Frequently Asked Questions - Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro can be climbed in any season. There are two rainy seasons in Tanzania, which you can view in the table below. The rainy seasons cause cloud cover and rain on Mount Kilimanjaro. This means the views are not as optimal and there is more snow on the mountain. You can still hike Mount Kilimanjaro during these rainy seasons, but be prepared with gear appropriate for wet conditions.

All of the routes up Mount Kilimanjaro vary. The shortest route takes only 5 days to hike up and down the mountain. The longest route which we offer takes 8 days to hike up and down the mountain. We highly recommend taking one of the longer routes, the extra days allow for more acclimatization on the mountain, which creates a higher rate of success for our climbers.

NOTE:   Kopa Tours offers both a 6 day AND 7 day option on the Machame Route. Taking the 7 day route gives you a better chance to acclimatize to the elevation & enjoy the hiking experience! Play some "last card" in the mess tent!

Upgrade to the 7 day Machame package on the check-out screen.

Our guides are specifically trained to detect, prevent, and treat altitude sickness, employ modern rescue measures, and execute an evacuation in the case of an emergency.

• Two qualified guides AND mountain crew, dedicated and committed to only your booking party! They carry your large baggage, set up camp for you, and prepare and serve meals for you!
• TWO NIGHTS accommodation, meals included, at the Springlands Hotel - for two or three people per room (before and after your climb).
• All meals and boiled water on Mount Kilimanjaro - Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner!
• National park fees, hut/camping fees, rescue fees (required by the National park).
• Tents, foam sleeping pads, cooking equipment, a table, and chairs.
• Guides, Porters, Cook, and Waiter's park entry fees.

The best thing you can possibly do is to get your body in great physical shape before you attempt to summit Mount Kilimanjaro. By being in the best shape possible, you will prepare your body for the climb and altitude. Climbing Kilimanjaro also takes the utmost grit and mental fortitude. To find out if you have what it takes, take our GRIT quiz!

The best thing that you can do is exercise regularly. Strength and weight training two-three times per week will help build the muscle endurance needed for hiking Kilimanjaro. Hiking or walking in the hiking boots which you will use for Kilimanjaro is exremely important. It ensures that your hiking boots will be broken in and therefore less likely to lead to debilitating blisters. In addition, it will help prepare your feet and legs for the trek. If you don't have any mountains easily accessible to you for practice hikes, the next best thing is the stairmaster machine at the gym! It might seem like it's not an adequate substitute, but it can make a world of a difference in your hiking endurance.

Food and water are provided to you by your mountain team. The porters will draw water from a local water source near all the camps, which will then be boiled and treated by your chef. All water will be given to you after being properly prepared and treated by your mountain team. Your Chef prepares all your meals; breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You will be provided with breakfast each morning, a packed lunch, (some shorter days you will eat lunch at camp), snacks, and dinner. The food is delicious, and is jam-packed with calories and other nutrients that are essential for your climb. See full menu options in our Food of the Mountain guide!

"Full Bellies Make for Happy Hikers" - Chef George, Kopa Tours

Yes we do! Both vegetarian and vegan diets are possible while climbing the mountain. See the full vegetarian menu on page 5 of our Food of the Mountain guide!

The only way to truly prepare for high altitude is in fact to go to a high altitude. Whenever you reach a new altitude, your body will remember it. This means that when you climb Kilimanjaro, it will be much easier as you climb to 19,341 feet high if you've been up high before.

Unfortunately, it's not always easy for people to visit high altitude places, especially if you live in a flat area. If this is you, then focus your time and energy on working out and following a healthy diet to make sure your body and heart are in tip-top shape!

The most important thing when visiting high altitude places is having a healthy heart. This is because oxygen concentration in the air decreases as altitude increases. As a result, at high altitudes, your heart has to work harder, and beat faster in order to pump oxygenated blood throughout your body in the same amounts as it does at lower altitudes. Having your heart used to a higher heart rate, through proper exercise, is the best way to prepare for high elevation.

That said, altitude sickness affects people, even if they are healthy. You never know if it is going to affect you or not. When on the mountain, tell your guides if you are feeling unwell or having headaches. They are there to monitor your health and ensure your safety. You will slowly ascend the mountain with your guides to help prevent altitude sickness, as much as possible.

In your large bag, plan to pack most of your clothing, gear, and other items that you will not need during the day portion of the hike. The large bag that your porters will be carrying for you can weigh a maximum of 30 lbs. Your bag will be weighed before you head up the mountain to ensure that it does not exceed the limit. If it does, you will need an additional porter, which carries a charge of an additional $15 a day.

Day packs should include the essentials for hiking: sunscreen, water, snacks, waterproof jacket, first aid kit and medicine, hiking poles, sunglasses, hat, toilet paper, camera and warm headwear if necessary. Typically, your day pack will weigh anywhere from 10-20 lbs. However, this is ultimately up to you and your packing needs/tendencies.

See our full Kilimanjaro Packing List for an exhaustive list on what you should bring, and what might be easier or cheaper to rent!

Tanzania has two wet seasons: March-May and then November-December. The dry seasons are: June-October and then January-February. Once on the mountain, whether you come during the dry or rainy seasons, you will venture through a multitude of climate changes. This is due to the five distinct climate zones on Mount Kilimanjaro. You will start off in the warm, rainforest and then travel up to the arctic climate zone.

You will fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), located about an hour away from Mount Kilimanjaro.

You can visit the CDC website to view all vaccination needs for traveling to Tanzania. As for medication, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or Naproxen Sodium (Aleve) can be used to ward off altitude related headaches. Some travelers choose to bring Diamox, an FDA approved medication for the prevention and treatment of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)/Common Altitude Sickness. Kopa Tours neither advocates nor discourages the use of Diamox. Personal use is to be decided by the traveler and your physician.

We recommend booking 3-6 months prior to your climb. This timeframe allows you to prepare your body with exercise and conditioning prior to your trip. Check out our preparation guide and suggested gear list.

Last Minute Opportunity to Travel?

The latest we allow online booking to occur is two weeks prior to your climb. This ensures that Kopa Tours may be adequately prepared for your climb.