The average temperature at the foot of the mountain is 25° C to 30° C. On the summit, it can range from 10° C to -12° C but is usually below freezing. At 3000m (above the tree line), the day temperatures range from 5° to 15° C and then cool off significantly at night. As you work your way up the mountain, you will traverse through many different climates that vary in temperature and precipitation. Light rain is fairly consistent in the lower rainforest section while the upper parts of the mountain often experience passing snowstorms.
If you’re looking to break the record, the youngest age to reach the summit of mountain Kilimanjaro was 6 year old, and the oldest person who reached the summit of Kilimanjaro was 89 years old!
Swahili is widely spoken in Tanzania as well in Kenya, Uganda, Eastern Zaire and Rwanda. Your guide will speak excellent English as well Swahili and usually also a native language. Some porters know English while others may have just picked up a few words here and there.
Absolutely. East Africa has some of the world’s most wonderful safaris to offer. You can very easily do a multi-day safari before or after your climb. In fact this is what most adventurers do.
The number of hours you hike each day varies from 3 hours (minimum) to 7 hours (maximum), depending on the intensity of the slope and difficulty of the climb.
Mt Kilimanjaro can be climbed throughout the year. However, June to October is the best suitable time with a dry season. December to January is considered a good time. Whereas march to May and November is the rainy season.
Kilimanjaro is easily accessible. However you should not underestimate this mountain. There is no technical mountaineering skills required, but only general fitness.
If necessary you can do some physical exercises prior to the trek.
This is a common concern but there is no need to worry about it. By walking slowly, your body will acclimatize itself to the high altitude. The guide will always remind you about this (“pole pole’-which means “slowly slowly’). The trekkers can trek at their pace one of the crew members will be accompanying you to the next campsite. While the rest of the group can continue the trek at their pace along with the guide.
You will just be carrying your backpack with a few essential things, like snacks, water, rain gear, camera, valuables etc. Usually, this day pack weighs not more than 5kgs to 7kgs, depending on what you pack in it. Since most of your luggage will be carried by the porters. You are required to pack your luggage in a duffel or a rucksack bag (not weighing more than 15kgs) to our porter team, they will carry it from camp to camp. This bag usually has items that you don't need while on the trek, but only in camp. Example - sleeping bag, clothes, etc.
Marangu route has the accommodation option of shared dormitory-style huts. On all other routes the trekkers will be sleeping in the tents at the campsites. The tents are usually set-up, broken down and carried by our porters.
The price includes all entry fees, camping and hut fees, camping gears, transport to/from the mountain gates, meals (3 times per day), boiled/purified drinking water, cook and kitchen utensils, 18% VAT and mobile communications (for emergency only while on mountain).
We will also provide you with high quality 4-inch sleeping mattress and pillow, Duffle Bags or Sleeping Bags (- 10°C), Oxygen cylinder, Ox miter machine, experienced and friendly trek staff (cook and porters), English speaking guide (certified as a Wilderness First Responder & Emergency Medicine Adult and Child CPR), First Aid & injury prevention kits, 25% discount on gear rental (the discount applies for online shopping only), personal summit certificate stamped and signed by the national park and your guide
Here are the exclusions that you will have to organize/arrange on your own:
International and domestic flights, tips and gratuities, travel insurance, personal expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.), liquors, beers and bottled beverages, surcharge for online payment of balance (5%), meals not listed in the itinerary.
Services that can arranged as add ons:
Hotel accommodations for pre and pot trek night, aiport pickup an drop, personal trekking equipment such as sleepings bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for rent).
You will need a Single entry visa to enter Tanzania. It costs 100$ for US citizens and 50$ for other nationalities. There are 3 ways to apply it.
1. Apply it online from this link - Official link to apply your visa
2. Get a visa on arrival if you are eligible - Read Eligibility Guidelines
3. Apply through Tanzanian Embassy in your home Country
There are post offices, you can buy and send postcards, Internet cafe is a hit and price is cheap, Telecommunication is good, you can send International fax, and use your standard GSM mobile phone in Tanzania.
Here are the latest travel restrictions for travelers entering the United Republic of Tanzania, effective from 24th December 2021:
1. All the travelers will have to fill in an online Traveller's Surveillance Form for Tanzania mainland and Traveller's Surveillance Form for for Zanzibar within 24 hours before arrival to Tanzania. Please check the link for more details about the same.
2. You will be required to present a negative COVID-19 certificate upon arrival. The test should be based on Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) or Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAATs) done at a nationally accredited/approved laboratory using samples tested within 96 hours of departure to the United Republic of Tanzania.
3. All travelers arriving from countries experiencing variants of concern/variants of interest, the highest number of COVID-19 cases based on WHO epidemiological updates or those who have traveled through those countries in the last 14 days regardless of the route taken shall be subjected to rapid tests at Points of Entry at their own cost. The cost for COVID-19 rapid test shall be 10 USD which is non-refundable and testing fees apply to travelers arriving in Tanzania Mainland by Air or Marine Vessels. For Zanzibar, the cost for a rapid test shall be 25 USD. The updated list of countries for the Rapid Antigen Test is Available here
4. You are required to take a yellow fever vaccination shot atleast 10 days prior to entering Tanzania.
5. Tanzania Visa (can also be obtained on arrival).
The recommended tipping is USD 25 per day to the head guide, USD15 per day per assistant guide, USD 15 per day to the cook, USD 10 per day per porter. This is usually split between the entire crew who will be part of your trek.
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is a physical undertaking, so you should prepare yourself accordingly with a Kilimanjaro training program. Being in good shape is important in many aspects. Obviously, strong, conditioned legs make it easier to walk uphill and downhill for sustained periods of time. General aerobic fitness allows the body to function efficiently with less oxygen. And a fit body is more likely to withstand the stress of consecutive days of hiking and camping. Finally, a positive mental attitude can work wonders for you when fatigue and doubts arise.
It is recommended that all climbers have a medical check prior to attempting the trek. You can consult the doctor if high altitude trekking is permissible for your age, fitness level and health condition. Ask if you have any preexisting medical conditions that can cause problems on the climb or if any of your medications can affect altitude acclimatization. Also check whether Diamox can be taken with your existing prescription medicines.
Our climbs originate in Moshi, is a short drive from the Kilimanjaro International Airport (airport code: JRO). If you fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport, you should communicate your flight information to us, and we can arrange for transport from the airport to the hotel for a small fare.
Absolutely. Climbers are strongly advised to obtain travel insurance immediately after booking their trip. Please note the trek deposit is fully refundable. However, there are costs involved around the trip such as flight tickets, etc and few are non fully refundable but are only partially refundable. Therefore, it is prudent for you to protect your investment against trip cancellation, interruption, delays and unforeseeable expenses. Travel insurance covers expenses such as: trip cancellation, interruption or delays emergency accident and sickness, lost, damaged, stolen or delayed baggage 24-hour emergency medical assistance.
Ascend Tanzania LTD is a locally owned & operated Trekking and Safari Outfitter operating from Moshi, established to specialize in adventure holidays in Tanzania and East Africa.. Read More
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