Arriving and leaving: airport transfers and your nights in Moshi

The climb starts long before the park gate. Get the days either side right and the mountain itself gets easier.

Fly into Kilimanjaro International (JRO)

JRO is the closest airport to the mountain, about an hour’s drive from Moshi. Arusha is a similar distance the other way. If your cheapest ticket lands in Dar es Salaam or Nairobi, check the connection first: by road, either one is a long day’s travel.

Arrive at least one full day early

Land at least the day before your climb starts. Two days before is ideal, especially if you are renting a lot of gear from me. It also gives you time to recover from the flight, and time for delayed luggage to catch up with you. Wear your hiking boots on the plane or carry them in your hand luggage. I rent out every item on the gear list, boots included, but nothing beats your own worn-in pair.

The night before: briefing and gear check

The day before we start, I come to your hotel. I brief you on the climb, check every item on your gear list, and we sort out any rentals. It is also when you meet me properly and can ask anything.

The night after: a hot shower and a real bed

After 6 to 8 days on the mountain you will want a shower, a big meal and a long sleep. Please don’t book a flight for the afternoon you come down. Descents can run late, and your legs will thank you for a rest day. At the gate we fill in the tipping sheet together, then we all drive back to your hotel, where you hand the crew their tips in cash (see Tipping your crew).

Before you fly: quick checks

• Check Tanzania’s visa requirements for your passport, and apply online in good time.
• Bring a yellow fever certificate if you are arriving from, or transiting through, a country with yellow fever risk.
• Get travel insurance that covers trekking up to 6,000 m and emergency evacuation.
• Bring US dollars printed in 2009 or later. Older notes are often refused.