How Long Does It Take to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro?
Travelers planning to climb Mount Kilimanjaro frequently ask: How long does it take to climb Mount Kilimanjaro?
It takes between five to nine days to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro and then descend to the finishing point. The more days spent on the mountain, the more likely you will successfully summit, as you will become more acclimatized to the altitude and less fatigued. Trekkers who spend only five days have the lowest summit success rate, while those who spend eight or nine days have a much better chance of reaching the summit. Learn more about the best routes to climb Kilimanjaro and the days they take.
Factors Affecting How Long It Takes to Climb Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro is a “walk-up” mountain, meaning there is no technical climbing involved. How long it takes to reach the summit is largely dictated by how well you are able to acclimatize to the lack of oxygen at altitude.
Acclimatization: The main reason climbers fail to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro is simply that they have not acclimatized to the altitude. If you’re serious about completing the climb, the main factor standing in your way is acclimatization.
The good news is that going slow and taking your time allows your body to gradually adapt to the lack of oxygen. The more days you spend on the mountain acclimatizing, the better your chances of reaching the top. Trekkers who spend only five days on Kilimanjaro have the lowest success rate, while those who spend eight or nine days have a much better chance of standing on the Roof of Africa.
The Wilderness Medical Society Practice Guidelines for the Prevention of Acute Altitude Illness states that controlling the rate of ascent, in terms of the number of meters gained each day, is a “highly effective means of preventing altitude illness.” A slow and steady ascent gives your body time to adjust to the altitude. While physical fitness does not seem to affect how well you acclimatize, you’ll build in enough time for rest and recovery after each day’s hiking.
Success Rates: In 2006, estimates of the success rate based on the number of days spent on the mountain were clear:
- 27% of those who opted for the 5-day trek made it to the summit.
- 85% of trekkers who spent 8 days on their climb were successful.
These numbers have no doubt improved thanks to better guides, improved gear, and a better understanding of how to successfully hike the trail. But, they give you an indication of the importance of taking your time on the mountain.
Being physically fit does not correlate with an increased ability to acclimatize. Fitness will make the trekking easier, reduce fatigue and stress, but it won’t help you acclimatize. According to Dr. Hackett from the Institute for Altitude Medicine, physical fitness provides no protection from altitude sickness. Many young, fit people may push through the discomfort, ignoring important symptoms.
How Long Does It Take to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro on Each Route?
There are a total of six different routes you can use to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. The shortest possible way to the summit is via the Marangu or the Umbwe Route. These routes can be completed in five days, but this is not recommended for most hikers. The longer treks, such as the Lemosho, Machame, Rongai, or Northern Circuit routes, take 6-10 days.
The main reason for taking a longer route is to give your body time to acclimatize to the altitude, but there are other considerations as well. Unless you are very fit, covering the same amount of ground in a shorter time-frame can increase your chances of fatigue and injury – and compromise your enjoyment of the environment.
DareTravel Tours recommends trekkers with a flexible schedule consider a longer route or build in one or two acclimatization days for an easier time reaching the summit. Each route varies in duration, types of accommodation, difficulty level, and scenery.
Table of Routes and Duration
| Route | Minimum Days | Recommended Days |
|---|---|---|
| Marangu | 5 | 6-7 |
| Umbwe | 5 | 6-7 |
| Machame | 6 | 7-8 |
| Rongai | 6 | 7-8 |
| Lemosho | 7 | 8-9 |
| Northern Circuit | 8 | 9-10 |
Is it Worth the Risk to Climb Kilimanjaro in 5 or 6 Days?
You can climb Kilimanjaro in five or six days, but is it worth the risk? Most clients we’ve spoken to are attracted to the shorter routes for cost savings, lack of vacation time, or a desire for a shorter hike. However, in all DareTravel Tours’ combined years of experience as mountain guides and trek organizers, we encourage a longer, steadier climb. It’s safer and increases our clients’ summit success rate dramatically.
Taking the time to enjoy the unique mountain environment, with adequate rest and recovery, will make for a much more enjoyable experience. Ask yourself:
- How would you feel if you scheduled a route with the minimum days, only to turn back on day 3 because the rate of ascent was too quick and you did not have time to acclimatize?
- Wouldn’t you rather add a couple of days to your trip to give yourself a better chance of summiting and to take it easier on your body?
- Were the ‘savings’ you got for not taking additional days worth the cost of cutting your climb short, not making it to the summit, or worse still, putting your health at risk?
When Is It a Good Idea to Opt for a Shorter Kilimanjaro Climb?
- If you’ve recently been to high altitude, such as climbing Mt. Meru or Mt. Kenya successfully, you will have an element of pre-acclimatization and can get away with a shorter route.
- If you’re a very experienced climber and have been to extreme altitudes before (>18,000 ft) and are confident in your ability to acclimatize.
It’s an undeniable fact that longer routes increase summit success rates.
How Long Does It Take to Descend Kilimanjaro?
It takes around two days to descend Kilimanjaro from the Uhuru Peak Summit to the finish point. The descent can take up to five hours to reach the camp for overnight, and the following day, it takes four to six hours depending on the route and trekkers’ experience.