Mount Kilimanjaro

[Kilimanjaro Routes | Kilimanjaro FAQ| Kilimanjaro Guides| Kilimanjaro Safety| Kilimanjaro Gears| Kilimanjaro Fitness  Programme] Kilimanjaro FAQ When is the best time to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro? Does climbing the Kilimanjaro involve technicalities? Park fees included? Do your Tanzania trips include any transfer for those arriving in Nairobi, Kenya? Can Children climb Kilimanjaro? What is the weather like on Mt. Kilimanjaro? How long does it take to reach the summit? What kind of climbing gear do I need? Can we leave excess luggage behind whilst on trekking ? How do I cope with change of altitude? Are rescue facilities available? What kind of accommodation is provided for the 2 nights, before and after the climb that are included in your climbing prices? What kind of accommodation is available during climbing? What's the food like during the climb? Do you accommodate people with dietary restrictions? Who prepare the food on the mountain? How is cooking done on the mountain? What about drinking water? Can we buy drinking water/ soda on the Kilimanjaro? What is the number of climbers? How many guides, and porters and cooks do we get? Do you have luggage (weight/size/number) limitations on your climbs? What if one of us gets sick and has to return? Do you provide a free transfer if a climber had to return from the mountain earlier than What shots should I get? What additional costs can I expect when I travel with you? How much is a good tip? Will I have a chance to interact with the local people of Tanzania? Is my payment going to help local African Communities? Can I use a credit card to pay for my Climb? What is the deposit amount to hold my space? When do I need to pay the balance of my trip? What happens if I need to cancel my trip? What happens if we have to cancel your trip? Do you cancel or charge more in case other people cancel a trip? 1. When is the best time to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro? Even though one can climb throughout the year, January, February and September are the best months, with June, July, August, October and December also being good.                                                                                                Top 2. Does climbing the kilimanjaro involve technicalities? Not at all. Any person in good physical condition can climb and reach the summit. You should be able to run for half an hour or more without feeling short of breath. No one with a sore throat, cold or breathing problems should go above 3000 meters. People with heart or lung problems should not attempt the mountain at all without consulting their doctors. Being in the right mental state is important. Do not push yourself to go if your body is exhausted, or if you have extreme mountain sickness or more serious symptoms. Top 3. Park fees included? Yes, both our Kilimanjaro and Safari prices include park fees and all other applicable fees and taxes.                                                                                                         Top 4. Do your Tanzania trips include any transfer for those arriving in Nairobi, Kenya? Yes, we include free bus shuttle transfer Nairobi-Arusha-Nairobi for those arriving/departing from Nairobi. Please be advised that there are 2 daily bus shuttle transfers between Nairobi and Arusha, leaving from either place at 0800and 1400, arriving to the other destination at 1230 and 1830 respectively. We can pick you up from either Nairobi airport or most hotels located in or near Nairobi City center. You need to be ready at least half an hour before the scheduled times. Please be advised that the most convenient airport will be Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).                                                                                       Top 5. Can children climb Kilimanjaro? The minimum age limit set by the National Park Authorities for trekking to Uhuru Peak is 12 years old.                                                                                                           Top 6. What is the weather like on Mt. Kilimanjaro? Equatorial to arctic conditions are present on the Kilimanjaro. The range begins with the warm, dry plains with average temperatures of 30c, ascends through a wide belt of wet tropical forest, through zones with generally decreasing temperatures and rainfall, to the summit where there is permanent ice and below freezing temperatures. The temperature at the top of the mountain get as Low as minus 25 degrees Celsius.                                                                                       Top 7. How long does it take to reach the submit? Climbing through the Marangu route, one can reach the summit in 5 or 6 days, including a day and a half of descending. On the Machame, Lemosho, and other routes it is normal for one to reach the summit in 6 or 7 days including a day and a half of descending. Top 8. What kind of climbing gear do I need? You need to have the following stuff for your climbing: Boots, thermal underwear, warm clothes- top and pants, water/Windproof Pants and shell, socks (at least 6pairs- to be changed at least once on the way up), winter hat/balaclava (cover head and ears), water bottle, gators (for wind and mud), gloves (water/wind proof), neck warmer or scarf, sunglasses, flash lights, and batteries, walking stick, sleeping tent (for all other routes other than Marangu), sleeping bag and rain wear. Please be advised that we do provide sleeping tent and mattresses on our climbs.                                                                       Top 9. Can we leave excess luggage behind whilst on trekking? Yes, you can leave the stuff, which you do not need to carry with you up the mountain at the hotel, or in our office. Valuable items including cash should be specified.                                                                                                                      Top 10. How do I cope with change of altitude? As you ascend the oxygen in the air decreases. Low oxygen in the blood causes shortness of breath during exertion, increased ventilation and heart-beats. You can acclimatize/adapt to the altitude by ascending slowly and pacing yourself, avoiding exertion and breathing regularly and deeply.                                               Top 11. Are rescue facilities available? Yes. Only Marangu route has reliable, equipped rescue team. Rescue services on other routes, is done by contacting the Park Headquarters who will then quickly send the rescue team. The mountain rescue fees covers rescue service from the top to the base of the mountain. We recommend flying doctor service membership (a $50 value) to cover from the base of the mountain to your hospital.   Top 12. What kind of accommodation is provided for the 2 nights, before and after the climb that are included in your climbing prices? The accommodation is at a mid class hotel that has rooms with en-suite bathrooms, mosquitoes nets, a bar and a restaurant. It is located in a quite neighborhood. For those who prefer something fancier, we can upgrade this to a five star hotel with an extra few dollars. Top 13. What kind of accommodation is available during climbing? Only Marangu route offers accommodation in a dormitory style huts- having beds and mattresses. All other routes offer accommodation in tents. There is a very limited number of climbers on Marangu route allowed, making a necessity for a well in advance booking.                                                                                   Top 14. What's the food like during the climb? Our typical food on the mountain includes: Breakfast: coffee, tea, porridge, fruits, fruit juice, scrambled eggs/omelet, sausage, toast, margarine, honey and jam. Lunch: hot tea, coffee, chips, sandwiches, biscuits, pancakes with honey or jam, and fruits Dinner: soup, cooked meat or vegetarian meal (these include chicken/beef with rice, sliced fresh carrots and green beans, mashed potatoes, and salads), fruits, and fruit juice, and variety of hot drinks.                                                               Top 15. Do you accommodate people with dietary restrictions? Absolutely! Our skilled cooks are happy to accommodate your dietary restrictions and/or allergies.    Top 16. Who prepare the food on the mountain? Skilled cooks serving as porters will prepare food for you. Also, they will boil, filter and refill your empty water bottles for you.                                                Top 17. How is cooking done on the mountain? All our meals are prepared on portable kerosene and gas stoves by our skilled cooks. Our low-impact policy prohibits us to use firewood on the mountain.     Top 18. What about drinking water? We recommend you drink about 4 -5 liters of fluid each day. Water is best, but fruit juices are a good supplement. Carry your own water bottle at all times, as dehydration is a real problem on the mountain. The air is very dry above 4000 meters so avoid panting and dry to breath through your nose. Control sweating by wearing removable clothing and pacing yourself. Sip fluids frequently. Monitor your urine; output should be at least 1.5 liters per day and the urine should be clear. Top 19. Can we buy drinking water/soda on the kilimanjaro? Yes, drinking water and soda can be bought on the mountain in Marangu route. It is much more expensive however than in Moshi town. However, there will be enough water for you up the mountain, and our stuff will boil, filter and refill your bottles.                                                                                                                       Top 20. What is the number of climbers? Our climbs have a minimum and maximum number of 1 and 15 climbers respectively. In most cases, we have a maximum of 10 climbers, and average of 4 climbers.  Top 21. How many guides, and porters and cooks do we get? All depends on the number of people in your group. You will have one leading guide, with assistant guides serving as porters, and porters (including skilled cooks). We guarantee enough number of porters for your luggage, food, and water.   Top 22. Do you have luggage (weight/size/number) limitations on your climbs? Unlike most other Companies, We do NOT have luggage limitation on our climbs. We also provide free storage for stuff which you do not want to bring it with you up on the mountain. Top 23. What if one of us gets sick and has to return? In case one person gets sick and has to stay behind or even return, he or she will be accompanied by one of the assistant guides while other climbers goes on with the leading guide and other assistant guide (s) Top 24. Do you provide a free transfer if a climber had to return from the mountain earlier than a scheduled day? Unlike most other Companies who charge about $100, we provide a free transfer from the mountain to the hotel should a climber return earlier than planned.      Top 25. What shots should I get? For medical advice it is always best to consult your doctor. Please contact Tanzania embassy in your country for any updated info on minimum requirement to get into Tanzania/ Kenya if any. Top 26.  What additional costs can I expect when I travel with you? Our Land cost prices include almost everything. The only extra costs you will incur are tips, some of the climbing gears, and meals that are not listed on your itinerary. Top 27. How much is a good tip? The recommended ones per day (from the whole group) are: Leading guide: $16, each assistant guide: $12, and each porter: $7. Off course you can pay more if you are particularly impressed and less if you are not.                                       Top 28. Will I have a chance to work together with the local people of Tanzania? Absolutely! You can even start talking to some of our staff in Tanzania office, who were born in Kilimanjaro region, raised there, climbed the mountain several times and know it than anybody else!  Top 29. Is my payment going to help local African Communities? Absolutely! We are a majority owned African Company, and are able to help our local African Communities. Some percentage of your money goes to local projects that we support, including Supporting Children Program.                                              Top 30. Can I use credit card to pay for my climb? No we do not accept Visa or MasterCard for your safari deposit. The balance is due 60 days prior to departure and is payable through our Bank in Arusha.       Top 30. Can I use credit card to pay for my climb? No we do not accept Visa or MasterCard for your safari deposit. The balance is due 60 days prior to departure and is payable through our Bank in Arusha.      Top 31. What is the deposit amount to hold my space? We do require a deposit of at least $300/person for Kilimanjaro trekking bookings.                                                                                                                    Top 32. When do I need to pay the balance of my trip? The balance is due 90 days prior to the day your tour commences.                Top 33. What happens if I need to cancel my trip? If you cancel a tour, then the following cancellation fees will apply: For all tours cancellations received more than 90 days prior to departure, $500 per person cancellation fee per tour or extension; 89-60 days, 20% of the tour price; 59-30days, 50% of tour price; 29-15 days, 75% of tour price; 14 days or less, 100% of tour price.                                                                                   Top 34. What happens if we have to cancel your trip? In the unlikely event that we must cancel a trip due to some reasons beyond our control, you will receive a full refund. We have never cancelled our trips for years!                                                                                                                          Top 35. Do you cancel or change more in case other people cancel a trip? Absolutely no! Once we receive your deposit, both price and departure are guaranteed.                                                                                                                Top

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