Internationale groepsreis Kilimanjaro Climb - Lemosho Route

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE

A very demanding but extremely rewarding trip. The organisation was perfect and the guides were 2nd to none.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Each day brought it's own challenges with the anticipation of summit day firmly fixed in everyone's mind. The actual summit day was possibly the hardest challenge I have ever had but the feeling of achievement was overwhelming, I see it in my mind every day.

What did you think of your group leader?

Our group leader and his 3 assistants were unbelievable. Their organisation was like a military operation and their skills in recognising potential sickness, weaknesses etc was incredible. We had 100% group summit success and I feel was was down to the guides (and in some part the strength of the group as a whole).

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

My Top Kit Tips - A "pee bottle" but not she-wee. She-wees can cause unpleasant accidents when trying to use at minus 5, at 3am - I had a Uriwell and it was incredible and saved the night time freezing dashes to the loo. I also had a Thermarest Thermal Liner which was a god-send. As far as snacks are concerned take loads, favourites are Jelly Babies and Chocolate mini-bars. Definitely take a platypus/camelback water system. Agreed it might freeze on summit day but only the water in the tube freezes, if you blow the water back into the pack, your body heat will keep it from freezing. I didn't take one and trying to get access to your water bottles when wlaking is near impossible. Take really simple footwear for the evenings, slip ons preferably so that they are easy on/off if you do have to go to the loo. Icebreaker Merino tops really CAN be worn 3+ times without any smells - highly recommend these. Gaiters are a must, do get some.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Don't be tempted to walk fast, the whole point of walking slowly is that your body can adjust, almost on a step by step basis, to the altitude. The better you adjust, the more likely you are to summit successfully. To anyone considering this trip - just do it!It is amazing but DO prepare with plenty of hill walking.

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE

A most amazing lifetime experience. Hard work but well worth it.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Reaching the top of Kili for the sunrise.   Scaling the Barranco wall.   

What did you think of your group leader?

Excellent. Very friendly.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Preperation is the key.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Go for the logest time possible. You see more and get acclimatised better. You also form a good bond between yourselves and the team leader and porters.

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE

An excellent, well-organised trip. Every member of the team, from the chief guide to the porters were hardworking and professional and ensured that we all had a trip that none of us will ever forget.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The porters were incredible. Seeing how hard they worked every day inspired us to keep pushing on. And as a group we worked together to ensure that we all made it to the summit. We couldn't have done it without our 3 excellent guides, Henry, Venance and Wilfred who pushed us every step of the way, especially on summit day when the going got really tough. We also got on really well as a group and we each had our own personal reasons for wanting to make it to the top. Finding out that we'd receive a certificate if we reached the top was an additional incentive! 

What did you think of your group leader?

Henry, our group leader, was the ultimate professional. He was polite and professional and knew exactly how much information to give us each day. He had clearly led trips up Kili on numerous occasions and knew exactly what he was doing. As a group we were also impressed with the way he treated the porters - all were treated fairly and he personally ensured that no porter was carrying too much weight. He took all of our safety seriously, both the clients and the porters and other members of his team. His knowledge of the area was phenomenal and together with the other 2 guides they worked as a team to ensure the trip ran as smoothly as possible.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Make sure you spend time looking at what route you'd liked to do. I chose the Lemosho route as I wanted to give myself the best possible chance of reaching the top. I chose Exodus following a presentation evening I attended in January 2012 where Exodus staff talked through the pros and cons of each route. I realised that the reason I had procrastinated in booking for so long was because I was baffled by which route to take. Attending the evening gave me a really good oversight as to which was the best route for me. I then called Exodus with some questions and they were able to answer them in a professional way. It is definitely worth taking the time to choose your route carefully. And if you buy new kit for the trip make sure you break it in first!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

 Thank you Exodus for giving me the opportunity to achieve one of my goals in life. I would definitely recommend this trip to others - in fact, I already have!

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE

An outstanding trip, well organised and supported. If you want to get to the top of Kili book onto this trip!

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Summit morning, after a week on the mountain and a vey early start on the last approach day, what a reward, sunrise over Africa.

What did you think of your group leader?

Abraham (Chief Guide) and George & Joseph (Assistant Guides) were superb, they know the mountain intimately and were always there to help the group.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

To enjoy this trip, get fit & kit up appropriately, you are considering the summit of a proper mountain. Read the exodus kit list and ask questions. Proper boots, quality warm / sun protection and wet weather kit are essential as are basics like walking socks and water bottles.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Arrange to See your Doctor / travel health specialist about jabs, anti AMS, anti malaria drugs etc as soon as you book.

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE

A fantastic trip, great organisation, great supporting team and a perfect location.  The Lemosho route is highly recommended as it gives time to acclimatise.  All of our group made it to the summit.  I couldn't fault the organisation, all the details had been considered, all we had to do was turn up and walk.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Reaching the top after a hard climb!

What did you think of your group leader?

Abraham our group leader has 10 years experience on the mountain and was great company as well as knowing everything there is to know about trekking on Kilimanjaro.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Rent the sleeping mats from Exodus, well worth the money and really comfy to sleep on.  Take waterproofs and waterproof boots you will need them and take a book, cards or iPad with films etc as you do have free time on this route.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I still can't believe that the porters carried a chemical loo and loo tent up and down the mountain for us to use!! 

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE

What an amazing experience which should definitely go on anyone's "To Do List" of lifetime achievements if you enjoy trekking and the adrenalin rush of summiting a mountain.  With a 96% success rate, the Lemosho route comes highly recommended as your choice of route to take to summit Kili.  The African Walking Company who Partner Exodus locally in Tanzania were exceptional.  The knowledge and care of the guides and porters were amazing - they want each and every client to summit so taking on board all their advice is mandatory.  Whilst there isn't as much scenery as on other trips, every day's walking was different and enjoyable and challenging.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Sunrise at Stella Point and getting to the highest point in Africa, Uhuru Peak.  I was buzzing for days afterwards.  When you consider that the tiny plane I took from Nairobi to Kilimanjaro only just flew above the mountain you realise just how far you have actually climbed.

What did you think of your group leader?

Excellent!  I couldn't fault any of the local organisation.  The Chief Guides and Assistant Guides seemed to know how we were feeling each and every day and knew what we were thinking.  Fantastic.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

You are advised to take a mat with you to sleep on.  You can either take your own (which you have to deflate and pack each day) or hire one at the cost of 25 Pounds Sterling for the whole trip.  Definitely hire one - well worth it as the ground can be rocky.  You need all the energy you can get for summit day so sleeping comfortably in the tent is a definite plus point.  Fleece trousers are fantastic.  Very lightweight and not very expensive (North Face).  Great for keeping you warm at night without having to put on too many layers.  You definitely need a good down jacket for summit day.  I would also recommend mittens as opposed to outer gloves for summit day.  These would be much easier to get on over your inner gloves when it is freezing cold - pushing your fingers through is almost impossible.  Mittens are already on my "To Buy" list for my next trip.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I had the opportunity to go into Arusha the next day and bargain in the local market and have a beer in the bar - if you get this opportunity, take it to get a taste of the local ambience (I did go with one of the assistant guides, no on my own)!

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE

An amazing experience - a trip of a lift time that was made by the great group of people and the fantastic guides. Reaching Stella Point as the sun was rising is something I will never forget and made the final trek to Uhuru Peak that much easier. Our head guide Henry was superb as were his assistant guides, Double V, Hans, Ricardo, Halida and Emanuel. Without their support, encourage and positivity I would have struggled to make that final push to the top. Thank you all in helping me achieve my goal of climbing Kilimanjaro.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Climbing the Barracho Wall was awesome, looking at the people ahead of us and realising we had to follow them up the path was amazing. Reaching the top after 2 hours was one of the highlights of the trip, but actually climbing up the wall was one of the most daunting 2 hours of my life! As we climbed towards Stella Point the guides kept us motivated and focused and everytime someone asked ' how much further' the reply came back, 'not much further now, keep going'. Their positive psychology made the 9 hour climb seems so much shorter and the welcome cup  of tea when we reached Stella Point made the final climb to Uhuru Peak that much easier. The overall organisation of the trip was superb, the tents up when we arrived, fantastic food throughout the trip and the welcome cup of tea at 6.30am every morning made the whole trip so stress free.

What did you think of your group leader?

Our Head Guide, Henry, from the African Walking Company was fantastic. Without his support and encouragement I would have struggled to make the summit as my asthma was very bad and I also developed a very bad cold. Henry and his team made everything run smoothly, nothing was too much trouble and the assistant guides walked with me to ensure that I kept up with the rest of the group. Their calm and efficient organisation made the trip so enjoyable. Without the support of Henry and his team I would have struggled to make the summit and I thank them all for helping me achieve my goal of climbing Kilimanjaro.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Order a sleeping mat - the ground is uneven and stony and it also helps with the cold at night. Take some shoes to wear in the evening, that are easy to put on at night when you need to do a night time loo run Take a Camelbak/Bladder - you need to drink lots and regularly and if you use poles then it is much easier to use the bladder rather than bottles. I used the bottles to fill up the bladder as required. Take the best sleeping bag you can afford. It is very important that you are warm and hence sleep at night as you need all your strength for the walking.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Get on and book this trip - if you have been thinking about doing it, just get on and pick a date. Best experience I have had and something I will never forget!

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE

What a wonderful experience! Excellent group members and excellent guides who made the whole trip an unforgettable experience.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Whilst plodding up to Stella Point in the dark and cold, feeling more than a little weary, the guides broke into song which raised the spirits enormously. Who would have thought that a cup of warm water could be such a welcome drink when we finally reached Stella Point? After a few minutes to regain our energy, the final hour to Uhuru seemed endless in the rarified air, but we finally made it! A moment of sheer exhilaration.

What did you think of your group leader?

Samuel was undoubtedly the most experienced guide on the mountain. He dealt with everything in a calm and dignified manner and seemed to be respected by all other guides and porters. He was a fantastic group leader and we all felt very safe in his capable hands. His genuine concern for our welfare was second to none.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

We were all rather surprised to have our Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate scrutinised on entry to Tanzania. It seems this is essential if arriving via Addis Ababa. On arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport we were advised by the local rep to change some dollars into shillings - this is not at all necessary and indeed proved difficult to spend as everywhere is set up to take dollars.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Don't procrastinate - book the trip of a lifetime.

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE

very well organsied by the local tour company. By the time we arrived in camp each day our tents were set up and there was hot drinks and snacks ready with hot water for washing

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Reaching the summit after an 8 hour climb in cold windy blizzard conditions, the views of the sun rising over the ice fields just before you reach Uhuru were stunning.

What did you think of your group leader?

Naiman was very good, all of the guides were excellent - they made a good team, they were constantly checking to make sure we were all ok and took time to get to know us all. When people started to feel ill through altitude sickness (6 out of 13 needed to take Diamox) they made sure that they were well enough to continue - we all reached the summit. Naiman's pep talk the afternoon before summt day was that none of us would fail just because we were tired - and he kept to his word.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Read the trip notes and take the items listed. Dont underestimate the effects of altitude even if you have climbed high before

Is there anything else you would like to add?

We didnt need to change our money in shillings - everywhere takes US $ - take more than you think you need in case of emergencies - my bergen didnt arrive with me and Kenya Airways then charged US $70  to have it delivered to me later that day. If you are arriving from outside the UK and cant get the yellow fever vaccination it is available at kili airport on arrival for US $40. If you see souvineers you like at the shops when you leave the park and want to have something which says Kilimanjaro on it then buy it there, nowhere else has kili written on it!

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE

It was a trip of a life time.The guides and the whole team were superior.My follow travellers were fantastic we all worked as a team.The eight of us all got to the top.Thanks to the mountain angles(guides).

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

It was the best trip I was every on.I didn't want to come home.

What did you think of your group leader?

The four guides were were first-rate ,the whole team were marvellous.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Go you will have a great time

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Wish I was back

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE

The trip of a lifetime, well organised from start to finish, totally professional. Our group of 8 started and successfully completed the trek to the top of the highest free standing mountain in the world - Mount Kilimanjaro...Uhuru Peak - Hakuna Matata

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Climbing the Baranco Wall was one of the best days along with the Baranco Camp views above the clouds looking out over to Mount Meru which sat below us at 15,000 feet. Summit day, reaching the top with 100% success in the group, me being the eldest and a 17 year old the youngest.

What did you think of your group leader?

The group leader Henry was pleasant and inspirational, he was like my dad, always checking if we had drank enough, eaten enough, if anyone was quiet he was onto them straight away to ensure everything was ok and he directed his other guides with army like precision. One comment about Henry that maybe Exodus could help out with, he can't sing...totally tone deaf, although his song "This is how we do it" cheered us all up every time he sang it.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Read the trip notes and advice, get all of the injections and kit required, train well, listen to your guides they know more about the mountain than you will ever know. Drink plenty on the mountain, and most of all, take a happy and positive attitude with you, summit day is very testing and is all about your mental attitude, if you are weak and not positive you will not make it up there.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Layers, ploe pole - slowly slowly. Drink plenty. Be positive, you can do it if you train correctly, have a bit of a laugh on the way and drink plenty?

Lemosho Route - a perfect adventure!

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

What did you think of your group leader?

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Is there anything else you would like to add?

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE

A good long walk with a tough ascent night

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Apart from reaching the summit, the whole trip was great, beautiful mountain, lovely people, bonding with new friends and laughing all the way.

What did you think of your group leader?

Henry Fernandes from the African Walking Co was our head guide, he, his guides and porters looked after us all so well, they were very professional but didn't mind having a laugh too.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Pole Pole, Drink Drink, Wee Wee !

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I didn't want to leave, send me back please !

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE

Excellent organization. Maybe a bit over the top in the commodities... but definitely appreciated once there. The African Walking Company is an excellent organization. 

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Seeing how one of our main guides took the load from a porter from another organization that had damaged his knee and carry the load until the end of the route. No one else did anything, and the porter kept pushing even though the damage he had done to his knee was really serious.  Knowing that the company respect human values is very important. 

What did you think of your group leader?

Just one word: Awesome

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Drink, drink, drink.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I miss the mighty mountain.

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE

A fantastic week on Kilimanjaro.    This was my 2nd attempt @ Kili after previously climbing on the Rongai route.   I was under the misguided impression that this would be easier.  How wrong!  Each day was significantly harder than the Rongai route and in my mind the final ascent was just as hard as previously.  It is a long day!   It took me 9 hours to get to Stella point, another 5ish to get down, then a quick lunch break before the final 2-3 hour walk to Millenium camp.   This trip is far harder than you believe it will be however you will form great friendships and ultimately have one of the most memorable weeks of your life.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Amongst our group was a grandfather travelling with his 2 grandsons.   The speech given by the grandfather upon receiving his certificate choked me and many of our group.

What did you think of your group leader?

Our group of 15 was supported by a network of over 50 local staff.   Abraham was our group leader and his skills at managing this large group were exemplary.  He was always happy, had an encyclopaedic knowledge of the mountain and I was never in doubt that our safety and enjoyment of the time on the mountain was his top priority.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

This was my second trip to Kili and there are a couple of points I think are vital ·          HIRE A SLEEPING MAT!  They are thicker than anything you could buy here and are carried separately to your luggage therefore do not take up space in your holdall/15kg allowance. ·          The scales at the Moivaro lodge are incorrect.  They stated I was 3 kg over my allowance however after getting rid of some peanuts and wet wipes, my bag only weighed 12kg when weighed by the porters. ·          Take more cash than you ever intended for tipping.   You will need to add to the group kitty but then so many individuals play an important part in your journey you will want to show your appreciation to them directly (i.e. the porter who carries your bag / the guide who gets you to the top of the mountain) I promise that whatever you expect to tip you will want to double when you see how far everyone goes out of their way to help you. ·          Tuck your trousers into your socks when walking through the jungle or else biting Ants will make the journey north.  My friend had to rip her trousers down to find 2 ants biting her legs dangerously close to her knicker line!  ·          READ MY BELOW ADVICE ON DONATING CLOTHES TO THE PORTERS!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

onOn our trip one porter wore a pair of plastic overtrousers held together with masking tape therefore we were all keen to donate as much equipment as we could.  A bag was left for us to donated unwanted equipment to the porters and this was later sorted onto a sheet placed infront of the porters during the tipping ceremony.   It was quite distressing to see that the choicest items we donated were taken by the guides before they were even offered to the Porters!   I would recommend you hold back on adding items to this bag and merely add them to the sheet placed directly infront of the porters….or else give as gifts to the porters directly

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE

I have to be honest and say that I didn’t enjoy much of the trip due to the lack of support from the rest of the group.  I still think about the trip even though I’ve been back for two months – the mountain gets inside your head!  I wish I’d tried for the summit, but it’s a different feeling being back home than being at base camp at midnight on a very cold and windy night (it was the worst wind they’d seen all season) and the temperature went down to -20 on summit night.  I will try it again one day!

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

As I did not reach the summit, climbing up the Barancha wall was a real achievement – especially after our guide told us that he tried to help Roman Abramovich up the wall, but he gave up by the kissing stone!

What did you think of your group leader?

All the assistant guides were great, but I wasn’t impressed with the chief guide.  I struggled quite a lot to stay with the rest of the group, and I didn’t find him particularly encouraging.  When I said I wasn’t going to try for the summit, he didn’t encourage me at all.  My husband attempted the summit, but had to turn back due to altitude sickness.  Twice the guide told him to push on, even though he had been sick and had a very bad headache.  He should have taken my husband down to camp much sooner.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Definitely hire an exodus sleeping matt, well worth it.  It gets very cold at night.  Only the first 2 nights were warmish, the other nights were freezing!  Wear lots of layers in bed.About half of our group didn’t take Diamox.  Two that didn’t take it ended up having to take it on summit night to help them reach the summit.  Stick together as a group as much as possible.  It’s not a race.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

If I did the climb again, I would definitely do it with people I know.  The other members of our group were not at all interested in walking Pole Pole (slowly slowly), as advised by the guides.  Even when I was asked to walk directly behind the guide, the rest of the group were trying to overtake me.  At the end of everyday, certain members of the group were complaining that they could have walked faster and longer.  On day one, everyone said that if we all stayed together, we would all make it.  This was quickly forgotten and it was every man/woman for themselves.  The guides didn’t try to discourage this, so the group was split everyday, 5 in one group, and myself and my husband in one group.  I found this extremely demotivating, being away from the rest of the group.  On summit night, I decided to stay in camp, and no-one tried to encourage me to try for the summit.  I felt extremely let down by the rest of the group and the guides.  Having watched the celebrities doing the Kili climb for Comic Relief, I was hoping our trek might be the same – everyone encouraging everyone else.  Our trek was not like that at all.I still achieved everything that the other members of the group did (apart from reach the summit), albeit a bit slower – but that is the philosophy of the guides, slowly slowly.On the plus side, the porters are fantastic – they’re simply not human!  To carry what they do every day is amazing.  And the chef was awesome, the food he served was better than some I’ve had in some restaurants!  To be served chips at over 3000 metres was super!

Kilimanjaro - Lemosho route

This is one of those experiences that will stay with you for the rest of your life! To stand on top of the worlds highest freestanding mountain and know that you did it on your own steam is a fantastic feeling.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

waking up in the morning , opening the tent flap and watching the sunrise and the clouds far below you

What did you think of your group leader?

I want to thank our chief guide , Mekeke. and the other guides for all of their help over the trip. Without their experience, humour, knowledge and encouragement we would not have all made it to the top.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

If you are of average fitness, and you want to, you can do this, and you wont regret it! It,s easy for me to preach now that I have done it , but I was concerned that i wasnt fit enough, or I was going to suffer from altitude sickness , but there was only one way I was going to find out. do plenty of walking beforehand, follow the packing lists on this site , and trust your guides to look after you !

Is there anything else you would like to add?

just again my thanks to exodus, the African walking company ,and the guides , the cook and the porters for their organisation, communication and hard work to make this an experience of a lifetime!

Pole Pole

A gruelling but worthwhile trip.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Obviously the summit for those who reach it, otherwise the imposing Barranco Wall.

What did you think of your group leader?

Abraham from the Africa Walking Company is a gifted and strong leader, managing as he does 57 guides and porters not to mention 14 walkers. The sheer logistics of getting all of us up the mountain at the same time with no hitches would make me dizzy! The guides were watching us all the time and checking our condition, giving advice and generally keeping us going. We were also extremely well fed and lacked nothing to eat or drink, the chef and porters were all fantastic.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Take Exodus` notes seriously and be well prepared. The whole point of this trip is to get you up Kilimanjaro in pretty extreme conditions. It is not for beginners and is a hard climb even for experienced walkers. The camping, though well organised, is fairly basic. Once wet, stuff can`t really be dried, you will be cold and uncomfortable a lot of the time. You will need to be determined and resourceful. The walking itself is ok until summit day but gets harder as the oxygen levels drop. This trip gives you an extra day to acclimatise and no one in our group had serious altitude sickness beyond breathing difficulties. You just have to do everything very slowly indeed, even standing up!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

The walk takes you through rainforest then alpine terrain followed by bare scree. There was plenty of wildlife to spot in the rainforest: monkeys, birds, rodents and we saw jackal spoor but not the jackals themselves. For the three middle days we were in thick mist and saw very little but once we got above the clouds the view was spectacular and worth all the effort. Only then did we get an impression of the sheer mass of the mountain. If you`re interested in doing this, it is well worthwhile but you do need to be fairly fit and active, and some walking experience will help.

Do you like pina coladas and walks in the rain?

Very challenging but ultimately rewarding trip. Camping is a pain in the neck after a while. Prepare to be dirty, cold and generally uncomfortable for the whole trip, I think this got to me more than the walking. I believe Kili is quite scenic but it was misty for us most of the time and I could have been at home in Scotland out a damp hillwalk.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Getting to Uhuru peak after a 7.5 hour slog up the scree with hilariously low oxygen saturations. Going a bit mental on the top and having fabulous 'runner's high' type thing going on on the way back to Stella. Wish I could have bottled that. Hypoxia can be fun! Relaxing on Zanzibar afterwards wasn't too shabby.

What did you think of your group leader?

Abraham was a great guy and ably assisted by his team of guides. Mama Lucy helped me the most but Stratton, Hans, Angela, Innocent and Tosha were all brilliant too as were the cook and porters. I left some old equipment with them. I was lucky to be part of a great group who really made the trip.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Take it very slowly indeed, the speed seems ridiculous at first but quickly becomes a necessity. Leave your type A personality and desire to win at the door, on this trip the tortoises will get there in the best shape. There is no rush, what are you going to do with extra time in camp? We had lots of card games, hypoxia induced silliness and new sport called toss the rock. Camping just annoyed me after a while. I had my own tent and it was well worth it just to have my own space. They are big enough but I'm not convinced that sharing with a random and 2 people's equipment is a good idea when the experience is stressful enough as it is. Snoring gets worse at altitude. Bring ear plugs. Bring LOTS of snacks. Minstrels travels especially well. Ladies, check out a She-wee and Pee-bols for night time. Try to look after each other. Everyone will have a bad day at some point (Lava Tower for me, it can happily be erased from my memory for ever!). If you are lucky enough to be feeling well, try to divert some of your energy into helping those who are not with some daft games or a supporting arm or hug. It is much more satisfying to help others to succeed as well as yourself and to get there as a team. A couple of folk had music on their phones, this was a great boost during hard bits although it was hard to sing along to Africa by Toto on summit night! Try to learn some Swahili from the guides, you've got nothing better to do!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I had a fabulously relaxing 6 night stay at Fumba lodge tagged on at the end. It took a few days to recover from Kili and I can't imagine what state I'd have been in if I'd have returned to work immediately. The staff are total gems, good food and cocktails and really chilled surroundings. Moivaro coffee plantation was also lovely and I enjoyed a lovely scrub and massage when we got back. I did come out in a rash the next day so maybe avoid if you have sensitive skin! I think my skin just wasn't used to being clean anymore.

Kilimanjaro - Lemosho Route

A fantastic, challenging but exhilarating experience! If you are thinking about it - do it!!

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The highlight for me was the people that I spent this most amazing experience with and to have all 12 of the group reach the summit.

What did you think of your group leader?

Abraham was great, he was very informative about the trek and kept a close eye on all the group checking that no-one was suffering from Altitute sickness.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Just be prepared, make sure that you have the right gear to tackle all sorts of weather eventualities, keep fit and most of all have a "postive mental atitude".

Is there anything else you would like to add?

The African Walking Company who supported us on our trek, all the porters, tent guides, chef, assistant guides and lead guides were all brilliant and without their support, we would not have reached the summit.