What you get on this adventure:

• • An experienced, English-speaking mountain guide with extensive knowledge of the area accompanied by local Tanzanian guides
  • 7 days of climbing
  • Airport transfers during the tour
  • Transportation during the tour
  • Accommodation
  • Main meals pre- and post climb
  • Meals on the trail (including water, coffee, and tea)
  • Team gear including mountaineering tents (double occupancy), kitchen, mess tent, bathroom setup, and team medical kit
  • Real-time GPS tracking and communication
  • Porter support up to 15kg per person
  • Pre-climb cultural tour of a Tanzanian village

What’s not included:

• • Transportation to Tanzania
  • Tanzanian visa (can be obtained either on arrival or in advance as an eVisa)
  • Meals not listed in the itinerary
  • Personal backpacking and climbing gear (including sleeping bag)
  • Climbing snacks (make sure to bring at least 2,500 calories of snacks)
  • Sodas and alcoholic beverages
  • Personal expenses 
  • Safari costs or extra hotel nights in case of early arrival / late departure
  • Medical, travel, and rescue insurance (rescue insurance is mandatory)
  • Guide gratuities — optional

Climbing Kilimanjaro is for those who are in great physical condition. Although the climb is best suited for those who have previous experience with endurance endeavours, you can also summit Kilimanjaro if you’re a first-time backpacker. Keep in mind that high-altitude trekking is hard, particularly when it involves reaching an almost 20,000-foot summit.

You will be hiking between 2-7 miles (3-11 km) a day, tackling between 2,000-7,000 ft (600-2,100+ m) of daily elevation gain while carrying 10-18 lbs of equipment (4-8 kg). While every day has its challenges, summit day is the most difficult, as it comes on the heels of five days of continuous extortion without rest days. Training is essential for your own safety, success and enjoyment. If you’re not sure whether you’re fit enough for this trip, let your baseline be comfortably completing an 8-to-10-mile hike with +5,000 ft (+1,524m) ascent without feeling utterly exhausted at the end of it.

The real challenge will be the altitude, whose effects can be felt at elevations as low as 8,000 ft. Throughout the expedition you’ll have enough time to adjust to higher altitudes by hiking and sleeping at elevations ranging from 4,600ft (Arusha) to over 15,000ft (High Camp) with Kilimanjaro’s summit at nearly 20,000ft. Still, mountain sickness (AMS) is still possible, so consulting your physician prior to the trip regarding high-altitude medicine isn’t a bad idea.

No prior experience is necessary, but it’s more than welcome. Although climbing Kilimanjaro is physically strenuous, it’s still suitable for first-time backpackers with a desire to push themselves in a mountain environment, following physical training—your training program should start well in advance of the trip. For your own enjoyment and safety, as well as your guide’s and fellow trekkers’, make sure you’re fully prepared. As a baseline you should be able to comfortably complete a trail half-marathon or hike 15 miles while carrying 20 lbs in a single day.

Above all, your instructor’s number one priority is your safety. Summit cannot be guaranteed, but as long as you complete your training prior to the trip and listen to the given instructions, there’s a high chance of reaching the top.

Here’s a list of the equipment we suggest you bring:

• • Backpack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 40L bag)
  • Waterproof duffle bag (around 80L, max weight allowance is 15kg/ 33lbs)
  • Water bottle or hydration bladder (2-3L capacity)
  • Warm sleeping bag (20F or 0F) & compression stuff sack
  • Sleeping bag
  • Sleeping bag liner (optional)
  • Headlamp & spare batteries
  • Glacier glasses & ski goggles
  • Insulated mountaineering boots & light hiking boots
  • Thick wool socks & thin trekking socks
  • Gloves (lightweight liner gloves, softshell gloves, insulated mittens)
  • Expedition-weight insulated puffy jacket
  • Hardshell (GoreTex) wind- and waterproof shell jacket
  • Softshell jacket
  • Warm mid-layer top & long-sleeve hoodie
  • Short or long-sleeved base layer top
  • Softshell pants & hardshell (GoreTex) pants
  • Fast-drying base layer bottom (no cotton)
  • Underwear
  • Buff, sun hat, and beanie
  • Light towel
  • Set of town clothes
  • Toiletries (sunscreen, bug spray, toilet paper, chapstick with SPF, etc.)
  • 100% UV Sunglasses
  • Adapter
  • Camera — optional

You will need clothes for hiking during the day, resting in the evening, and for sleeping. Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Your clothing should be lightweight, breathable, hand-washable, and quick-drying, which means no cotton.

Tents and group gear will be provided by your guiding service, but you’re required to bring your own backpack, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad. If you do not have trekking equipment, such as sleeping bags and backpacks, you can rent it with KitLender.

The porters will carry your main duffel bag. The weight of this pack on Kilimanjaro is limited to 15 kg (35 pounds) per person. Overweight or extra luggage will require an extra porter. 

Thanks to full porter support, all you’ll need to carry are your daily snacks, water, layers, and any personal effects that you need with you in between camps (medications, sunscreen, camera, etc). Depending on how efficiently you pack, you’ll likely be looking at ~10 to 18lbs.

Group sizes and prices:

• • The group size for this adventure is 3-8 women climbers with guides. 
  • Cost is per person and it doesn’t decrease as the group grows.

Climbing days in Kilimanjaro can be arranged for bigger groups. Contact us prior to booking.

Min. age requirements:

• • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to climb on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

If your group has climbers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Private trips are possible to arrange! Even if the displayed dates don’t work for you, please contact us—we’ll work with you to arrange a trip for you and your group (even co-ed is possible in this case).

To get to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, most people fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport. From there, you can rent a car, take a taxi, or take a shuttle for a 40-min ride to Moshi. 

Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, whether that’s at the guide shop or a predetermined location. 

57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity. 

We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, please refer to the Tanzania’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, please refer to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!