When planning a climb of Mount Kilimanjaro, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is determining how many days to spend on the mountain. The length of your climb can greatly affect your success rate and overall experience.
The success rate of a climb is closely tied to the length of the itinerary. Generally, longer itineraries have a higher success rate, as they allow for more time to acclimatize and adjust to the altitude.
For example, the Marangu Route, which is considered the easiest route and can be completed in as little as 5 days, has a lower success rate compared to the Machame Route, which typically takes 6-7 days to complete.
According to the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority, the success rate for climbers who spend 6-7 days on the mountain is around 85-90%, while climbers who spend 5 days or less on the mountain have a success rate of approximately 75%. With longer itineraries, climbers have more time to acclimatize and adjust to the altitude, which is vital for success and safety.
The world record for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is currently held by Kilian Jornet, who summited and descended the mountain in just over 7 hours. However, it’s important to note that this is an extreme and highly specialized feat, and not a recommended or safe way to climb the mountain.
At Kilimanjaro Advisor, we recommend a minimum of 6-7 days for climbing the mountain, to increase the chances of reaching the summit and having a safe trip. This allows enough time for proper acclimatization and a better chance to adjust to the altitude. We also recommend that climbers be in the good physical condition and have enough time to prepare for the climb.
We understand that each individual has a different pace and physical condition, that’s why our experienced guides and support team will work with