How to Prepare for Kilimanjaro: Training and Altitude Tips

Preparation Beats Natural Fitness

You don't need to be an athlete to climb Kilimanjaro, but a few months of focused preparation makes a big difference to how the week feels and to your chances of reaching the summit comfortably.

Train by Hiking

Gym workouts help less than real hiking. Walk hilly or stepped routes with a loaded daypack a few times a week in the months before you go. Stair machines or local hills, climbed at a steady pace, mimic the mountain better than running.

Practice Going Slowly

It sounds strange, but guides keep a deliberately slow pace, "pole pole", to help you cope with altitude, and people used to pushing hard often find this difficult. Long, slow hikes are better preparation than short, fast ones.

Test Your Gear Early

Try new boots, a new backpack and your sleeping gear well before the trip, ideally on a multi-day hike. Blisters and an uncomfortable pack spoil more climbs than people expect, and both are avoidable.

Ask Your Doctor About Altitude

Many climbers use acetazolamide (Diamox) to help with acclimatization. It is a prescription medicine, so discuss it with your doctor a few months before you travel, not the week you fly.

Give Yourself Enough Days

The route and number of days you choose matter even more than training. A longer climb with proper acclimatization does more for your chances than an extra month of exercise. Get in touch and we will help you choose a route and timeline that suit you.