People that have climbed Kilimanjaro will tell you that the majority of walking is on decent terrain and not too steep. However, the trek to the summit is undoubtedly the hardest – much of the terrain underfoot is scree (although it is frozen for the ascent, which helps – this is part of the reason the trek is done at night) and visibility is low until the sun rises, but the toughest part is the altitude.
Most people won’t have the time or resources to prepare for altitude with another high altitude trek or spending time in an altitude simulator. So it’s reassuring to know that the trekking days and campsites on Explore’s Lemosho Route trip have been carefully planned in consultation with Dr. Jeremy Windsor, a high altitude medicine specialist. You’ll ascend the mountain slowly and acclimatize well, giving you the best possible chance of summit success. All our trek leaders are trained in high-altitude first aid and know the signs to look out for when Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) may become more serious. In addition, all trek teams carry oxygen canisters and a portable hyperbaric (pressure) bag on the mountain for emergency use. The main trick is to take your time, go slowly and listen to your body – the guides will remind you to go “Pole, pole”, meaning “slowly, slowly” in Swahili – wise words and the key to reaching the summit.