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Preparation steps for

Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro

By Donovan Pacholl, Managing Director of Embark Adventures & Expeditions

www.embarkadventures.com

It’s time to “embark” to Mt. Kilimanjaro

Step 1: Mental Commitment

It’s too easy to start down the path toward an enormous, life-changing adventure, and then give up in the preparation stage due to logistics, cost, conditioning, family reaction, etc. If you make the commitment, even if it’s not going to happen until next year, stick to it and make sure you will follow through.

Step 2: Find others looking for a challenge

It’s always exciting to include others in your adventures, as it build strong relationships, it holds you to your word, and it gives you someone to train with. Since climbing Kilimanjaro can be done by just about anyone (those who take their time), you should consider bringing friends, family, and others interested in an adventure of a lifetime.

Step 3: Save Money

Traveling half way around the world and spending 7 to 10 days climbing a mountain can be expensive. Make sure to start saving as early as possible. Including gear, airfare, and the climb itself, the trip can easily range from $4,000 to $8,000 per person.

Step 4: Pick your guide and outfitter

It’s important to establish a relationship with someone early that can get your climb up Mt. Kilimanjaro organized. You should start having conversations with the outfitters 8 to 12 months in advance, as it gives them plenty of time to organize guides, logistics, permits, etc. There are times in the year that are busy and sometimes the best guides are booked a year in advance. The earlier you book, the better.

Step 5: Begin Training

This is the central and probably most important aspect for climbing any mountain in the world. Start your training early. In fact, the earlier you start, the better. Try to start training at least six months in advance, in order to ensure the highest probability of success, even if this just means regular short jogs or climbing stairs in the beginning of your regiment.

Step 6: Determine dates and route

After you pick your outfitter, you should start to determine the following: dates, number of people, routes, and other important aspects of your adventure. You will need to make sure you choose the proper route up Kilimanjaro, as well as the right time of year. For example, you would not want to plan a trip during the rainy season (April & May), unless you don’t mind walking in the rain all day, ever day. Likewise, in terms of the climbing routes, an experienced mountaineer, or someone who likes a little adventure, would most likely do the Lemosho , with an option up the Western Breach, instead of going up the Marangu Route.

Step 7: Purchase your airfare

Once your dates and outfitter is finalized, it’s time to purchase your flights. It’s best to shop around, as you can find huge price variations. You will want to purchase your airfare 3 to 7 months in advance. Make sure to check alternative, non-US-based carriers if you want to keep the prices low.

Step 8: Organize your visa

As of the time of this writing, you could get your visa upon arrival at the Tanzania airport, or at any border crossing. If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of organizing your visas upon arrival, you can get these sorted at the Tanzanian embassy in Washington, DC. Expect to take about 3 weeks to get your passport back.

Step 9: Purchase Insurance

Determine if you want a policy that will only cover you medically or if you want a cancelation policy that cover the value you have invested in the trip itself.

Step 10: Get your immunizations

Talk to you local travel clinic about 4 to 6 months prior to your trip. This will be the time you decide which immunizations you should get. Make sure to plan this into your budget, as sometimes these shots can be a significant addition.

Step 11: Prepare and test your gear

Test all your equipment in advance. Try your new boots and jacket. Determine if you like to use Nalgene bottle or a Camel back for your water. All of your equipment should be tested and used as much as possible in advance.

Make sure you have put more than 100 miles on those new boots!

Step 12: Keep Training

Again, the central point for a successful trip is training, training, training. However you choose to prepare, be sure you are consistent with your training program. The more you train for this trip, the more you will enjoy it.

Begin to relax your training two weeks prior to the climb

Go!