+What to bring on mt climbing

It really depends on which route you have chosen, the following is recommended.

waterproof rucksack with daypack.
sleeping bag (covering at least 3 seasons).
roll mats and insulation pads;
comfortable hiking boots, light walking trainers, thongs (flip-flops).
gaiters (useful when encountering snow)
wooden walking stick/ski pole.
sunglasses or snow-goggles.
sun hat.
balaclava or woolen hat.
warm scarf.
gloves and mittens.
thermal underwear.
sweaters/jumpers.
anorak/raincoat.
water and windproof pants and jacket.
t-shirt and long sleeved shirt with collar.
several pairs of socks.
small towel, toiletries, toilet paper.
sunscreen and lip salve.
first-aid kit.
flashlight (head-mounted preferable).
spare batteries.
pocket knife.
sewing/repair kit.
reusable water bottle/s.
whistle.
some plastic bags.
camera with spare film/memory card and batteries;
notepad with pen/pencil.

+Does Mount Kilimanjaro need/involve technicalities?

Not at all. If you are in a good physical condition (if you are able to run for half an hour or more without feeling short of breath) you can climb and reach the summit.

Anybody with a sore throat, cold or breathing problems should stay below 3000 meters.

People with cardiac, pulmonary/respiratory or high/low blood pressure problems and the ones undergoing medical treatment should not attempt the mountain at all without consulting their doctors.

Being in the right mental state is also very important, do not push yourself to go if your body is exhausted, or if you have extreme mountain sickness or more serious symptoms.

Acclimatization is a state without Altitude Illness.

+What is Altitude Mountain Sickness (AMS)/how can I get it and how are the symptoms?

Altitude illness (also known as Acute Mountain Sickness, AMS) is caused by the lack of oxygen in the thin mountain air and it can effect anyone, regardless of age or physical condition in altitudes above 1,500 m (5.000 ft).

High altitude is considered to be between 1.500-3.500 m (5.000-11.500 ft), very high altitude between 3.500-5.500 m (11.500-18.000 ft), and extreme altitude above

5.500 m (18.000 ft).

When ascending through the atmosphere, barometric pressure decreases (though the air still contains 21% oxygen) and every breath contains fewer and fewer molecules of oxygen. Body must work harder to obtain oxygen, primarily by breathing faster. As the amount of oxygen in the lungs decreases, the blood becomes less and less efficient at acquiring and transporting oxygen, meaning that no matter how fast you breath, attaining normal blood levels of oxygen is not possible at high altitude.

The major cause of altitude illnesses is going too high too fast. Given time, your body can adapt to the decrease in oxygen molecules at a specific altitude. This process is known as acclimatization and generally takes 1-3 days at that altitude.

A headache, and any one or more of the following symptoms above 2.500 m (8.000 ft) qualifies you for the diagnosis of AMS: Loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting; Fatigue or weakness; Dizziness or light-headedness; Difficulty sleeping; Confusion; Staggering gait.    

+How can I prevent Altitude Sickness?

This information is intended to be educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. You should consult your physician regarding any specific medical conditions or questions and before taking any medications!

Altitude illnesses can be prevented by a proper acclimatization and preventive medications.

• PROPER ACCLIMATIZATION

The key to avoiding AMS is a rational ascent that gives your body time to acclimatize. People acclimatize at different rates, and in general, the following is recommended to avoid AMS: At altitudes above 3.000 m (10.000 ft), your sleeping elevation should not increase more than 300 m (1.000 ft) per night, and every 1.000 m (3.000 ft) you should spend a second night at the same elevation.

• Climb High and Sleep Low!…..

If you begin to show symptoms of AMS »Don’t go up until symptoms go down!«

If symptoms increase, go down, down, down!!!

Stay properly hydrated (drink at least three liters per day). monitor urine output, which should be copious and clear.

• Avoid tobacco and alcohol and other depressant drugs including barbiturates, tranquilizers, and sleeping pills.

Take it easy; don’t over-exert yourself when you first get up to altitude.

+Is Children allowed to climb Mt Kilimanjaro

The minimum age limit for trekking is 12 years old. This is the rules set up by

Kilimanjaro National Park Authorities (KINAPA)

+Which route do you recommend for Mt Kilimanjaro

We highly recommend the longer (7-10 days) routes (Lemosho / Machame/ Rongai) allowing your body to acclimatise naturally. Those routes overnight only in tents! For those who want to have the comfort of sleeping in the huts, the Marangu route is the only option.

Machame route is also known as the (Whisky route) and if you choose it, you will see much more of the mountain, as you are ascending from Machame Village to the Uhuru peak and then descending to Mweka Village. You will see much more of the landscape, best scenery and acclimatization is done while you are walking (you will be trekking through Karanga Valley and gaining minimal height while keeping yourself active and enjoying the scenery).

The most popular, and sometimes quite crowded, the Marangu Route is also known as the (Coca Cola route). Choosing this route, you will be ascending and descending on the same path and acclimatization is usually done by one-day resting in the huts.

The trek to the Uhuru peak is hard on any route, but the advantage of the Machame Route is that it is less steep compared to Marangu Route, and most people spend less time on the final ascend walking to the peak than on Marangu.

+What is the weather like on Mt Kilimanjaro

Equatorial to arctic conditions are present on Mt. Kilimanjaro.

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 can get as low as

minus (-25) degrees Celsius.

+How many guides, cooks or porters will accompany us

All depends on the number of people in the group and if camping or hut route has been taken, but average ratio is about 3-4 crew per each trekker (less on smaller groups and more on bigger groups). There is always one leading head mountain guide, with other guides as assistant guides, a cook and porters (2-3 porters for each trekker, each porter carrying 15-18kg- more kg means extra porters will be needed and charged).

+What happens if one person get sick

In case one person gets sick and has to stay behind or even return, he/she will be accompanied by one of the assistant guides while the rest of the group will continue with the leading guide and remaining assistant guides.

We are members of The Flying Doctor’s Society of Africa. In that respect all our clients are covered with an aero-medical evacuation insurance to Nairobi Hospital. From there your insurance will take place, so you need to be covered by a reliable and reputable insurance company. There is also a private company, Kilimanjaro Search and Rescue (SAR) that has been approved by Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) to provide helicopter rescue services on Mt Kilimanjaro, Mt Meru and other places. If you need their services/prices

let us know.

+How many people make it to the TOP of Mt Kilimanjaro

If you are in a good physical condition and plan enough time to climb the mountain, then you will reach the Uhuru Peak. People, who do not reach the summit, either get too exhausted or are suffering from strong headaches and nausea due to the altitude. The best advice is to take it slow, drink lots of water (minimum 3 liters per day plus all soups and teas) and pay attention to the symptoms of the altitude illness. We encourage you to share your symptoms with a head guide and/or assistant guides, though they are not doctors but through their experience they can advise if you could continue to the summit or better return.

+How much is the good tip

Gratuities are not included in our prices, but are expected. Tip depends on your appreciation of the received services. An estimation of 5-10% of the total you have paid for your tour can be considered as a tip to the crew. In general, one can say that 30 US$ per day is an average tip for a guide and 20 US$ per day for a cook. A porter 10 US$ per day. Given amounts are for the group, not per person, and you can always give more.