Before you book
At a glance
- Difficulty
- Altitude
- Routes
- Toilets
- Food
- Gear
- Safety
- Weather
- Tipping
- Travel logistics
This FAQ guide answers the practical questions that usually appear between booking and arrival: Do I need climbing experience? How fit should I be? What does a porter carry? Can I shower? What happens if I become sick? Is oxygen carried? What is summit night like? How cold can it feel? Which route uses huts? What happens to luggage left in Moshi?The central message is simple: Kilimanjaro is achievable for many well-prepared trekkers, but it is a serious high-altitude expedition. Fitness improves comfort and endurance; it does not make anyone immune to altitude illness. Longer acclimatization, conservative pacing, appropriate gear and immediate symptom reporting are key elements of responsible preparation. Use this guide alongside your route-specific itinerary and final TrekUp pre-departure information, because exact camp sequences and daily timings vary by route.
Read this alongside the standing guidance
The pacing, preparation and safety guidance that applies to every climb we run is published once rather than repeated on every page.
Last updated September 2026
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