| How to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro | | | | A private, small-party climb is the best way to climb |
| 1. How do I Choose an Operator? | | | | Kilimanjaro. A small-party climb ensures individualized |
| There are literally hundreds of companies who | | | | attention, added flexibility and increased safety. Most |
| service the mountain. Selecting an operator can be a | | | | climb operators run group departures for up to 16 |
| daunting task. You want to be sure that your | | | | people. Once they add the support staff, a "small" |
| operator staffs experienced, competent guides, who | | | | group of 16 climbers becomes more than 50 people |
| practice high safety standards and treats porters | | | | total! That's hardly the way to enjoy the mountain. |
| well. You want an operator that has proven | | | | 7. What Do I Need for the Climb? |
| expertise, successfully serving a wide range of clients | | | | Follow the gear list and resist the temptation to bring |
| for many years. Our local operator has lead climbs on | | | | more. You won't need it and it is just extra weight |
| Mount Kilimanjaro since 1987, and has helped | | | | that you or the porters must carry. There are |
| thousands of climbers reach the peak. | | | | situations where climbers' luggage was lost by their |
| 2. How Much Does it Cost? | | | | airline and they arrived with no gear whatsoever. So |
| Do not select a company strictly based on price! Price | | | | they rented only the essential gear and upon |
| should be only one component in your overall | | | | completion of their climb, realized that what they had |
| decision. Prices vary significantly between operators. | | | | originally brought from home was very excessive. |
| Ultimate Kilimanjaro offers quality climbs at reasonable | | | | Try to limit all of your gear to less than 40 lbs. It can |
| rates. Our prices are a great value at about $1,500 | | | | be done. |
| per climber, excluding tips. At this price level, we can | | | | 8. How Do I Train for the Climb? |
| satisfy all park fees, pay decent wages to staff, | | | | It is very hard to gauge the mental and physical |
| supply adequate food and equipment, while still | | | | strength needed to climb Kilimanjaro. If you've |
| providing great service to our clients. | | | | spoken to those who have successfully or |
| 3. When are the Best Months? | | | | unsuccessfully climbed it, you'd get a wide range of |
| The best times to climb Kilimanjaro tend to be the | | | | accounts. The truth is, like any other activity, some |
| warmest and driest months - January, February, and | | | | people excel at it and some people struggle. Two |
| September. June, July, and August are also good | | | | months of physical training is usually sufficient, doing |
| months. However, temperatures and weather are | | | | day hikes for four to six hours, with moderate |
| unpredictable, and can change drastically based on | | | | elevation changes (~1,500 ft) while carrying a 20 lb. |
| the time of day and altitude. It's best to avoid the | | | | pack. |
| long rainy season, from the end of March to early | | | | 9. What About Altitude Sickness? |
| June, and the short rainy season, from November | | | | Altitude sickness is potentially fatal. However, most |
| through the beginning of December. | | | | climbers will get some form of mild acute mountain |
| 4. Which Route Should I Take? | | | | sickness (AMS) while on the mountain. Your guide will |
| The routes each have different characteristics which | | | | monitor you closely during the duration of you climb. |
| may or may not appeal to you. Consider the | | | | However, you should be aware of the symptoms of |
| difficulty, scenery and traffic when you select your | | | | mild, moderate and severe AMS, and you must |
| route. Other factors that should be considered are | | | | inform your guide of any symptoms immediately. |
| your age, fitness level, medical conditions, | | | | Never try to hide your symptoms in order to |
| backpacking and hiking experience, experience at high | | | | continue climbing. There is always the possibly you will |
| altitude, degree of motivation, and any other special | | | | not be able to summit due to AMS. |
| considerations. Ultimate Kilimanjaro recommends | | | | 10. What Do I Need Before I Arrive? |
| Lemosho and Rongai. | | | | Not many people have been to such high altitudes |
| 5. How Many Days are Needed? | | | | before. Therefore, climbers should have a medical |
| The more days you spend on the mountain, the | | | | check prior to attempting to climb Kilimanjaro. Speak |
| better your chances for successfully reaching the | | | | with a health-care provider to determine which |
| summit. Statistics show that each additional day you | | | | immunizations and medications to obtain for your |
| spend acclimatizing increases your probability of | | | | travels to East Africa. A valid passport, six months |
| success. Do not book the minimum number of days. | | | | prior to the expiration, is required for entry into |
| Chances are, you will not enjoy your climb nor will | | | | Tanzania. Most travelers will need a visa to enter the |
| you reach the top. Seven or more days is | | | | country. Climbers should obtain travel insurance that |
| recommended. | | | | covers trip cancellation. |
| 6. Should I Join a Group? | | | | |