Although no previous mountaineering experience is required, physical fitness is necessary. This trek is graded as ‘strenuous’ so the better prepared you are, the more you will enjoy it. NB: This trek allows time for acclimatisation to altitude so the body can adjust in order to maximise the chance of reaching the summit, but it is impossible to predict how anyone will react to the effects of high altitude. Minimum age: 16 years. Due to the strenuous nature of this trip combined with the high altitude we do not recommend this trip for anyone under 16 years. Please note that for your safety, oxygen bottle will be carried at all time, should you require it in high altitude.

Just in case your main luggage goes missing en route, it’s a good idea to wear your walking boots on the plane. Everything else is replaceable but a pair of comfortable, well worn-in boots are not.

As you reach higher altitudes you may experience a headache or two as your body goes through the process of adjusting to lower oxygen levels; remember to pack some headache tablets. Glucose tablets, which don’t take up much room in your daypack, are great for an energy boost.

Learn some Swahili : (Lonely Planet have a handy little guide to learning Swahili) which will add an extra dimension to your trip! There are also many good internet sites so you can learn some simple words before you travel. Your efforts are sure to be rewarded with a warm smile (no matter how wrong you sound!) – go on be brave!
Jambo – hello: is the first word you will learn, but very touristy so say Habari instead– How’s things?
Asante (sana) – Thank you (very much)
Wapi choo? – Where are the toilets?
Hakuna Matata – No problem.
Pole pole – (pronounced Pole-ay pole-ay) Slowly slowly (you will understand the need for this phrase)

And to really get you learning; try pointing to things and saying….
Unasemaje ….. kwa Kiswahili….? How do you say .…. in Kiswahili?

The Adventure Company and our local partners are working with the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project to ensure that best practices are being adhered to in relation to porter welfare.

We offset the carbon emissions associated with the in-country travel on all of our trips by supporting a solar stove and clean energy project in Madagascar. However, it is your flight that will have the largest environmental impact on your holiday. We offer you the opportunity to offset your carbon dioxide emissions with a donation to our solar stove and clean energy project in South Africa. The project is run by the non-profit organisation Blue Ventures Carbon Offset and validated by the Tourism Industry Carbon Offset Service (TICOS) as delivering measurable carbon reduction and wider sustainable development benefits for local people. We strongly encourage you to donate to our project, so if you would like to offset the carbon emissions generated by your flight, please contact us. Offsets start from as little as £4.

Since the increase in popularity of bottled water, many countries are experiencing a problem of litter especially where adequate recycling is not available. Please could you try, where possible, to use purification tablets or filters for water or buy bigger bottles of water between group members and decant into your individual water bottles.

We support the Arusha children’s trust, a charity which runs projects in rural communities in the more remote areas of The Rift Valley, seeking to improve the lives of the tribal groups that live there, without imposing Western values on them. The projects aim to help children in a number of areas including education, health services and environmental awareness. If you would like to offer your much needed help to the project, as well as monetary donations, the trust would be delighted to receive any picture books for young children, games, construction toys, puzzles or sports equipment that you are able to carry out with you.

We use local Group Leaders and our local agent is firmly committed to sustainable and ecological tourism.

The Adventure Company and our local partners are cooperating with the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (www.kiliporters.org) to ensure fair treatment of the crew and that best practices are being adhered to qualify as a Partner for Responsible Travel with the International Mountain Explorers Connection. (www.mountainexplorers.org)

As such, we carefully follow the recommended guidelines for porter treatments in wages, maximum load, tipping, meals and equipment, ratio porters/trekkers, care for porters sickness or injuries.

It’s essential to keep yourself (and your baggage) dry at all times. Also, to cope with variable temperatures, the best strategy is to layer clothing, so you can adjust your temperature. You should not underestimate the freezing cold conditions you will encounter on the mountain.
Although some clothing and equipment is available for hire locally, it’s impossible to guarantee its quality or availability, so equip yourself fully before departure. If you require further advice please call us, or consult your nearest specialist outdoor clothing and equipment store. The following is a suggestion of what you may find useful to take on this trip. It is not exhaustive and a more detailed packing list will be available upon booking.

• T-shirts (synthetic materials are best as cotton retains moisture)
• Waterproof thigh-length jacket (Goretex or similar)
• Gloves (waterproof warm outers + thin liners)
• Warm hat (or balaclava) that covers the ears
• Waterproof walking boots (well broken-in)
• Waterproof outer trousers
• Warm mid-layer (fleece or down)
• Warm long-sleeved shirt
• Warm walking trousers (not jeans!)
• Thermal underwear
• Walking socks (several pairs)
• Walking shorts
• Trainers or soft shoes for relaxing
• Sun-hat
• Gaiters

In line with the Kili Porters Assistance project, each porter won’t carry more than 25kg including 20 kg of group equipment and 5kg of their personal loads. We follow the ratio of 3 porters per trekker and we allow a maximum of 15kg load per trekker to be passed onto the porters.

• Glacier glasses (or good quality sunglasses – preferably with
  side shields)
• Personal first aid kit & essential medication
• Wet wipes
• Warm sleeping bag (3/4-season)
• Sleeping bag liner
• Trekking pole(s)
• Small towel
• Headtorch & spare batteries
• Spare plastic bags
• Water bottle(s) - minimum 3L capacity - camelbak hydration packs carried in your day packs can be useful for the first few days but are likely to freeze higher up, so should be supplemented by a couple of water bottles.
• High factor sunscreen & lipsalve
• High energy snacks, dried fruit, nuts, sweets, etc. NB: hang on to some till the last day - you’ll appreciate them more!
• A small bottle of cordial or squash concentrate or sachets of powdered energy drinks (to liven up the ‘flat’ taste of boiled water)
• Waterproof cover for your day pack
• Toilet paper

At the end of the trek some travellers might be keen to donate some of their equipment to the crew as a way of thanking them for their hard work. This isn't a universal custom but more a personal decision. This is entirely up to you but we thought we would just like to inform you of this possibility while packing your bag.

For your comfort we recommend you travel as light as possible; many airlines impose a maximum weight limit of 20kg – we advise you to take 10kg as you will be on the move a good deal! For domestic flights using light aircraft the usual weight limit is 15 kg.
One main piece (a soft bag or rucksack, not a hard suitcase).
A daypack (25-30 litres), large enough to carry what you need for the day including camera, water, etc.

Is this trek suitable for you? Please look through the below questions and if you answer 'no' to any of the altitude questions, or 'yes' to the Walking question, then please consider whether you are fit enough to do this trek.

Altitude:
Have you previously walked at altitudes above 3000m?

If yes:
Did you encounter any problems with the altitude?
What was the maximum altitude gain in one day?
How many days did you spend above 3000m?
What was the maximum altitude you reached?

If no:
What walking have you done in the past six months?
Have you done any specific training for this trek?
Have you done sufficient training to be able to cover an equivalent trekking route at sea level (this should be in terms of distance)?

Rising from the plains of the Great Rift Valley, Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest mountain. This dormant snow-capped volcano has attracted many climbers and trekkers from all over the world. It commands respect and many experienced trekkers will tell you that the only way to reach the top is to go slowly and at your own pace. Ptolemy, in the 1st century AD, described it as a 'great snow mountain' and it has changed little since then. Chinese traders in the 13th and 14th centuries documented it but it wasn't until the mid-19th century when a German missionary, Johannes Rebemann, reported a snow-capped mountain just three degrees south of the Equator to the Royal Geographical society that it was brought to the notice of the western world.
The mountain has been used for hunting and gathering throughout its history. Artefacts such as pottery, stone tools, bowls and rings made from lava have been found on its slopes. These date back to the Chagga people who moved to this area in the 17th century and who still live here today. They cultivate their homesteads with water drawn off at high levels using a system of furrows, which divert the water over long distances. Their main source of wealth comes from coffee and banana plantations.
As you climb the slopes of this amazing mountain, the constantly changing flora and fauna encourages a slow ascent. Many of the flowers are unique and some need to be seen to be believed. As you rise up through the different vegetation zones of rainforest, heath, moorland, highland desert and finally to the summit, you’ll discover an incredible diversity.
From the summit, the view is breathtaking. The gently undulating plains of Kenya and Tanzania stretch out below, and Mount Meru rises to the west. Looking down into the crater and then seeing the different shades of white from the surrounding glaciers makes it almost impossible to believe that you are so close to the equator.

Overnight flight to Kilimanjaro Airport

After your flight, you transfer (one hour) to your first night’s accommodation and check in. Set at an altitude of 1390m, Arusha is surrounded by lush fertile land and is one of Tanzania’s most attractive and lively towns. Once settled into your lodge you have time to relax and gather up your energy for the big trek! Lodge - 1 night (D)

This morning you meet your Group Leader who will brief you on the trek. You then drive (about two hours) through Kilimanjaro’s semi-tropical foothills to Marangu (1372m), situated on the south-eastern side of the mountain. As you drive, there are usually some excellent views of the snow-capped peak. On arrival at Marangu, you meet your team of guides and porters, pick up any last minute supplies for the trek, and head to the entrance of Mount Kilimanjaro National Park to register for the climb. From the cluster of buildings at the gate it is some four to five hours walk through patches of coffee plantation and dense rainforest to Mandara Hut. The forest teems with brightly-coloured bird life, colobus and other varieties of monkey. The flora includes numerous mosses, lichens and flowers, as well as delicate orchids. If the skies are clear you may have fine views over the town of Moshi lying at the edge of the plain far below. Mandara Hut is a collection of basic, A-frame mountain huts with bunk beds - quite adequate for your needs - where you inevitably meet up with fellow trekkers who are bent on the same goal. Hut - 1 night (BLD)

Your second day on the mountain starts with a steep climb through the last swathe of rainforest, though this soon gives way to rolling alpine meadow dotted with giant heather. Once you leave the forest canopy, Kilimanjaro's twin peaks - snow-covered Kibo and rocky Mawenzi - lie directly ahead, dominating the skyline. Further on you cross a zone of open heath with stunted vegetation, before emerging onto bleak moorland. Today you gain roughly 1000m in altitude, and your walk can take anything from five to seven hours - depending on the pace of the group. Tonight you stay at Horombo Huts, another collection of buildings similar in style to those at Mandara which offer shelter and basic accommodation to those on the mountain. Hut - 2 nights (BLD)

A day here provides an opportunity for you to acclimatise gradually to the altitude. Statistics show that an acclimatisation day like this effectively doubles the chance of making it to the summit, so this time is well spent! There are a few walks you can make in the vicinity of the hut - the most popular of which is to the base of Mawenzi Peak, the dramatic eastern summit of Kili. This walk takes four to five hours (round trip), and will get you to an altitude of 4600m before you return to the hut - this will stand you in good stead later on. (BLD)

The landscape becomes progressively more rocky and rugged as you leave the ‘everlasting flowers’ and other bizarre alpine plants behind. Giant groundsels and lobelias appear in the sparse moorland. Today's trail up to Kibo will again take anything between five and seven hours. Skirting Mawenzi Peak, you pass ‘Last Water’ then cross a stark, almost lunar landscape onto "The Saddle", a broad tundra desert between the two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo. From here you start to get fantastic views of the upper reaches of the mountain before arriving at Kibo Hut (4703m), a dry-stone-walled hut with dormitories and limited facilities. Tonight you prepare for tomorrow's final assault - re-packing to leave any non-essential items with the porters; you need to summon all your energy to get to the summit so there's absolutely no point in carrying anything you don't need! An early night is imperative as you must make a midnight start in order to reach the summit in the morning before the cloud cover settles, and then have time to get back down to the hut. Hut - 1 night (BLD)

This is a long and demanding day! The guides wake you soon after midnight and you start out in darkness, zigzagging up a long scree slope by the light of your torch in the extreme cold. At this time of day the scree is still frozen - which makes it easier to walk on! After roughly two hours you should reach Hans Meyer's Cave - named after the German geologist who made the first successful ascent in 1889 - where he found the remains of a frozen leopard. The gradient gets steeper and three hours on (this is the hardest stretch of the ascent!) you should reach the crater rim at Johanne’s Notch. From here it's a short scramble to Gillman's Point (5680m) in time for dawn. Your reward is the dramatic spectacle of the sun rising over the ice fields and craggy peaks of Mawenzi - the profusion of colours and shapes make all the suffering seem worthwhile! For those who still have the energy and drive, it takes another couple of hours along the crater rim to reach Uhuru (Freedom) Peak (5895m). Your descent (approximately three hours) retraces the route back down past Kibo Hut to Horombo Hut for a well-deserved rest. Total walking time approx. 11 hours. Hut - 1 night (BLD)

The pace quickens as you continue your triumphant way back down across alpine meadow and past Mandara Hut through the rainforest to Marangu Gate where you board the vehicle for the journey back to Arusha. After the solitude of the mountain this town seems like a lively metropolis. Here you can take a well-earned shower and relax with a celebratory drink! Total walking time approx. 8 hours Lodge - 1 night (BLD)

The morning is free to relax, shop, or explore. It’s worth a look at the covered market, or the stalls and shops around the clock tower. However the likelihood is that you will want to relax, maybe with a drink, at the lovely lodge in Arusha resting those tired legs and reminiscing about your journey to the highest point in Africa!! The trip ends in Arusha for Land Only clients. Clients on group flights transfer to the airport for your flight back home. NB Lunch is not included today. (B)

If you fancy completing your African adventure with a safari many departures are combined with Serengeti Explorer, or you can extend your stay and chill out on spicy Zanzibar island.