Am I fit enough to climb Kilimanjaro?
First of all, “it’s a trek, not a climb”, Andrew Appleyard of our expert Kilimanjaro tours supplier Exodus (and repeat Kilimanjaro trekker) is keen to emphasise. Kilimanjaro is a ‘walk-up’ mountain, meaning there’s no need for any mountaineering or climbing skills. But make no mistake, this is no molehill. The truth is, this is a very easy trek to underestimate. Reportedly, only 65% of attempts to summit Kilimanjaro are successful. Its conical shape, rising straight up out of the plains, leaves little time to develop a head for heights and, unlike on other treks, if altitude sickness kicks in that’s it. There isn’t the infrastructure or support to rejoin your group for the final ascent, so it’s best to be in top shape for the best chance of making it to the top. So if you’re left wondering whether you’re fit enough to trek Kilimanjaro, read on...
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How fit do I need to be?
Having a high level of physical fitness will make your climb easier and more enjoyable, but you don’t need to be super fit. Plenty of people who are not at the peak of physical performance have climbed this mountain. Nor do you require any real experience; the routes may be long and arduous, but they’re not technical.
As a rough guide for determining whether you are fit enough for the climb, if you are happy hill walking for six to seven hours, with an ascent of 1000m (the height of Mount Snowdon in Wales) then you should be able to trek Kilimanjaro. If you’re a keen walker already clocking up regular miles, and you can keep pace during an hour’s cardio class at the gym, then you’re well on your way to reaching your fitness goal.
As a rough guide for determining whether you are fit enough for the climb, if you are happy hill walking for six to seven hours, with an ascent of 1000m (the height of Mount Snowdon in Wales) then you should be able to trek Kilimanjaro. If you’re a keen walker already clocking up regular miles, and you can keep pace during an hour’s cardio class at the gym, then you’re well on your way to reaching your fitness goal.
You won’t have to worry about being weighed down during the trek, local porters are employed to help carry your kit, but you will be expected to trek with a 30-40 litre daypack – so be sure to pack light. Trails are mostly well defined but can be slippery in wet weather, and the final ascent consists exclusively of scree and loose rocks. A decent pair of walking boots will make a world of difference, but you can anticipate tired ankles and knees.
As much a part of your success as your fitness is your mental preparedness. Walking up to seven hours a day, seven days a week requires an “eat, walk, sleep, repeat” routine. Altitude affects your appetite, but it’s essential to keep your energy and hydration levels up. This trek will be a test of your psychological endurance.
Andrew Appleyard , from our supplier Exodus, says:
“We find that solo females and older walkers tend to be much better at making a steady and successful ascent. They have more experience of walking in the UK and are better in terms of ‘body maintenance’ – keeping on top of bodily fluids, staying hydrated. Slow and steady wins the race. I’d prepare for this trek the same way I would prepare to run the London Marathon. You have to have it in your mind that you’re going to finish.”
As much a part of your success as your fitness is your mental preparedness. Walking up to seven hours a day, seven days a week requires an “eat, walk, sleep, repeat” routine. Altitude affects your appetite, but it’s essential to keep your energy and hydration levels up. This trek will be a test of your psychological endurance.
Andrew Appleyard , from our supplier Exodus, says:
“We find that solo females and older walkers tend to be much better at making a steady and successful ascent. They have more experience of walking in the UK and are better in terms of ‘body maintenance’ – keeping on top of bodily fluids, staying hydrated. Slow and steady wins the race. I’d prepare for this trek the same way I would prepare to run the London Marathon. You have to have it in your mind that you’re going to finish.”
Which route should I choose?
The easiest route up Kilimanjaro is often thought to be the Marangu route, the so called ‘Coca cola’ route. Best known as being the only one that offers hut accommodation, Marangu is also misleadingly referred to as the tourist trail. However, with too many trekkers attempting to summit in the minimum five days required for this route, and many underestimating its physical challenge, it’s actually the route with the lowest success rate.
The choice with the greatest chance of success is the Lemosho route. An estimated 90% of all trekkers who take this track make it to the top. One of the newer routes on Mount Kilimanjaro, this particularly scenic path is also one of the longest, taking up to eight days to complete. Allowing lots of time to acclimatise makes it an ideal choice for anyone new to high altitude environments.
The choice with the greatest chance of success is the Lemosho route. An estimated 90% of all trekkers who take this track make it to the top. One of the newer routes on Mount Kilimanjaro, this particularly scenic path is also one of the longest, taking up to eight days to complete. Allowing lots of time to acclimatise makes it an ideal choice for anyone new to high altitude environments.
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Advice for walking at high altitude
Good fitness will get you so far but when it comes to reaching the top, it’s all down to your ability to adapt to the altitude. While being fitter puts you at a lower risk of developing altitude sickness, it is very difficult to predict whether or not you will be susceptible to it. Someone very fit can suffer, while someone who is new to mountain trekking may find they adapt more quickly to the higher altitude conditions.
If you don’t have the luxury of living in a part of the world that allows you to train at altitude, spending some money training at a specialist center is an option. But by far the most important thing you can do choose a tour that spends longer on the mountain, allowing you more time to adjust, and not make the ascent too quickly. Routes that allow you to walk high and sleep low, zigzagging up and down over the course of the trek, and taking six or more days to summit, have the highest success rate.
Of course, your guides will be trained to recognise the symptoms of altitude sickness and respond appropriately with first aid, or arrange for you to descend the mountain if necessary. However, it is important that you also keep an eye on your own symptoms and know what to watch out for. For more information, read our guide to avoiding altitude sickness during high altitude trekking.
If you don’t have the luxury of living in a part of the world that allows you to train at altitude, spending some money training at a specialist center is an option. But by far the most important thing you can do choose a tour that spends longer on the mountain, allowing you more time to adjust, and not make the ascent too quickly. Routes that allow you to walk high and sleep low, zigzagging up and down over the course of the trek, and taking six or more days to summit, have the highest success rate.
Of course, your guides will be trained to recognise the symptoms of altitude sickness and respond appropriately with first aid, or arrange for you to descend the mountain if necessary. However, it is important that you also keep an eye on your own symptoms and know what to watch out for. For more information, read our guide to avoiding altitude sickness during high altitude trekking.
Andrew Appleyard , from our supplier Exodus, says:
“We have guides who’ve climbed Kilimanjaro 542 times. Our guides can tell you exactly who is going to make it, or who is going to need to drink more fluid the following day. They’re experts in assessing people.”
“We have guides who’ve climbed Kilimanjaro 542 times. Our guides can tell you exactly who is going to make it, or who is going to need to drink more fluid the following day. They’re experts in assessing people.”
Kilimanjaro training tips
More about Kilimanjaro
The best time to climb Kilimanjaro if you want a reduced chance of rain and slightly warmer temperatures is in January, February and the first half of March.
Climbing the highest, free-standing mountain in the world is an extraordinary achievement - but as this climbing Kilimanjaro travel guide reveals - it's one that is not out of reach.
We highly recommend the Lemosho Route for reaching Kilimanjaro's summit. It's longer, which means it's pricier - but it gives you more days to acclimatise, so success rates are high.
Kilimanjaro's Rongai Route takes six to seven days to complete, and involves a fairly gentle ascent from the north. It's a great option if you want to avoid steep climbs, as well as other climbers.
The Machame Route is a seven day trek through varied landscapes, from jungle to heather-covered moors and glacial peaks - but Kilimanjaro’s most popular trail isn’t the easiest.
Many climbers opt for the five-day Marangu Route, the first established route for trekking Kilimanjaro. It’s the only one with huts, rather than tents, but it's often underestimated.
There are seven established routes for trekking Kilimanjaro and, while many climbers just opt for the most popular Marangu, Machame and Lemosho routes, each has their pros and cons.
Kilimanjaro may not be top of your list of family-friendly trips but, while this climb may be challenging, it’s perfectly doable for active children who love the outdoors.
We've chatted to our vacation company experts and asked them for their top Kilimanjaro climbing advice - covering everything from safety on the mountain to what to pack.
Porters' rights are one of the biggest issues when it comes to Kilimanjaro responsible tourism. Read on to find out how to ensure they are protected, and in the best shape to help you up the mountain.
protection
Photo credits: [Page banner: Stig Nygaard] [Intro: Stig Nygaard]
[How fit do I need to be?: MenloParkCA]
[Andrew Appleyard advice: MenloParkCA]
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