Is Kilimanjaro difficult to climb and when is the best time to climb?

24th November 2015  
 

Is-Kilimanjaro-Difficult-To Climb

 

Mount Kilimanjaro remains accessible the whole year-round but the weather in the region can affect the difficulty in climbing. Make no mistake, Kilimanjaro is among the tallest mountains in the world and climbing it is a challenge, even for experienced climbers. However, one thing you can make sure is planning your trip at a time of the year when the weather is moderate and also there isn’t much crowd, enabling you to climb in peace. This article will cover the difficulty of climbing the mountain and also the best time of the year to attempt climbing it.

Difficulty of Climbing

As mentioned above, Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in the whole of Africa. This is why newbies are usually discouraged from attempting the climb. It is a long climbing trip and requires experience and fitness. Yet, this doesn’t mean it cannot be achieved. As long as you keep certain factors in mind, you are good to go:

  • The height of the mountain dictates the pace of the ascent, which in this case means the climb is slow. Usually, experienced climbers decide to go as fast as they can and eventually end up collapsing before they reach the summit. So, you have to be willing to climb slowly and also have the stamina to keep climbing after multiple days on the mountain.
  • The pace of the climb means you need a decent time period for attempting it. In this case, a week-long trip rarely suffices. According to data provided by local authorities, climbers who spend more than 9 days on the climb are more likely to reach the summit than those with shorter packages.
  • Yes, the difficulty and duration of the climb can be difficult to overcome for the average person, but with an experienced guide by your side, it becomes easier. It is important that you start working on your fitness in advance, at least a few months before your trip. The more stamina and endurance you can develop, the better your chances are of achieving success.

Keeping these factors in mind, you can see it is possible to climb Kilimanjaro even for amateurs but it will require some preparation. Choosing the right time to climb is among the major decisions you have to make.

The Best Time to Climb

June to October remains the best time of the year to attempt a climb on Mount Kilimanjaro. However, that is also the time when a majority of tourists to the region are here and it can get crowded. August to October remains the peak season for climbing Kilimanjaro but there is another period when you can give it a shot: around New Year’s. There is a four-week period from Christmas onwards when the weather clears enough to allow you to give climbing Kilimanjaro a go. However, there is still the risk of rainfall around this time of the year and the crowds are high.

So, despite the crowd, August to October is the ideal time of the year to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.

For details about the routes to climb Kilimanjaro click here

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