10 Things you must know before climbing Kilimanjaro

TAKE YOUR TIME

Be smart and give your body enough time to adapt to high altitude. That simply requires enough time by

choosing the best route to climb and the right number of days spend on the mountain. Most climbers under-estimate the risks of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) and try to rush to summit. Almost 50% of all climbers fail to arrive Uhuru Peak!

BE DETERMINED
Climbing Kilimanjaro is a risk, but you can prepare yourself well by following our Checklist. If you are determined to learn what to do and to keep up your motivation to make it to Uhuru Peak!

BE CURIOUS – ASK QUESTIONS!
You should read as many information about climbing Kilimanjaro as possible. If you have any questions ask us before your arrival, we will be happy to assist you. We have collected many information on our website but feel free to ask us any individual questions. Become familiar with the challenges of climbing Kilimanjaro so that you will know what is waiting for you. It will give you confidence!

GET PREPARED
Don’t do endless exercises – go hiking! Your body should simply get used to hike for many hours with a small Daypack. The best way is to do some regular hikes before arriving in Tanzania. You should start your workout about 6 to 8 weeks prior to your climb also to get used to your climbing shoes and to strengthen your legs and feet. We have prepared a Checklist where you can find a timetable for all your preparations.

WATER IS YOUR FRIEND
The risk of dehydration at high altitude is extremely high and your body will need a lot of water to climb 6 to 8 hours per day. It is a big factor to increase the risk of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) so you should try to drink at least 3 to 4 liters of water per day!

POLE POLE! TAKE IT SLOW!
Pole Pole is a common phrase that you will hear a lot while climbing Kilimanjaro. It means to take small steps and to take slow instead of rushing up the mountain. It is probably the best (and only) way to prevent yourself from Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) which is one of the main reason why almost 50% of all climbers fail to arrive at Uhuru Peak.

GET DRESSED
Choosing the right gear to climb is essential for your success. We have prepared a Gear List for all the gear and items that your will need. You can also contact us to rent climbing gear on arrival in Moshi.

EAT WELL
You might think that hiking for many hours will make you hungry – but high altitude is affecting your body and might let you loose appetite. Your body will need a lot of energy to climb several days in the cold so you should eat even if you don’t feel hungry.

FIND YOUR RYTHM
Hike, eat, sleep, recover, repeat – It is essential to find your rythm and to accept that your main purpose on the mountain is to climb. The more you understand this the easier it will become to focus on hiking, eating when its time to eat, sleep when its time to sleep and recover as much as you can. Your body will get used to it – and we guarantee you will have a great and fun time!

CHOOSE THE RIGHT COMPANY
Find a company that fits your needs and that makes you feel comfortable and safe by replying your emails fast, by thinking ahead and by providing you with information out of the box. It is usually the little things that make the difference – don’t just go for the lowest price. You don’t have to spent a fortune but you should have the feeling that your money is well spend for a reliable service!