The question, How hard is it to climb Mount Kilimanjaro?, can be challenging to answer because difficulty varies from person to person. Having summited Mount Everest and climbed Kilimanjaro over 40 times, I can guide you through the key factors that determine the challenge of this trek.
Altitude, pace, preparation, and weather conditions all play a role. With Kilimanjaro’s Number 1 Guide leading our team, we ensure a safe and successful climb, which sets us apart. What also set us apart from other teams is the level of service we offer, with better food, chairs, tents and more support. We also use Kosovo Camp as our High Camp, this offers a higher rate of success. By considering these factors, you’ll have a clearer understanding of whether you’ll find Kilimanjaro difficult to climb. Also check out our upcoming trips or just pick up the phone and talk with us.
Understanding High Altitude
First of all, you need to understand altitude, and what effect the lack of oxygen has on the body. This alone is the number one reason why people are not successful on the mountain.
The success rate on Kilimanjaro ranges between 55% – 65% overall. On a peak that is not technical, why would so few be making it to the top? Answering this question is simple.
The reason so many people do not make the summit is because they are not allowing enough time to acclimatize when going to high altitude. It takes a long time to acclimatize to low oxygen environments.
In our opinion and from watching thousands of people on Kilimanjaro we high recommend a minimum of 8 days using Kosovo Camp as High Camp. We have also developed our own unique itinerary that offers 95% success and 100% on most trips if you show with the correct training.
Is Climbing Kilimanjaro Hard?
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is challenging, but it is not technical climbing. Firstly, the reason most people fail is because of altitude and poor acclimatization. Secondly, the next reason people fail is lack of specific training and physical conditioning.
Kilimanjaro is considered difficult because:
- You climb to 5,895m (19,341 ft) in just a few days
- The oxygen level at the summit is about 50% of sea level
- The terrain is steeper than what people have training on
- Summit day and night requires 12–14 hours of hiking in challenging conditions
- Altitude sickness is the #1 reason climbers turn back
With the right route, pacing, guides, and acclimatization, most healthy trekkers can succeed on Kilimanjaro.
Here’s a video of us answering the top 7 frequently asked questions:
What Makes Climbing Kilimanjaro Difficult?
Kilimanjaro is often described as a “trekking peak,” but that doesn’t mean it is easy. The mountain tests climbers in four main ways:
1. Altitude Is the Biggest Challenge
Altitude affects everyone differently, regardless of fitness.
At high elevation:
- Breathing becomes harder
- Sleep is disrupted
- Appetite decreases
- Headaches and nausea are common
Many strong athletes struggle because they climb too fast. Acclimatization is everything on Kilimanjaro.
2. Summit Night Is Extremely Demanding
The summit push begins around midnight from Barafu Camp and 1am from Kosovo Camp. From Kosovo Camp at a slow pace it takes 5 hours 30 minutes to reach the summit. It normally takes 2 hours 30 minutes to return to Kosovo Camp. At this point we take 2 hours to rest, pack up and eat. If you would like to read more about our approach to summit night, click here.
Climbers face:
- Steep uphill scree
- Cold temperatures: Often 14F (-10°C) or even as low as -4F (-20°C)
- Thin air
- Mental exhaustion
Summit night is the hardest part of the entire climb and not just going up. More people struggle coming down because they use everything to reach the summit. You should have used 50% of your energy to reach the summit and you should have 50% to get back down safely. Most climbers describe it as: “The toughest hike of my life — but the most rewarding.”
3. The Trek Is Long and Cumulative
Even though Kilimanjaro is not a technical mountain climb, it is still a serious physical challenge because of the length of the trek. Most routes involve hiking for 6–9 consecutive days, often for 5–8 hours per day, sometimes longer depending on the terrain and altitude.
Each day may feel manageable on its own, but the real difficulty comes from the way fatigue gradually builds up over time.
By the third or fourth day, many climbers begin to feel the effects of:
- Continuous uphill walking
- Sleeping at increasing altitude
- Reduced recovery overnight
- Sore legs and tired shoulders
- Less appetite and lower energy levels
Unlike a single-day hike, Kilimanjaro requires you to perform day after day with very little rest, while your body is also working harder just to breathe in thinner air. That is why Kilimanjaro is best described as an endurance challenge, not a test of speed or strength.
The climbers who succeed are usually not the fastest or fittest athletes — they are the ones who can maintain a steady, patient pace, conserve energy, and keep moving consistently all the way to summit night. On Kilimanjaro, it truly is about going slowly, steadily, and strong rather than rushing.
4. The Weather Changes Rapidly
Kilimanjaro crosses multiple climate zones:
- Rainforest
- Moorland
- Alpine desert
- Arctic summit
You may experience heat, rain, wind, and snow all on the same day. As you climb higher, oxygen levels drop dramatically. At the summit, oxygen is less than 50% of what it is at sea level. With reduced oxygen, your body struggles to generate heat efficiently, making you feel colder than the actual air temperature.
This is why many climbers report feeling chilled even when the thermometer shows just below freezing. Add wind to the mix, and the perceived temperature can be 10–15°C colder than the actual reading. Our guides carefully pace the climb to protect against overexertion and help you conserve heat, while advising you on when to layer up for maximum comfort.
Kilimanjaro Success Rate: How Many People Reach The Top?
Any less than this will not give your body enough time to acclimatize to the lack of oxygen. The reason people try and climb the mountain in less days is simply because of cost. The more days you spend on the mountain, the more expensive it is. However, if you are taking on this once and a lifetime trip to Tanzania, why not give yourself the best chance!
Success depends heavily on route length and acclimatization.
Typical summit success rates:
- 5–6 day climbs: 45–55%
- 7 day climbs: 70–80%
- 8 day climbs: 80–90+%
- 9+ day climbs: 90%+
Short itineraries are the biggest reason climbers fail. At Ian Taylor Trekking, we focus on longer climbs because:
- Safety improves
- Acclimatization improves
- Success rates increase dramatically
Who Finds Kilimanjaro Most Difficult?
In my experience leading Kilimanjaro expeditions, the people who struggle most are often:
- Those who choose short routes
- Very fit athletes who climb too fast
- Climbers who don’t hydrate or eat enough
- Anyone ignoring early altitude symptoms
The climbers who succeed are usually those who:
- Go slowly (“pole pole”)
- Follow proper acclimatization
- Trust their guides
- Stay mentally steady on summit night
Make sure you choose a team that has the correct acclimatization, professional guides, support, pacing, tents, safety equipment and food to give you a better overall experience. Our team is award winning in Kilimanjaro and our head guide was named the Guide of the Year!
We have the team both before your trip and on the mountain that will give you the best guidance and support to make your goals a reality!
How Fit Do You Need to Be to Climb Kilimanjaro?
You do not need to be a marathon runner.
But you do need:
- Strong hiking endurance
- Ability to walk uphill for hours
- excellent leg strength for up and downhill hiking
- Mental resilience
- Proper preparation before arrival
Minimum Training Recommendation
Train for at least 16–24 weeks before your climb:
- Hiking 1–2 times per week
- Stair climbing or hill walking
- Moderate cardio sessions – zone 2 training
- Leg strength workouts
- Training with a daypack building up the weight you carry
The best preparation is hiking long days on tired legs. The next most important aspect of how difficult you find the Kilimanjaro climb is your training. You are going to be walking, on uneven, up and down hill terrain for 8 days. These days will be a minimum of 3 hours of walking and a maximum of 14 hours! You MUST come prepared for this. Check out our step by step approach to training.
On the summit night, if you are on one of our trips and start from Kosovo Camp 4,900m/ 16,076 feet. You will be walking up almost 1,000m/ 3,280 feet at high altitude. Then, you still have to continue down from the summit 5,895m/ 19,341 feet all the way to Mweka Camp, which is at 3,100m/ 10,170 feet.
This is a huge amount of elevation to cover in one day both uphill and downhill. This is a very challenging day and you must come prepared for it.
Training Tips for Kilimanjaro
We recommend that you spend at least four or five days a week, doing some sort of intense physical exercise. This should be done for approximately six to eight months prior to your start date of your trek. We recommend spending at least four days a week either walking up hill on a treadmill or on a stair-master (stair master is best) for one to two hours a day.
Carry Weight While Training
You will also want to build up to carrying 10-12 kilos (22 – 25 lbs) in a backpack on your back. Doing this type of daily training sessions, along with one longer day a week out in the hills, is ideal. In your longer session in the hills, you will want to walk from 4 – 7 hours, going up and down hills with the weighted pack on. We cannot stress enough how important this is to your training.
If you do this type of training, building strength and endurance, you will be ready for the trip. If you do not have access to mountains or hills to train on, you can always add extra weight to your backpack. Also, you could just do longer walks on the stair master in the gym if need be. Contact Us and we will help you prepare and train for this amazing adventure.
Bringing These Two Things Together
Going into a low oxygen environment is both physically and mentally challenging. By training hard and approaching the climb with respect and doing your research, you will be better mentally prepared for the climb.
If you go into the climb with confidence, strength and good physical conditioning, then you are giving yourself the mental strength to know you can achieve the summit and return safely. If you decide to sign up on one of our climbs you will have
More Acclimatization Improves Safety and Success
Proper acclimatization is crucial for your safety and success when climbing Kilimanjaro. As we ascend, the goal is to gradually increase the production of red blood cells, allowing the body to transport more oxygen to vital organs and muscles.
This adaptation is essential to keep your body functioning as oxygen levels drop with altitude. When you climb above 5,500m/18,000 feet, you enter the lower limits of the ‘death zone,’ where the body struggles to survive long-term due to the extreme lack of oxygen.
Without adequate acclimatization, the risks of altitude sickness increase significantly, making this zone a potentially life-threatening environment. Ensuring a steady pace, proper hydration, and extra days on the mountain can greatly improve your body’s ability to adjust and enhance your chances of a safe and successful summit.
Speaking from Experience
Remember, Kilimanjaro’s summit sits at 5,895m/ 19,341 feet. You are trying to sneak to the summit, then get down below the danger zone, as quickly as possible. You also need to be able to have enough red blood cells to actually make this happen.
So, the more days you spend acclimatizing lower down, then the better chance you have at a safe and successful summit. You also limit your risk of serious altitude issues.
I used to climbing Kilimanjaro four times a year, I now climb twice a year and every time I am there I see a wide range of issues from hypoxic blindness, serious fatigue on the summit night, guides aiding hypoxic trekkers upward not down.
I also see very few people fully prepared for the summit night on Kilimanjaro. Most people coming down can not even carry their own backpack and stumble off the mountain. Shocking but prior physical preparation and importantly the correct acclimatization are so important.
Spend Enough Time on the Mountain
Ian has personally climbed Kilimanjaro 40+ times. He has done so over 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 days. After years of running different trips and routes up the mountain, we have come to the conclusion that the only way to climb Kilimanjaro is over 8 days on the Lemosho Route using Kosovo Camp as High Camp.
Check out our unique itinerary. If you want to have a safe and successful summit of the mountain, you have to have a minimum of 8 days in order to do so.
How to Make Climbing Kilimanjaro Easier
Here are the most important success strategies:
1. Choose a Longer Route
8–9 days gives your body time to adapt.
2. Walk Slowly From Day One
Speed is the enemy of acclimatization.
3. Drink 3–4 Litres Per Day
Dehydration worsens altitude symptoms.
4. Eat Even When You Don’t Feel Hungry
Energy is critical for summit night.
5. Bring Proper Gear
Cold hands and feet ruin summit attempts.
6. Climb With an Expert Team
Good guides make the difference between success and failure.
Ian Taylor Trekking have helped over 4,000 people on the summit of Kilimanjaro with a 95% success rate on our unique 8 day Lemosho route climbs. Join our one of our amazing trips up Kilimanjaro and sign up for a trip of a lifetime! Follow us on Instagram.
FAQs About Climbing Kilimanjaro
Can a beginner climb Kilimanjaro?
Yes. With the right route and preparation, many beginners reach the summit safely.
Is Kilimanjaro harder than Everest Base Camp?
Yes. Kilimanjaro is higher and the ascent is faster, making altitude more intense. The terrain on the Everest trek is harder than Kilimanjaro. The summit night and day on Kilimanjaro is harder than any day on the Trek to Mount Everest.
Do you need climbing experience?
No technical climbing is required. It is a high-altitude trek.
What is the hardest day on Kilimanjaro?
Summit night and day is by far the most difficult part of the climb.
What is the easiest route up Kilimanjaro?
The Northern Circuit and Lemosho routes offer the best acclimatization and highest success.
Is Kilimanjaro Worth It Despite the Difficulty?
Absolutely. I normally climb four times per year and Kilimanjaro can be a life changing experience. It can also be a soul crushing experience that gets you sick and disillusioned with adventure, altitude and mountains.
Kilimanjaro is hard — but it is achievable for most people with the right preparation and support. Reaching Uhuru Peak is one of the most rewarding trekking achievements in the world. If you would like to join me climbing Kilimanjaro contact me today!
If you want the safest experience, the best acclimatization, and the highest chance of success, climbing with an expert team makes all the difference.