Can i do kilimanjaro

Hi Neb, many people who are overweight climb Kilimanjaro. It may be a good idea to use Kili as the impetus to quit though. I will be 50 in January and we are planning this hike for February. I will be training for this hike beginning next week. My question and concern is the altitude sickness. I am one that gets VERY sick with any type of motion sickness. Even just sitting in the back seat of a car.

We are planning the long way up to hopefully lessen any sickness. Do people still get sick with the long hike up and what are their worst symptoms? Thanks in advance! Hi Jenny, I think you are confusing motion sickness with altitude sickness. The latter is the main concern on Kilimanjaro and has nothing to do with motion.

Could I just rock up and do the climb walk. Hi Kyle, in short, yes. That being said, it is definitely worthwhile getting in as much training beforehand. I am considering joining a group to raise funds for charity. The plan is to ascend along Machame trail 7 day trip. Should I attempt the trek???? Many thanks for your honest opinion. Hi Weng, Kilimanjaro is definitely classified as a demanding trek. The high altitude combined with 7 tough days of trekking and a summit push that lasts hours up and down makes Kilimanjaro a real challenge.

That being said, almost anyone can climb Kilimanjaro. You need a positive attitude, serious mental determination think like a marathon runner and a good level of fitness. If you have these traits then I would say go for it! I would like to get to the top. How long does it take to get down? Hi Denise, the descent is completed in 1. You drop from the summit, 5,, all the way back down to around 3,m. I would like to do Kilimanjaro. I will be 69 in I go to the gym 5 times a week training just for Kili.

BUT I cant find insurance. Any help Im UK. I need a quote and need to find out more about Mt Kilimanjaro climb probably on or But I have few mountain climbs and did a major climb in the Philippines. Turning 60 years old with plantar fasciitis and knee pain thinking of hiking to summit but have my concerns. How much training is required and concerned about altitude. What is your opinion? Hi David, with the right level of training and mindset, I think almost anyone can climb Kilimanjaro.

Hi a mate of mine want to climb Kili. Hi, the one question I always have to ask about any hike has to do with ledges. Are there any narrow ledges on the side of the mountain that would give someone with height issues difficulty? If you feel you can scale this then you will be absolutely fine.

It looks a lot scarier than it actually is. I am able to hike 10 miles straight on moderately hilly terrain, would I be able to do this on the Lemosho route. Sounds like Kilimanjaro will be just fine for you. But the Lemosho is a good route for acclimatisation so the odds are in your favour.

Sneha, it really depends on the type of asthma you have. Myself and my Husband have been considering climbing Kilimanjaro for many years now and are thinking of giving it a go after Hiking the Inca trail last year. Our main concern is that my Husband really suffers from the cold even in the UK particularly in his hands and feet. Do you have any tips on how he could overcome this as it is the main factor putting us off attempting the trek. Thank you Dawn. Hi Dawn, Unfortunately, cold is a major factor on Kilimanjaro.

About 4,m the temperatures at night and in the early morning is pretty, especially if the wind chill is high. In terms of the feet I recommend thick thermal socks from Smartwool along with foot warmers.

And for the head, a warm beanie and polar micro fleece neck scarf. Apart from that, good layered clothing and a warm sleeping bag are a must. I would love to do this incredible challenge this year, but want to know more about it. Please contact me. Hi, me and my husband are booked onto a trip to climb Kilimanjaro in September this year.

Will I be ok? Average fitness is sufficient, but you will need strong determination. I had a brain tumour successfully removed in , would the altitude exert undue pressure on my brain? If you feel like you can do it then why not! My friend has rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, osteo arthritis, displaziar. She really wants to climb for charity. Will this stop her from trying. I recommend your friend consults her doctor for advice.

If she is able to hike 7 days in a row for hours a day, then she should be able to climb Kilimanjaro. I am 34 and going to killi soon. The more i read about killi, the more i worry. Can i get to the summit? I hike about 8 to 10 miles a week on my days off.

Takes me about 4 to 5 hours to hike the 8 to 10 miles. But there are no mountains where i live. Its flat. Hi Ashley, Kilimanjaro is a big undertaking but you sound fit and healthy. I am 67 male with high blood pressure, determine but in good shape.

The only question, is having high blood pressure a dis qualifier. I control it with medication. I have my climb planned from 1st to 8th July this year. I am 29 years old and I will be 30 exactly on the day I reach the summit.

Although I am positive about doing this, there is something in my mind which has been bothering me. I easily lose my breath when working out or when I run or when I hike uphill fast.. Hi Divya, breathlessness is a common symptom of going to high altitude, as your respiratory and cardiovascular system has to work harder to get oxygen. Going to high altitude will therefore likely exacerbate your pre-existing disposition to breathlessness. A slow approach with proper acclimatisation is key.

If you are properly acclimatised you should be just fine, but I recommend consulting your doctor to see whether there is any obvious reason for your breathlessness, and get there advice on going to high altitude.

Hope this helps. Will I be able to summit Kilimanjaro? Thank you. I recommend consulting your doctor to see if there are any high altitude risks given your specific condition. We are reasonably fit and not overweight.

We hiked hours in Iceland last year and were interested in a nine day Kilimanjaro ascent. We get mild altitude when we are at 9k for a few day but alleviated with diamox. Hopes we might be fit enough to do Kilimanjaro.

Hi Monica, unfortunately the 5 day routes have relatively low summit success rates. This is because of the rapid ascent not facilitating acclimatisation.

If you can change your itinerary to a longer route I would. It will cost more but your chances of summiting increase and they are safer. Hi I am type 1 diabetic. Fairly newly- I was diagnosed last October. I am dealing with it as best as I can every day. BUT I am a very determined person and would love to be able to complete this climb. Will I be able to climb safely? Hi Jessica, I believe it is possible, but it will very much be up to whether a tour operator will take you.

I have a high VO2 max score. Hi Joe, unfortunately there is little training you can do for altitude apart fromn going to altitude.

The body naturally acclimatises to altitude so the key on Kilimanjaro is to give yourself enough time when ascending. That means taking a long route i.

Hi there! My boyfriend and I are young 28 and healthy. We are not athletes and bikeundefinedrun casually, usually running 5ks a couple times per week. We will be in Tanzania in a couple months for my boyfriend's work and are considering Kili.

We live in the Netherlands which is very flat so have no opportunity to do much hiking beforehand, and we aren't comfortable going into the gyms during COVID. When we travel, however, we are pretty good hikers but haven't done multi-day hikes and haven't been in high altitude — most recently did an 18 mile day hike in m mountains. Do you think it's feasible for us to hike Kili with very little hiking experience?

Are there ways you recommend training given the lack of hiking areas and gyms around? We're nervous about even committing to doing Kili but are healthy so hope it will be ok. Thank you! Hi Sophie, yes, you can definitely hike Kilimanjaro, even if you have little or no experience of high altitude multi-day hiking. Both you and your boyfriend sound physically fit so the real challenge will be the altitude, and unfortunately this is not something you can prepare for apart from doing a pre-acclimatisation hike beforehand — like hiking Mount Meru.

To give yourself the best chance of summiting and avoiding altitude sickness make sure to choose a longer route 7 and 8 day options , and make sure you go slowly when you hike each day. Does that make the attempt a bad idea? Are there things people with Apnea can do?

Thanks, Vikas. I recommend consulting a doctor for advice. Because I was a slow hiker the guides unfortunately rushed me up the mountain. I managed to hike back down to the Himalayan Rescue Foundation hospital, where I was taken by helicopter to Kathmandu. I developed deafness later resolved and a few other issues. I'm now 65 and in good health. Can I climb Kili if I find a guide who will take me up at my own pace with plenty of acclimitazation?

Hi Evvie, sounds like you went through quite an ordeal in Nepal. In terms of Kilimanjaro, the route profiles and camps are very well regulated. There are a number of route options that are longer — I like the 7-day Machame or Lemosho. The latter can be extended to an 8-day option. In terms of altitude sickness, the incidence of AMS on Kilimanjaro is relatively high. However, compared to hikes in the Himalaya, like EBC, the route profile is a lot steeper, which means you can drop in altitude very quickly on Kilimanjaro.

In a few hours, you can drop 2,m. It also means that a heli-vac on Kili is almost unheard of. As for finding a guiding company that can go at your own pace, this can be a little tricky.

Your best option is to book a private climb not an open group , and a longer route profile like the 8-day Lemosho. Kilimanjaro but have never climbed a mountain in my life before. Any advice? Hi Kristina, almost anyone can hike Kilimanjaro. The gateway towns for Kilimanjaro are Moshi and Arusha, in northern Tanzania. Easiest is a flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport, and a transfer to your base at the foot of the mountain. Alternatively, it is possible to pick up a bus transfer from Nairobi in Kenya and cross the border into Tanzania at Namanga.

Quite a bit. Kilimanjaro is an exceptional mountain, a classic climb with varied habitats, scenery, flora and landscapes to experience. The sense of achievement you get from walking through these different zones and making it to the top is almost as big as the mountain itself.

Guidebook describing all the trekking routes on Kilimanjaro m , one of the Seven Summits. With 6 ascent routes, 3 summit ascents, the Circuit Path and descent paths, the guide also provides comprehensive information on preparation and access, a route on Mt Meru, as well as information on accommodation and other facilities.

Join over 30, enthusiasts from around the world. We will never spam you, sell your data or send emails from third parties. Search Terms. Can anyone climb Kilimanjaro, and other frequently asked questions. By Alex Stewart 27 January 8 minute read. Alex Stewart, author of the Cicerone guidebook to trekking Kilimanjaro, answers some frequently asked questions about trekking to the roof of Africa.

Can anyone climb Kilimanjaro? But do I need to be super fit? Can I hike Kilimanjaro without guides and porters? How long will it take? Will I get altitude sickness? Worse still, will climbing Kilimanjaro kill me? So how do I prevent altitude sickness? But by far the most important thing you can do choose a tour that spends longer on the mountain, allowing you more time to adjust, and not make the ascent too quickly.

Routes that allow you to walk high and sleep low, zigzagging up and down over the course of the trek, and taking six or more days to summit, have the highest success rate. Of course, your guides will be trained to recognise the symptoms of altitude sickness and respond appropriately with first aid, or arrange for you to descend the mountain if necessary.

However, it is important that you also keep an eye on your own symptoms and know what to watch out for. For more information, read our guide to avoiding altitude sickness during high altitude trekking. Our guides can tell you exactly who is going to make it, or who is going to need to drink more fluid the following day.

Kilimanjaro training tips. Start training at least two months ahead of your trip. Think miles over mountains. Train in your trip kit. Cardio is key to being fit enough to summit Kilimanjaro, so take the time to fit in some alternative forms of exercise alongside your long distance hill walks.

Cycling, jogging and swimming front crawl rather than breast stroke or anything else that gets your heart racing. Strength exercises are also an important part of your training. Squats and lunges will work wonders for strengthening your calf muscles, while sit ups, kettle bells and shoulder presses will improve your upper and core strength for stability and carrying heavy gear.

Your tour operator will most likely provide you with a training plan and you can also seek the assistance of a personal trainer or advise from someone at the gym. Contact us for more advice. More about Kilimanjaro. Best time to climb Kilimanjaro. The best time to climb Kilimanjaro if you want a reduced chance of rain and slightly warmer temperatures is in January, February and the first half of March. Mt Kilimanjaro, the beginners guide to climbing it. Climbing the highest, free-standing mountain in the world is an extraordinary achievement - but as this climbing Kilimanjaro travel guide reveals - it's one that is not out of reach.

Lemosho Route Kilmanjaro trek details. We highly recommend the Lemosho Route for reaching Kilimanjaro's summit. It's longer, which means it's pricier - but it gives you more days to acclimatise, so success rates are high. Rongai Route Kilimanjaro trek details.

Kilimanjaro's Rongai Route takes six to seven days to complete, and involves a fairly gentle ascent from the north.