Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The trail of lights snaking up the mountain on summit day.Getting to Uhuru despite hours of altitude sickness and the constant fear that I couldn't go on.Arriving at Mwenzi camp in the glorious sunshine and being faced with the awesome terrifying beauty of the rocky landscape.Singing with the guides.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tosher and his assistant guides were rockstars.  They're genuine and kind and have awesome senses of humour.  They were incredibly patient.  My Kili Angel was Christopher who kept my buoyant (and held back my hair when needed!) on summit day.  He kept me smiling and walking.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Eat lots the day before summit day.  You'll need the energy.Bring with you waterproof cover for your pack.A body warmer/gillet is an essential clothing item.Don't forget hand sanitiser or tissues.  You'll need to blow your nose a lot.Camel pack is the best water carrier.

Most Inspirational Moment

Waking to bright sunshine on Day 2 and discovering all the clouds below us with a clear view of Kibo was one.Seeing the sunrise on the horizon just before reaching Gilmans point was truly spectacular for me.  Something I will never forget.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Meke is a fine leader. He is always positive and calm and the camp runs smoothly under his guidance.  His team of guides; Saide, Stratton, Godfrey, Ami, Julius etc helped and aided us all the time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just read and follow advice about drinking lots of water and eating well (the food is good at camp and plentiful).I was surprised at how much dust is on the mountain.  A thin silk scarf across the mouth or very fine guage buff could be an advantage to keep the dust from your mouth and nose.Do take a nail brush!P.S. this was my first experience of camping in a tent-and it was fine!

Most Inspirational Moment

The enthusiasm of the guides and their encouragement - "getting to the top is a piece of cake" - I quote

Thoughts on Group Leader

excellent - well experienced, knowledgeable, caring, considerate with super interpersonal skills

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a nail brush

Most Inspirational Moment

It was most special feeling getting to the summit. It was so beautiful up there as the sun rose.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The guides (African Walking Company) were brilliant - fully responsible for getting all 12 of our group to the summit. They knew exactly how fast to go, always had our safety and well-being in mind. We were never left wanting, from tea/coffee at our 6am wake up calls to information about every day's itinery.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Its true - you dont have to be particularly physically fit to do the climb. However you have to really want it mentally.Take Diamox to stop altitude sickness.Invest in good kit (or hire it) as it makes such a difference to know you have a warm coat, sleeping bag, good boots, a water bladder etc.On the summit day, wear everything, as many layers as possible! Also hand warmers that you can wear inside your gloves -these saved the day for me.  Go on safari and zanzibar afterwards! 

Most Inspirational Moment

The most inspirational part was getting first to Giolman's Point when we really doubted whether we would all make it and then to Uhuru Peak. The final section was really tiring but it was amazing how one's energy returned when one made the summit - however it is a long way down!

Thoughts on Group Leader

The leader (Simon) and all the guides were great and I could not fault anything they did. Special mention goes to Milton, our cook, who managed to conjure up 3 course meals each night from a mess tent - it was all very welcome!

Advice for Potential Travellers

It is important to have a reasonable level of fitness - but one really cannot tell how the altitude will affect each person. None of our group took Diamox (altitude sickness pill) but other groups did. I would rather know what was happening to my body rather than it being masked (but it is a personal choice).3 golden rules to get to the top: Go slowly (pole pole in Swaheli), drink enough water (I have to say that got more difficult on summit day as my stomach could not face the chemical tasting water) and have a positive mental attitude (absolutely critical).

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the summit is the most incredible experience. The route up to Gillmans point on summit night is tough. Much tougher than I was expecting. From Kibo hut to Gillmans is also where the altitude gets alot of people. If you can push through, without any serious altitude problems,  you will make the true summit. When you reach the summit it can be quite emotional to finally be there! Take lots of photos, as when I was at the summit I was so tired I hardly remember being there and didnt take in the view as much as I would have liked. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

The African walking company cannot be faulted. Their guides were fantastic. Especially George who kept everyone going when the going got tough. They were well organised and when the group needed splitting due to different fitness levels and walking speeds they coped fantastically by splitting the guides between people who needed it the most. Alot of people take Diamox on this trip and other groups we were passing had all taken it, encouraged by their guides to do so. Our guides did not push Diamox on us and encouraged us to do it naturally, by ascending slowly, which was great, and most of our group made it without it. Also, the porters where great, and every time we arrived worn out at camp, the porters were there, tents up all ready for us and twiddling their thumbs - il never know how they do it. Marvelous. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

This trip is more about mental determination and pushing through the altitude sickness than anything else. Come with a determined, but light hearted attitude so as not to get mentally bogged down with summit worries and fears. Take each day as it comes, enjoy each day and see each day individually. Get lots of sleep and eat and drink as much as you can. Keep your sense of humour on the way up, have a laugh with your group and save the true grit and determination for the summit night, which is an absolute killer. If you are slower walker dont start panicking, the guides will split and hang behind with you. The tortoise and the hare - walking slower than other members of the group is not a negative so dont feel rushed. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking above the clouds - was truly bizarre, beautiful and amazing.   Also realising how far we had climbed when we reacked Gilmans point and the sun was up - just amazed that I actually did it!  The ice fields are like nothing I have ever seen before, they are beautiful.  I think the biggest thing was the sense of achievement - realising just what you can be capable of if you put your mind to something, anything is possible.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Meke was absolutely fantastic, he was upbeat, freiendly and informative.  We felt cared for and well informed about each aspect the the trip and his assistant guides were also wonderful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Train, train, train!  It isn't massisvely difficult but being fit can't hurt when the altitude makes everything more difficult anyway.  I found that training whilst carrying my daysack stood me in good stead.   Take lots of pics at the top - i doubt you'll be going back and as much as you are exhausted, son't regret not getting the shots - you don't get that much time once you get there.Take carb gels and rehydrate powders for your water - and drink far more than you think you need to.

Thoughts on Group Leader

John and all the group were excellent.

Most Inspirational Moment

The walk along the crater rim to Uhuru was exceptionally challenging, but the views were absolutely amazing, and the feeling of achievement on reaching the summit was incredible.  There were a few tears from various members of the group at this point, which was an incredible and emotional moment.On the ascent, the moment when it suddenly dawned on me that I could see the curvature of the earth, was absolutely unforgettable. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent leadership.  Abraham was consistently engaging and encouraging, and did a great job in encouraging us to the very top.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We spent a lot of time worrying about the cold etc and making sure we had proper clothes and gear for the final day.  Don't forget it is hot nearly all the rest of the time, so you will need gear to cope with this as well.  Do take some moisturiser for your face and lips (as well as sun cream and sunblock lip prep) as the weather can be very drying.

Most Inspirational Moment

The final ascent and reaching Gilman's point at 5.06am, fantastic feeling you are almost there and most important the group you ae with, it is a team effort, we all help & support each other.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was okay, direct and reminded us all "Pain is only temporary"

Advice for Potential Travellers

Train very hard and start months before you depart, insist your GP gives you a prescription for Diomoxfor the altitude, tese are a must have to prepare for the ascent, other group members who started taking them before we even started faired much better