Climb to the summit on every adventurer's hit list: the iconic 19,341 ft peak of Mount Kilimanjaro
Bask in a backdrop of endless scenic vistas on a trail that offers a better chance of success than other, shorter routes
Trek through a variety of ecosystems including rainforest, moorland, alpine desert, and beneath glaciated precipices
Want to add a safari to your summit? Our alternative trip to Climb Kilimanjaro and Go on Safari does just that
Day 1
Fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to your accommodation at the Weru Weru River Lodge, where your host will be waiting for you. After meeting your guide for a detailed briefing and equipment check, you can get to know your fellow travelers and then retire for an early night, ready for tomorrow’s adventure.
Day 2
Take a 45-minute drive through the mountain village of Machame to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate where your ascent will begin. Hike through the lush rain forest and along winding trails and learn about the local wildlife, perhaps even spotting a blue monkey or a tree hyrax. Have your gaiters and trekking poles ready, as the trail can be muddy and slippery at the lower elevations. Reach your campsite, settle in and enjoy your first night on the trek.
Day 3
Leave the rainforest behind you and take the ascending path through the valley and along a steep rocky ridge. From here, the route turns west into a river gorge which you will follow all the way up to Shira Camp. Drop off your daypack in your tent and climb the slope above camp for dramatic views over the surrounding plateau and the alpine landscape that awaits you next.
Day 4
Spend the day acclimatizing as you continue the route along the alpine desert of the Shira Plateau. Hike east towards Kibo’s glaciated peak, then southeast towards Lava Tower (also known as the Shark's Tooth) at 15,092 ft. You'll stop for lunch here to aid with acclimatization before continuing your trek through moorland dotted with Giant Senecio trees, descending slightly to your overnight camp at Barranco where you'll have a hearty dinner and a good night’s rest.
Day 5
Today is another important acclimatization and contingency day to boost your chances of summit success. After breakfast, follow a steep ridge to the base of the Barranco Wall. This is a challenge both physically and mentally, as the wall appears higher than its 843 ft. Slow and deliberate steps are the trick to an easier scramble to the top (most hikers find it easier than anticipated, so fear not!). At the top, look out over the Heim Glacier and then wind up and down the Karanga Valley to reach your base for the night.
Day 6
Follow a short but steep path through the ever-thinning air to Barafu Camp – your last stop before summit day. This camp is located on a rocky and exposed ridge, 'barafu' means 'ice' in Swahili. Have an early dinner, get yourself ready for the summit push in the morning and get some sleep. Almost there!
Day 7
Set off in the dead of night to begin the most physically and mentally challenging part of the trek. With headlamps on, ascend slowly through heavy scree towards Stella Point (18,882 ft) on the crater rim, followed by a further ascent to Uhuru Peak (19,341 ft) – the highest peak on Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest point in the whole of Africa and possibly your greatest trekking accomplishment. After a rest and some photographs, begin the long descent over dusty terrain forged by volcanic ash, eventually dropping back down into moorland as you reach Millenium Camp (12,467 ft) for a well-deserved rest.
Day 8
Continue your descent to the Mweka Park Gate through lush forest – eyes peeled for fluffy black and white colobus monkeys as you reach the lower elevations. The weather here will be significantly warmer making the terrain wet and muddy so have your gaiters and trekking poles handy. When you reach the park gate, you’ll collect your summit certificate before driving back to your hotel in Moshi where you can enjoy a hot shower and celebrate your adventure. Following your trek, there will be a tipping ceremony for the crew who helped you to scale the mountain – please see the 'Not Included' section below for more information on this important local custom.
Day 9
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast to mark the end of a remarkable trip and then head back to the airport, or continue your adventure in Tanzania.
Your group will have a cook to prepare all your meals:
Our trips do not include flights, trains or other travel to the start point and back from the end point.
Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are, of course, entirely at your discretion but the norm in Tanzanian culture means there is an expectation to tip for good service. This particularly applies to climbing Kilimanjaro: while fair and sustainable wages are paid to all the support team, tipping culture is deeply ingrained and an important custom. Even if it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. After your climb, there will be a ‘tipping ceremony’ in which you’ll have the opportunity to show your gratitude to the team who have supported you along the way.
We would suggest a minimum tip of $400 per guest. This complies with local guidelines to support the fair and ethical treatment of porters, cooks and mountain guides.
The tipping ceremony is a celebratory affair, and will take place after you share a meal with your support team following the climb. Your host will provide guidance on the appropriate split of the money between the team members. Each individual will be presented with their portion of the tip in a sealed envelope, and in turn you’ll be presented with your Kilimanjaro summit certificate.
In Tanzania, many banks and businesses refuse notes that are old or damaged in any way, so tips with bills that are no more than 15 years old and in good condition are gratefully received.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures, and you'll need to provide your policy details before departure. Your insurance should offer adequate cover for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment, and the specific activities involved in your adventure. We also recommend ensuring your policy includes cancellation and curtailment cover, in case you're unable to join your trip due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness.
Standard travel insurance may not cover all the activities included in your adventure, so it's essential to check the details carefully. There are adventure-specific providers that many travelers have used in the past, such as True Traveller (opens in new tab) (for those based in the UK or Europe), or Rise + Shield (opens in new tab), both of which offer cover for a wide range of adventurous activities.
Please make sure your chosen policy meets your individual needs and covers all aspects of your trip.
You are responsible for obtaining any required visas for this trip. Please check with your nearest embassy or consulate for up-to-date advice. Information about visas can also be found on the Tanzanian Immigration (opens in new tab) website.
You know your own spending habits best, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional meals and drinks, shopping, optional activities, and laundry.
Throughout your trip, a team of experienced chefs will cook and serve you nutritious meals. Breakfast will usually be some combination of fruit, cereal, oatmeal, eggs, bread, French toast, pancakes, sausage, bacon, tea, coffee, and hot chocolate. Lun…
For experienced adventurers ready for big, strenuous days out
An epic challenge! This trip has been rated as challenging/tough due to consecutive days of around 6 or 7 hours trekking with plenty of elevation gain at high altitudes. The s...
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Saturday 11th July 2026
to Sunday 19th July 2026
Summer Sale - Next 1 spot available at 10% off
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Summer Sale - Next 1 spot available at 5% off
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For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room and tent can be requested for an extra charge, see Optional Extras for the price. It is also possible to upgrade only during the camping on the mountain, - please request this in advance but pay locally (80 USD).
To request any extras, message your host via your Much Better Adventures account once you have booked your trip.
All extras must be paid before your trip starts.
Much Better Adventures offers three routes on Kilimanjaro. Depending on your preferences you can choose a route that is best suited to you; whether that's escaping the crowds on the quieter sides of the mountain, spending more time in Kilimanjaro's forest and moorland environments for best wildlife spotting, and of course finding a trip that suits the time and budget you have available.
Rongai Route (7 days on the mountain): A much quieter and more remote trek away from the crowds. Approaching from the north, your climb starts on Kilimanjaro's second peak, Mawenzi, before crossing a high saddle onto the main peak, Kibo, where you reach the same high point of the other routes, Uhuru Peak. The days are generally considered more moderate, with gradual climbs and avoiding the Baranco Wall scramble. However, the challenges of altitude and a long summit day remain. To reach the start of the Rongai Route involves a 3-4 hour drive.
Lemosho Route (8 days on the mountain): Our longest route with the highest success rate, if you have the extra day available this is probably the best all-round route for most. The Lemosho Route starts to the west of Kilimanjaro and enjoys three days of relatively quiet trails before joining the Machame Route at Lava Tower. These first days are through temperate forest, with good potential for wildlife spotting, before climbing up and across the Shira Plateau. With the extra day on the mountain, it is a more complete experience, seeing all sides and zones of the mountain, as well as allowing more time to adjust to the altitude – it is the route with the highest success rate and growing in popularity because of this.
Machame Route (7 days on the mountain): Considered to be very scenic, the Machame Route strikes a good balance between a safe acclimatisation profile and an efficient itinerary – the Machame Park Gate is only a 45-minute drive from Moshi, so it's the quickest to get to. As with Rongai and Lemosho, you have a different descent route for your way down the mountain.
See our guide to the Best Routes on Kilimanjaro for the full lowdown.
We do everything we can to give you the best chance of reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro successfully and safely. From the routes we choose to the care and food provided on the mountain, our local host is very well positioned to get you to the top! We have an average summit success rate of about 95% for all routes!
The guides have been extensively trained at the Mweka Wildlife Center and are familiar with the routes, terrain, and conditions. With over 10 years' experience, they have also been to the summit more than 100 times. Additionally, all of the guides are certified First Aid Responders and CPR trained.
Your host takes pride in treating their porters and mountain crew as part of their extended family and advocates for fair pay and treatment of porters through membership in key local associations, Kilimanjaro Porter's Association (KPA) and the Tanzania Tour Guide Association (TTGA). These associations work with the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA) to set minimum pay rates and regulations that all operators must follow within the national park. Your host is committed to meeting or exceeding these expectations, as well as providing additional benefits such as training opportunities so porters can advance to roles of cooks or guides as they gain experience on the mountain. As a baseline, MBA commits to ensuring:
· Porters are paid a minimum of 25,000 Tsh (US $1 = approx 2,000 Tsh)
· Salaries must be paid within five days of the descent of ALL climbs
· A transparent tipping procedure, so porters receive the full tip amount intended for them
· Loads carried by the porter should not exceed 44 lbs for the company (excluding porter's personal gear)
· Porters are provided with three meals per day
· Porters have proper refuge conditions and sleeping equipment
· Porters are outfitted with proper gear
· Sick or injured porters are properly cared for
For every customer, you'll be accompanied by approximately 4 supporting crew members. For example, a group of 8 is likely to be accompanied by 33 support crew. This is broken down as one lead guide, three assistant guides, one cook/chef, one waiter, one pilot (toilet porter), one tent crew, four summit porters (to carry day packs on summit day) and 21 regular porters who carry any additional equipment.
If you have any hiking gear that’s in good condition but you don’t need after your trek, donations to your team of porters will be gratefully received. Talk to your host if you’d like to donate any of your gear.
If you need to be taken down to a lower altitude urgently, there are two options available.
In most cases, steel-framed, mobile stretchers can be pushed by porters to descend quickly. Most people feel immediate relief at lower altitudes where you will be evaluated and if the guides determine you are well enough, you will wait for your group at a lower camp or be taken to the gate for transfer to Moshi for medical treatment (if necessary).
For more serious concerns, through a partnership with Kilimanjaro SAR, emergency helicopters can be deployed within 5 minutes for evacuation, complete with in-flight medical treatment. However, they’re not guaranteed – they depend on weather, daylight, and suitable landing spots. Upon landing, if you require further medical attention, you will be taken to their modern, private High Altitude Medical Clinic, designed to tackle Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). A note on safety - local rescue helicopters may be operated by Tanzanian carriers that appear on the EU Air Safety List. This relates to national oversight rather than the specific rescue service, and helicopters are used only when medically necessary. Ground evacuation remains the primary and most reliable method.
Please ensure that you have appropriate insurance coverage for trekking with evacuation coverage for up to 19,685 feet above sea level, including helicopter rescue in Tanzania.
Yes! Oxygen cylinders are carried on all of our climbs for emergency use only. In addition to this, our guides perform daily health and pulse oximeter checks, which measure both your heart rate and the percentage of oxygen in your blood. Ensuring and monitoring your health and safety at all altitudes is your host's top priority, and all guides are well-trained to identify the signs of AMS and act accordingly.
There is a limit to the weight that the porters can carry, and your main kitbag must be no heavier than 33 lbs. Your sleeping bag can be packed separately, so this doesn’t need to be included in this weight limit. We ask that you only bring essential items on the mountain to minimize the loads that the porters carry.
You will also need to have a daypack to hold your basic gear for each day of walking. We recommend that this is not over 13 lbs, and the lighter the better. Please bear in mind that you will need to carry a significant amount of water, so this will add to the weight of your daypack.
Extra items not required on the mountain can be left in Moshi.
You can securely leave any excess luggage at your host's base before setting off on the trek.
Your team of porters will provide you with boiled and filtered water throughout the trek.
Yes! Just mention this in the inquiry form when you book or message your host after you have reserved and they can help you arrange this. Prices are shown above in the Optional Extras section.
In this case the optional single room fee would be halved.
A plastic bag ban went into effect across Tanzania from June 1, 2019, and the use, manufacture, or importation of plastic bags, including trash bags and shopping bags, is now illegal. Convicted offenders, including tourists, can face heavy fines, imprisonment for up to two years, or both. Visitors are advised to avoid packing any plastic bags in their suitcases or carry-on luggage before flying to Tanzania. Items purchased at the airport before boarding the aircraft should also be removed from plastic bags. Please check your carry-on luggage before disembarking at entry points, and any plastic bags should be left on the plane. Similarly, the transparent zip-lock plastic bags that some airlines require passengers to use for keeping liquids, cosmetics, toiletries, etc., are also not permitted and should be removed and left on the plane before disembarking.
Absolutely! Good thinking. Check out our Climb Kilimanjaro & Go On Safari Adventure.
At Much Better Adventures, we work hard to accommodate dietary requirements and allergies so your trip is safe, inclusive and enjoyable. That said, options can vary by country, location and accommodation, and in some places options may be limited or unavailable. The information below has been provided by your host so you’re fully informed about what will be possible on your trip depending on your individual requirements. This information should be read carefully prior to your trip to ensure that you are adequately prepared for the situation ‘on the ground’.
Once you have booked on your trip, please fill out your passenger information form asap with any dietary requirements. Once you complete your passenger information, your dietary needs and any allergies are automatically shared with your host and, in turn, your guide. Please submit this as early as possible so they can plan accordingly and deliver the best experience. Please also remind your guide about your dietary requirements upon arrival, as mentioning these in person allows your guide to comprehend individual preferences and limitations as soon as you arrive.
BACKGROUND
Food on Kilimanjaro reflects East African farming traditions and the practical demands of altitude, with meals built around filling staples such as rice, potatoes, vegetables and pulses to provide steady energy. On the mountain, your local host and chef team have a good level of control and are used to international groups, so vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free diets and allergies are well accommodated, although fresh produce can become more limited higher up. Off the mountain, options for those with dietary requirements are generally good in hotels and private restaurants especially in the tourist areas and larger towns like Moshi.
SPECIAL DIETS
Vegetarian -Vegetarian diets can easily be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance.
Vegan -Vegan diets can be easily catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance.
Kosher -Fully certified Kosher kitchens and supervision are rare and usually cannot be guaranteed unless expressly confirmed in advance by your host. Vegetarian or vegan options can often be the most reliable alternative if this is acceptable to you. Please read the related sections above.
Halal Certified Halal supply varies and may not always be possible. Vegetarian or vegan options can often be the most reliable alternative if this is acceptable to you. Please read the related sections above.
INTOLERANCES
Gluten Free (for Coeliac, please see Allergies section below) -Gluten-free diets can be easily catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance.
Lactose Free -Lactose-free diets can be easily catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance.
ALLERGIES
Your host has confirmed that they are able to accommodate mild allergies to the 14 allergens identified by the UK Food Standards Agency, where these are disclosed in advance. However, if you have a severe or life-threatening food allergy, please get in touch with our CX team prior to booking to discuss whether your requirements can be accommodated safely on this trip. This will allow us to carefully consider the sensitivity and severity of your allergy, the available provision on the trip and the accessibility of medical care should a reaction occur. Your safety is always our top priority. Please note that when travelling overseas, local ingredients, food preparation methods and labelling standards may vary, particularly in remote areas. It is also worth noting that any allergies may result in more limited options and repetitive provision in some areas. Whilst your guide will help communicate dietary requirements where possible, customers remain responsible for managing their own allergies during the trip.
Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.
Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers review the practical information available on the UK Government’s FCDO website, where you can find up-to-date advice by searching for your destination(s).
If you are based in the United States, you can also check the latest travel advisories from the U.S. Department of State.
For customers joining from other international locations, we recommend checking the official travel advice issued by your country of residence, as guidance may vary.
We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates daily, so prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.
You're always in good company on one of our adventures.
Our trips typically consist of a mix of solo travelers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.
Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves, and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.
It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.
Don't just take our word for it:
See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.
It's possible to climb Mount Kilimanjaro all year round, however, the months outside of the rainy seasons are more desirable. The best climbing months are from December to March and July to October. The best weather is usually at the beginning of the year from January to March, which are also typically the warmest and driest months. Thanks to Tanzania’s proximity to the equator, the region doesn’t typically experience the extremes of winter and summer weather you might expect and instead has dry and wet seasons. The local weather conditions on Kilimanjaro can be somewhat unpredictable (to say the least) and rainfall varies from 83 inches per year in the rainforest belt to less than 5 inches per year in the summit zone. Daily temperature changes are also unpredictable when compared to normal weather cycles, and are largely dependent on the altitude.
We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre program, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 251kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
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