MT. KILIMANJARO TREKKING
EXPLORE THE BREATHTAKING JOURNEY OF CLIMBING KILIMANJARO
OUR CLIMBING ROUTES
Often called the “Coca-Cola” route, it’s known for its hut accommodations and relatively shorter duration. It’s the most popular route but has a lower success rate due to its rapid ascent. It typically takes 5-6 days. lets your Adventure Begin
Minimum Price: $1,000 – $1,500 USD Per Person
Known as the “Whiskey” route, this path is more challenging with its steeper inclines and longer duration. It offers stunning views and a higher success rate for acclimatization, usually taking 6-7 days.
Minimum Price: $1,300 – $1,800 USD Per Person
Approaching from the north, this route is considered one of the easier routes and is less crowded. It takes 6-7 days and provides a unique perspective of the mountain.
Minimum Price: $1,400 – $2,000 USD Per Person
The Mweka Route is primarily a descent route, though it can be used for ascending if combined with other routes. It begins at the Mweka Camp on the southern slopes and descends through lush rainforest. The route offers a relatively easier and more scenic descent compared to the steeper paths.
Minimum Price: $1,400 – $2,000 USD Per Person
This route is less crowded and offers beautiful scenery. It is a longer route (7-8 days), allowing for better acclimatization. It begins on the western side of the mountain.
Minimum Price: $1,500 – $2,000 USD Per Person
The shortest and most direct route, it’s also the most challenging due to its steep ascent. It typically takes 5-6 days and is best suited for experienced climbers seeking a more rugged adventure.
Minimum Price: $1,500 – $2,000 USD Per Person
Starting from the western side like Lemosho, it’s a less-used route that merges with the Lemosho Route on the second day. It typically takes 7-8 days and offers stunning views and good acclimatization opportunities.
Minimum Price: $1,500 – $2,000 USD Per Person
The newest and longest route, it provides the best acclimatization opportunities and minimal crowds. It takes about 9 days, offering a comprehensive tour of the mountain’s diverse landscapes.
Minimum Price: $1,500 – $2,000 USD Per Person
Age Range: Suitable for climbers from age 10 to those in their 60s and 70s.
Requirements: With a good level of determination and fitness, climbers can tackle this trek. The primary challenge is dealing with altitude and acclimatization, not technical climbing skills.
Altitude Sickness Prevention: Our guides are trained in altitude sickness prevention and will monitor your health closely throughout the climb.
Emergency Preparedness: We have established protocols for handling emergencies and maintain strong relationships with local authorities.
Expert Guidance: We strongly recommend opting for a guided climb. Our experienced guides possess in-depth knowledge of the mountain, ensuring your safety, comfort, and enjoyment.
Tailored Itineraries: We can customize your itinerary to suit your preferences, whether you’re seeking a leisurely ascent or a more challenging adventure.
Peak Season (January-March and June-August): Enjoy optimal weather conditions, clear skies, and vibrant landscapes. However, expect slightly higher prices and larger crowds during these periods.
Shoulder Seasons (April-May and September-December): Experience milder temperatures, fewer crowds, and potentially lower costs
Personalized Pricing: The cost of your Kilimanjaro adventure depends on factors such as the route chosen, the duration of the trek, the level of accommodation, and the services included.
Value for Money: At Claris Tours and Travel, we strive to offer competitive pricing without compromising on quality.
Essential Gear: We provide a detailed packing list to ensure you’re equipped for the journey. Key items include warm clothing, waterproof gear, sturdy hiking boots, and trekking poles.
Rental Options: If you prefer not to carry your own equipment, we offer rental services for certain items.
Accommodation varies by route. The Marangu Route offers hut-based lodging, while other routes like Machame and Lemosho typically involve camping. All routes provide basic amenities and support services.
Climbers are usually allowed to carry a personal daypack of up to 5-10 kg (11-22 lbs). Most of your gear, food, and camping equipment will be carried by porters.
Mount Kilimanjaro Overview
Mount Kilimanjaro, located in Tanzania, East Africa, is the highest peak on the continent, standing at 19,341 feet (5,895 meters). As the largest free-standing mountain in the world and one of the renowned Seven Summits, Kilimanjaro is a majestic dormant volcano with a snow-capped summit that contrasts dramatically with the surrounding savannas. It’s nestled within Kilimanjaro National Park, known for its rich biodiversity.
Mount Kilimanjaro stands at 5,895 m (19,340 ft) above sea level and is the highest free-standing mountain in the world, earning it the title “Roof of Africa.” Each year, over 40,000 visitors are drawn to its stunning landscapes.
Climbing Kilimanjaro is accessible to those with a good fitness level and doesn’t require technical climbing skills. The trek is renowned for its beauty and is a bucket-list adventure for many.
Here’s a guide based on over a decade of experience and the insights from Claris Tours and Travel, who have successfully organized treks for over 20,000 climbers:
Facts to know before your Kilimanjaro hike
AVERAGE CLIMBING COST IS 1500 USD
Popular Kilimanjaro Trips: A Guide to Choosing the Right Adventure
LEMOSHO 8 DAYS
Starting on Kilimanjaro’s western side, the Lemosho Route has a remote trailhead. One of the key highlights is the famous Shira Plateau and the Cathedral Peak (3,962m/13,000 feet). The latter is the highest point of Kili’s western slope. Lemosho offers the finest acclimatization on Kilimanjaro. Our experts believe it to be the best climbing Kilimanjaro route for group and individual treks. Or at the very least one of the best.
Pricing from 2306$ – 2000$
MACHAME 7 / 6 DAYS
The Machame Route is one of the most scenic and popular routes to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, offering stunning views of the mountain and surrounding landscapes. Known as the “Whiskey Route,” it combines a variety of terrains, including rainforests, moorlands, and alpine zones, making it both challenging and rewarding. Beginners should choose the seven-day option for a better acclimatization profile. Many of the Claris’s group climbs go via the Machame Route.
Pricing from 1580$ – 2000$
MARANGU 5 / 6 DAYS
Marangu traverses the eastern slope of Kilimanjaro. Chosen by over 30% of the hikers who climbed Kilimanjaro in 2023, it is the most popular route on Kilimanjaro. Hikers on all other routes spend their nights in tents. But on Marangu, they sleep in shared wooden huts (4-10 people in each). These huts are great for climbing Kilimanjaro during the rainy season. Also, it is the only route that follows the same trail for ascent and descent.
Pricing from 1250$ – 1800$
RONGAI 8 / 7 DAYS
Rongai is the only route on the northern side of the mountain, close to the Kenyan border. The trail goes through a beautiful forest of pine trees. Fewer people go there, making it a great choice to climb Kilimanjaro anytime. The descent follows the eastern Marangu route. This allows the hikers to enjoy the spectacular views of eastern Kilimanjaro.
Pricing from 1850$ – 2000$
UMBWE 5 / 6 DAYS
The Umbwe Route is more challenging than the other ones because it follows a steeper trail in the beginning. We recommend it to those in good physical shape. Besides, it takes the climbers to higher camps faster than other routes. So having prior acclimatization before the climb is advisable. Like Machame, it passes through a beautiful rainforest. You can see colobuses and blue monkeys there.
Pricing from 1550$ – 1800$
NORTHERN CIRCUIT 9 DAYS
The Northern Circuit is the longest route on Kilimanjaro. Beginning on the western slope, this trail goes around the cone, going up to the summit from the west. Descent is through the southern slope. This wonderful route gives trekkers a four-faced view of the mountain. However, it skips some key attractions, such as Dendrosenecio plants or the Barranco Wall.
Pricing from 1800$ – 2300$
SHIRA 9 DAYS
The Shira Route is one of the older and less-traveled routes to Mount Kilimanjaro’s summit. It begins on the western side of the mountain and is similar to the Lemosho Route in many ways. The key difference is that the Shira Route starts at a higher altitude, as it begins with a drive to the Shira Plateau. This makes it a stunning, scenic route but may increase the risk of altitude sickness due to the sudden elevation gain.
Pricing from 1750$ – 2000$
Climbing Cost Includes
Our Kilimanjaro packages cover all transfers outlined in the program. When you arrive at Kilimanjaro, one of our drivers will pick you up in a spacious and comfortable Toyota Alphard and take you to your hotel. Our cars have large trunks that can accommodate plenty of luggage. Inside you’ll find complimentary bottled water, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and wet wipes for your convenience. All our cars undergo regular examination and maintenance by our in-house team of technicians.
Our driving team consists of experienced and knowledgeable drivers, all of whom speak fluent English.
For the transfer to the trailhead of your climbing adventure, we will use Toyota Hiace or Coaster, which are better suited for navigating the wilderness terrain en route to Mt. Kilimanjaro. These cars are built to handle rough trails and ensure your safety.
At the end of your journey, we’ll also provide you with a return transfer to the Kilimanjaro International Airport. With our comprehensive package, you can rest easy and enjoy the journey without concerns about your transportation.
The night before the climb and the night following the descent, you will be accommodated in a 3* hotel in the area of Moshi Town. By default – shared double occupancy room unless you order a single supplement. We always offer Moshi Town Hotel and Brubru Lodge as the first option, as both hotels are owned and run by Natives. Should both of them be unavailable, you will be offered an alternative property with the matching comfort and service level. In your hotel, you will find everything a traveler needs: professional staff, a restaurant, a swimming pool, comfortable rooms with mosquito nets, laundry service, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Our mountain chefs and waiters will take care of preparing and serving your breakfasts, lunches, and dinners throughout the adventure. The menu has been designed in consultation with a professional dietitian to ensure that our meals are both delicious and energy-rich, providing hikers with the necessary nutrition.
Our guides are good story-tellers, and will always be happy to entertain you with Kilimanjaro legends and tales. You will also learn a lot about the plants, animals, and history of the highest free-standing mountain in the world. For those interested, our mountain team will be a rich source of information about the local culture, lifestyle, and customs.
The guides will be supported by our hard-working porters, camp managers, and other members of the crew. They will pitch up the camp ahead of your arrival, bring water from the mountain streams, and carry all of the expedition’s supplies and gear. The mountain chefs will attend to the camp kitchen to provide you with nutritious and tasty meals.
Kilimanjaro trips are fully inclusive of all park fees that every Kilimanjaro hiker is liable to pay. This includes camping and conservation fees, rescue fee, crew fee, forest fee (on certain routes), and other payments. These payments make up about half of the total price and are one of the reasons why Mt Kilimanjaro hiking tours are more expensive compared to the other popular destinations.
As a law-abiding and transparent company, pays all taxes in Tanzania such as VAT (18%), corporate income taxes (30%) and labor-related levies and duties, licensing fees and social security deductions for our employees, all of whom are officially employed by our Company. We are proud to be one of the few travel companies in Tanzania doing that.
The taxes we pay are later spent for the betterment of the lives of the local communities here.
Every morning and evening on the hike, our WFR-certified guides perform medical check-ups to ensure that both hikers and crew members (including porters, camp managers, and chefs) are properly acclimating to the altitude. During these check-ups, our guides will ask general questions about your health and measure your oxygen saturation level. In some cases, they may also need to check your blood pressure or listen to your lungs with a stethoscope to assess your breathing.
It’s mandatory for all hikers to attend those medical check-ups, even for those who feel great and don’t have any altitude-related symptoms. They allow our guiding team to diagnose the early stages of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) and take preventive measures to ensure that everyone is acclimating properly and that the hike is a pleasant and safe adventure.
Climbing Cost Excludes
Our Kilimanjaro packages don’t include international flights. You’ll be responsible for covering those costs separately. Feel free to contact your manager to get recommendations about the airlines operating flights to Tanzania.
Most nationals are required to pay USD 50 for a one-time, single-entry 90-day visa. USA nationals, however, are required to pay $100 for a multi-entry visa. Contact our travel advisors to learn more about Tanzania visa rules and requirements.
When climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, you will need personal gear such as hiking boots, sleeping bags, trekking pants, thermals, and trekking poles.
As of today, Claris Travel’s gear rental shop is the only gear rental shop on Kilimanjaro where climbers can rent everything they need for their adventure. All of our gear comes from top brands such as The North Face, Black Diamond, RedFox, Columbia, Marmot, Mountain Hardwear, and others.
If you intend to rent gear from us, you can provide us with a list of everything you will need to hire in your Family portal account, and we will have everything prepared for you before you arrive in Tanzania.
Currently, the cost of portable toilets is not included in the tour package to reduce trip expenses. Public restrooms are available in camps along the way. However, for those who prioritize comfort, renting a portable toilet is highly recommended. You can contact our travel consultants to learn more about this option. Portable toilet is not available on the Marangu route due to the Kilimanjaro National Park regulations.
Included accommodation in the hotel is on a bed & breakfast basis. It means that you will need to pay for the lunch and dinner either at our hotel restaurant or if you decide to dine out – at any other place in Moshi.
Popular questions about Kilimanjaro
How much does it cost to climb Kilimanjaro?
As of 2024, a comfortable and safe 7-day group climb costs about $1250-2800. A shorter 5-6-day adventure or a season-discounted trip comes at $1800-2400. This amount includes the park entrance fees, which make up about 40% of the total trip cost.
Any trekking companies offering below this amount should warrant caution. You may get low-quality guidance and bad equipment. Such climbing Kilimanjaro tours often lack medical kits and oxygen tanks, putting your safety at risk.
Also, low prices always correlate with the mistreatment of porters. None of those operators is a member of the KPAP. The crews of budget operators are often underpaid and poorly fed, putting their and hikers’ safety at risk. Read more about how much does it cost to climb Kilimanjaro in our detailed blog post.
How tall is Mount Kilimanjaro?
Uhuru Peak, the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, stands tall at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet). Yet, this doesn’t mean you’ll be starting your climb from the very base. Most hotels near Kilimanjaro are at an altitude of 700-1,000 meters above sea level. The trailheads begin at elevations of 1,600 meters and above.
Due to its altitude, Mt Kilimanjaro is among the few places in East Africa to see snow. The snow-capped peak of Kilimanjaro is truly a sight to behold!
Can you climb Mount Kilimanjaro without a guide?
Climbing Kilimanjaro is subject to the regulations of the Kilimanjaro National Park. The official rules dictate that a local guide must accompany all hikers. Rangers at the park will not permit entry to anyone without a professional Kilimanjaro guide.
Also, venturing up to the Roof of Africa solo involves certain risks. During the summit night in the peak zone, one may succumb to altitude sickness or get injured. If needed, the guides will assist with evacuations and other emergencies.
Finally, climbing Kilimanjaro is more than merely a physical challenge. On this journey, you will learn about Kilimanjaro’s plants, animals, history, and traditions. The guides will also share vibrant stories of the communities living in the shadow of the mountain.
Professional assessment
Kilimanjaro is a renowned peak that offers a relatively accessible ascent for those new to high-altitude trekking. However, while it may not require specialized climbing skills, it’s important to approach this adventure with respect and preparedness.
At 5,895 meters (19,340 feet), Kilimanjaro is a significant height. Altitude sickness is a potential risk, and proper acclimatization is essential. While tragic incidents have occurred on the mountain, choosing a reputable operator can significantly reduce these risks.
Claris Tours and Travel is committed to providing safe and enjoyable Kilimanjaro expeditions. We prioritize quality equipment and highly trained guides with first aid and emergency management expertise. Our team is dedicated to ensuring your safety and comfort throughout your journey.
How do I get to Mt Kilimanjaro?
Fly directly to Kilimanjaro
The most convenient option is to fly directly into Kilimanjaro International Airport. From there, it’s just a few hours by car to the base of Africa’s highest peak. Flights to this airport are offered by major airlines such as Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, KLM, Ethiopian Airlines, Air France, and Swiss International Air Lines. We highly recommend this direct-flight option as it gives you more time to recover from your journey and rest before the climb.
Through Dar es Salaam and local flight to Kilimanjaro
Another option is to fly into Dar es Salaam on an international flight and then take a local flight to Kilimanjaro. While this might initially seem cheaper, it’s important to consider the additional cost of the flight to Kilimanjaro and the baggage limitations on local airlines, which often come with extra fees for overweight luggage.
Through Nairobi and overland ride to Kilimanjaro
Finally, you can fly into Nairobi, Kenya, and then take a bus to Tanzania. This option might offer the lowest airfare, but keep in mind the added costs of a Kenyan transit visa ($21) and the transfer to Moshi ($45). If there are no delays at the border, the bus journey takes about six hours.