Everest Base Camp vs Kilimanjaro

Everest Base Camp or Kilimanjaro? Which one should you do if you can only pick one? Well, it's a hard question to answer, as they're both awesome trips! (Do both!) However, they are quite different, and in this blog I'm going to highlight some of the key attributes and main differences which I think may help you choose which one is for you.

	Everest Base Camp	Kilimanjaro
When to go?	April / May or October / November are the key times to trek in Nepal.	Avoid March to the end of June thanks to the wet season, but most other times of the year are good.
How many days trekking?	There are a few variations on the route, but the ordinary route will see 13 days of trekking.	If you just do Kilimanjaro, you'd want at least 8 days on your chosen route. Our itineray includes Mount Meru which totals 9 days of trekking over 2 mountains (and great acclimatisation!)
Average daily duration of hiking?	5-6 Hours, with a longer day of about 9 hours if you wish to visit Kallar Pathar for Sunset after visiting Everest Base Camp	Most days are 5-6 hours long, but the summit days are big! On the Kilimanjaro summit night you will leave camp about midnight and it'll likely take you about 9 hours to get up and down. After a short break, you then have 3 hours more hiking.
What's the highest point on the trek?	5,364 at EBC, or 5,545m if you summit Kallar Pathar (Optional)	5,895m on the summit of Uhuru Peak (Kilimanjaro's Highest Point) and also 4,566m on the summit of Mount Meru.
What's the accommodation whilst on the trek?	Teahouse treking (Twin sharing rooms)	Camping (twin sharing). It's lodges and 4 to a room on Mount Meru
What about Food?	On the Everest Base Camp Trail you are able to choose your meals from a menu. This ranges from eggs, toast and pancakes at breakfast, through to rice, noodles, pasta, pizza and even chips for the lunches and dinners.	On Kilimanjaro the cooks determine the menu. Breakfast is often Porridge, toast and eggs. Lunch and dinner can be soup, Chicken, stews, salads, chips and rice. There's certainly plenty of it!
Do I need any specialist equipment?	No, all you need other than your 'Usual' hiking gear is a sleeping bag.	Much like EBC, all you need outside of your day to day kit is a sleeping bag (and maybe a sleeping mat if you want to ensure maximum comfort overnight)
Can beginner trekkers do it?	Despite the high altitude of 5,364m reached, I'd say that this would still just about be suitable for a first trek.	Many rookie trekkers do take on Kilimanjaro, but given this is nearly a 6000m peak, I would recommend attendees had previous experience at altitude. If they didn't have previous experience, then high levels of hill fitness would help compensate for the demands experienced (although fitness isn't a magic key to being good at altitude).
How risky is it?	The trail itself is quite safe with no technical demand. To get to the start of the trail you do need to fly to Lukla, which is regarded as 'The most dangerous airport in the world'. Of course, the chance of crashing is slim, but poor weather can add delays into the trip. With regards to acclimatising, the 13 day itinerary hosts sufficient acclimatisation to enable you to get to EBC safely.	The trail on Kilimanjaro is technically easy, with the summit day being the most rugged underfoot. Internal transfers are just done by bus, so no flight like in Nepal. If you climb Meru as well, expect to do some easy scrambling. Kilimanjaro is known for it's harsh ascent profile, and as a result many people do get Altitude sickness. Again, this is why we add Meru to the start of our trip to provide a brilliant opportunity to aid acclimatisation ahead of Kilimanjaro.
What's the journey like?	The EBC trail certainly feels like more of a journey. From when you land at Lukla, you venture up the Khumbu valley through ever changing landscapes, during which the views change fairly regularly. You do however retrace your steps back along the same trail on the return.	Focusing on Kilimanjaro, it does provide a change of environment as you ascend, but you do feel like you are just climbing one massive mountain throughout (which of course you are!) Compared to the EBC trail, it's feels like less of a journey as a result. For this reason, we also add Meru beforehand to add some variety - and given you'll probably see lots of wildlife on Meru it really is a superb addition.
Which trip is harder?	Although in my opinion this is an easier trip - it isn't easy! You'll trek about 130km, and any trip that heads over 4000m certainly adds a new dynamic with the altitude element.	Kilimanjaro, mainly because of the big summit day. Trekking through the night for 4-5 hours uphill is quite tough on the body - but exceptionally rewarding too of course!
How much does it cost?	For the trek (£2300), Flights (£1100-£1300), Insurance (£140) and Tips (£100) you're looking in the region of £3700	For the trek (£3300), Flights (£1000-£1300), Insurance (£140) and Tips (£300) you're looking in the region of £4800

Does that help? Possibly not. They really are different experiences, and both worthwhile too.

In my opinion, I would say the EBC trail is 'friendlier' to the novice trekker in more ways than Kilimanjaro, notably the fact it's just that bit more comfortable for someone if they're not used to camping. If you wanted to do both of them, but it's just a case of which one first, then definitely head to EBC and then tackle Kilimanjaro.

Check out our trips here:

Everest Base Camp: https://www.lmgtreksandexpeditions.com/everest-base-camp

Kilimanjaro: https://www.lmgtreksandexpeditions.com/kilimanjaro-and-mt-meru

At Everest Base Camp