Mount Kilimanjaro FAQs

There has been a lot of negative press about Marangu. In our view, and we arrange treks on all the routes, it is very unfair. This is the only route that uses huts rather than tents and some years ago there was a serious problem with overcrowding in the huts. In those years the Machame route was much less frequented. But we think the main reason that some operators speak against the Marangu and boost the Machame is that the booking system for Marangu is demanding of operators' time. There is no booking system for Machame (nor the other camping routes). You just show up at the Machame gate the first morning of the trek. No one ever knows how many people will be on the trail until the gate closes for that day. There is a daily quota of only about 70 climbers allowed to start on the Marangu route on any day (this is why booking is not always easy).
There are many days in the season when there are many more climbers on the Machame route than on the Marangu. This is not in any way to denigrate the very beautiful Machame route.
But these are things to bear in mind when hearing the Marangu route described as the tourist, easy or Coca Cola route and the Machame as the scenic or the whisky route! It is true that you will hear many people who have climbed Machame say that it is better than Marangu, and this is conveyed to many of the guide book writers. But remember that the overwhelming majority of climbers only ever climb one route. The chances are that the climbers who say this have never been on the Marangu route and are simply repeating what they have been told or have read.

Physically, the Marangu and Machame routes are rather different. The main force of Kibo's volcanic activity occurred out towards the west (the Machame side) and so Machame is steeper - especially in the first day and a half - and more rugged than Marangu. It is often considered more scenic because the views of Kibo are more impressive than from the south-east (the Marangu approach), but many consider the vegetation on day 2 of the Marangu route to be more attractive than anything seen on the western side. As always with mountains, every route has its advantages and drawbacks. The difficulty grading has Marangu as a 1, and Machame a 1+, so there's not a great deal in it.

Always remember to maintain a slow, steady pace from beginning to end. Going slowly allows the body to acclimatize while hiking. Those who start out too quickly will have troubles higher up the mountain as the body will be overexerted. This still holds true if you are spending an extra day on the mountain.

It will depend on the route you pick and your pace. It can take from 4-8 hours to reach the summit from the high camp.

A weatherproof jacket, such as Gore-tex.

A woollen sock that fits over the head with slits for only the eyes and mouth.

Most groups will start for the summit on ascent day at 11 PM to 12:30AM, depending on the perceived fitness of the group, the weather and the route. The pre-dawn hours, while cold, are also the calmest and clearest. The best views from the summit are at dawn. Often clouds and high winds develop not long after sunrise making the summit much less attractive and the descent more difficult. Guides who have been to the summit scores of times report that it is very rare to find it cloudy at the summit at dawn in any season. The ascent day is a very long day of hiking. Some people may require 15 hours to reach the summit and descend to the campsite for that day.

No, but we can schedule transfer from Nairobi by Riverside Shuttles for an additional charge.

If a client cannot walk because they are injured or sick, at least two support staff will assist this climber down. There is no extra charge for coming down and taken back to the hotel, but you will get no money back for that mountain days you missed, and you will be responsible for medical assistance and extra hotel nights. We highly recommend travel insurance to cover any medical expenses and further evacuation

• Extra expenses include:
• Tips for guides, cook and porters
• Rental equipment (sleeping bags, hiking poles, etc.)
• Lunches, dinners and drinks at your hotel in Moshi.
• Any personal expenses (visas, airport taxes, etc.).

The typical tip is:

• Porters $10 per day per porter
• Cooks $12 to $15 per cook
• Assistant Guides $15 to $20 per guide
• Kilimanjaro Guides $20 per day and up per guide

*Tip amounts listed for Kilimanjaro are per group, not per individual traveler. For instance, if four people are on Kili, they should each contribute $5/day if they want to tip the lead guide $20.

A 30% deposit is required at time of booking to hold your climb/safari.