Climbing Kilimanjaro
- Thread starter Jackers42
- Start date
Sounds great, wish i had some info for you, closest i get is having read 'In the Shadow of Kilimanjaro: On Foot Across East Africa', not a bad story, historical elements are the best part.
Good luck sorting your trip.
If you haven't already tried them speak to Explore. We found the tour we did in Egypt excellent and most of the people we met had done a number of trips with them. I believe you can customise your trip so if you don't want to do a whole Tanzania holiday you may be able to join just for the Kilimanjaro part.
try this page on their website http://www.explore.co.uk/holidays/search?q=kilimanjaro
Good luck sorting your trip.
If you haven't already tried them speak to Explore. We found the tour we did in Egypt excellent and most of the people we met had done a number of trips with them. I believe you can customise your trip so if you don't want to do a whole Tanzania holiday you may be able to join just for the Kilimanjaro part.
try this page on their website http://www.explore.co.uk/holidays/search?q=kilimanjaro
Some of the people we met had done 10 - 12 trips with them. I'd say they're budget adventure and i loved it all the more for that. The trip through Egypt took us to places and met people we would never have done any other way most likely. The guide Arafa was excellent and the whole thing was a blast.Jackers42 said:
I would and hopefully will use them again
When I went it was one part of a longer holiday encompassing a 17 day safari through Zimbabwe and Botswana, the week climbing Kilamanjaro and finished with a weeks scuba diving in Zanzibar.
Anyway it was organised through Travel Bag in Alton, Hampshire, we went up what they call the Coca Cola route, it has bunk houses and a large communal areas for eating at about 4 diferent altitiudes, the last being a few hundred metres (in height) from the summit they wake you at midnight with the view that you will be on the summit for the sun rise.
All your kit is carried by sherpas and you just carry a day sack.
Even doing this way a lot of people don't make it usually due to altitude sickness, I can only imagine that carrying all of gear only makes it even harder.
You will start in shorts and t-shirt in a tropical forest raising through different levels until reaching what is classed as Artic Dessert, where you will need some seriously warm gear.
Make sure to keep some proper bottled water for the last night (even if you have to carry it yourself) as you will not be able to get fresh water on the last night only filtered sterilised water from a stream that is just about undrinkable and a few mars bars or similar for energy.
The biggest problem is the lack of oxygen if you excert yourself near the summit and get out of breath it is very difficult to recover and that is what makes it so difficult.
Would I do it again?
In a heartbeat.
Hope that helps.
Anyway it was organised through Travel Bag in Alton, Hampshire, we went up what they call the Coca Cola route, it has bunk houses and a large communal areas for eating at about 4 diferent altitiudes, the last being a few hundred metres (in height) from the summit they wake you at midnight with the view that you will be on the summit for the sun rise.
All your kit is carried by sherpas and you just carry a day sack.
Even doing this way a lot of people don't make it usually due to altitude sickness, I can only imagine that carrying all of gear only makes it even harder.
You will start in shorts and t-shirt in a tropical forest raising through different levels until reaching what is classed as Artic Dessert, where you will need some seriously warm gear.
Make sure to keep some proper bottled water for the last night (even if you have to carry it yourself) as you will not be able to get fresh water on the last night only filtered sterilised water from a stream that is just about undrinkable and a few mars bars or similar for energy.
The biggest problem is the lack of oxygen if you excert yourself near the summit and get out of breath it is very difficult to recover and that is what makes it so difficult.
Would I do it again?
In a heartbeat.
Hope that helps.
To be fair while you are actually walkingits not that bad.Taz x said:
But first thing in the morning and last thing at night the tempreture plummits, so when they wake you at midnight!!!!!
The only other time I have felt as cold was in Toronto and that was more the wind chill stripping the skin from your bones.
I've done it, amazing experience, highly recommend it.
Jackers42,
I'm climbng Kili in October this year, can't wait now ! I would recommend reading up on as much as you can, they was a report in the Sunday Mail a couple of weeks ago which gives you an idea of what your taking on, heres the link:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/article-2004853/DES-KELLY-Scaling-Kilimanjaro-Chris-Kamara-Brendan-Rodgers.html
Don't want to scare monger anyone taking the trip, but I think its important they people going understand that is not a stroll round your local park as quite alot of people seem to be contemplating this trip nowadays.
Saying that, I'm really looking forward to going and will post you some pics and a quick review when I get back
Top bananna though, it beats a beach holiday any day of the week.
I'm climbng Kili in October this year, can't wait now ! I would recommend reading up on as much as you can, they was a report in the Sunday Mail a couple of weeks ago which gives you an idea of what your taking on, heres the link:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/article-2004853/DES-KELLY-Scaling-Kilimanjaro-Chris-Kamara-Brendan-Rodgers.html
Don't want to scare monger anyone taking the trip, but I think its important they people going understand that is not a stroll round your local park as quite alot of people seem to be contemplating this trip nowadays.
Saying that, I'm really looking forward to going and will post you some pics and a quick review when I get back
Top bananna though, it beats a beach holiday any day of the week.