The exact number of days it will take you to scale the mountain will vary depending on your route, the size of your group, your fitness level, and most importantly, your acclimatization. While it’s possible to climb the mountain in as little as five days, most climbers take a week or longer to reach the summit. The shortest possible routes to the top are the Marangu and Umbwe routes, which can be completed in five days, although it’s not recommended for first-time climbers. The longer treks, Machame, Rongai, Lemosho, and the Northern Circuit take anywhere from six to ten days to complete.
When you look at the statistics, it’s clear that those who opt for the longer trek have a significant advantage. In 2003, 85% of climbers who took eight or more days to reach the summit were successful, while only 27% of the climbers who chose the five-day trek successfully completed the climb.