Kilimanjaro stigning, Northern Circuit route (8-dages)

Everything was organized very well from start to finish and I felt supported throughout the entire experience. The guides, the porters and the entire team were very friendly, supportive and encouraging. Would definitely recommend, it‘s an experience of a lifetime:)

Excellent communication and information right from our first enquiry, Anastasia was extremely helpful with all our little queries and questions prior to booking. The whole trip went smoothly from the airport collection, the hotel pre and post and the hiring of equipment. I was very nervous about altitude sickness and risk of falling all the guides were very helpful and supportive. All members of the team, lead by Abraham were excellent. The food was excellent. Both Peter and Dennis, who were trainee guides were amazing and no doubt will make excellent guides. We did hire a portable toilet which I felt was well worth it, and the toilet porter did any excellent job. We chose the northern route as it is less busy and the dates as we wanted a starry night. The sunrises and sunsets were beautiful and the night skies amazing. As a couple we are both 50 this year and wanted to do something different and memorable, reaching the summit was definitely both. I would definitely recommend Altezza - they were very reliable, excellent communication, great food, excellent staff and they ensured you were safe on the mountain.

We planned a Kilimanjaro hike for Feb. 2026. We thoroughly researched trekking companies with an excellent reputation. After that process, we selected Altezza. And what a good choice it has been! First, all of your (online) communication is with ONE person. All your questions and requests are handled by the same person. What a delight! In comparison to the support process of many other companies. Our agent was Kristina, and she was and is a delight and has a true customer care heart. The booking and all information was extremely smooth and all online. Sadly, just a week before our departure to Tanzania, a 'silent' heart infection was discovered at my wife, and we had to cancel the whole trip. And even then, Altezza was fully cooperating and showed understanding. Within days, we had a full refund (minus $200 deposit that 'stands' for a future booking). I can wholeheartedly recommend this company to every traveller planning to visit Tanzania.

I had the chance to climb Kilimanjaro with Altezza and it turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life. The trek was tough but amazing, and I got even more out of it than I expected. It was humbling, challenging, and at the same time really enjoyable. The team made the whole thing special. Everyone was so positive and friendly, always smiling even though their jobs are not easy, especially the porters. A few names I remember well - George, our lead guide, Erick who was also brilliant, Faraj who is on his way to becoming a great guide, Victor the chef who cooked excellent meals, Emmanuel the waiter, Maturo the camp master, Daima who looked after the facilities, and Jerome. Each one played a part in making the climb smoother and more fun. It was simply an unforgettable trip, and I’d happily recommend both Altezza and the Kilimanjaro team we had to anyone thinking about doing it.

What an amazing trip it was! A once in a lifetime experience made possible by the excellemt team of Altezza, thank you to all porters, kitchen crew, toilet man, camp master, the aspirant guides and our guides Amos and Israel. We took the northern circuit to the top.of Kilimanjaro with extraordinary views of the mojntain, great acclimatisation and successful ascent. Warmly recmmended to everyone who seeks a relaxed and ambitious expedition to the highest point of Africa!

Amazing experience with the Altezza team! Every single crew member went above and beyond to ensure our comfort and enjoyment on our dream trip up the Kilimanjaro.

It had been five years since the dreadful Covid outbreak that I had last taken a trip. Life happened: I put adventure on hold, bought a house, and got a tenure-track job teaching history and global studies. However, as my 50th birthday drew near, I made the sensible decision to climb Africa's highest peak, freeze, and experience widespread pain. Pre-Climb: Reality Check & Prep I enjoy being outside, whether it be hiking, swimming, or camping, but I had never climbed a 14'er or hiked above 12,000 feet. Unsure of my altitude endurance, I did what any contemporary explorer would do: I dug deep into blogs, ChatGPT, and an embarrassing amount of YouTube, which is, let's face it, essentially heart healthy. Because of its extended acclimatization period, the Northern Circuit route has the highest success rate, according to my "research." However, there are costs associated with that: more miles, more days spent outside, and more chilly, restless nights. Training There were lots of regular Joe types on YouTube, which gave me hope. Additionally, I discovered my guiding firm via a YouTube review. Pro Tip: Select an ethical climbing company that has been approved by KPAP: Climb with a Companion for Conscientious Travel Discussion ChatGPT graciously created a "lazy person's strength routine" for me that would work my arms, shoulders, core, legs, and ankles in an hour. I recorded hours spent on my stationary bike as well. I trained consistently for five months, minus the typical "life happens" breaks. Although I couldn't prepare for altitude because I lived in Texas, I did spend eight days hiking the South Rim and Emory Peak in Big Bend National Park, which was a terrific way to get ready for long climbs and elevation gain. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arrival in Tanzania Airport Kilimanjaro International (JRO) is the place to land. I selected flights with just one little layover because I was traveling from the United States; they are highly recommended. Pro Tip: Obtain your visa at the airport if your nation is eligible for visa-on-arrival. Too many passengers with previously applied e-visas were stranded in lengthy verification lines, in my opinion. One of my best choices was to arrive two days before the climb. It allowed me to recuperate, overcome jet lag, and avoid feeling like a zombie on the first day. Your body will appreciate it if you don't overbook day trips in advance. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Northern Circuit Route (A Day-by-Day Vibe Check) Day 1: You will hike through the hot, humid, and sometimes rainy rainforest. It seems surprisingly simple. Have fun. Day 2: A steep ascent. The woodland will give way to a place of cold evenings and a lot of "why am I doing this?" questions. Day 3–4: After that, the landscape changes, going from alpine desert to moorland to rainforest to the arctic zone. Use trekking poles (unless you prefer impressing others over having knees), take it slow ("pole pole"), stay hydrated at all times, and stop frequently for photos. Pro Tip: There are less glaciers up ahead by Day 5, when you're facing Kenya. Don't wait to take your breathtaking snow-capped photos. To take beautiful night sky pictures, set your phone's camera to long exposure. Days 5-6: You will miss your bed so much by now that your mattress may even become the object of your fantasies, much like a long-lost lover. The reward is on the way, so persevere. Pro Tip: Sock liners are superheroes for preventing blisters. Don't neglect them. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Summit Push (AKA: Why Am I Doing This Again?) Day 6: Four to five hours of hiking and an elevation gain of roughly 2,700 feet are required on the day before summit night in order to reach School Hut Camp. Before you crash, take a nap, drink plenty of water, and begin layering up. Pro Tip: To keep your sleeping bag warm and ready, place your summit gear inside. Day 7: You'll get up for the push at midnight. You can accomplish this despite the long, chilly, steep trek, which can occasionally be windy and cruel. Be careful when layering. Sweating too much is worse than being too cold. I had to take off my down vest in the middle of my trip after starting with four top layers. Gaiters, hiking pants, fleece pants, rain pants, and a Smartwool base layer are on the bottom. The hiking pants were useful for the descent, although I could have omitted them. Pro Tip: To extend battery life, keep gadgets warm (in your sleeping bag or jacket). You will arrive at Gilman's Point or Stella Point around dawn. Inhale, rejoice, rest, and get ready for the final stretch. The last stretch across snow and ice is grueling and magical, so prepare yourself. You'll get that last rush of adrenaline when you see the sign. Put your hand on it. You deserve it. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ At the summit of Uhuru You are now a member of a limited, international group of individuals who have reached the top of one of the Seven Summits. Take your pictures (or it didn't happen, isn't it?) and then pause for a few minutes to breathe in the wonder and awe of it all. This is what you did. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Descent (Spoiler: It’s Not the Easy Part) Day 7-8: It's no joke to come down. With loose pebbles, slides, and sore toes, the hike to Millennium Camp takes five to six hours, followed by another five to six hours the following day. Pro Tip: Make sure your boot laces are tight. Hours will pass while your toes become used to the front of your boots. You will formally be a Kilimanjaro summiteer once you leave the trail. You will receive a certificate and, more significantly, the right to proudly boast about it for the rest of your life. Final Tips: Ask your company - I chose to go with Peak Planet - how much cash you will need for tipping the guides, the kitchen staff, and porters at the end, so that you’re prepared. Listen to your guides, they are there to help you succeed. STAY POSITIVE!

Our trip was seamless from beginning to end. No detail was overlooked. The climb was difficult and only possible due to the incredible crew we had that was singularly dedicated to one goal, safely getting to the top. They call themselves the "dream team" and totally live up to it. Everyone from head guide Elia, and assistant guide Starson, camp manager Authmen, chef Peter, waiter Ismael, and last but not least summit porter Paul (who without his help, I'm not sure I would have made it, went above and beyound. If you have the oportunity to request a specific guide / group, ask for Elia and the "Dream Team"!

First class trip from start to finish. Planning was spot on. Crew was truly amazing. A shout out of gratitude to Regan David Lyimo and Frank Daudi Mbise for their amazing assistance in getting me down the last 13 km with a bum knee. You two were so far above and beyond any expectation in your desire to help and allow me to complete my trek. Communication was fantastic with Maria who planned our trip without a hic-up…. Thank you to all involved in making a once in a life time trip to Kilimanjaro.

Beyond words. From start to finish…ahhhmazing. To quote our guide Khatib. Khatib brought the positives vibes with his spirit, knowledge and smiles. Albert was our lead guide and he made sure we had a successful adventure. Cannot praise him enough. Ally was our third guide. He was always there to get me over boulders and rocks! The guides were truly gifted. They kept us motivated and safe. We were a group of 5 women on private hike via northern route. The mountain and our guides perfectly trained us all to acclimate and summit. The food served by Steven was truly delicious and nutritious. The camp was set up and ran perfectly by porter Rashid. He helped wrangle us all together each morning to get ready for our new day. Robert was our young porter in charge of our 2 private bathrooms. A tent with a portapotty. It was always well maintained and he did it with grace and a smile. Big props to Robert! He will make a fantastic guide someday! Altezza thought of everything. Their group on the ground were very dedicated to us 5 women. There were 29 of them taking care of us! Team OG!! Thank you for an adventure of a lifetime! Sept 29-summitted 08:50 October 6!!