Frequently Asked Questions

Getting organised

Roughly how much will it cost ?

Our cost depends on which route you choose to tackle, and depends on things like how many days you spend on the mountain and how many porters your party needs. Expect to pay between USD1760-3890 per person. Email us or submit an enquiry for a quote!

Do you arrange hotel accommodation pre- or post- hike?

Yes, we do normally arrange for hotel accommodation in Arusha or Moshi for one night before the hike and also one night after the hike. We have a range of hotels we work with and can find something to suit every budget. Additional nights can be arranged on request.

We normally conduct a briefing the night you arrive in Arusha or Moshi (before you commence your hike) to discuss the hike ahead, check your gear, and make sure we are adequately prepared to assist you.

Do you arrange transfers from the hotel to the start of the hike? And what about from the airport to the hotel?

Yes. We do arrange transfers from Kilimanjaro airport to your hotel in Arusha or Moshi and also from the hotel to the starting point of your hike the next day. On the last day of your hike, we also arrange transport back to your hotel, and (after you've had a good night's sleep!) from your hotel to the Kilimanjaro airport.

How do we pay?

We ask that you pay a a 30% deposit at the time of your booking to secure your spot on your trip of a lifetime, with the balance due as your trip approaches. Unfortunately, due to the time and effort that goes into arranging your trip, your deposit is non-refundable.

We accept two main methods of payment.

International Bank Transfer or Online Credit Card Payment:

- The easiest option for international visitors for paying the deposit (unless you feel like visiting us in Arusha!)

- If you choose this option for paying your balance, we ask that you make your transfer at least a month before you plan to hike with us. Tanzanian banks process electronic payments very slowly at times, and it may take them two to three weeks to release the payment into our account. As a small business in Tanzania, not having the funds leaves us unable to prepare for your trip. Please send us your transaction details as soon as you have made the transfer for our reference.

Cash payment:

- Payable during your hotel briefing, the night before the hike.

- Payable in US dollars. Note that only USD printed on or after 2006 is accepted in Tanzania.

What equipment do you provide?

We provide four season tents for guests and the whole crew, sleeping mattress, tables and chairs. Auto mobile toilets are available at an extra cost. We have additional equipment for hire if needed by a client - send us an email to enquire further.

Do I need travel insurance?

Yes. We ask that you have travel insurance prior to your climb with us. In the rare events such as medical emergency requiring evacuation or repatriation, you could incur large costs if you do not have adequate insurance. At a minimum, the insurance should protect you against trip cancellation. Not all standard travel insurance policies will cover you for climbing Mt Kilimanjaro - we recommend calling your travel insurance provider to discuss prior to travelling to Tanzania.

Getting ready

What do I need to pack?

Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 35-45L bag)
A duffel bag (maximum weight of 32 lbs/ 15 kg)
Hiking poles — optional
Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
Warm hat and a buff or scarf
Sun hat
Warm gloves or mitts and thin liner gloves are also useful
Waterproof jacket and trousers
Waterproof gaiters
Warm jacket – fleece or down jacket, potentially ski jacket
Waterproof jacket over the top
Fleece tops or hiking shirts/sweatshirts
Base layers or T-shirts
Pair of trekking trousers and shorts
Leggings or thermal bottoms or running tights
Several sets of underwear – cotton best avoided
Several pairs of good quality trekking socks
Waterproof trekking boots
Trainers or flip flops/sandals
Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
Favorite snack bars
Head torch
Power pack for charging phones etc
Wash kit
Flask for hot drinks — optional, useful on summit night
Earplugs — optional
Sunglasses
Camera — optional (but recommended)
Sleeping bag (can be rented for $50 per trip)
Pillow — optional
Sleeping bag thermal liner — optional

Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
Keep in mind that it can get very cold in some of the camps due to strong winds.
A porter can carry a max of 32 Lbs/ 15 kg per person. There will be multiple porters depending on the amount of baggage and in case your baggage weighs more, you can hire another porter for an additional fee.

How fit do I need to be? How can I prepare my body?

You don't need to be exceptionally fit, but you need to be well prepared. Most days consist of 6-10 hours of walking, with steep uphill sections and sections with loose gravel underfoot. The better prepared you are/more experienced hiker your are, the more likely you are to have an enjoyable time on the mountain.

You do not need special mountaineering skills to reach Uhuru Peak - it is a "trek" rather than a "climb".

Hiking Kilimanjaro is not a race. The experience will be more enjoyable if you bring positive vibes and take your time to enjoy every moment. There is no hurry - "pole pole", Swahili for "slowly", is a phrase you'll be hearing a lot!

What do I need to know about altitude sickness?

Anyone who ascends to an altitude of over 2000m is at risk of altitude sickness; evidently, this includes everyone attempting to summit Mt Kilimanjaro.

Altitude sickness, or mountain sickness is caused by gaining altitude too rapidly. This does not allow your body enough time to adapt to changes in the atmosphere - reduced atmospheric pressure, and therefore a reduced amount of oxygen.

Initial symptoms of altitude sickness include headache, lethargy, incoordination, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite and a drop in performance. In severe cases, this can progress to high altitude pulmonary oedema (fluid accumulating in the lungs, preventing oxygen from entering your bloodstream) or high altitude cerebral oedema (fluid with the brain, causing increased pressure within your brain itself). Both of these can be fatal without prompt medical treatment. Symptoms of severe altitude sickness include breathlessness, heart palpitations, blue-tinged skin and nails, frequent coughing, frothy or pink-tinged sputum, irrational behaviour (such as refusing to acknowledge symptoms) and an inability to sit up or walk in a straight line.

Altitude sickness is best prevented by ascending slowly and allowing your body time to acclimatize. All our routes take this into account, and we will remind you on the hike to hike slowly - relax and enjoy the views! Reducing the risk of altitude sickness is also why we spent a relatively short amount of time at base camp and Uhuru peak. Staying hydrated is also important - we recommend drinking 3-4L of water per day. Some hikers choose to take medications to help prevent altitude sickness. If this is something you are thinking about, we recommend you discuss this with your doctor prior to arriving in Tanzania.

If you develop symptoms of altitude sickness on the hike, the best treatment is to descend. We will advise you stop climbing any higher and assist you off the mountain if necessary.

If you have had altitude sickness before, this does not necessarily mean you will get it again. A lot of factors come into play, especially the rate of ascent and time spent at elevation.

On the mountain

What do we eat? And drink?

Our cook is arguably the most important member of your support crew! They will cook a hot meal for breakfast and dinner each day. Depending on the route/day, we may set up for a hot lunch if only hiking in the morning, or pack a lunch to eat on the way. Please alert us of any dietary requirements when booking your hike.

How many guides and porters will there be?

Exact numbers depend on how large your group is - however, climbers are often surprised by how large their support crew is!

What happens if there is a medical emergency?

We will be able to accompany you down and off the mountain to seek medical attention. Our guides are all first-aid trained, and trained in recognising altitude sickness. This may incur significant additional costs; please ensure you have purchased travel insurance prior to arriving in Tanzania.

Our ethos

How much do you pay your porters?

We pay our porters according to guidelines set by the Kilimanjaro Porters Association (KPAP); 20,000 TZS (which is around 10 USD) per day

Am I expected to tip at the end of the hike?

With most companies, tipping guides and porters at the end of the hike is customary. However, we have found that this "unspoken arrangement" can lead to confusion. Therefore, we offer two packages. If you would like to avoid the extra thinking required around giving a tip, we can include the "tip" for you in your quoted cost - in this case you are not expected to tip additionally at the end of the hike. Alternatively, if you would rather tip your guides and porters personally at the end of the hike, your upfront quoted cost will not include this. We would like our guests to be able to choose to option they feel most comfortable with.

How else do you ensure porter welfare?

Our porters are outfitted with proper hiking clothing and equipment, and sleep in quality tents and sleeping bags. Just as we care for sick or injured guests, we also take proper care of our sick or injured porters.

We strictly adhere to the 15kg limit that the national park sets as the maximum weight a porter can carry. We ensure our porters have three meals a day and adequate access to drinking water.

Most of our porter's gear comes from local markets or mountain equipment rental shops. Some clients have chosen to donate their clothes after their hike; if this is something you would consider, we would welcome it!

Your prices are on the high side. Why?

Because we are a legit registered tour company which uses qualified and experienced crew members so as to care about your safety and also we pays a decent salary.

Where does the money go?

Our costs obviously vary from trip to trip. The following is an example of our expenses:

- Kilimanjaro Authority fees

- Conservation fees: USD70 per day

- Camping fees: USD50 per night

- Rescue fee: USD20 per trip

- Entrance fee: USD2 per crew member per trip

- Valued Added Tax: 18% of services

- Expeditions arrangements (meals, equipment etc.) USD220 per trip

- Transport USD180 per trip

- Crew salaries USD80 per day

- Accommodations before and after the hike USD90

- Expeditions arrangements for the crew USD190

- Plus other indirect taxes such as taxes on the crew's salaries

At the end, we aim to make a profit of around 15% of the entire balance payment.

Are you partnered with KPAP?

Not yet. Being a new company, we have not yet had the chance to prove to KPAP that our operations are in line with their standards. We are, however, working towards becoming a KPAP partner company.