>> Difficulty rating of this tour?
This trip has been rated as challenging due to consecutive days of around 6 or 7 hours trekking with plenty of elevation gain at high altitudes. Mount Kilimanjaro (5895m) isn’t a technical climb, but the route can be steep and rough underfoot. It is also important to note that trekking at altitudes above 3000m is more demanding on the body than walking at low elevations, and this will be the main challenge. Your guide will set the pace and as with all altitude treks, the theme is ‘pole pole’ (slowly, slowly in Swahili) to help you adjust to the high altitude.
>> What different between Kilimanjaro route?
Rongai Route (7 days)
Quiet, remote northern approach with steady climbs; long summit day.
Lemosho Route (8 days)
Longest, best acclimatisation and highest success rate; full mountain experience.
Machame Route (7 days)
Scenic, efficient, and closest to Moshi; great views with solid acclimatisation.
>> Guide to guest ratio？
For every customer, you'll be accompanied by approximately 4 supporting crew members. This is broken down as one lead guide, three assistant guides, include cook/chef, pilot (toilet porter), tent crew, summit porters.
>> Rescue problem？
If you need to be taken down to a lower altitude as a matter of urgency, there are two options in place. In most instances, steel-framed, mobile stretchers can be pushed by porters to descend quickly. Most people feel immediate relief at lower altitudes where you will be evaluated and if the guides determine you are well enough, you will wait for your group at a lower camp or be taken to the gate for transfer to Moshi for medical treatment (if necessary). For more serious concerns, through a partnership with Kilimanjaro SAR, emergency helicopters can be deployed within 5 minutes for evacuation, complete with in-flight medical treatment. If you require further medical attention upon landing, you will be taken to their modern, private High Altitude Medical Clinic, designed to tackle Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). Please ensure that you have appropriate insurance coverage for trekking with evacuation coverage for up to 6,000 metres above sea level.
>> Provide emergency oxygen？
Oxygen cylinders are carried on all of our climbs for emergency use only. In addition to this, our guides perform daily health and pulse oxymeter checks, which measure both your heart rate and the percentage of oxygen in your blood. All guides are well-trained to identify the signs of AMS and act accordingly.
>> Can I leave my exceed luggage?
You can securely leave any excess luggage before setting off on the trek for free of charge.
>> Drinking water?
Your team of porters will provide you with boiled and filtered water throughout the trek.
>> Plastic bag ban
A plastic bag ban went into effect across Tanzania from 1st June 2019 and the use, manufacture or importation of plastic bags, including garbage bags and shopping bags, is now illegal and convicted offenders, including tourists, can face heavy fines, imprisonment for up to two years, or both. Visitors are advised to avoid packing any plastic bags in their suitcases or hand luggage before flying to Tanzania. Items purchased at the airport before boarding the aircraft should also be removed from plastic bags. Please check your hand luggage before disembarking at entry points and any plastic bags should be left on the plane. Similarly, the transparent zip-lock plastic bags that some airlines require passengers to use for keeping liquids, cosmetics, toiletries etc are also not permitted and should be removed and left on the plane before disembarking.
>> AMS Altitude Sickness?
This trip reaches elevations above 4500m, where the risks associated with Altitude Sickness (AMS) are higher, and where more serious conditions like HAPE (High Altitude Pulmonary Edema) and HACE (High Altitude Cerebral Edema) can occur. Before travelling, think about your own physical condition and consult a medical professional if you have concerns – especially if you have underlying health issues. If possible, arriving a day or two early at altitude is a great way to help your body adjust.Your travel insurance must cover the maximum altitude reached on this trip and include emergency evacuation.
>> Who else on my tour?
Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.
