You are in Arusha and the ambience here makes you wonder what climbing Mount Kilimanjaro for beginners feels like. The truth is that it’s wonderful.
While there are different routes to the peak summit, the Machame route is highly recommended.
Due to its status as Africa’s tallest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro receives tourists in droves. The best experience climbing Mount Kilimanjaro for beginners is via the Machame route.
Can a Beginner Climb Kilimanjaro?
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro for beginners is possible – many beginners always return for a second climb.
However, they must be aware of the climatic conditions and what to expect during the climb.
Ascending at over 5,000 meters, Kilimanjaro is one of the most popular high-altitude treks in the world.
Kilimanjaro’s fame stems from the fact that it is the highest mountain in the world that you can just walk up. There are no prerequisites like as ropes, special climbing gear, or prior expertise required.
The opportune moment to climb Mount Kilimanjaro is between October and November – during the short rains. Alternatively, you can climb the mountain between March and June during the shoulder season.
You will note that between July and September when it is dry, there are many people and it gets cold, windy and dusty.
How Fit Do You Need to be to Climb Kilimanjaro?
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro for beginners calls for a certain degree of fitness. However, it is not so punishing but it is daunting to get to the summit.
Thus, Machame is a popular route to get to the top of Kilimanjaro. It goes through Stella Point. If you want to camp, this is the best way to get there. It’s also the fastest and easiest for the average climber.
Nonetheless, you should have the right gear which must include the following:
- Hiking Boots
- 70 Liter Main Rucksack
- -20 Degree Sleeping Bag
- Trekking Poles
- 30-40 Liter Day Pack
- Insulated Trekking Gloves, Pants, and Winter Jacket
- Sleeping Pad
Is Climbing Kilimanjaro Hard?
Most days on Kilimanjaro aren’t so challenging because the routes are not steep. But, the summit night is really difficult because it’s the coldest and windiest part of your climbing.
More than 7,000 feet of descent and an ascent of roughly 4,084 feet. On foot, it could take 12-14 hours.
It can be gruelling though when it comes to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro for beginners.
How Many Days Does it Take to Climb Kilimanjaro?
The longer routes to Mount Kilimanjaro’s summit Uhuru take anywhere from five to nine days to complete.
The higher your odds of making it to the summit are, the more time you spend acclimatizing on the mountain. The success rate at the summit is lowest for hikers who spend less than five days on the trail.
However, one of the most difficult aspects of long-distance, multi-day hikes is the burden of carrying all of your equipment.
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro for beginners means the load on their back slow them down.
But, most tour leaders prefer to carry most of the equipment needed for the walk, such as tents, chairs, and tables.
How Cold is it at the Top of Mount Kilimanjaro?
Temperatures at the top, Uhuru Point, can fall as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit at night (-7 to -29 degrees Celsius).
Mount Kilimanjaro has its weather because of its high altitude.
What Does it Cost to Climb Kilimanjaro?
You can enjoy up to a nine-day seven-day climb to the summit for $2,440 – $6000.
The cost of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro depends on a lot of things including the costs of climbing gear among other things.
However, be on the lookout for exorbitant packages and way too cheap packages as well.
Cheap means compromise which you should not gamble with. Exorbitant prices, on the other hand, do not give value for money at all.
