level. You will greatly improve your safety and enjoyment of the climb if you:

  • Make your best efforts to arrive physically fit and gear up with the appropriate clothing.
  • Keep well hydrated throughout your time on the mountain (Drink. Drink. Drink! You need 4-5 liters of water per day to counteract the effects of altitude!).
  • Maintain your energy by eating the good meals we will prepare for you.
  • Hike at a pace slow enough such that you can maintain it for hours a time (you want to avoid “racing and resting”).
  • Be aware of the symptoms of AMS (your Trip Leader will also review them with you).
  • It is highly recommended that you request a prescription for Diamox (Acetazolamide) from your physician.
A campsite with tents.

Wilderness Travel offers full-service camping on Kilimanjaro. Most trip members are pleasantly surprised by the comfort of our mountain camps considering we’re on a high altitude expedition! We use three-person tents for only two people, ensuring a fair amount of space for sleeping. We serve meals in a large solar-lit dining tent with table and chairs with back support. The dining tent is a nice place to relax and socialize while drinking tea or coffee in the evening. Our mountain staff is highly trained and will take care of all the logistics so you can relax and enjoy the climb.

A group of travelers in Kilimanjaro enjoying a meal together.

You’ll be climbing the highest peak in Africa—the food that fuels you is an essential ingredient in your summit success. Meals should be high in calories with the proper balance of complex carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats to help sustain your increased level of exertion. We’ve designed our menus to include the right nutrition to keep you going on the climb, with three hearty meals a day, plus tasty trail snacks—the simple sugars in these are helpful in providing a boost of energy to keep you going. We provide a sample menu and further details below!

A man using an oxygen mask at Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Climbing Kilimanjaro is a rigorous, but non-technical, hike that goes to high altitudes. All travel in the mountains involves inherent dangers, which can never be totally controlled. With that said, seeing to your safety is our primary concern. See below for the steps we take, the equipment we bring, and the rigorous training we put all our guides through to ensure your safety on the mountain.

A woman dancing.

Ethical Treatment of Porters

For a group of 10 climbers, we typically have a crew of 55 or more porters! We are one of the few companies to provide full medical coverage and workers’ compensation for all staff members, and strictly ensure no crew member has to carry more than 42 pounds on any day. Many of our standards regarding salaries, training, and overall welfare of porters have been adopted by the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP, which monitors standards for porter wages, load weight limits, medical care, and appropriate attire) as their example of ideal industry standards.

REVIEWS FROM OUR CLIENTS

Wilderness Travel’s route up Kilimanjaro was far better and more interesting than the major highways used by most trekkers. We were the only group at many campsites and felt like we were the only people on that magnificent mountain.

REVIEWS FROM OUR CLIENTS

Wow. I was blown away by the quality of the food and lodging during the Kilimanjaro expedition. This was due to the very hard work of the many experienced, talented, and excellent porters and staff members who accompanied us on the mountain. The head cooks, in particular, went above and beyond in crafting healthy, delicious menus that sustained us on our journey.

REVIEWS FROM OUR CLIENTS

A trip of a lifetime that far exceeded my expectations. The route was truly spectacular, which we appreciated more on our descent and saw what other climbers experienced on their way to the summit. We could not have asked for better guides, who provided individual attention to each climber to give them what they needed and to ensure all were successful in reaching the summit. Unforgettable memories!

REVIEWS FROM OUR CLIENTS

It was an indescribable, life-affirming experience that I will always cherish. In particular, I wanted to commend your selection of Trip Leaders. Their skill, thoughtfulness, and dedication made the entire trip seem effortless even though the challenge was great.

REVIEWS FROM OUR CLIENTS

An outstanding itinerary, giving us time not only to acclimatize but also to enjoy the many wonders of the mountain, which go well beyond just the summit (spectacular as that is).

REVIEWS FROM OUR CLIENTS

Perfect is the only way to describe my experience with your company. Our Trip Leader was a real gem, and the hotels, porters, tents, food—wow! Thanks for a great trip.

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Talk to an Expert

Our Africa Specialists know every detail about our Kilimanjaro trips. They will be happy to answer any questions and help make sure it’s the right adventure for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!