Jan Smolaga
Action Challenge Director
We get asked lots of questions about Kilimanjaro:
“How hard is, really?”
“How fit do I need to be?”
“Can I charge my phone?”
I’ve climbed Kili three times now, via the Machame, Lemosho and Rongai routes (don’t ask me my favourite… impossible to answer!).
Here’s my honest view…
It’s Not a Climb… But It Isn’t Easy Either
Let’s clear one thing up first.
On the routes we use to get to the top, it’s a non-technical climb. That means you don’t need climbing experience. No ropes, no scrambling, no ice axes. If you can wake up, strap on your boots, and put one foot in front of the other, you already possess all the necessary skills to get to the top!
Of course, I’m simplifying things a bit, but that’s what is comes down to.
What does make Kili difficult is a combination of:
- Altitude (by far the biggest factor)
- Long days on your feet
- Cold, basic conditions
- Back-to-back effort with no real recovery
Most days aren’t brutal, we’re not covering MASSIVE distances (the average day you will walk around 10km) but the cumulative effect of those things above is what catches people out.
The Real Challenge: Altitude
This is the bit you can’t fully prepare for.
You’re going from around 1,800m to 5,895m in under a week, which is fast by mountaineering standards. That’s nearly 6km vertically up in the air, and your body needs time and the right condition to adapt.
On all three of my climbs, I’ve seen:
- Very fit people struggle (and the reason for this might surprise you… more below)
- Less “fit” people cruise through (including someone who stubbed out a final cigarette at the gate before starting the climb. This is NOT training advice though!)
It’s somewhat unpredictable, however there is a LOT you can do reduce the uncertainty.
The key is going slow, following your guide’s pace, and accepting that some days will feel harder than they should.
Summit Night Is The Toughest Part
Every route builds to the same thing: summit night.
This is the hardest part, without question.
- You start around midnight
- You’re climbing for 6–8 hours in the dark
- It’s cold (often well below freezing)
- The gradient is relentless, often scree underfoot
It’s not technical. But it’s a grind, and the challenge is as much mental as it is physical.
You’re tired, it’s uncomfortable, and progress feels slow. In the dark, you can’t see how far you’ve come, or how far there is to go. It can feel like you’re walking on the spot at times. But if you keep putting one foot in front of the other, you get there.
What Makes It Manageable
Despite everything above, thousands of people summit every year.
Why?
Because success comes down to a few simple things:
1. Pacing properly (slow = success)
I’ve seen it a few times, where someone starts the climb full of energy, is super fit, and they want to be the first into camp each day. This means they are pushing themselves hard, and in the evenings (when your body is investing energy into acclimatising) their bodies are spending that calorie budget on recovery instead. There’s no room for ego on the mountain, and no prizes for summiting first. It really is a classic “hare and tortoise” situation!
2. Eating plenty – you’ve got to put fuel in the tank!
You wouldn’t expect to drive from Land’s End to John O’Groats without filling up the car. Your body needs fuel, and at altitude you’re going to need to give it more than usual. Like an overattentive grandparent, your leader will want to see clean plates and will be offering you seconds. If you don’t give your body the extra calories, you won’t be acclimatising properly.
3. Stay hydrated
Pacing and nutrition need to be underpinned with good hydration. This is important on the mountain, but ideally starts at home in the lead up to departure. It does, sadly, mean we also advise against that airport pint before you go. Alcohol is a diuretic, and won’t do you any favours!
4. Get some good rest
Your body does the hard work of acclimatising while you sleep. Ensuring you get a good night’s sleep is essential. This also starts before you go. If you’re not a regular camper, then try sleeping in a sleeping bag at home to get used to it. It’s one less thing to be unsure of, and means you can slip into bed each night, familiar with all those zips and toggles.
5. Training before you go
It’s possible to “blag” Kili, and go without doing much or any training. But will you enjoy the experience? Probably not. Training and ensuring you’re physically confident will give you a huge advantage. Hitting the stairmaster in the gym, getting some hill walks in, or joining us for some free UK training walks, will give you a huge boost.
So… How Hard Is It?
If I had to sum it up:
- Physically: Moderate to challenging
- Mentally: Definitely challenging
- Technically: Easy
Most people won’t fail because they aren’t fit enough. They struggle because:
- they underestimate the altitude
- they don’t expect the mental side
- they climb with a company who don’t give full support (spoiler alert – that ain’t us!)
Final Thought
Kilimanjaro is one of those experiences where the difficulty is part of the reward (type-Two fun anyone?).
It’s not meant to be easy, but it is achievable. I’ll often say it’s one of the hardest things your average person can do. You don’t have to be the strongest or fastest or fittest person on the mountain… just the one who goes “pole pole” consistently.
2028 Dates Now Open
If Kilimanjaro is on your radar, we’ve just opened our 2028 dates across all routes. If you want to secure a place early and give yourself plenty of time to prepare, now is a good moment to get booked in.
We’re also offering £100 off all 2028 bookings, plus a free Action Challenge duffel bag worth £125 for every confirmed place. It’s a practical bit of kit you’ll actually use on the mountain, and one less thing to think about before you go.
