How Long Does it Take to Climb Kilimanjaro: A Complete Guide
Travelers planning to climb Mount Kilimanjaro frequently ask how long does it take to climb Mount Kilimanjaro?
It takes a minimum of five days to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. But six days minimum, and seven or eight is better, gives a much better chance of getting to the top. For those with a little more time there are other more gentle and scenic paths to the summit that may be done in 10 or more days.
Kilimanjaro is an awesome natural icon. It is the world’s tallest free-standing peak, of volcanic origin, and rises over 5km/3mi above the hot dry plains of northeast Tanzania. The craggy glacier peaks of the surrounding Kibo Crater are snow-capped year round. This is despite the fact that is located barely 400km/ 249mi south of the equator.
| Route | Number of Days | Route Length | Sleep |
| Marangu Route | 5 | 64 kilometres (40 miles) | Huts |
| Umbwe Route | 6 | 37 kilometres (23 miles) | Tents |
| Rongai Route | 6 or 7 | 65 kilometres (23 miles) | Tents |
| Machame Route | 6 or 7 | 49 kilometres (30 miles) | Tents |
| Lemosho Route | 7,8 or 9 | 66 kilometres (35 miles) | Tents |
| Northern Circuit | 8 or 9 | 66 kilometres (35 miles) | Tents |
| Shira Route | 6 or 7 | 58 kilometres (36 miles) | Tents |
Things To Consider in Advance
Mount Kilimanjaro is on many a keen hiker’s and peak-bagger’s bucket list. Peak-baggers are those trying to conquer a collection of mountains. Its Uhuru Peak, 5,895 m/19,340 ft, is the highest point in Africa and may be reached without specific mountaineering skills or equipment. But do not underestimate this great mountain. Climbing Kilimanjaro takes a lot of fitness and a lot of determination. And hikers should be aware of the health concerns of the abnormally rapid climb in altitude. All Kilimanjaro climbs are planned through an authorised Tanzanian operator who will supply guides and porters, as well as camping gear, meals and water. The time taken to climb Kilimanjaro is nearly always decided beforehand and will depend upon numerous factors. These include the route you travel, your budget, your fitness level and the amount of time you provide for acclimatisation.
The world record for a Kilimanjaro climb, set in 2014, is held by the Swiss mountain runner Karl Egloff who finished the entire ascent and descent in less than seven hours. At the other end of the timing range, relaxed mountain goats might consider spending two weeks circling the upper slopes of Kilimanjaro before they actually summit. But these are not normal. Most of the commercial trekking routes last five to seven days.
Recommended Duration & Success Rate
The more time you give yourself for a Kilimanjaro trek, the better your chances of summiting. Data from Kilimanjaro National Park shows less than 30 percent of people attempting a five-day climb make it to the summit. The success percentage for six and seven-day climbs is about 45 and 65 percent, respectively. In comparison, more over 85 per cent of those spending eight days or more on the mountain reach the summit. There are a number of advantages to taking seven days or more to summit Kilimanjaro. It’s safer than a shorter climb – less chance of altitude related illness and accidents caused by weariness. A lengthier ascent also gives you the choice of one of the quieter, more picturesque alternatives to the overloaded Marangu Route. This allows you more time to enjoy the scenery and plant life, from green montane rainforest to Afro-alpine moorland dotted with enormous lobelias and heathers. And it gives you a higher opportunity of seeing monkeys, chameleons, birds and other animals.
A longer ascent has two big disadvantages. The first is that every additional day spent on the mountain incurs more park fees, and hence the overall expense of the adventure. The second is that it offers less time to see other prominent Tanzania destinations such as Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and Zanzibar. However, we do recommend at least six days or better still, seven days. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is a once in a lifetime adventure.
Kilimanjaro Route Choice
The length of climb varies a lot on the path you take up Kilimanjaro. There are six main paths and they all have merits and cons. Most hikers choose the Marangu Route as it is shorter, cheaper and often more convenient than any other route. Unfortunately, the Marangu Route is often plagued by crowds. Machame is a favourite compromise for cost conscious tourists looking to stay off the beaten track of the other itineraries. For more picturesque, gradual and quieter options for nature lovers wanting isolation and with deep pockets, look to the Shira, Lemosho, Rongai and Northern Circuit trails.
Two alternative routes are available: Umbwe and Mweka. Only highly experienced mountain hikers who do not need much acclimatisation are recommended for these swift but steep routes. However, the Mweka path is regularly used as a fast descending path by those who ascended via Machame, Shira or Lemosho.
1. Marangu Route (Minimum 5 Days; Recommended 6 Days)
Marangu is the easiest and most popular route to climb Kilimanjaro and has more climbers than the other five routes combined. It begins at the Marangu Gate near the well-stocked town of the same name. The five-day, four-night trek includes overnight accommodations in Mandara Hut (2,700m/8,858ft), Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,205ft) and Kibo Hut (4,703m/15,430ft) on the way up. On the way down it returns to Horombo Hut. Six-day variant, second nite at Horombo on ascent. This gives you a better chance of a successful summit and decreases the potential for altitude problems. It also offers a full day to discover the alien flora of the Afro-alpine zone.
2. Machame Route (Minimum 6 Days; Recommended 7 Days)
The second most popular way up Kilimanjaro has a few challenging sections but is a smoother ascent than Marangu and more picturesque. It gives you more acclimatisation at different altitudes, especially if you go for the seven-day, six-night option. The trek includes overnight stays at Machame Hut (2,890m/9,482ft), Shira Hut (3,840m/12,598ft), Barranco Camp (3,950m/12,959ft) and Barafu Hut (4,600m/15,092ft). The titles are deceiving, no longer working huts on this route, you need to camp.
3. Shira Route (Minimum 6 Days; Recommended 8–10 Days)
A beautiful but rarely used route up Kilimanjaro’s western flank, starting at Shira Gate (3,590m/11,778ft) and joining the Machame Route before summiting. The journey is on foot over several days across a little-visited region of Afro-alpine moorland, with stunning volcanic rock formations. You may also see eland, buffalo and other huge creatures. The Shira Route begins above the 3,500m/11,483ft contour in altitude, giving you plenty of time to acclimatise before summiting. It can be done in 6 days however it is better to take an extra day or two.
4. Lemosho Route (Minimum 6 Days; Recommended 8–10 Days)
Like Shira, Lemosho is one of the most scenic ways up Kilimanjaro. It begins on the western slopes, but at a much lower altitude. That implies you’ll be less likely to have altitude problems on day one. Also it has the advantage that you spend the first day in the forest zone, below the starting point of the Shira Route. On the second day the Lemosho Route joins the Shira Route.
5. Northern Circuit (Minimum 9 Days; Recommended 10–11 Days)
The least popular path up Kilimanjaro is the Lemosho route, which goes north around the peaks and then summits from the east. It’s the longest way, and it’s going to take at least nine days. However, the itinerary can be extended for a day or two to spend a nite inside Kibo Crater, which is a really recommendable experience. You have a full week to be ready for Uhuru Peak. The slow climb is what makes this path the most successful, but also the most costly.
6. Rongai Route (Minimum 6 Days; Recommended 7 Days)
Rongai is the only way to Kilimanjaro from the north side. It really comes into its own in the rainy season, as it gets a lot less rain than any of the southern roads. It is also a good alternative at other times with a fairly steady climb and an above average likelihood of seeing huge species. It is also extremely uncrowded until joining the Marangu Route at Kibo Hut one day before the summit. The seven-day variant is significantly more successful than the six-day standard route.
Factors Affecting How Long It Takes To Climb Kilimanjaro
Almost all climbs of Kilimanjaro are planned in advance for a certain number of days. As for duration, there’s rarely any surprise, except that sick or injured climbers may have to cut things short and return to base. However, there are a lot of elements that will influence how likely you are to summit successfully and it is well worth thinking about these in preparation.
Altitude
The largest challenge to successfully reaching the top of Kilimanjaro is the quick elevation gain from the base to the summit. Most climbers will have some reaction to altitude. These include headaches, dyspnoea and insomnia, as well as more rare and potentially lethal disorders such as pulmonary or brain oedema.The greatest strategy to minimise the more harmful consequences of altitude is by acclimatisation. That involves putting as many days into the rise as feasible. People who climb for more than eight days are three times more likely to successfully reach the peak than those who undertake the minimal five days. It also helps if you spend a few days at mid-altitude before the ascent such as Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha National Park or Marangu. Once on the mountain, walk at a slow steady pace, don’t push to get to camp early.
Seasons
The climate on Kilimanjaro varies greatly throughout the seasons. Sub-zero temperatures and heavy winds are likely at any time of year but it is far better to climb in dry circumstances. Hiking is much better from January to March or July to October than in the wet seasons of April to June and November to December. If you are forced by other considerations to set a climb in the wet season, try the Rongai Route, the only one that follows the drier northern slopes.
Fitness
You need a good level of fitness to climb Kilimanjaro. If you’re a less experienced hiker it’s worth doing a training regimen, working up to a point where you’re comfortable going for roughly five hours in steep terrain. Use the training treks to break in the boots and get used to the day pack you will be taking up the mountain. Running and cycling will also improve your aerobic fitness.
Other Preparations
Kilimanjaro is cold at nite, and can be very rainy too, with a furious tropical heat by day at higher heights. For a successful trek the following goods are required or very desirable:
- A windproof and waterproof jacket and trousers
- Plenty of warm clothing to layer
- Waterproof gloves
- One pair of thick hiking socks and thin inner socks per day
- A wide hat and UV sunglasses
- A pair of broken-in 100 percent waterproof hiking boots and lighter shoes for the evenings
- Adjustable trekking poles
- A four-season sleeping bag and high-quality ground mat (if not supplied by the operator)
- A waterproof bladder or water bottles with a total 2L/68oz capacity
- A medical kit containing pain killers, anti-inflammatories, plasters for foot blisters, sunblock, chap-stick and medication to reduce the risk of altitude-related problems
- A generous stash of energy-rich snacks such as dried fruit, nuts, chocolate and energy bars