Mount Everest Base Camp vs Mount Kilimanjaro. Which is harder?

NB. We are not comparing Mount Everest to Kilimanjaro but Mount Everest Basecamp vs Mount Kilimanjaro. Notice the difference, because, obviously reaching Mount Everest Peak is harder than Mount Kilimanjaro by far. But here we are comparing the base camp of Mount Kilimanjaro to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Mount Everest or Mount Kilimanjaro, how different apart are the mountains, and which is harder to climb? We take a look at the significant features and differences that separates these two giants. The obvious difference is location, Mount Kilimanjaro is located in Tanzania, whereas Everest Base Camp is located in Nepal… The Everest Base Camp Trek and Kilimanjaro have three major distinctions.

To begin with, we believe that the summit day on Kilimanjaro is more difficult than any other day on the Everest Base Camp Trek. The days on Everest Base Camp expeditions, on the other hand, are longer. In addition, the day-to-day trekking is a little more difficult than on Kilimanjaro. A Kilimanjaro climb also gets you to high altitude far faster than an Everest Base Camp expedition. While there are a few additional aspects that distinguish the two journeys, we’ll focus on what we believe to be the most significant changes.

Check out Mount Kilimanjaro routes and packages

Hiking up Mount Kilimanjaro or trekking to Everest Base Camp (EBC) are two of the top climbs in the world.
However, picking which one to tackle first might be difficult, especially if you’ve never walked at a high altitude before.
After completing both journeys, I thought I’d share some of the most important things to think about before taking the leap.

Hiking Mount Everest vs Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro

These two majestic mountain giants provide a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that elevates travel to a whole new level. For those who are new to mountain climbing, Kilimanjaro is a fantastic alternative, while Everest Base Camp is another fantastic option. Climbers who have a lot of expertise in alpine circumstances at high elevations are more suited for summiting Everest. To assist you to choose between climbing Kilimanjaro or Everest, we go into a bit more depth about each climb.

Cost – Which one is cheaper? Everest or Kilimanjaro?

Climbing Kilimanjaro is, without a doubt, a more costly expedition than hiking to Everest Base Camp.

How much more will it cost?

I’d say it’s around 2.5 times more expensive on average.
The cost of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro varies greatly depending on the company, route, trek group size, and time of year.
However, you should budget roughly $2500 for the climb and an additional $1000 for foreign flights.
When you include in insurance, equipment, and gratuities for your support crew, you may expect to pay roughly $4000 to climb Kilimanjaro.

Trekking to Everest Base Camp, on the other hand, is far less expensive, especially when compared to a regular Kilimanjaro expedition.
EBC journey expenses vary by operator and other factors, but on average, expect to pay between $800 and $1000 for the climb. This normally includes your flight from Kathmandu to Lukla airport (where the standard EBC trip begins), as well as your support staff and teahouse accommodations.
Food, beverages, and snacks are normally purchased separately, and most hikers can get by on $30 per day. A typical walk lasts 12 days, thus daily spending should be approximately $300-$400.
International flights to and from Kathmandu vary in price depending on origin, although they are typically less expensive than flights to and from Kilimanjaro. It should be possible to achieve it for a budget of $600-$800.

After factoring in a few hundred dollars for insurance, clothing, and support crew gratuities, an EBC trip will cost between $1800 and $2500.
Both experiences may, of course, be done on a tighter budget if you’re ready to forego some creature comforts and put in the effort to discover economical but dependable local operators.

To know how much Mount Kilimanjaro costs, click here.

Duration – Which one takes longer, Kilimanjaro or Everest?

As previously stated, the EBC journey lasts around two weeks, which is approximately twice as long as a regular Mount Kilimanjaro expedition.
Finding two weeks off work and away from family is difficult for many individuals. As a result, Kilimanjaro is a popular endeavor for individuals with limited time.
The EBC trek takes longer because it is greater in length, not because it is larger in distance. Instead, acclimatization is to blame.

EBC has a steady rise and descent, which means that once you reach a high point on the path, it takes a long time to descend to a lower elevation. The body can better acclimate to the altitude with a more steady climb. If someone ascends swiftly on the EBC path, they are likely to get altitude sickness, which is quite dangerous, especially if a rapid descent is not possible.
On the other side, Kilimanjaro has a steep rise and descent profile. This implies that if you climb rapidly, you’ll get altitude sickness exactly as you would on the EBC hike, but it’ll be far simpler to descend swiftly on Kilimanjaro. This is why, on the EBC journey, helicopter rescues are usual but nearly unheard of on Kilimanjaro.

How many days does it take to climb Kilimanjaro?

Routes – Everest vs Kilimanjaro

To be honest, it’s impossible to say which mountain routes are the greatest because both the breathtaking heights of the planet have distinct and exciting things to see and do. The trek to the summit of Mount Everest is lengthier, and the routes include different “break days” when you may visit mountain towns and explore religious sites that provide a beautiful experience. However, you will encounter primarily desolate paths while walking Kilimanjaro, with only a few communities on the foothills. Although the treks are short (as little as 5 days), they are distant, calm, and provide stunning natural views.

Kilimanjaro Summits vs. Everest Base Camp

Most hikers compare the two mountains; while Everest leads you to the base camps, Kilimanjaro leads you to the summit.

Everest base camp is 5,364 meters above sea level, with Uhuru, Kilimanjaro’s highest peak, being 5,895 meters, albeit Everest’s summit is roughly 8848 meters. Both mountains provide easy climbs; you don’t need any specific climbing abilities to journey to the summits of these mountains, but you will need to be physically fit.

Read also about Mount Aconcagua vs Kilimanjaro

Summit Success Rate

When comparing Kilimanjaro with Everest, there is a definite distinction to be made. Climbing Everest Base Camp has a higher success percentage than climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, depending on the routes, length, and cost. While the average success rate for walking Mount Everest Base Camp is 90%, the success rate for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro varies between 90% and 50%. While the Everest base trip is fairly new and well-established, the routes provide plenty of opportunities for climbers to unwind.

Though the beautiful Kilimanjaro provides more variety than Everest, the paths are generally inaccessible and tourism is not well established.

Which is more comfortable, Kilimanjaro or Everest?

Both treks take climbers to incredible heights, and they each have their own specialties. Although Everest Base Camp is more pleasant owing to the old established routes, Kilimanjaro is not as difficult if you use a professional trekking company and use well-established routes. If you choose the Marangu Route, you will be able to relax peacefully in heated huts with beds. If you’re trekking with a reputable company like Tranquil Kilimanjaro, your comfort will be a top priority.

After analyzing a few statistics, we may conclude that climbing Mount Everest is difficult, but climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is more difficult than Everest Base Camp.

So, if you’re planning a walk up Mount Kilimanjaro, choose a reliable trekking partner to secure your safety and a greater chance of success. If you want to go on a rewarding hike up Mount Kilimanjaro, book a climb here.

Best time to climb Everest and Kilimanjaro

March through May or September through October are the finest months to hike to Everest Base Camp. Because the later season corresponds with Everest climbing season, there is a lot of activity on the trail and in the teahouses strewn along the way.
Because Nepal is located on the Asian subcontinent, the rainy season runs from June to August each year, making this an inconvenient period to climb to EBC.

Winter treks are available from November to February, but if you are not a seasoned trekker or hiker, I would avoid this time since the weather may be quite severe.
The hiking season on Kilimanjaro is much longer.
The peak season begins in June and lasts until October. This is the greatest time to climb Kilimanjaro, although the shorter season between January and March is also popular, as it is calmer but also cooler.
Although there is a chance of rain in November and December, hikers can still access the peak. The only months I would avoid are April and May, when Kilimanjaro’s lower slopes are dominated by monsoon rains and cloud cover is constant.

Which is more difficult, Kilimanjaro or Everest?

The Gokyo trek to EBC includes a glacier crossing (note there are no glacier crossing on the Classic EBC route).

It’s tough to tell the difference in difficulty between the two journeys because they each have traits that make them distinct.
If I had to choose, I’d say Kilimanjaro is more challenging since the summit push is substantially more demanding than anything encountered on the EBC journey.
The daily walking at altitude on the EBC path, on the other hand, takes its toll and is a struggle.

Sense of Achievement

Both expeditions give you a tremendous sense of accomplishment.
It’s a magnificent sensation to stand on the Roof of Africa or to reach the stacked stones and prayer flags at EBC.
But, once again, I’d have to conclude that reaching the peak of Kilimanjaro provides a little sweeter sense of accomplishment.
This is due to the fact that summit night is a really epic challenge that takes most individuals beyond their comfort zones.

Scenery – Is Everest more beautiful than Kilimanjaro?

Both treks offer amazing scenery, it is hard to just pick one as they are all unique in their own ways. It’s incredible to see Mount Kilimanjaro for the first time. The mountain stands alone and unattached amid a landscape that is flat in most directions. The stark contrast between Kilimanjaro’s huge geologic structure and Tanzania’s flat plain is both startling and impressive.
The terrain differs considerably on the peak itself. There is so much variation to take in, from lush jungle on the lower slopes to moorland, lunar deserts, and glacier views higher up.
Nothing, however, compares to the Himalaya in terms of mountain scenery. And the EBC trip takes place in the Himalayas’ most difficult and important region.
In reality, the EBC journey allows you to see four of the fourteen 8,000-meter peaks, including the main attraction, Mount Everest.
The Himalayas are really breathtaking, and there is no better place to see them than on the Everest Base Camp hike.

The most scenic routes on Mount Kilimanjaro

Vegetation, wildlife, and attractions

Trekking to Everest Base Camp or climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is fantastic, but what about the rest of the sights?
Both Nepal and Tanzania are fascinating places to visit.

Kathmandu Attractions for Everest climbers

The bustling metropolis of Kathmandu is a great attract card in terms of the former.
In Kathmandu, there are a plethora of cultural activities to partake in. Kathmandu has a lot to offer, from exploring the fantastic marketplaces in Thamel to visiting the various Buddhist and Hindu holy sites across the city.
If city activities aren’t your thing, head south to Chitwan National Park, where you can encounter wild Asian elephants, one-horned rhinos, and Bengal Tigers.

Tanzania safaris for Kilimanjaro climbers

I strongly advise visitors hiking Kilimanjaro to extend their stay in Tanzania by one week because there is so much to see and see.
The Serengeti and Ngorongoro National Parks in northern Tanzania is among the best on the continent for wildlife safaris. They’re also within a short distance from Kilimanjaro.
Combining a safari with a visit to the beautiful island of Zanzibar is the ideal way to cap off one of the world’s most incredible bucket-list experiences.

The 3 Main Differences between Mount Kilimanjaro & Mount Everest Camp

While there are a few additional aspects that distinguish the two journeys, we’ll focus on what we believe to be the most significant differences.

1. The Everest Base Camp Trek has longer daily distances.

The climb to Everest Base Camp is lengthier than the Kilimanjaro expedition. While our standard Everest Base Camp expeditions are 12 or 13 days, we favor an 8-day Kilimanjaro ascent. The Kilimanjaro routes, all the way up to high camp, are far simpler to walk than the Everest Base Camp pathways. Throughout the journey, the Everest paths feature more ups and downs. They’re also more difficult on the way down because there’s more distance to traverse. For distances up Kilimanjaro on our 8-day Lemosho Route treks, CLICK HERE.

On the Everest Base Camp journey, you’ll be trekking greater distances, with more elevation gain and loss each day, on more difficult terrain than on the Kilimanjaro trek. On the EBC journey, you’ll spend more nights at high altitudes, which might provide its own set of issues for certain people.

2) On Kilimanjaro, you reach higher altitudes faster.

One of the major anxieties many people have when going on a Kilimanjaro climb or a journey to Everest Base Camp is the ‘unknown’ of travelling to such a high altitude. The high altitude of the Everest Base Camp hike, in my opinion, is more challenging for most individuals. Living at high altitude is far more difficult than travelling to high altitude, believe me.

Because you will be living at a higher altitude for a longer period of time on the Everest Base Camp, it will be a larger physical challenge than the shorter time you would spend on Kilimanjaro ascending to an even higher height.

In terms of your experience at high altitudes, the Everest Base Camp climb will be more difficult than the full Kilimanjaro expedition. GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CLIMBING Mt. Kilimanjaro. You spend the majority of your time on Kilimanjaro between 3,500m/ 11,483 feet and 4,000m/ 13,123 feet, with very little time above these heights. You spend 4 or 5 nights above 4,400m/ 14,435 ft on the Everest Base Camp climb, which can be taxing on your body. You must have adequate acclimatization integrated into your Everest Trek schedule in order to be successful. Three nights at Namche Bazaar, at 3,500 meters/11,500 feet, are included in all of our trips.

3). The Kilimanjaro Summit Night is More Difficult Than the Everest Base Camp Trek

Kilimanjaro, in my opinion, is more physically demanding than the Everest Base Camp Trek. On Kilimanjaro, there are several steep descents that may be completed in a short amount of time. The walk may become more physically demanding as a result of this. No matter how experienced a trekker you are, the summit night is exceedingly difficult. On summit night, if the weather permits, we will start from the higher Kosovo camp at 4,900m/16,076 ft. This increases our teams’ chances of reaching the summit by avoiding some of the most difficult terrains on summit night.

The ascent to the peak is shortened if you choose this higher camp. It also provides you more time to recover and a safer and more pleasurable summit experience. However, this is not always achievable.

If the winds are extremely strong, you may have no choice but to remain at Barafu camp, which is located at 4,650 meters/15,256 feet. It takes about 6 hours to reach the summit from Kosovo Camp. Then it’s roughly a two-and-a-half-hour trek back to camp for a few hours of relaxation.

This summit night is significantly more challenging than anything you’ll encounter on the Everest Base Camp trip.

Other Things to Think About

In saying all of this, there is no one-size-fits-all solution, and not everyone shares the same viewpoint. When picking between the two excursions, there are other more aspects to consider. To begin, your age, physical condition, and fitness will determine which option you choose.

Your capacity to deal with camping, your ability to adapt to a lack of oxygen, pain, food, bathrooms, bodyweight, strength, sunburn, hydration, pace, service, and information will all play a role in your ability to achieve and enjoy both fascinating activities.

Watch this award-winning documentary – climbing the Everest basecamp