Included within the price of a Kilimanjaro climb with Authentic are park fees, airport transfers, and accommodation in Arusha before and after your climb, even on lightweight itineraries.

Our trips are all ‘non-participatory camping’, which means a full camp team and crew is provided.

On the luxury and VIP specification climbs, a private, proper loo tent is provided as opposed to using the public long drop loos.

Fresh fruit and home cooked (nothing freeze dried or boil-in-the-bag) three course meals are included. Meals are served in a designated dining tent with proper seating.

Our climbs use new, top of the range kit and equipment.

We use only high quality guides who have constant training to keep knowledge up to date.

All our climbs are equipped with supplementary oxygen, pulse oximeters, and customised evacuation stretchers. All the guides are First Aid trained.

Our team in Kilimanjaro employs one crew member as a runner, whose sole job on a climb is to run to the next camping site to claim the best camping area for the group (i.e. not on a slope or on rocky ground).

You will benefit from a full operations team at base who are in constant communication with the head guide who monitors the group’s progress.

The guides we use have superb emergency training and the crew have the same access to emergency aid as the paying climbers.

These include:

.Route Choice
.Staff to Climber Ratio & Staff Roles
.Kilimanjaro Climb Team training
.Kit, Safety Kit and Communications
.Your Health and Fitness
.Route Choice

We specifically exclude the fastest climbing route up Kilimanjaro, the Marangu Route, as we believe, among other reasons, that the increased speed up the mountain on this route reduces your opportunity to acclimatise to the change of altitude. This is likely, in all cases, to lead to a lower success rate and in certain cases can be unsafe.
Kilimanjaro’s Machame and Lemosho routes both allow a greater amount of time for acclimatisation and on certain days you will have the chance to climb higher and then sleep lower, one of the best ways to avoid altitude sickness and achieve your goal – standing on Kilimanjaro’s summit

Staff To Climber Ratio & Staff Roles

Our ratios of staff to climbers on Kilimanjaro is very high, meaning you might have twenty staff accompanying just two people, thirty staff for four climbers or even sixty for fourteen climbers. These are figures for climbing Kilimanjaro’s Machame Route, whereas the longer Lemosho Route requires further staff to ensure people are not overburdened by the extra food and supplies.

There are dedicated roles for each member of our Kilimanjaro climbing team, including: camp staff, cooks, porters, assistant guides, and guides.

Porters are as much part of our Kilimanjaro climb team as our permanent staff. We ensure their loads are limited to 20kg plus their personal kit and this is all loaded in custom made climbing bags.

Kilimanjaro Climb Team Training

Training for our Kilimanjaro climbing team is ongoing, with formal training for guides, in English and Swahili, twice a year. We encourage everyone to progress within the team with porters able to become full time members as assistants or camp crew and camp staff to become part of the guiding team.

Kit, Safety Kit And Communications

Before you arrive to climb Kilimanjaro, we will ensure you know what kit we will provide and what you need to bring to be safe and comfortable. We will check this kit as part of the pre-climb briefing in Arusha and give you a full briefing on your climb.

Our kit is checked before each Kilimanjaro climb by the operations manager together with the head guide. In addition to all the climbing kit, we carry oxygen, a custom evacuation stretcher, a pulse oximeter, altitude sickness checklists and first aid kit. For any Kilimanjaro climb that sleeps inside the Kibo Crater, where a quick descent cannot be made, we carry a portable altitude chamber.

Twice a day on Kilimanjaro your guide will check your oxygen levels and pulse rate with special oxygen and pulse oximetry. The readings are vital to examine how you are coping with the effects of altitude and are communicated back to the base camp where the information is recorded and monitored.

When you are climbing Kilimanjaro the team will make contact with the base camp at least twice a day by mobile telephone or satellite phone, as appropriate for the position on the mountain.

Your Health And Fitness
To climb Kilimanjaro you need to be able to walk significant distances at altitude – the detailed climb descriptions will give you the lengths of each day’s walk. In most cases you will need to do some training before arriving in Tanzania including practicing with the kit you aim to use on the climb.

We also recommend a medical check before attempting a climb of Kilimanjaro, especially if you are over forty years old or have had conditions in the past which have limited your ability to trek.

You also need to ensure you complete the pre-climb information we ask for accurately. Certain conditions can become life threatening at altitude on Kilimanjaro and we need to know your medical conditions before you climb.

During the climb briefing we will cover all aspects of the trip including ensuring you are safe and comfortable on Kilimanjaro. If at any stage you feel unwell you must tell the guide for your own safety. We will do what we can to make you comfortable and allow you to complete your climb.

Not Completing The Climb

Although our Kilimanjaro climb success rate is high, even the fittest clients can succumb to altitude sickness, or other problems which mean they cannot complete the climb.

If this happens we will ensure you are accompanied off the mountain by at least one other person. We also use the same procedure for staff members who cannot complete the climb.

If your descent is very early, we can arrange other activities to fill your free days. Unfortunately there will be additional costs for any other arrangements and there are no refunds for Kilimanjaro climbs which are not completed.

The Next Step

If you’d like to know any more information including: prices, departure dates of group climbs, or to check availability for a private climb,please contact us.

Ultimate Kilimanjaro Treks has more than 10 years of experience in leading hikers and climbers to the summit of Kilimanjaro. Our experienced guides have a proud summit success rate averaging between 96% – 98% and have safely guided thousands of clients to the top of the mountain. This internet guide aims to provide the potential Kilimanjaro climber with valuable and accurate information on Ultimate Kilimanjaro Treks , which will hopefully contribute towards increasing your chances of a successful summit attempt. We have compiled this information over years of experience as well as from feedback from previous clients. From all the information provided in this guide, the tips listed on this page is probably the most important.

Before the climb

Be properly equipped

An essential part of your preparation will be to ensure that you are well equipped for your summit attempt. Print our final checklist and mark it off, to ensure that you are. to get to this very important step in your preparation.

Be physically prepared

It is important that your body is adequately prepared for the physical challenges of Mount Kilimanjaro. We have developed a fitness training program which will assist you in getting your body in shape for your Kilimanjaro summit expedition. Please

Mental preparation

It is possible to summit Kilimanjaro successfully. Many before you have succeeded. This should be topmost in your mind when preparing for the summit attempt. You should always remain in a positive state of mind, but not overly arrogant. Try to anticipate various different scenarios, which you may possibly encounter on the mountain and try to work out the most suitable course of action, mentally by yourself or even as a group. Your mental stamina will, without a doubt, make the really difficult sections, like from Kibo to Uhuru or from Barafu to Uhuru, easier to complete. Remember if you are properly equipped, you have taken everything as indicated on the final checklist, you are physically prepared and have all the knowledge gained from this internet guide – you will be mentally confident for the physical part of Kilimanjaro.

Adequate travel insurance

Make sure that you have adequate travel and medical insurance, which will also provide you with cover for the climb up Kilimanjaro.

On The Mountain

Go slowly

Go slowly – “Pole Pole” as they say in Swahili! This is also very important during your first days of climbing. Even if you feel well, slow down and enjoy the scenery.

Drink enough water

Make sure that you drink at least 3 – 4 liters of liquid a day – preferably water. For your first day it is recommended that you take along fresh water, which may be purchased at the hotel in Moshi before your climb. Try to get the bottles with the screw tops, this way you will also have containers in which to take water further up the mountain. Running water on the mountain is safe to drink from day-2 onwards, but care should still be taken. If you are not used to fresh water in nature, prevent any inconvenience by using water purification tablets. REMEMBER! A functioning “body water balance” is one of the keys to a successful climb!

Walk high – sleep low

If possible and especially on your acclimatization day “walk high – sleep low” Try to do a short evening stroll to a higher altitude and then descend to sleep at the camp at a lower altitude. This is essential on your acclimatization day.

Climb light

Climb as lightly as possible; this becomes even more important on your summit night. Extra weight will slow you down and will also make breathing more difficult.

Packing

Remember that you will be on the mountain for at least 5 or 6 days. You need to take enough clothing, especially socks to last for this period. Due to frequent rainfall as well as numerous streams on the routes, it is advisable to pack items individually in your bag. These individually packed items should be wrapped in plastic bags to prevent them from getting wet in case of rain or of being accidentally dropped in a stream.

Clothing

You will require the correct underwear, thermal hiking socks, gloves (preferably mittens), warm head protection, rain coat, sunglasses and sun protection cream. Also remember your hiking boots, hiking/running shoes (it is not necessary to walk with boots or climbers shoes until the last sections where scree and rocks are encountered), and very importantly, a walking stick / ski-pole. One of the most critical items of clothing is an outer jacket. You want it to perform the functions of keeping you warm, protect you at temperatures of as low as minus 25 degrees Celsius, keep the wind out and yet still “breath”. Try to avoid tight fitting clothing or underwear. This will hamper circulation, causing either cold or discomfort on the mountain. A balaclava is a must, as it will protect your face against cold, wind, sun and snow. Other clothing like shorts, sweaters and T-shirts are strongly recommended, especially during hiking on the lower slopes, when the day temperatures are still high.
The only way to ensure that you are dressed warmly is to follow the principal of wearing the correct clothing layers, starting from against the body. A common mistake made by climbers is to wear almost everything they have and to start off with cotton against the skin. Cotton absorbs moisture perfectly, and moisture trapped against the skin will result in a definite lowering of the body temperature, which could even lead to hypothermia. It is therefore very important to use proper thermal underwear with “wicking” properties (a fabric which has the ability to draw moisture away from the body) and thus enabling it to evaporate to the outside. The middle layer should provide the insulation and a product like polar fleece will be adequate in this regard. The outer layer should be windproof, waterproof and breathable. Products like Ventex, Gore-Tex or Jeantex offer these properties. Short of altitude and physical exertion, cold is one of the most serious obstacles when attempting to summit Kilimanjaro. After securing your booking with us, you’ll receive a comprehensive document, to guide you through the steps of purchasing the correct gear.

Take a ski – pole

A ski – pole is essential. Use of ski poles reduces external and internal loads on the knee joint by up to 20%. Using 1 ski pole is a must, but 2 poles are recommended. Buy one or hire one but take one – view our Gear Rental options.

New batteries

Replace your head lamp and camera batteries with new ones on your summit night.

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)

AMS commonly affects people at high altitude, who are not accustomed to high altitude conditions. AMS can be lethal if not treated immediately or if its symptoms are ignored. Probably 70% of all people climbing Kilimanjaro will suffer to some extent from AMS. You should familiarize yourself with this condition and take preventative care. Click Altitude Sickness for more information on this medical condition.

Malaria

Malaria occurs below 1800 meters and you should use the recommended prophylactics. Please consult your doctor about these. Currently, there are various preventative medication products available which will be effective against the malaria strains currently found in Tanzania. Women using oral contraceptives should consult their physicians before using prophylactics.

Other useful tips

Wet wipes

There is no washing water at Kibo and Arrow Glacier camps. Wet Wipes are very useful.

Snacks

Take enough snacks like energy bars etc.

Adequate sun protection

Wear a good quality pair of sunglasses (with UV protection) and use adequate sun protection cream with a protection factor of at least 20+.

Thermal flask

Use a thermal flask for your water on the summit night, other water bottles might freeze solid.

Camera

Taking pictures with a fully automatic camera at the summit of Kilimanjaro is possible, and most people do this. The secret is to always have a new battery in your camera when going into cold areas at high altitude. A mechanical camera works just as well, provided you have the knowledge to operate it successfully. Cameras exposed to cold do not cease functioning, but remember that if you keep your camera inside your jacket and the lens becomes warm, chances are that it will form condensation when suddenly exposed to extreme cold. This condensation will freeze under conditions at the summit. Therefore, keep your camera dry at all times. Moisture will freeze at the summit which WILL cause your camera to stop functioning.

Film

ASA 200 film is good for taking photographs in relatively little light. You might reach the summit just before sunrise and may not wish to wait due to the altitude and the cold. After sunrise, film with ASA 200 or 100 are fine. There are numerous classic photo opportunities, some of which are only available in low light conditions. If you can, and if you are a serious photographer, we recommend that you take a small, portable tri-pod with you. Also remember that it is sometimes so cold that you cannot hold the camera steady.

Mountain water

The stream water high on the mountain Kilimanjaro has been tested and has been found to be fit for drinking. However, if you would like to be on the safe-side, use water purification tablets or ask your guide to boil the water for you. This can be done in the evening. You can fill your flasks in the morning, ready for the next part of the climb.

THE MOST IMPORTANT TIP OF ALL – ENJOY THIS ONCE IN A LIFE TIME EXPERIENCE!!!

General Travel Information

Credit cards

Credit cards are only accepted by the major airline companies and by most of the bigger hotels and lodges. Do not rely on credit cards as a source of cash while in Tanzania. In some cases a surcharge will be added to credit card payments. We suggest that you take sufficient travelers checks/cash and use the credit card as a back-up only.

Climate

There are two seasons of rain in Tanzania: the long rainy period (monsoon) which runs from late March until June and a short rainy period, which runs from November until mid January. The long rains fall in heavy downpours, often accompanied by violent storms. The short rains tend to be much less severe.

Currency

The Tanzanian Shilling is the local currency, but travelers checks and cash in US$ are recommended. The current exchange rate is approximately Tsh 1500 = US$ 1. It is possible to change foreign currency at any Bureau de Chance, which generally gives better rates than hotels and most banks.

Make use of the currency converter to check the exchange rate.

Duty free

The following is duty free:

• 250g of tobacco
• 50 cigars
• 200 cigarettes
• One litre of wine
• 0.25 litres of perfume

Electricity

The local electricity supply is 220 volts, 50 cycles ac. You will need to supply your own international standard adapter for your electrical appliances.

Health requirements

A valid yellow fever vaccination certificate is compulsory and must be produced at the airport upon arrival. Malaria occurs below 1800 meters and you should use the recommended prophylactics. Please consult your doctor about these. Woman using oral contraceptives should consult their physicians before using prophylactics. The best way to prevent contracting Malaria is to try and avoid mosquito bites by using an effect insect repellent, by sleeping under mosquito nets and to wear proper clothing after sunset. Meningitis can be present during the dry seasons.

Recommended Immunizations

As a sensible precaution we recommend that you consider getting at least some of the following recommended immunizations:

• Hepatitis A & B
• Typhoid
• Cholera
• Tetanus (lockjaw)

Please check with your local travel clinic for the latest recommendations.

Immigration & customs

An onward ticket and sufficient funds are required when entering Tanzania. Tanzanian people are friendly and will always offer a helping hand.

Insurance

It is strongly advised to take out travel insurance which should cover baggage as well as personal accident and medical insurance and specifically covering your Kilimanjaro expedition.

Language

The official languages are Ki-Swahili and English. There are more than 120 tribal vernaculars.

Religion

Mainly Muslim, Christian and Traditional beliefs. Please keep in mind that you are entering a different country with strong religious customs.

Security

As with any other town, walking alone at night is not advisable, and it is preferable to use taxis which are available at most hotels. Do not leave cash or valuables in your hotel room and use a safe deposit box.

Make use of a safe deposit box to keep your belongings safe, and do not leave anything of value lying around in your hotel room.

Visa and entry requirements

Visas are required by most visitors to Tanzania. Visas are available at your local Tanzanian Embassy. Costs vary from country to country. Visas are valid for 3 months. It is possible, however, to obtain a tourist’s visa for a single entry at any ONE of the FOUR MAIN ENTRIES into Tanzania -subject to the fulfillment of all immigration and health requirements-, for those who could NOT apply for visa from Tanzania Mission abroad. These are:

1. Dar-es-Salaam International Airport
2. Zanzibar International Airport
3. Kilimanjaro International Airport
4. Namanga Entry Point (Tanzania-Kenya boarder point)

Payment, at all these points, is in US Dollars or its equivalent in Sterling. For all other entry points in Tanzania, visitors must hold valid visa prior to approaching those entry points in Tanzania. However, in order to avoid unnecessary delays, those who proceed to Tanzania from a country where there IS a Tanzania Diplomatic Mission or Consular Office are strongly advised to obtain their entry visa prior to departure to Tanzania.

Other Important Points

Qualified and experienced guides

Authentic Kilimanjaro Guides are compulsory for all routes on Kilimanjaro. All our treks up the mountain are lead by highly trained and qualified guides, registered with the Kilimanjaro National Parks Board. Each of our guides has been selected over years, based on experience, safety record and through feedback from previous clients. Over the years they made a major contribution to our proud success rate of 96%+ and have safely guided in excess of 7000 successful Authentic Kilimanjaro clients to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Support staff ratios

The average ratio of our support staff to climbers is 3 porters per climber, a cook and one guide for a maximum of 4 climbers. This excellent staff to clients ratio, bolstered by our superior support equipment, will ensure your safety and enjoyment on the mountain.

Porters and cook

Authentic Kilimanjaro porters do not only transport your gear and the supplies up and down the mountain. Arriving at every camp site long before you, they will have already erected your tent on your arrival. In the evening they will also boil drinking and washing water and the cook will prepare dinner of a quality that has surprised many previous clients.

Weight limits for porters

Remember that there is a weight limit of 15 kg (30 lbs) per climber, on the gear of each climber to be pottered. A soft duffel bag (barrel type) is preferred – a rucksack is not necessary as they prefer to porter the loads balanced on their heads and shoulders.

Tipping

This is a “compulsory tradition” on every Kilimanjaro climb. We recommend giving a tip of between US $ 130 to US $ 200 per climber to the mountain crew at the end of the climb. We recommend giving the tip to the main guide who will then distribute the tip among the mountain crew. We recommend not paying any tips until you and all your gear have descended from the mountain.

• Guide US$ 100 – 150
• Assistant Guide US$ 90
• Cook US$ 80
• Porters US$ 35 – 40

It is recommended not to pay your porters any tips until you and all your gear have descended from the mountain.

More on becoming a guide on Kilimanjaro

Qualifying as a Kilimanjaro guide brings with it great prestige and respect within the local community. Bearing in mind that your guide would have been employed as a porter for at least 3 years after which he would have been trained and employed as an assistant guide for at least a further 2 years. Only then did he earn an opportunity to become a registered guide, provided that he was found suitable and competent. On average guides and porters will do three (5 – 6 day) summit expeditions per month. That equates to between 15 – 18 days per month on the mountain!

This is without a doubt an extraordinary achievement.

Don’t leave home without it…here are a few last-minute reminders, FAQ and things that you need to know about travel in East Africa.

Passports

Make sure that you have a few clean pages in your passport before you leave home. African immigration officials are not that different from bureaucrats the world over and will rarely miss a chance to make life difficult if they see something they don’t like. If your passport is cluttered or due to expire less than six months after your departure date you will be given the third degree, perhaps even disallowed, so make sure you check before you leave home.

Tourist & Transit Visas Tanzania

• For most overseas travelers, including those of the US, a visa is required to enter Tanzania. Theoretically all citizens of commonwealth countries, with the exception for the UK, India and Nigeria are visa exempt, but do not bank on that.
• A single entry tourist visa can be obtained at your port of entry. It usually costs the equivalent of US$50. If you feel inclined you can get your visa ahead of time at your nearest Tanzanian Embassy, but this is not strictly necessary.
• It is a great idea to travel with a handful of passport type ID photographs, since sometimes these are required and sometimes not. They are always very useful to have.
• For anything other than a single entry tourist visa, for example a multiple entry or business, is required you will need to apply for this before travel.
• You will only need a transit visa if you move from one port of entry/exit to another. For international flight transfer these are not required.
• Visa application form

Visas For Other Regional Transfers

Depending on where you are flying in from, you might effect a flight transfer from any number of regional hubs. The main ones are Johannesburg, Addis Ababa, Nairobi and of course Dar es Salaam. Usually these transfers are trouble free, but if for example you are transferring in Nigeria, even if you do not leave the airport, you will be required to have a transit visa, even though there appears to me no mandated requirement for this.

• Nigeria is a very tricky country, the corruption capital of Africa, so it is always worth covering your back if you are stopping over or transiting there.
• Addis Ababa is usually a trouble free hub. Ethiopia has a good reputation, and Ethiopian Airlines is a very highly rated carrier. Usually transit through the airport is smooth
• Kenya is also usually trouble free. Like Nigeria, Kenya is wickedly corrupt country, and although it does not confront you quite so abruptly as it might in Nigeria, you still need to watch your back.
• If you run into any trouble in Johannesburg it will usually be because the airport is so extensive. Johannesburg is the developed world, and transit is as slick and trouble free as anywhere in the west.

Transit Between the Main Regional Centers and Kilimanjaro

You can sometimes save a bit of money and add an extra dimension to your trip by routing your flight to one of the regional capitals and overlanding to Kilimanjaro. One thing you can guarantee about Africa is that life is centered along the freeways, and the most concentrated cultural interchange tends to happen at bus stops and train stations.

• From Nairobi to Moshi is an easy trip to arrange. There are several bus-lines that offer the trip, and a million and one matatus ply the route every day. You can either book your fare in advance with KilimanjaroExpress (luxury bus) which is the BWA recommended carrier, or you can wing it by getting out onto the road an waving down some local transport. Either way it is a great little journey.
• From Dar es Salaam to Moshi is also a nice extra, and although it can be rough travel, you can also use Scandinavian Lines and see a little bit of the Tanzanian hinterland without the photoshop touch ups you will get on an organized safari.
• From Further afield the trip from Zambia is long, but there are a few options, the best of which is the TAZARA rail link to Dar es Salaam from Kapri Mposhi, and then overland to Moshi.
• From Uganda you can bus to Bukoba and catch the Lake Victoria ferry to Mwanza and then overland it to Arusha. This is a tough journey but one of the great East African epics.

Cash, Cards & Traveler’s Checks

All are relevant in Africa, and Tanzania in particular has a comparatively sophisticated tourist industry and mercantile and banking system. The greenback, however is king, and he who travels with Uncle Sam travels far and easily. Street deals to change money at border posts and other transit hubs are pretty standard, but keep your wits about you and brush up on your mental arithmetic. Do not take any cash that has been stuffed into an envelope!!! This will almost always end up being newspaper cuttings. Tanzanian street dealers are quicker and slicker than David Copperfield!

Credit cards work with hotel bills, flights, and mainstream shop purchases, but you need to carry hard currency for the many tips and transactions you will make outside the mainstream. Try and change either at a bank or a hotel, but check the exchange rate first, sometimes black market rates on the street are much higher.

Unless you are traveling in the mainstream traveler’s checks are an encumbrance. You have to change them at a bank and the rate and commissions don’t make much sense. It is the safest way to travel though, and if you are nervous about the prospect of carrying all your money in cash then convert to TCs.

Credit cards are almost always subject to a commission or some other percentage charge. This is usually against international regulations but you could waste a lot of time and energy arguing about it.

Flight Planning

It is a surprising fact to some people that Kilimanjaro has its own international airport. Kilimanjaro International (JRO) is situated more or less between Moshi and Arusha, and serves the bustling tour industry in the region. This is the jump off point for Kilimanjaro and all the major reserves and game parks concentrated in this amazing part of the world.

• Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airlines are two highly rated local carriers, and the odds are fairly high that you will come in on either on or another of these. If you are flying in from the Antipodes or the Far East then you will probably fly in via Johannesburg in which case you will transit up to Dar es Salaam via South African Airways, arguably one of the world’s premier airlines.
• London and Amsterdam are the main transit hubs for flights from the US to Tanzania. The KLM flight from Amsterdam is the only mainstream European airline that flies directly into Kilimanjaro International Airport. A popular connection from the US is to Amsterdam and then on to JRO. During peak seasons chartered flights are available, the main one being Condor Air from Frankfurt.
• From the US Ethiopian Airlines out of Washington Dulles and via Addis Ababa is a reasonable and commonly used flight.
• From Australia Qantas flies to Johannesburg from where the connection to Dar es Salaam on SAA is direct.
• Precision Air is a locally own Tanzanian domestic airline that will almost always be your connecting flight either from Dar es Salaam or Nairobi to Kilimanjaro.
• From JRO you can also reach Zanzibar direct on Precision Air, and direct connections also exist to Kigali inRwanda if your plan is top see the gorillas, Entebbe if you plan to go on to Uganda, or indeed Mombassa if you plan to hit the East African beaches.

This is a gray area of travel in Africa, and is something that tour operators with their need to accentuate the positive are often reluctant to talk about, but it is a fact of life in Africa, in particular in East and West Africa, but to some degree everywhere on the continent. Tanzania is one of the more notable centers of corruption in Africa, as is Kenya, and any transit through these countries requires awareness and caution. Here are a few basic warnings, but in general you need to be aware of the potential for scams, and at all times be wary of requests for help, offers of assistance, overly friendly people and in fact anything that seems to good to be true or abnormal.

• If you are in a tight corner, and a uniformed official offers you a way out for a buck or ten, take it. If you run foul of the local bureaucracy appeals to fair play will serve no purpose. If this is the only game in town then go with it.
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• Buying drugs on the streets is a one-way ticket to major stress and expense. If you feel you need to try the local product make your connection at your hotel and backpackers lodge. Never walk out onto the street and try and score. The first connection is your lodge or hotel gatekeeper or security guard. There is nothing unusual in approaching this source, and usually no trouble will come of it.
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• Requests for help and financial assistance will come at you from all sources, and usually this is a standard exploitation system that with the advent of mass tourism has become very slick. You need a thick skin and you need to be able to say no. There is no doubt you will hand out some cash, it is hard not too, but try if you can to select out the genuine need from the obvious fraudsters.
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• Be very careful in the matter of local sexual adventure. Prostitution is a danger zone the world over but in Africa the trouble can be very ugly indeed. The most corrupt elements of society are usually the police, and at the merest sniff of police interest you can expect to pay. Keep as far away from the cops as possible, and in particular the heavy hand of arrest and detention. The bottom line is always cash, and the flow of capital is heavy and usually mono-directional.
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• Wherever you have relatively wealthy people coming into contact with large numbers of very poor people, crime and violence are inevitable. Don’t put yourself in the way of harm, don’t set out at night down unlit streets, or follow your ‘new friend’ into a dark and unlit alley. All these are obvious protection measures, and the usual rules of caution will help in many ways to keep you safe.

Tailored Kilimanjaro Climbs

We specialize in Private climbs where you choose the date, the route and you climb with just your friends and your guides and crew. But we can do far more than that: we will genuinely work with you to create your own adventure incorporating pretty much whatever you would like.

Special diet: no problem we can do that. Honeymoon trip: no problem we can make it special. Here are some of the things we are regularly asked for: if there is something else you would like just ask.

Crater Camp

• Sleep at 5730m in Kilimanjaro crater, right beside it’s glaciers, higher than every African

• A surreal experience not to be missed but not for the faint hearted

• Has the huge attraction that you can be first to the rim of the crater in the morning to view that spectacular African sunrise

Upgrade your accommodation: choice of upgraded hotels

• All our packages include a night before the climb at a local hotel that is clean and comfortable but relatively basic by western standards. We offer upgrades either to Premium Hotels, generally small hotels with better accommodation and facilities, and to Luxury boutique guest houses and lodges like Impala Hotel.

Add extra acclimatization or rest day

Increase your chances of success by adding an extra day to acclimatize. Altitude Mountain Sickness can mean that you feel unwell. An extra day will allow you to rest and recover without losing your opportunity to summit. Available on all routes

Your own loon too: private toilets

Kilimanjaro public toilets are well used to say the least, so if you’d rather not join the queue for the loo, you can have your own private toilet tent complete with custom-built ‘throne’!

Lighten the load :private porters

• It’s challenging getting you up Kilimanjaro, so why not let your daypack take care of itself. A personal porter will carry your daytime essentials, such as drink, packed lunch, warm clothes, sun cream etc. so they are to hand whenever you need them. If you’re not used to carrying a rucksack then this is a wonderful option and again can improve your chances of reaching the highest point in Africa

The Booking Conditions and the Booking Form comprise the contract between you and Authentic Kilimanjaro . When you sign the Booking Form you are agreeing to the Booking Conditions. When you ask us to book your Kilimanjaro trekking , you appoint us to act as your agent to arrange travel and other services. When we have done that for you and confirmed the booking and you have paid the initial payment, we will accept responsibility for providing your tour. Keep this document in a safe place after reading it.

Booking

How do I make a booking?

One person should make the booking on behalf of everyone who is going the tour. That person must be at least 18 years of age when they book the tour. He or she will be the first name on the booking form. This person must have the agreement of everyone who is going on the tour to make the booking with us and will be responsible for making sure all payments due for your holiday are paid in full and at the right time.

The person who is going to make the booking must fill in and sign our booking form. The names of everyone travelling on the holiday must be included on the booking form. This must then be sent to us together with your deposit or full payment as set out in clause 3. Providing we are able to do so, we will then confirm your chosen holiday.

How will my holiday be confirmed?

Your holiday will be confirmed when we issue a Booking confirmation. As soon as we do so, there will be a binding legal agreement between us. The Booking confirmation will be sent to the person who makes the booking. Please check your booking confirmation and all other documents thoroughly as soon as you receive them, as the responsibility is yours to advise Ultimate Kilimanjaro Treks without delay about any details that appear to be incorrect – it may not be possible to make amendments at a later date.

Disability or other medical condition

If you or any member of your party suffers from a medical condition or disability, which may affect their tour arrangements, full details of the disability or medical condition must be advised to Authentic Kilimanjaro s . If in the opinion of Authentic Kilimanjaro a particular tour is not suitable for the disability/medical condition, then we reserve the right to refuse a booking at our discretion. In the event of the disability/medical condition not being made known to Ultimate Kilimanjaro Treks before/at the time of booking, then we further reserves the right to cancel the booking at any stage and the normal cancellation charges will apply.

We are happy to welcome travelers with disabilities on many of our holidays but regret that in some cases we are unable to do so, due to the travel arrangements and/or the hotels, which are featured. The suitability of any tour will depend on the nature of a disability and in some cases whether the person with the disability is accompanied by an able-bodied companion. In order to ensure the comfort, safety and enjoyment of your holiday we must ask all such intending travelers to provide details of your disability and any special requirements before booking so that we can advise whether a particular holiday is suitable and, where necessary, instruct our representatives accordingly.

Price

The tour prices quoted are valid for dates of the respective tours only. Authentic Kilimanjaro reserves the right to adjust the tour price at any time (before full payment for the tour is received), due to currency fluctuations or any other unforeseen circumstances. Until full payment is received, the client will at all times be liable for any increases with regards to park fees, hotel rates, airfares airport taxes, fuel surcharges or exchange rate increases.

Tour prices are based on the total package and no breakdown of costs will be provided. Prices quoted do not include any items unless specifically specified in a booking documentation to the client.

Items Not Included In Your Tour Price

The following items are not included in your basic tour price:

• Tips to porters, cook and guide
• Travel insurance
• Passports, visas and vaccinations
• Optional excursions, meals not specified and items of a personal nature
• All airport taxes and air fuel surcharges
• Personal hiking gear
• Meals, snacks and drinks not specified

Please see the relevant section below for details.

Accommodation

Our prices are per person based on the shared occupancy of double or twin-bedded rooms. (Alternative accommodation supplements are given with the individual holiday details). While a supplement is normally charged for single rooms in Tanzania hotels these are often inferior to double or twin-bedded rooms. Three-bedded rooms are usually twin rooms with an extra bed. Check-out time is generally between 10am and midday on the day of departure.

Please note that hotel ratings used in our brochures and website refer to local classifications. Grading systems vary from country to country and cannot be compared. As far as possible we will use the hotels stated in our brochures and website. Occasionally it may be necessary to use an alternative hotel of equal standard and you will be advised at the earliest opportunity. The term `hotel’ includes motels, inns, lodges and other equivalent establishments according to local classification.

Shared accommodation

On most holidays a single room costs more. On selected tours we are able to offer shared accommodation in a twin room with another single person – you then have the pleasure of companionship and pay no supplement. This is, of course, subject to someone of the same sex being willing to share. If you are willing to share please indicate this on your booking form.

Payment

An initial payment (deposit) of 20% is required at time of booking. Authentic Kilimanjaro will be under no duty to provide any services to the Client until the Client’s initial payment has been received.

The balance of the total tour price is payable not less than 8 weeks before the departure date. Ultimate Kilimanjaro Treks shall be entitled to cancel the booking in the event that the balance of the tour price has not been received in full by us 8 weeks before departure in which event a cancellation charge of 20% of the total tour price will become due.

Authentic Kilimanjaro reserves the right to cancel any booking without any further notice, which is overdue in terms of any outstanding payment and all monies received to date of such a cancellation will be put towards the cancellation charge payable by the client.

Travel documents will not be released until receipt of full payment.

Accepted methods of payment include: bank transfers, cash or credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, and Paypal

Cancellation by the client

In the event passengers cancelling their reservations Authentic Kilimanjaro shall have the right either to claim the total amount of any deposit paid by such passenger or to claim any damages suffered by the company. The maximum cancellation fees, which may be imposed, are as follows:

Prior to departure % of the tour price:

• Up to 42 days 20%
• 42 to 28 days 30%
• 28 to 14 days 50%
• Less than 14 days 100%

Should a passenger cancel his/here reservations due to medical or work related reasons, Authentic Kilimanjaro will grant an extended 10-month period to reschedule the trip from date of cancellation. The client will at all times be liable for any increases with regards to park fees, hotels rates, airfares or exchange rate increases / cancellation fees. The Client will have to complete and sign a new booking form, accepting the new conditions.

Please note Clients cancelling for a Marangu route will lose the deposit paid to the National Park for their climbing permit.

Cancellation by the company

In circumstances beyond the Company’s control such as war, terrorism, hostilities, riots or political unrest (or the threat of any of these), industrial disputes, natural disasters, adverse weather conditions or the withdrawal of (or significant interference with) travel or accommodation facilities, it may be necessary for the Company to cancel the Client’s booking. In such circumstances, the Company will notify the Client of the cancellation as soon as practicable. Following such cancellation the Company may refund to the Client all or part of the monies paid.

In other circumstances, such as insufficient demand for the holiday, it may necessary for the Company to cancel the Client’s booking. In such circumstances the Company will notify the Client of the cancellation as soon as practicable. The Company will then offer the Client a similar holiday, if one is available, but if that is not acceptable to the Client, the Company will refund all monies paid by the Client.

Liability

Authentic Kilimanjaro or its Agents shall not be liable for any injury, damage or loss including consequential loss to any person or their possessions howsoever caused, including personal injury, disease or death caused by or contributed to by negligence of Authentic Kilimanjaro , its employees or Agents. Authentic Kilimanjaro shall further not be held responsible for any type of claim, including damages to persons or property, loss of enjoyment, delays and illness as a result of, but not limited to:

• Acts, errors or omissions, injury, loss, accidents, delays or irregularities that could be caused by the breakdown or defect of a land vehicle or airline carrier or any other company transporting passengers;
• Negligence, fault or omission on the part of a tour service supplier or its personnel, including all persons over which Authentic Kilimanjaro has no direct or immediate authority;
• Theft, strike, illness, quarantine, mechanical failure, terrorist attack, war, government or police constraint, weather condition, or any other cause beyond our control, including any modification to the itinerary resulting from these events;
• Bankruptcy or suspension of activities of a carrier

While every precaution is taken on the tour, Authentic Kilimanjaro or its agents does not hold itself responsible for death or any injury or loss, which might occur to such persons sustained from any cause whatsoever. The client hereby indemnifies and holds Ultimate Kilimanjaro Treks and its agents harmless against any and all claims in respect of personal injury or damages either direct or consequential arising from any cause whatsoever as a result of the participation by the client and persons under his authority on the tour.

Delays

Authentic Kilimanjaro shall not be liable for any claims or if any additional expenses incurred through delays, accidents, or disruption of planned itineraries beyond the control of Authentic Kilimanjaro (e.g. flight delays, wars, strikes, weather, act of God, etc), and such expenses (e.g. hotels, meals, telephone calls, flight tickets etc.) are to be borne by the client.

Insurance

It is strongly advised that you take adequate insurance cover on the same day you make a booking, in the event of cancellation due to illness, accident or injury. Authentic Kilimanjaro will not be responsible or liable if any passenger fails to take insurance cover.

Cancellation of a climb

Should the Kilimanjaro National Park cancel or modify any route for any reason whatsoever Authentic Kilimanjaro cannot and will not be held liable for any losses incurred as a result of this cancellation. Only refunds levied by the respective suppliers will be passed onto the client.

Brochure accuracy

Whilst all efforts have been made to produce accurate information in its website and brochures we accept no liability for any losses resulting from incorrect information. The information in the brochures, circular, leaflets, videos and other advertisements issued by Authentic Kilimanjaro or its agents is given in good faith and unless specifically stated shall not form part of any contract between the client and Authentic Kilimanjaro . No agent, servant, representative or client of Authentic Kilimanjaro has any right to alter or vary or waive any of these conditions.

Tour leaders responsibility

The tour leader who completes the booking form for and on behalf of a group will be responsible for passing on, all information, vouchers, schedule changes or any other information forwarded by Authentic Kilimanjaro to him/her, to the group. Authentic Kilimanjaro does not take any responsibility for failure to do so. If the group leader does not accept this responsibility, every member is required to complete and sign the booking form with his/her relevant contact details.

Passports, Visa and vaccinations

The responsibility for the provision of current and valid passports, visas, vaccinations and inoculations and the like, where required, is that of the client alone and Authentic Kilimanjaro shall not be responsible or liable for any consequence of any nature arising from the client failing to ensure that he/she has complied with all such requirements.

Baggage

On the majority of treks all your trek baggage will be carried by porters or pack animals. You need only carry a small daypack for your essentials. You are restricted to 20 kg of baggage on flights and to around 15 kg on the trek. Items not required during the trek can be left in a locked bag at the hotel. Please use only duffel bags for the porters to carry (NO SUITCASES PLEASE).

Travel documents

Documents (vouchers, itineraries, etc) are only prepared after receipt of full and final payment. Documents will be sent about two weeks prior to departure of your tour by email. If hard copies are required by the Client, delivery charges will be for the clients account and must be settled before departure.

Break-aways, claims and refunds

Refunds will not be made for any missed tour services, unused sightseeing trips or meals. Whilst it is possible to break away from the planned holiday itineraries, it is understood that such break-aways will be for the passenger’s account and there will be no refunds under any circumstances for unused services.

For verifiable claims to be considered, they must be received in writing within 14 days of the termination of the tour and be accompanied by supporting documentation and/or a statement from the Ground Operator verifying the claim. Any adjustment considered will be based on the actual cost of the services involved and not on a per day basis. Only refunds levied by the respective suppliers will be passed onto the client. Authentic Kilimanjaro will not accept any liability for any claims that are not received within 14 days of the termination of your tour.

Clients accept that any personal possessions such as valuables, cameras or any money that is carried on any of our ground operators vehicles or any other form of transport, or that is left in accommodation provided by our company or its suppliers during a trip are carried at the clients own risk. Authentic Kilimanjaro do not accept responsibility for Client’s personal possessions or valuables that are lost, damaged or stolen during the course of a tour.

Unscheduled extensions

In the unlikely event of there being an unscheduled extension to the holiday caused by flight delays, bad weather, strikes or any other cause which is beyond the control of Authentic Kilimanjaro s , it is understood that expenses relating to those unscheduled extensions will be for the passenger’s account.

Every effort is made to avoid delays and changes to the itinerary, but due to the nature of our trips there will be occasions when they do happen. Where a delay does occur, we shall do everything possible to minimize its effects, but we cannot be responsible for the result of delays.

Courier services

All courier services will be for the account of the client. The accounts department will issue an invoice after the documents have been couriered, which must be settled before your departure date.

Attitude

For those who want to travel and enjoy the countries we go to, it is very important to set your expectations on the right level for the country you are visiting – leaving Western expectations behind.

To provisionally reserve your climb, please download our booking form and return to our office via fax or e-mail (scanned copy please). Our office will contact you with secure payment options. Please remember your booking cannot be confirmed without your deposit payment.