A sufficient number of Guides and Porters will be available to support all Travelers, ensuring everyone can move at a comfortable pace. If necessary, the group may be divided into faster and slower pace groups, with Assistant Guides accompanying each to provide guidance, safety, and support.

Guides are equipped with oximeters to monitor oxygen levels and conduct daily checks to ensure everyone remains within a safe range. They are also trained to respond to medical emergencies and provide appropriate support if needed. If a traveler must descend due to altitude or other medical concerns, an assistant guide will accompany them to a hotel or hospital while the rest of the group continues the trek.

There are cell towers on Mt Kilimanjaro, and if you purchase a sim card in town or pay for roaming, you should be able to send text messages or make phone calls while trekking.

There is a secure storage room at the hotel where luggage can be left and locked until their return. For valuables and money, safety deposit boxes are available for a small daily charge.

Yes, and you will also have a single room at the hotel.

Public toilets are available at each campsite. In addition, private portable toilets are typically provided for groups, generally at a ratio of approximately one toilet per four travelers (depending on group size). These can be rented for $100 USD. Toilet paper is provided, though travelers are encouraged to bring personal wipes. Pee bottles are not required, but travelers may bring one if they prefer.

From Day 1, bottled water is available for purchase at the hotel. From Day 2 onward, Guides will provide boiled and purified drinking water throughout the trek. Travelers are encouraged to bring their own reusable water bottle and/or hydration bladder. Personal water filters are optional but not required.

There are some spots with network coverage on the mountain, and your Guide will be able to inform you where the best locations are. It is suggest that you buy a local SIM card for better connectivity and potential hotspot sharing.
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The trek includes tents, chairs, tables, food, portable toilets, and foam sleeping pads at no additional charge.

Campsites may be uneven, but tents are set on level ground. Travelers can use extra foam sleeping pads at no additional cost; each weighs ~3–4 lbs. The included pads are sufficient for most, though bringing a lightweight extra pad is optional.

Please review the recommended packing list for everything you'll need for your trek on Mt. Kilimanjaro below.
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Equipment:

Footwear:

Accessories:

Headwear:

Handwear:

Clothing:

Other:

Porters are limited to carrying up to 15 kg (33 lbs) of your personal belongings. As we will be using shared transfers and spaces throughout our tour we recommend all travelers pack as lightly as possible.

Zara Tours recommends carrying a small backpack of about 5 kgs (11 lbs) for personal items like phones, chargers, water, etc. The Porters will carry the rest.

Here is a list of items that will be available to rent from the Trip Operator upon arrival:

All prices reflect January 2026 rates and are subject to change.

Payment can be made on Day 1 of your trip by cash or card—no advance booking required.

If you have any questions about the rental items mentioned above, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Customer Support team.

A range of sleeping bag sizes is available to suit all individuals, with each sleeping bag weighing approximately 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs).

Yes, private portable toilets are available for rent at a cost of $100 USD. It is recommended that up to four Travelers share one toilet. Porters will transport the toilet for you during the trek.

Yes, there will be a welcome briefing on Day 1 to cover all the important details for the trek. This will include essential information, as well as an equipment check, to ensure you’re fully prepared for the journey ahead. During the equipment check, you will have the opportunity to identify any missing items, and if necessary, you can rent them directly from the Trip Operator. Your bags that will be carried by the Porters will also be weighed to ensure they are not over the 33 lbs limit.

All rental gear can be rented and paid for on Day 1 at the hotel. No advance reservations required, and sufficient inventory is available. Cash or card are both accepted.

Plastic bags are banned in Tanzania and this regulation is strictly enforced. Please refrain from packing plastic bags in your luggage. Transparent "zip-lock" plastic bags that some airlines require passengers to use for keeping liquids, cosmetics, toiletries etc separately in hand luggage are permitted. Hydrapacks, water bladders, and other reusable plastic water bottles are permitted.

Yes, travel insurance covering high-altitude treks is required due to the trek’s high elevations. We recommend purchasing this insurance before departure. TrovaTrip suggests the World Nomad’s Standard Policy, which covers treks up to 19,685 feet (6,000 meters): worldnomads.com.

Yes, Kilimanjaro Air is a recommended service provider for evacuation services. Please be aware that not all insurance policies cover helicopter evacuations, and the insurance company you book needs to agree to payment before a helicopter is dispatched if necessary.

Yes, if you find yourself traveling through or staying in Zanzibar (which is separate from mainland Tanzania), you will need to purchase additional travel insurance from a local insurance company in Zanzibar, or it can be obtained upon arrival at the Zanzibar airport.

The Trip Operator offers a variety of menu options, including a standard menu, as well as vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices. If you have any further questions or requests, please feel free to contact our Customer Support Team for additional assistance.

Tap water should be avoided by travelers. You should also avoid brushing your teeth with tap water when possible. For drinking water, make sure to drink treated water which can be found at all lodging accommodations.

Tips for Guides, drivers, and restaurant staff are not included in your trip costs. While tipping is not mandatory, it is a meaningful way to show appreciation and provides supplemental income for local teams. If they have enhanced your experience, consider rewarding their efforts with a tip. Below are tipping suggestions:

Tips can be given in either US Dollars, Tanzanian schillings or Euros.

Yes, credit cards are generally accepted in Tanzania; however, there are credit card charges when using a credit card while shopping outside of the hotel. Rates can start at 5%.

Yes, no bills older than 2006 are accepted.

We highly recommend everyone begin training at least two months before departure.

Important note: Always consult with your physician before commencing with a workout program.

If you've never hiked before, you should start with shorter time intervals, a slower pace, and no weight (in your day pack) and then gradually increase all of the above as your fitness level improves. Remember that on Mount Kilimanjaro, you will walk slowly for prolonged periods, and carry probably no more than 20 lbs in your day pack. Therefore, in your training, it is better to increase the time interval/distance and keep a slow pace than to shorten the time interval/distance and increase the pace.

It is imperative that during Kilimanjaro training, you wear the boots that you intend to climb with so that they are sufficiently broken-in (to prevent blisters). Additionally, you should wear the day pack you intend to carry so your shoulders/back/hips get used to the points of contact and weight (to minimize chafing and soreness).

If you have access to hiking trails and a schedule to accommodate it begin walking and hiking in hilly/steep terrain. Nothing prepares you for a backpacking trip better than the activity itself!

The following is how a moderate program may look:

There are many other activities that are easily incorporated into your daily life to build your overall fitness. Cross-training is also important to strengthen opposing muscle groups and it helps to avoid over-use injuries.

Supplemental training ideas include:

Check out the US Department of State's website for the most up-to-date information on safety while traveling.

Take care and be vigilant around personal property. On the mountain itself, be sure to keep valuables and cash for tips on your own person at all times, in your daypack or a hidden money belt.