Hi there everyone,

I am planning a trip with my sister in September and would like some advice. From my research I have figured out that I would like climb using either the Lemosho, Shira or Rongai route.

As much as I would like to pay thousands of dollars to get all the ammenties of a place like Tusker, I cant afford it! So I am looking for recommendations on operators that can get me up the mountain safely using one of the routes I have picked, and inside my price range ($1200-1600). Any ideas?

Thanks,
Hooman

I posted this response in the previous thread that asked about Kili Tour operators - posting it here too. We had a great experience and highly recommend the Rongai route. We did it in 5 days, you see Kili all the way up, its a moderate climb and its not too crowded (because it is like a 4 hour drive from Arusha, most people don't want to pay extra and do the four hour drive). The great thing is that you go up Rongai and come down Marangu and so you see two different terrains - I heard Shira was difficult and not so familiar with the other one.

Good luck!
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Hi -

My partner and I just climbed Kili January 23 - first off - it is amazing! It was by far one of the most difficult things we ever did both mentally and physically. All to say - that I am really excited you are doing it and you will have a great time.

I saw all the tour operator names that you have listed below on our safari. I don't know too much about them. I know that when we were doing our research, we narrowed our search to two people/ companies- one established company and one freelance guide. In the end, we went with the free lance guide and they were AMAZING!

Its a group of cousins that are trying to start a business together-all the money you spend goes directly to them with no middle man stuff going on. They are an amazing group that knows the mountain well, are very considerate, down to earth and fun. Their cook is amazing - we didn't eat the same thing two days in a row and they really customize the trip for you. The person who coordinates them is Victor - victortz2000@yahoo.com. He has been a guide for a very long time and is also doing his masters in wildlife. I highly recommend them. Let them know that Anisa and Karim gave you their address.

Other than that - we did the Rongai route which I also recommend. Its a moderate climb - but the best thing about it is that you can see Kili every step of the way. In the end, on summit day - there is no where else to go except UP!

I've written some other comments in other responses on how we worked with altitude sickness and all that stuff - if you have any questions, I'll be checking this to reply back.

I did the Shira plateau/Western breach route and it was lovely. Quite uncrowded and free of the hut encampments you get on the coca cola route. I would recommend it because it is so much wilder and I think easier. We came down the main route and it was much tougher. Steeper and less good underfoot. Lots of scree higher up which would be punishing going uphill and lower down so much mud.

There is a tiny bit of scrambling up the western breach but nothing to worry about, especially if done in the dark so you can't see the exposure.


You have to camp though and would have to bring all your food and there is a requirement (or a recommendation - not sure) to have an armed ranger on parts of the route in case of rogue elephants. I never saw any!

The main thing is to take your time with the altitude and not try to go up too fast. I was the slowest person for most of the trip and no-one bothers you about it.

As to price - I expect you can shop around. There is no shortage of options.

I went for the high end - keadventure.com and we lived like kings on the trip. Great food, as much clean drinking water as you could shake a stick at and all the putting up and taking down of camp done for you. I think there was about 12 of us and only one didn't make it to the top and we were none of us too badly affected by the altitude as the walk was well paced. Importantly we were all tucking in to our food all the way through because it was so good. Lots of fresh fruit and salads, proper cooked breakfasts and a good vegetarian alternative for dinner each night.

It is very cold at night - so have a down jacket and a good sleeping bag or it will just be miserable.

I would like to go again - when we got up to the top it was enclosed in cloud and while seeing the ice and everything was beautiful, it would be absolutely amazing on a clear day.

Greetings!

We would recommend checking with zaratravel.com and adventureswithinreach.com (same prices--reasonable--within your budget). Zara is the group we went with. Very reliable! The Lemosho Route is 8 days and the Shira Route is 6 days (but would recommend an extra day for acclimatization). Both of these end up on the Machame Route (translate: lots of groups). We have done the 6-day Rongai Route and found that less crowded, plus you see both sides of the mountain. That would be our recommendation, with an extra day for acclimatization. The down side for ALL of these routes is the 3 hour drive to the trailhead (an adventure in itself). Have fun planning your trek!

Hi Hoo-man,
I just got back from a climb with a couple of friends on the Lemosho route. We climbed with Team Kilimanjaro, and were very satisfied with their service. Everything about the trip was great. Deo, our guide was very knowledgeable and friendly, all the porters were great and helped us to learn some swahili, and the equipment was all good. I highly recommend that anyone thinking about climbing Kili check out Team Kilimanjaro before deciding on a guide. Our itinerary was an 8 day climb with a night in the crater and a double summit (we didn't actually do the second summit, figuring that once to the top was good enough. But we had it in the itinerary as a buffer day incase the weather was bad o the first summit day). The trip was just over $1600, but if you take off the second summit day then you would definitely be in you price range. We actually booked with Destination Africa Tours, but you can book with TK directly if you want to.

-Carl

IntoAfrica took us on the Machame Route $1600. Nice inexpensive guest house before/after trek. See my Blog for more information.

No matter what trekking company you pick, in this price range make sure you get a reference (or two) before booking. I can tell you that some companies still overload the (ill equiped) porters. You want to make sure the food is good and that the guides (who you will be spending a lot of time with) are pleasant. Good luck.