Kilimanjaro Hiking Difficulty
Is Kilimanjaro a hike? A climb? Or a trek? The difference in these terms is based on the type of equipment needed and level of technical knowledge required.
A hike is the simplest and least complicated activity: basically, it is walking. You do not need any special equipment, and many people walk in basic running shoes or trainers. Just add a pack with a few snacks, a water bottle and call yourself a hiker!
Of course, there are more strenuous hikes, steep inclines and multi-day adventures. But hiking does not require special equipment or knowledge; you just need to be able to walk.
Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the “Seven Summits”, or highest peaks on each of the seven continents.
Trekking suggests more difficult terrain in a somewhat remote place, for a longer time. One should have appropriate shoes and some knowledge of equipment, such as trekking poles and a supportive pack, for trekking.
In technical terms, Kilimanjaro is a trek. It takes several days or a week to summit Kilimanjaro and adventurers cover various terrain and should be led by a guide to reach the top. While many trekkers complete the hike unaided, others use trekking poles or are aided with oxygen to reach the summit. Hence, reaching the roof of Africa is termed a trek.
Climbing or mountain climbing is the most difficult category and sometimes requires specialized equipment or skills. Climbing also has an important focus on acclimatization for high altitudes. While Kilimanjaro is not as high as Mount Everest, it is still vital to consider proper altitude acclimatization in order to reach the peak.
Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the “Seven Summits” – highest peaks on each of the seven continents – and the only one that does not require specialized equipment to reach the top. Mount Kilimanjaro is a mountain, hence it is appropriate to call it a mountain climb.
The first days of your Kilimanjaro trek will start off as hikes and can be completed in regular sports training shoes. The following days will present more difficult terrain and higher altitudes, turning into a trek. Therefore, it is acceptable to use all three terms (hike, trek, climb) interchangeably for Kilimanjaro, but if you want to be precise; Kilimanjaro is a trek.
In short, daily hikes contribute to the overall trek of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. All of these terms are appropriate to use for climbing Kilimanjaro.
