Kilimanjaro · POLICIES
Medical Requirements for Climbing Kilimanjaro
There is no mandatory medical exam for Kilimanjaro, but ALPO has its own requirements. Serious cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions call for a consultation with your doctor before you book, and we ask you to tell us about any chronic conditions in advance. At 5,895 m / 19,341 ft, a hidden health problem is more dangerous than any storm.
Who needs a doctor’s consultation before booking
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Cardiovascular conditions. You’ll need a formal clearance from your doctor confirming nothing is uncontrolled; for climbers over 60, it’s mandatory.
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Lung and respiratory conditions. Sustained aerobic effort in thin air is the mountain’s main challenge.
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Ongoing medications. Check with your doctor how they behave at altitude, and send us the list.
We are not doctors, and we do not prescribe medication. The final word on your readiness belongs to your doctor; our job is to ask the right questions before you’re on the mountain.
What we do on our end
Before the start, we go through your health and fitness in detail during the booking consultation. On the route, every climber’s condition is monitored twice a day; our oxygen protocol explains the system behind those checks. Travel insurance with altitude coverage is mandatory for every climber and is checked at the briefing.
An honest rule
If a health condition puts the climb at risk, we will say so plainly at the booking stage – not on the mountain.
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