So you are thinking about tackling one of the challenging items on your bucket list this year. You are an adventurous person and like to hike. Should you do Everest Base Camp or Mount Kilimanjaro? Both are epic trips, they require a big fitness commitment and both cost a lot of money. How do you decide?
Everest Base Camp or Mount Kilimanjaro
Trekking to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro and the Everest Base Camp trek rank as two of the most popular treks in the world. Both mountains are the highest peaks on their respective continent. Every year Kilimanjaro has up to 50,000 people attempt its peak and correspondingly 40,000 attempt Everest Base Camp. The allure of the amazing scenery brings both the expert climbers and the novice alike.
With both treks being highly rated by travelers, it can be hard to decide between an Everest Base Camp or Mount Kilimanjaro trek. To help with that decision, many people ask which one is more difficult.
The Summits
What many trekkers fail to take into account when they compare these two trips is that the Kilimanjaro trek takes you right to the top of the mountain’s summit. The Everest trek takes you through stunning mountains to the Everest Base Camp, which sits at around 17,600 feet, but that isn’t the summit. The summit is still almost 9,800 ft above base camp. Mount Everest’s summit is 29,029 feet. The Kilimanjaro summit, Uhuru Peak, sits at 19,341 feet. Which makes it 1,640 feet higher than Everest Base Camp.
Success Rates
If making your objective is important, you should measure it based on success rates. Unfortunately, these percentages are not very reliable. Official sources are old and not very accurate. Trip operators, trying to sell you on going with their company, boast inflated numbers.
If you really sit down and take the time to do the homework you will find out that Everest Base Camp trek has a success rate of around 90%. Kilimanjaro’s success rate is more difficult to average since there are several routes to the summit.
A rule of thumb is if the route has you on the mountain for 8 or 9 days the success rate is over 90%. For every day you subtract the success rate diminishes by 20%. If you choose to cut costs by going with a budget operator, you also decrease your chances of summiting due to under-trained and under-equipped guides and porters, insufficient meals, and old and worn out equipment. To increase your success rate, you should choose a trekking operator and route carefully.
Everest Base Camp trek has a much more reliable success rate. But this is due to there being only one main well-established route. Tourism along this route has also been established for decades. Kilimanjaro has been popular with tourists for a much shorter time. You also have to take into account the several routes, budget operators and a less established tourist infrastructure.
Many people underestimate the difficulty of climbing Kilimanjaro. This too lowers the overall success rate. In other words, your experience on an Everest Base Camp trek will be fairly predictable, whereas for Kilimanjaro there are a lot of variables which can affect your chance of summiting. It is important that when choosing to climb Kilimanjaro, do your research, pick a good company to trek with and make sure you are appropriately prepared for the challenge, maximizing your chance of success.
Are you ready to book your trip of a lifetime?
You May Also Find These InterestingVIEW ALL
-
What is the best route to hike up Mount Kilimanjaro?
If you’re considering a Kilimanjaro climb, you might be curious as to whether there is a path of least resistance – a way of somehow avoiding confrontation with a challenging scramble or a harrowing clash with acute mountain sickness (AMS). The good news is that most of Peak Planet’s scenic climbing routes require little to […]
-
Conquering Mount Kilimanjaro from Sea Level: Your Ultimate Guide
Picture this: you’re an adventurous soul living at sea level, and you’ve decided to embark on a epic adventure the reach the highest point in Africa, the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. While the allure of breathtaking vistas and the thrill of reaching new heights are undeniable, high-altitude hiking presents unique challenges, especially for those accustomed […]
-
Climbing Kilimanjaro by joining a group trek or on a private trek?
Climbing Kilimanjaro: Group Trek vs. Private Expedition There are a few things to consider when planning your trip up Kilimanjaro. Should you join a group trek or a private expedition? Here we will break down the pros and cons of each to help you make the best decision for your climb. A group trek is […]
-
Can children climb Mount Kilimanjaro?
NOTHING’S IMPOSSIBLE! It might seem outlandish to think that a child could successfully handle an adventure of this magnitude, however the youngest person on record to summit the highest mountain on the African continent was just six years of age. Although the current minimum age set by the Tanzanian National Parks Authority (TANAPA) requires a […]
-
Can You Recommend Sunglasses for Climbing Kilimanjaro?
The first forms of eye protection were invented to shield against snow blindness. Ancient peoples in the far north created a variety of googles made of wood or bone to protect their eyes when the sun reflected off the snow. Thankfully, today’s sunglasses are more effective at shielding your eyes than a piece of wood. […]
-
Which fleece jacket is best for climbing Kilimanjaro?
The right choice of clothing is an important step toward climbing success. In fact, most of the personal items you bring to Kilimanjaro will be clothing. Peak Planet’s gear list recommends multiple layers that allow you to easily adjust your clothing needs to the elements that mother nature sends our way. These layers should be […]
-
Do I Need Gaiters to Climb Kilimanjaro?
Whether you’re an experienced hiker or you’re new to the game, you’ll certainly want to check out Peak Planet’s equipment rental list as well as their recommended gear list as you plan your climb. Climbing Kilimanjaro is a truly unique experience in that you’ll need to prepare for virtually all possible weather conditions from hot […]
-
What are the Best Socks for Climbing Kilimanjaro?
Your feet are what will get you to the top of Kilimanjaro, one step at a time. Comfortable, broken-in boots are one of the most important pieces of gear you will need to climb the mountain. Even the best boots can’t do their job to protect your feet without socks. As anyone who has ever […]
-
Should I Go on a Tanzanian Safari?
If you are planning a trip to Tanzania to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, you might also be thinking about whether to add a safari to your itinerary. For most people, this is a no brainer, provided you can afford the additional time away and the expense of a safari. You’re already in Tanzania, so why not […]
-
Omicron and Travel to Tanzania: Frequently Asked Questions (Updated December 5, 2021)
The emergence of a new COVID variant named “Omicron” has caused concern for clients traveling to Tanzania. We have received many inquiries and would like to address the common questions here. We are constantly monitoring the situation regarding travel to and from Tanzania and will update this article when necessary. 1. What is Omicron? Omicron […]
