Majestic and awe-inspiring, Mount Kilimanjaro stands as the epitome of African beauty and challenge. A Typical Day on Kilimanjaro starts early, with a wake-up call around 6 am. After breakfast, you'll pack up your gear and set out on the trail. You'll hike through stunning landscapes, stopping for lunch at midday and reaching your campsite for the night in the late afternoon.
Preparing For The Day On Kilimanjaro
Getting ready for a Typical Day on Kilimanjaro mixes adventure with a bit of challenge. Here are some steps to follow when preparing for your day of trekking on the mountain:
Waking up and getting dressed for the day's hike. Make sure you have comfortable and appropriate clothing for hiking. It can include hiking boots, moisture-wicking socks, breathable layers, and a hat to protect you from the sun. For a detailed list of what to bring, check out our easy-to-follow Kilimanjaro Packing List.
Packing your Kilimanjaro Daypack with essentials. Be sure to pack enough water to stay hydrated throughout the day, as well as high-energy snacks to keep your energy levels up.
Attending a briefing with your guide. Your guide will provide you with important safety information and review the day's itinerary with you. Make sure to ask any questions you may have and clarify any uncertainties before you begin your hike.
Hiking To The Next Campsite
Hiking to the next campsite is one of the most important parts of the Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing experience. Here is what you can expect:
Beginning the hike after breakfast.
Most treks start after breakfast, usually around 8:00 AM. You will meet your guide and porters, who will carry your gear, and then start your ascent.
Hiking time varies depending on the route and the day. The climbing time can vary depending on the chosen Kilimanjaro Climb Routes and the distance to be covered. On average, day one usually takes between 4-6 hours to reach the first campsite.
Taking breaks and staying hydrated along the way. As you hike, your guide will set a slow and steady pace to help you acclimatize to the altitude. You will take frequent breaks to rest and hydrate and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Kilimanjaro.
Lunch Break
A lunch break can hold a significant role in the rest of the journey up Kilimanjaro. Here's a glimpse of what you can anticipate during a Typical Day on a Mount Kilimanjaro Trek:
Stopping for a lunch break at a designated spot. Your guide will choose a suitable spot to take a lunch break, usually around midday. This spot will be in a scenic location and offer some protection from the sun and wind.
Enjoy a packed lunch provided by our mountain crew.
You will be provided with a packed lunch consisting of sandwiches, fruit, energy bars, and other snacks to keep you fueled for the rest of the day's hike.
Take a break to rest, refill water bottles, and enjoy the scenery. You will have time to rest, stretch, and enjoy the beautiful scenery during the lunch break.
Afternoon Hike On A Typical Day On Kilimanjaro
After your lunch break, you will continue your hike around 1:00 pm. Your guide will set a steady pace to help you acclimatize to the altitude and terrain. It's not uncommon to experience some rainfall, particularly in the afternoon and at lower elevations.
Thus, it's vital to have waterproof gear like trench coats, rain capes, or even an umbrella (it may sound odd, but it's very helpful!).By late afternoon, you'll arrive at your upcoming camp. Here is what you can expect when you reach the next campsite on a Typical Day When Climbing Kilimanjaro.
Reaching the next campsite. You will reach the next campsite usually between 4-5 PM. It depends on the pace of the climb and the distance to be covered. Your guide will help you find your designated tent and ensure that all your belongings are safely stored.
Settling into your tent and organizing your belongings. Once you reach your tent, you will have time to settle in and organize your belongings. It's essential to keep your tent clean and tidy to avoid any unwelcome visitors such as bugs or rodents.
Taking some time to rest and relax before dinner. After a long day of climbing, it's essential to take some time to rest and relax before dinner.
Dinner And Evening Activities
After a long day of climbing and arriving at camp, dinner and evening activities are a great way to relax and unwind. Here's what you get to do on a Typical Day on Kilimanjaro during dinner and evening activities:
Dinner is usually served around 6:30 PM. Our team provides a hot meal that is nutritious and filling to help you replenish your energy. The menu may vary depending on the trekking company but typically includes soups, stews, pasta, rice, and vegetables.
Enjoy a hot meal prepared by the cooking staff.
After a long day of climbing, a hot meal is a welcome sight. You can enjoy your meal with other trekkers and guides in a communal dining area. It's a great opportunity to share stories and experiences with others.
Participating in optional evening activities. After dinner, you can participate in optional evening activities such as stargazing, playing cards, or listening to a lecture on Kilimanjaro's history and geology.
Preparing For The Next Day
Getting ready for your next day of Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is key to a fun and safe journey. Here are some things you should do:
Checking and preparing your gear. Make sure that you have all the necessary equipment and clothing for the upcoming trek. Check your backpack, trekking poles, hydration system, and clothing to ensure that everything is in good condition and packed properly.
Attending a briefing with your guide.
Your guide will provide you with important information about the upcoming hike, including the distance, elevation gain, and terrain. They will also review safety information and provide tips on how to stay safe and healthy during the hike.
Getting a good night's sleep to prepare for the next day's challenge. After a long day of climbing, it is important to rest and recover to prepare for the next day's challenge.
Here's a table that gives a quick overview of what a Typical Day on a Mount Kilimanjaro Trek looks like, including the timings and activities:
Time | Activity |
6:30 - 7:00 AM | Wake up and get ready |
7:00 - 8:00 AM | Breakfast and pack up |
8:00 - 12:00 PM | Hiking to the next camp or lunch stop |
12:00 - 1:00 | Lunch break |
1:00 - 4:00 PM | Afternoon hiking or rest |
4:00 - 6:00 PM | Arrive at camp and rest |
6:00 - 7:00 PM | Dinner and rest |
7:00 - 9:00 PM | Evening briefing and sleep |
Typical Schedule For Summit Night?
The Kilimanjaro Summit attempt is an intense and challenging experience, typically beginning in the late evening or early morning hours. It usually depends on the Kilimanjaro Climbing Routes and pace.
Check out this typical day schedule for the summit attempt on Kilimanjaro that we at African Kaiques follow:
After dinner from around 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM, you'll have some time to rest, change into warmer clothing and prepare for the climb ahead.
After that, most climbers start the climb to the summit between 10:00 pm to midnight. You will start climbing slowly in the dark with a headlamp to avoid altitude sickness.
Next from around 12:00 AM to 6:00 AM, the summit push continues. You will take an uphill climb to the summit, typically lasting for 6 to 8 hours.
Next morning at early 6:00 AM, you will arrive at the summit.
There, you will have time to take photos and enjoy the magnificent views of the region.
After a short rest at the summit, you’ll begin the descent back to the base camp. The descent usually takes around 4-5 hours.
After returning to the base camp, you'll have a hot meal around 9:00 AM to 11:00 am before continuing with the descent to the lower elevations
Time | Activity |
11:00 - 11:30 PM | Wake up and get ready |
11:30 PM - 12 AM | Light breakfast and final prep |
12:00 - 6:00 AM | Summit attempt |
6:00 - 8:00 AM | Descend to lower elevation |
8:00 - 9:00 AM | Breakfast and rest |
9:00 AM - 12 PM | Descend to the next camp |
12:00 - 1:00 PM | Lunch Break |
1:00 - 4:00 PM | Afternoon hiking and rest |
4:00 - 6:00 PM | Arrival at camp and rest |
6:00 - 7:00 PM | Dinner and Rest |
7:00 - 9:00 PM | Evening briefing and sleep |