On the Trek Faqs
You are expected to carry your own day pack, which should be able to sustain you until you reach camp at the end of the day. You do not need to carry your personal backpack/duffel pack – it will be carried by a porter. The weight per porter is limited to 15 kg (35lb). If you bring overweight luggage, every 15 kg will be charged extra at 100 US$ for an extra porter for the whole climb. Your backpack/duffel bag will be brought from campsite to campsite – before you arrive it will already be there.
What you need during the day in your day pack will depend on your priorities, but will generally include drinking water, basic medical kit, camera, waterproof layers, a pair of gloves and hat, a warm layer, and snacks.
There is no need to worry – this is a common concern. It is much better for your body if you proceed slowly and the guides will permanently remind you about this (“pole pole” – which means “slowly, slowly”). By walking slowly, your body will much better acclimatise to the high altitude.
There is plenty of time allotted each day for the treks, even for those who like to go very slowly.
Some climbers may fall short of reaching the summit, but not at the expense of their overall experience. Even for those who never reached the top, the experience of the wonders of Kilimanjaro is rewarding.
If one or more members of a group decide they cannot continue, or if a guide deems it unsafe for an individual (or a group) to continue, they are escorted to the most convenient campsite or hut.
Our guides intimately know the network of shortcuts to escort climbers to safety, and they are trained to act quickly and calmly under any circumstance.
On the Marangu Route there are simple, basic huts. The first two huts sleep four people each, and the last hut is dorm-style with bunk beds.
On all other routes, you will sleep in 3-person dome-style mountain tents, two people each. The tents are modern and have an outer flysheet and large vestibules keep equipment from the elements. They are set up, broken down and carried – along with everything else – by our porters. There are public toilet are set up at every campsite.But portable private toilets are available upon request at the cost of $ 100 per group for the whole tour and hot water is provided for each person every morning if possible (no showers).
There will be dining tents with chairs and tables where all meals will be served. Before the meals, we will provide soap and hot water for washing your hands.
