Summit Preparations

Summit night on Kilimanjaro is the most demanding part of the climb — you'll typically leave base camp around midnight to reach the crater rim by sunrise, climbing in the dark and in temperatures well below freezing (see our climate zones guide for what to expect at that altitude).

A few things that make a real difference: get what rest you can in the hours before departure, dress in your full layering system before you start — it's much harder to add layers in the dark and cold partway up — eat something even if you don't feel hungry, and pace yourself deliberately slowly from the very first step. This is where "pole pole", slowly slowly, matters most, and it's also your best defense against altitude sickness on the hardest stretch of the whole climb.

If you're timing your climb around a full moon, summit night is where you'll really notice the difference in visibility. Your guide will set the pace and make the call on whether conditions and your health allow continuing to the summit. Contact us with any questions as you prepare for your climb.