MOUNTAIN FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why Big Expeditions?
Why is definitive guide training is so important?
How many guides will be on my climb?
When is the best time to climb kilimanjaro?
What weather like on kilimanjaro?
What routes does Big Expeditions Arrange?
What kind of climbing gears do I need?
Who will prepare the food on the mountain?
What's food like during the climb?

Why Big Expeditions?
Big expeditions is one of the most experienced outfits, its owned by the professional Guides, we have been leading our climbs for many years, always we do it by ourselves and we do not sub-contract our climb. We are always updating our experiences by trainings.

Our concern is for your safety, and Big Expedition safety record is high and impeccable. We as the guides we do a lot of courses every year during the low season. Especially the first aid courses and Ecology, this is due to the weather changes allover the world (GLOBAL WARMING). So every year we have to do the course and to pass the exams both by written and practical.

Why is definitive guide training is so important?
Every year 5-10 people die on Kilimanjaro, many of them are porters and some are the clients, this is due to poor or no medical training to the guides, if the guides had received definitive qualified medical training on a regular basis, these death could have been avoided.

How many guides will be on my climb?
Many other companies have only one guide leading the group, we Big Expeditions we offer two medically qualified guides for 2-5 group of people. But if you are climbing alone you will be with one medically trained guide and certified guide. Most outfits send you down with a porter who is not qualified to administer any medical care whatsoever.

When is the best time to climb kilimanjaro?
We used to advise people not to climb from mid- March to mid-April, and mid-October to mid-November, due to the rains. However, over the past 15 years, the weather has become extremely unpredictable. We now recommend climbing all year around.
Keep in mind that Kilimanjaro has its own weather patterns, and you should count on rain within the first 2-3 days regardless of when you climb.

What weather like on kilimanjaro?
Equatorial to arctic conditions are present on the kilimanjaro, as you climb through the rain forest, the moorland, and high desert, the temperature decrease. The top considered arctic weather, where you will find permanent ice and below freezing temperatures. Temperature at the summit can get as 0 degrees F to minus 15 F.

What routes does Big Expeditions Arrange?
We do arrange the MACHAME, RONGAI, LEMOSHO or the WESTERN BREACH TRAVERSE, the MARANGU and UMBWE ROUTES. With extra days for acclimatization with Big Expeditions you can climb 6-9 days. 98-99% of the people climbing these longer routes make it to rooftop of Africa (Uhuru “freedom” peak 5895mASL). All other routes the summit ascent is done at night whereas on the Western Breach Traverse, there is no night climbing.

What kind of climbing gears do I need?
You need to have the following stuff for your climbing:
Boots, thermal under wear, warm clothes, e.g.- top pants, water/windproof pants and shell, socks (at least 6 pairs-to be changed at least once on the way up), winter hat/ balaclava (cover head and ears) water bottle, gators (for mud and sand), gloves (water/wind proof), neck warmer or scarf, sunglasses, flash light and batteries, walking stick, sleeping bag, and rain wear,

Who will prepare the food on the mountain?
We Big Expeditions have trained climbing and safari chefs, who has been working with some 4 stars hotels, you will eat two delicious hot meals a day- breakfast and dinner. Lunch is a pack lunch which you carry with you during a day. All camp meals are served up in our dinning tent. If you have special dietary needs, let us know, and we will be happy to oblige.

Our cooks do just that- cook. They're specially trained, and whip up amazing meals for you. There is a great variety of food prepared over gas stoves in the kitchen tent. Feel free to pop in to the tent for some cooking tips! We do not burn any firewood's on the mountain.

What's food like during the climb?
Our typical food on the mountain includes;

Breakfast: Coffee, tea, Milo, cocoa, Drinking chocolates, milk, porridge, assorted fruits, fruit juice, scrambled eggs/omlets/spannish omelets, sausage, beacons, toasted bread, cheese, margarine, jam, honey, and peanut butter.

Lunch: fish, chicken or beef, full cheeseburger in sausage viena, chocolate bars, juice box, boiled eggs, queen cake, assorted fruits, biscuits, hot tea or coffee.

Evening time before dinner: popcorn, mixed biscuits, peanuts, tea, cocoa, Milo, coffee, drinking chocolate, potatoes, banana or cassava crisps.

Dinner: our meals are provided according to the altitude e.g.; Fresh cucumber soup, lionize potatoes, paper steak, cooked meat or vegetarian meals (these include chicken/ beef with rice, spaghetti bolognaise,pasta sliced fresh carrots and green beans, mashed potatoes, and salads), fruits and juice and variety drinks.