East Africa

This expedition was devised by 360 Expedition founders, Rolfe and Marni because in their minds it captures the very best of adventure possibilities in East Africa. Their incredibly extensive trekking / travel and climbing experience (see their adventure c.v’s) in this region dates back to the early 1990’s and they have always thought of the area as their second home. Furthermore, this expedition is a perfect match for 360 Expeditions current unchartered series of expeditions as it encompasses both unique challenge and of the beaten track adventure.

The obvious difference is that 3 very distinct volcanoes are attempted during this expedition rather than just Kilimanjaro. We will take the Umbwe / Western Breach route up Kilimanjaro which is far less frequented than other routes. This route traverses the entire mountain and is to our mind, much more beautiful and adventurous. Having already climbed both Lengai and Meru we will be one step ahead of our acclimatisation regime and only need one extra rest day dedicated to enhance our acclimatisation (and relaxing and exploring) on Kilimanjaro itself.

This exciting itinerary not only gives you the chance to climb three very distinctly different volcanoes but it lets you encounter Africa’s wildlife up close and meet Africa’s well known Massai people. This expedition is not merely a singular ascent but a true African adventure in the realest sense of the term.

360 Expeditions have been working with our Tanzanian crew for over two decades and enjoy a very cordial and supportive friendship with them. Our 360 local team will be with us from start to finish on this expedition. Acting not only as bus and jeep drivers, guides, cooks but also as porters on the Meru and Kilimanjaro ascent.

Yes, we are and we have one of the highest ratings possible. We are very proud of this – our porters and crew make your climbing and trekking possible. They sing and dance up the mountain giving us an incredible experience. In return, we do our utmost to support them back.

The mistreatment of porters can be a troubling challenge in the climbing industry. We are an approved Partner company with the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project – KPAP – and the International Mountain Explorers Connection – IMEC – Partner for Responsible Travel Program.

We voluntarily participate with KPAP’s monitoring activities and allow KPAP to evaluate the treatment of our porters on all of our climbs. By climbing with us you can be assured that your porters are well taken care of.

KPAP also helps to improve the working conditions of porters by:

• Lending donated clothing at no charge to the mountain crew for use while climbing
• Educating the public on porter working conditions and climbing responsibly
• Providing industry guidelines for proper porter treatment
• Offering educational classes to porters

Again yes we are. This is a very important aspect of 360 operations. Please do chat to 360 and ask for the full documentation on this to see how we operate, not only in Africa on Kilimanjaro but globally.

At 360, we LOVE what we do and are always striving to be better and do more good things.

We provide extensive training to our African team, such as the REC Level 4 Remote Emergency First Aid Course, conducted by UK expert in Rescue & Emergency, Allan Shaw. 

Not only does this keep our standards high and you all safe but we are helping build the skills of our guides, enabling them to push forwards in their careers.

All meals on the mountain are of the highest possible standard. In fact considering that our cooks have to produce the best possible meals in a wilderness setting using only the most basic of facilities (gas burners) the meals they produce are nothing short of a miracle. The meals are always fresh, nutritious and varied. We ensure that dietary preferences are always met and that the best local ingredients are used. The underlying aim is to provide balanced nutritional meals packed with carbohydrates to re-fuel hungry bodies and to replenish stores for the next day of activity.

On top of well balanced meals you are provided with coffee, tea and snacks upon arrival into camp. The morning wake-up call is usually accompanied with a cup of tea or coffee in your tent. You are invited to bring along any of your favourite snacks and goody bags from home if you want. Concentrate on high energy food-stuffs such as Jelly Babies or nuts to give you that little boost on an arduous day.

Absolutely, please inform the office of any allergies or intolerances and we will ensure that these are taken into account on the trek.

For the first day bottled drinking water will be used. At the higher camps we use locally sourced drinking water from streams or springs. These are usually fresh being topped up from melt water above or by rainfall but we also increase their purity by treating the water with purification tablets and by boiling it. We always ensure that our drinking water is 100% bug free.

Before leaving camp in the morning you will fill your water bottles or camel bladder. If this runs low you will have ample more water to replace it with. For most walking days water can be replenished at the lunchtime site.

We have plenty of solo travellers on our expeditions – you’ll likely have others on yours! We don’t charge any extra for single travellers , unless you specifically opt for a single room or tent. All of the accommodation and tents are based on two people sharing, and this is always organised according to sex and then, where possible, age groups.

If you do end up being the only single male or female on a trip, or there’s an odd number, then you may end up with a room to yourself – but there’s no guarantee. If you do wish to have a single room option, do chat to us for the details! We do generally recommend tent sharing, as most altitude related symptoms manifest themselves at night, but our leaders are always on hand and so if you are in a tent on your own, there’s always someone nearby.

Most altitude related symptoms manifest themselves at night. We therefore recommend tent sharing from the onset of all our Mount Kilimanjaro expeditions. Tent share is always organised according to sex and where possible age groups. Obviously if you are climbing this mountain with a friend or partner then you will be able to share tents. If you have joined the team by yourself then it is highly likely that you will be sharing a tent with your pre-assigned room buddy unless prior arrangements have been made. We use high quality 3 man tents to be shared between 2 people to provide extra space for your comfort.

Our local camp crew will set up the tents for you each night. We send them ahead of the group to secure the best site and to get the site prepared before you arrive. Bear in mind that these guys are also porters and when our walking days are shorter we might get to camp before them. If this happens then have a cup of tea in the dining tent and wait for your tents to be ready.

We bring along our own toilet tents with Portaloo units. This method allows us to maintain the best possible levels of hygiene without contributing to the toilet problems that can happen at some camps.

All our guides are in communication with each other by phone and radio. In addition the national park operates a rescue service on all the routes we use, this service is linked by radio to the park headquarters. In the vast majority of cases of emergency rescue the problems can be attributed to altitude and if so the solution is immediate descent to lower altitudes. Our local mountain crew are all experienced in dealing with any problems that arise. Our guides are either doctors or qualified with the highest standard of wilderness first aid qualifications and can handle any emergency to the highest level of competency, in the vast majority of cases without national park assistance.

There are different types of altitude sickness. Although our acclimatisation regime ensures that everybody enjoys the best possible chance of getting high on the mountain, altitude related problems can happen. The most common of this is high altitude sickness – AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness). Symptoms for this can include headaches, nausea and vomiting.

This sounds quite dramatic but generally this is just the process your body naturally goes through to adjust to the higher altitudes and the reduced partial pressure of the atmosphere. For some people the acclimatisation process takes a little longer than others.

For our guides this is all part and parcel of ascending a near 6,000m peak and, although we assess each client’s personal situation carefully, we also further consider the compounding effects of dehydration brought on by excessive vomiting and loss of appetite.

AMS might sound frightening but our guides are fully trained (and highly experienced) in helping relieve your personal symptoms and providing advice on how to best proceed.

In most cases AMS can be avoided by following these guidelines:

• Drink lots of water
• Walk slowly
• Stay warm
• Eat well

We recommend that you familiarise yourself with the various affects that altitude can cause.

During your pre-climb briefing, we describe altitude sickness to you in detail, and advise you how to cope with it. The most important thing is not to fear it, but to respect it and to know how to deal with it and more importantly tell your guides how you feel. Our guides have seen every condition that the mountain produces, and they will always know how to deal with problems.

360 ascends the mountain on the Lemosho and Rongai Routes. These are longer routes with slower ascent profiles which greatly reduce the incidences of AMS developing.

HACE and HAPE rarely occur on Mount Kilimanjaro and our guides are fully trained in the recognition of the onset of these problems and will deal with them at the first sign of their development.

Although we recommend you come armed with a course of Diamox or other high-altitude drug on this expedition, we do not recommend that take you these as a prophylactic during the trek or climb. We view Diamox as a treatment drug rather than a preventative medicine. Most adventure medics give similar advice, however we do appreciate this can be confusing, as many GPs (who aren’t necessarily mountaineers) do suggest taking it as a prophylactic.

We pride ourselves on designing all our itineraries with acclimatisation very much front and centre and this expedition itinerary has been carefully designed to allow for your body to adjust to the altitude gradually, safely and comfortably. However, if you find that you are still having problems adjusting to the altitude (see our FAQ on Altitude Sickness) then your expedition leader or expedition medic will recommend the correct course of action regarding taking Diamox.

It is far preferable to take Diamox if and when needed during the course of the expedition. If you are already taking it and then start having altitude related problems you are left with few options but to descend to a more comfortable altitude which sadly often means that the summit is not attainable.

Furthermore, Diamox is a diuretic, meaning you will have to drink a lot of fluid to prevent dehydration. Of course, the upshot of this is you’ll have to pee more which means you’ll probably be having to get up more in the night and take cover behind rocks during the day. Another quite common side-effect is that it can cause your extremities to “buzz and tingle” including your fingers, toes and lips which can feel quite unsettling.  Other side-effects can include dizziness and light headedness with loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Although all these side-effects are manageable when you have symptoms of altitude sickness, we personally believe it is counter-intuitive to take it unless necessary.

Of course, it is totally up to you, this is just our recommendation and we’re not doctors. If you do decide to take Diamox on the advice of your doctor then please do let your leader know in situ so they are aware of this. We also suggest you take the drug for a couple of days a few weeks before travelling so you can experience the symptoms before taking them during the trek.

The Malaria protozoa generally does not survive over an altitude of 1,500m so once commencing the actual Mount Kilimanjaro climb Malaria poses no threat. The entry gate is at 1,800m. Both Moshi and Arusha however are slightly lower than this and particularly after the wet season there are frequent incidents of malaria amongst the local inhabitants of these towns. Your time in these places is however quite short and if precautions such as sleeping under mosquito nets, applying insect repellent and wearing long sleeve shirts and trousers are taken then the chances of contracting this disease is significantly reduced. If you are extending your stay in Tanzania to visit other areas, for example, doing the safari option, then you should take them.

We advocate a little bit of self-help on the mountain. If you have a blister developing for example then please stop take off your boot and treat it before it becomes a problem. Your own first aid kit should contain: a basic blister kit, plasters, antiseptic, high factor sun protection, your own personal medication (sometimes your porter might get to camp after you and if he is carrying your medication you may not be able to take it according to the regime you are used to), basic pain relief (aspirin and Ibuprofen), a personal course of antibiotics if prone to illness. Foot powder in your socks every morning is great for preventing blisters. Generally the best approach to take when packing your first aid kit is to include such basic medications as if you would on a family or personal holiday.

Your 360 expedition leader and / or a local porter (we call the ambulance man!) carries a very comprehensive first aid kit which contains a wide range of supplies and medications. They are fully trained to use whatever is needed for any emergency that may arise. We advocate keeping this in mind when packing your own first aid supplies and keeping your own FA kit as compact and light as possible.

The following vaccinations are recommended:

• Hepatitis A
• Typhoid
• Diphtheria
• Tetanus
• Polio
• Yellow Fever (see below)

This list is not absolute and it is important you should see your GP Surgery or travel clinic for latest recommendations and to ensure you are up to date on necessary vaccinations.

The advice about Yellow Fever vaccinations for travelling to Tanzania changes frequently and you must check with your GP surgery or Travel Clinic for the latest advice before you travel. We cannot advise you on this due to the frequency with which the advice changes.

We advocate the beg, steal and borrow principle for first timers instead of buying brand new stuff that may never get used again. The cost of equipment is usually a major deterrent for people coming onto trips in the first place.

Our guides usually start the walk wearing long, lightweight trekking trousers and t-shirts. Long trousers are recommended as a deterrent to insects, stinging plants and to act as sun protection. Shorts can also be worn on the initial few days of the trek as the temperature is usually warm. Ensure that you apply sun protection frequently!

The prevailing conditions on the mountains will dictate what you will wear: if it is cold when you leave the camp in the morning then wear a fleece. As things warm up take advantage of the zipper system which most trekking clothing has and open and / or close the zips to adjust to your own preferred temperature. If you get too warm simply take a layer off.

Waterproofs are needed at all times. You’ll be summiting some a huge mountains that create their own weather system. It is not unusual to be caught out in an afternoon rainstorm low down on the mountains. Waterproofs should be Gortex material or similar.

On your Kilimanjaro summit day it gets cold and temperatures of -10 to -20 C and beyond are not unusual. Typically our guides wear 2 sets of base layers (long johns) a fleece layer (top and bottom) and then on the legs waterproofs whilst on the upper torso a down jacket is worn.

As the wind picks up near the summit ridge our guides will put on their wind proof layer to ward of the wind-chill. On their hands they’ll wear a thin layer of working gloves under a thicker set of “ski gloves” or mittens.

Their heads are covered by a thermal beanie hat and the hood of their down jackets. On their feet the guides wear one pair of thin socks and one pair of thick socks.

On summit day waterproofs are used as an invaluable wind shield to protect you against the effect of windchill when a strong wind blows.

Because of the huge variety of terrain encountered when ascending this mountain it is very important to wear the right footwear. Boots should be sturdy, waterproof, insulated against cold temperatures and offer adequate ankle support. In addition it is highly recommended that your boots are well worn in to prevent the formation of blisters.

A wide range of suitable boots are on the market and further advice as to which brands are available can be found online or at your local gear store. When in store try lots of boots on, use the ramps in the shops to test their traction, make sure they are comfortable as you will be almost living in them for days on end and they are very important.

It is not necessary to buy technical boots with crampon clips unless you plan to do more ambitious climbs in the future as crampons are not used to climb this mountain.

A daysack is worn at all times during the trek. The content of this is mandatory and should include: a fleece (for when taking breaks or weather changes) a full set (top and bottoms) of waterproofs, sufficient water for the day, snacks, camera equipment, personal medication and a head torch.

Your day to day sack should weigh no more then 5-6 kg (this includes your 2 – 3 ltrs of water) and a rucksack of around 40L capacity will more than suffice. This rucksack can be filled to brim with extra stuff when checking in at the airport.

It is important that this bag has an adjustable waist belt to transfer the weight of your daily load onto your hips and from here onto your legs (your strongest muscles) to do most of the carrying.

Your porter bags should be off a soft material “duffel bag” or rucksack variety and should not be a suitcase or hard bodied metal case. Furthermore they should weigh no more then 12-14 kg when packed for the mountain. On all our Mount Kilimanjaro trips we have found this weight to be ample and usually everybody can plan to take only enough clothes and equipment needed for the mountain.

Please bear in mind that park regulations restrict porters only carrying 20kg and that on top of your load porters will also have to carry a share of the food, kitchen equipment, camping equipment and their own survival gear.

Inside the porter bag should be a change of clothing, your clothing for higher up the mountain, sleeping bag, personal toiletries etc. (Refer back to the kit list).

They are highly recommended and are worth their weight in gold on summit day. Our guides wear them every evening from the first camp up. A layer system comprising of several layers of base and thermal layers, fleeces, and a thick jacket will suffice on most summit nights but nothing beats the efficiency of a good down jacket (especially when topped with a water proof layer).

Should be rated within the -10C comfort zone. From the first camp upwards it is not unusual to experience frosty nights and a good night’s sleep is important to giving you the best chance to climb this mountain. Ensure you get a sleeping bag that has this temperature rating at this comfort zone rather than as its extreme zone.

Our guides take sleeping bags rated to well below -10C to ensure that they are warm at night. 3 season sleeping bags can be enhanced by using an inner silk liner (or similar), and ultimately by draping your down jacket over you. The idea is to be as comfortable and warm as possible for the night and henceforth to ensure plenty of sleep for the arduous days ahead. It is important to remember that down sleeping bags work by your own body heating the down that’s inside the bag. Once you have warmed the bag up the feather down will retain the heat and ensure that you sleep at a temperature that’s your own body temperature. For best results wear as little as possible when inside your sleeping bag. Our guides will often only wear a set of thermals in their bag. It is important for the bag to trap the heat. By wearing multiple layers of clothing your clothing will trap this heat and your bag will not function properly.

You can rent equipment from our friends at www.outdoorhire.co.uk. Look under Partner Kit Lists, 360 Expeditions and Mount Kilimanjaro. However, we do advocate the use of personal equipment when it comes to footwear, your boots should be well worn in to your own feet.

Tanzania almost straddles the equator and daytime temperatures are warm. Although around 30% of the population in Moshi and Arusha are Muslim there is not a very strict dress code for foreigners. When in Rome do as the Romans. Shorts and T-shirts are fine to wear during the day. Evening wear generally tends to be casual with long trousers and casual shirt appropriate for all hotels and restaurants. Tanzanians are generally quite conservative in their dress code and are generally well dressed despite their situation in life. Your town and party clothes can be left in a safe lock up at the hotel and will not have to be taken up the mountain.

An extra day allow us not only to appreciate the mountain in much more detail but to further improve our acclimatisation and so increase our chances of success in reaching the summit.

At 360 Expeditions we are very proud of our high success rate. This is a highly credible feat that is down to our well thought out itinerary which gives the client time for acclimatisation.

Rolfe, our co-founder has climbed Kilimanjaro 60+ times and has personally trained up our team over the past 10 years and we are confident in our style, pace and route – knowing the very best formula for summit success.

The average success rate for all the routes on the mountain is around 50%. This rather disappointing figure is down to the fact that the shortest routes on the mountain (particularly Marangu and Machembe) are too short to allow for proper acclimatisation. Taken from the perspective of a Himalayas climb, a mountain of Kilimanjaro’s altitude would be ascended over a much longer time frame, hence the extra acclimatisation day. After all you pay a lot of money for the experience and train to get to best out of it; why shouldn’t you deserve the best chance of standing on the summit – our own success rates are in the region of 95%.

The optimal climbing seasons are late December through to early March when the daytime temperatures are the warmest and there is a reduced cloud cover. June through to October are also good as the daytime conditions are generally cooler but clear. Bear in mind that this time-frame coincides with the European and USA holiday season and that the routes may be busy. In October the crowds tend to vanish.

The temperature at the top of the mountains can vary widely. Sometimes it is only a degree or two below freezing, but you should be prepared for possible temperatures as low as minus 25 Celsius, especially in conjunction with wind chill.

360 Expeditions will be booking flights on your behalf unless you tell us otherwise. We provide confirmation of flight times and departure terminal approximately four weeks before your departure date. Please be aware that flight schedules are subject to change. Please ensure that you have checked your flight details before you set out for the airport.

You must carry individual travel insurance to take part in the trek. We cannot take you on the mountain without proof of insurance.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the appropriate insurance for your intended trip.  To include medical evacuation and coverage up to the maximum altitude of this trip.

Your insurance details are requested on the booking form, however this can be arranged at a later date. 360 Expeditions will be requesting your insurance details 8 weeks before your departure.

Your passport should be valid for 6 months after the date the trek starts. If it runs out before you may be refused entry. It is also advisable to have a couple of photocopies of your passport in case of loss.

Visas are compulsory for entry into Tanzania for UK citizens. Although these can be acquired relatively easily at the border, we recommend that you contact your nearest Tanzanian embassy to avoid queuing, unnecessary delays and potential clearance.

Tanzania High Commission UK

3 Stratford Place W1C 1AS

London, UK

Tel: +44 (0) 207 569 1470

http://tanzaniahighcommission.co.uk

The 360 expedition training program has been devised to be expedition specific. Use it as a guide but also feel free to contact us for individual advice on how best to incorporate a suitable fitness program with your own lifestyle. If you are struggling from day one then you will not enjoy the rest of the trip. Physical preparation does not have to be Herculean: concentrate on cardio-vascular exercise during the week by taking short runs when time allows and try to spend at least 2 weekends a month going on long duration walks (longer than 6 hrs) carrying a rucksack of around 10kg.

This kind of regime will not only prepare your body for carrying minor loads but will harden your body against the big days on the mountain itself. In addition it will help break in your boots and get you used to your equipment. In combination this will pay dividends when you reach Kilimanjaro because even though you can’t train for altitude your body will be ready for arduous days and you will be familiar with how to best use your equipment, so you can enjoy and appreciate the mountain all the more.

Having a good level of fitness will allow you to enjoy the expedition all the better and increase your chances of reaching the summit. Summit day can be up to 14 hours long and the climb is steep!

On a day to day level remember that you will be camping at altitude. You are likely to be cold, washing and toilet facilities will be limited, your appetite may be affected by the altitude and as you get higher on the trek you are likely to suffer shortness of breath and many people have difficulty sleeping. Remember that everyone on the trek is probably experiencing exactly the same symptoms, both physical and mental.

Generally speaking deposits are due upon booking as we need to book your international flights well in advance. The full amount should be paid 4 months prior to departure. However having said this, our aim is to get you to the top of this mountain and we understand that personal financial situations can vary. Please contact our friendly office crew to discuss a suitable payment plan should you find raising the funds to be difficult. We have after all been in your shoes and go by the motto of where there’s a will there’s a way.

Please read our terms and conditions careful before you depart. 360 Expeditions highly recommends trip cancellation insurance for all expeditions. Due to the nature and heavy costs of government and operator permits we must adhere to a stringent refund policy.

American dollars are readily recognised and are easily converted to the local currency. Upon arrival there will always be a bureau de change at the airport as well as a temperamental ATM just beyond the arrivals barriers. Generally these provide a better rate of exchange then your hotel.

For most situations when buying gifts or small goods such as drinks or snacks etc. the use of small denomination USD ($) dollars is not a problem. Getting change for a $20 bill when buying a $1 coke will be a problem. Larger bills are good for tipping your porters at the end of the expedition and a sufficient amount should be carried with you, see the next FAQ for details.

The amount of money you will need depends on how many presents you wish to buy or how much you wish to drink when you come off the hill. As a basic rule of thumb $200 should be more than adequate for any post expedition spending.

Tanzania is a relatively cheap place and when indulging in the local custom of haggling then goods can be very good value for money. Your 360 leader will be happy to point out the relative bargains and the suitable prices plus where to get the best value for money. The only cash you’ll need to consider taking with you on the mountain is the local crew tips which are presented to them usually on the final evening at the last camp before you sign out from the national park.

Our local crew work extremely hard to ensure that your expedition runs well. While tipping is not compulsory, once you see how hard the crew work and realise the small amount of money they get paid relative to one’s own income tipping will seem the least they can do to say thank you. As a general rule we suggest a minimum of $210-$250 USD per client for the entire local crew to be shared amongst them. This is based roughly on $10 USD per day for each guide, cook and porter, and this amount will provide a proper living wage.

For the 360 leader this is your call.

If you need to leave early, arrangements can be made with the help of your 360 Guide. Additional costs (transport, hotels, flights etc.) will be incurred by the climber but our guides will be able to assist in every detail of your departure.

Opportunities to charge your batteries will be limited. If you can get hold of a solar battery charger this is probably the best option. This together with making sure that you keep your spare batteries warm i.e. by keeping them near your body day and night should mean that you can keep snapping all the way!

For the initial day or two there is mobile phone coverage but this weakens to almost non-existent above camp 2. You do sometimes receive signal on top to relay the good news though. Your 360 leader will have a satellite phone that is used in emergency situations only.

The voltage is 220v / 50Hz like the UK. Rectangular or round three-pin plugs are used.

While we will do everything we can to provide adequate safety for the group and security for your possessions, the general rule is that if you don’t need it, don’t bring it. This includes jewellery, necklaces, rings and even watches. Your passport and money should be kept on you at all times. As with travel in any foreign country, you need to look after yourself and your possessions, and this is no different.

Almost all the hotels we use in Moshi have pools, so do bring swimming costumes or shorts.

Our leader, Jo Bradshaw has written a very comprehensive article about top tips for climbing Kilimanjaro- give it a read here!

For more info on what to expect, check out our YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yK7pN4U57-4 

Tanzania has made a bold conservation move and has banned plastic bags – from production to importation and use within the country.

Visitors are advised to avoid carrying plastic bags or packing plastic bags in their luggage but please note that ziploc bags to carry toiletries will be permitted, on the basis they remain in your possession and are not disposed of within the country.  We suggest biodegradable nappy sacks and wet wipes.