Essential Travel Information for Kilimanjaro

• Expect limited or no internet on the mountain.
• Some operators offer local SIMs or satellite Wi-Fi at extra cost, but reliability is poor.
• Best to plan for a digital detox.
• There is some internet connectivity on the mountain at certain camps. International Sim cards work well in Moshi, but have limited access in the mountain. For more consistent connectivity, get an local e-sim on arrival.
• The lack of connectivity can be a wonderful part of the experience.

• Lemosho Route: Scenic, gradual acclimatization, high success rate (our choice).
• Machame Route: Popular and beautiful, more crowded.
• Marangu Route: Only hut-based route, shorter but less acclimatization.
• Rongai Route: Quieter, approaches from the north.
• Umbwe Route: Steepest, most direct, for experienced climbers only.

We recommend a group size of 4–10 people for the best experience. Larger groups are possible.

Private as well as scheduled trips are possible. Private will be only your group, and the scheduled will be a mixture of people whom you do not know.

• Drink water at the first sign of a headache.
• If you go to sleep with a headache and wake with it, tell your guide.
• Normal altitude effects: headache, nausea, diarrhoea, loss of appetite.
• Serious warning signs: severe dizziness, confusion, nonsense talking, unable to walk unaided — descend immediately.
• Watch for HAPE (pulmonary edema) and HACE (cerebral edema).
• Four golden rules:
  • Hydrate before you feel thirsty.
  • Eat at every meal, even with no appetite.
  • Walk slowly, always pole pole.
  • Listen to your guides.
• Share even small symptoms with guides at daily health checks.

• Camping routes use tents; the Marangu route uses huts.
• Sleeping options vary: from basic mats to raised foldable beds with thin inflatable mattresses, priced differently. We recommend a raised foldable bed so that you are not sleeping on the ground.
• Renting a foldable bed comes with a pillow; you can bring your own from home for extra comfort. This will be carried by the porter carrying the foldable bed.
• We recommend bringing your own sleeping bag liner and renting a down 4-season sleeping bag. Synthetic is available for those with allergies.
• Tent options vary. We recommend a standing tent, as squatting to get in and out of tents is hard at altitude, especially for tall people.
• Private portable toilets are recommended.
• Portable showers are possible for rent. They can be very handy to stay cleaner for a few days longer, but are not practical when arriving later in the day at camp and at higher and colder camp sites. Depending on the weather, they can be used from day 1-4 and the final day.
• Toilets: A she wee is invaluable for using to wee into pee bottles (men & women) at night and avoiding cold trips outside the tent. It is easier than it sounds.

• Emergency oxygen is available, but must be followed by descent. Once you take oxygen, this means that you cannot continue to the summit.
• Emergency and non-emergency evacuation is possible by helicopter.
• No alcohol allowed in the park.

Layer your clothing for summit night:

• Top: Thermal underwear, fleece, puffer, summit jacket.
• Bottom: Thermal underwear, fleece pants, waterproof hiking pants.
• Other: Gloves, buff, beanie, thermal socks and thick summit socks.
• Change head torch batteries before summit; carry spares.
• Carry water bottles upside down with a cover or in a thermal sock to prevent freezing.
• Keep a fresh base layer outfit ready for summit night — dirty clothes hold moisture and get colder quicker.
• Expect exhaustion, micro-goals, and mental battles.
• Strange effects (like hallucinations) can occur but fade once you descend.
• Plan your summit outfit for confidence – it’s your iconic photo.

TOP TIP: The descent doesn’t end at base camp: after returning to base camp, you must hike on to another camp (2-4 hours away). Mentally prepare for this – it seems very difficult, but as you descend, you will feel relief from the altitude.

• Some snacks become inedible at altitude if you lose your appetite. Make sure you pack something high-energy and very bland and treat eating like fuel on summit night. You will get exhausted if you do not eat.
• Attitude matters: avoid faffing, keep stops efficient.
• Record voice notes or journal your thoughts – try and do this every day, otherwise things accumulate and you may forget. You will enjoy looking back at this in the years to come.
• Quiet rituals (journaling, photo organising) help balance your mindset.
• Trekking poles are essential – even if you do not use them all the time.
• If you can, try and sleep or rest in the afternoons.
• The days seem long when you are planning, but they are busy and there is always something to do and pack.
• TAKE TIME TO ENJOY THE STILLNESS AND FALL IN LOVE WITH NATURE