Nicholas, Angel, I hope all is well.... We sure miss you guys...

I thought you might be able to use this, Mike


Big Expeditions

We could not have been in better hands with Big Expeditions. With 15 guides and 60 porters, our group had everything we needed. Julius, the head guide was incredibly knowledgeable about the flora, fauna, cultural and geologic history of Kilimanjaro. He and the rest of the guides were continual wells of information and happily spent time answering questions from the kids, ensuring a continual educational experience. Nicholas and Angel, the owners of Big Expeditions joined the trek and made us all feel like we were folded into their extended family. The porters all joined together to sing us into camp every afternoon and the entire group surrounded us with support, encouragement, and song throughout the trek.

Michael O'Toole & Tim Gordon / The GLOBE Xpedition


Michael G. O'Toole
Xpedition Leader
www.Xpeditiononline.com
502-551-3842
otoole74@gmail.com
michaelotoole@insightbb.com

Dear Nick,

I just want to let you know what a great experience I had climbing Mt Meru with Big Expeditions. Everything went so well - Elias even timed it exactly so we arrived at the summit just as the moon set and the sun rose!

Ozzie set a very comfortable pace and of course not having to carry a back pack was heaven. Elias even carried my day pack up to the summit so I had absolutely no excuse not to get there.

As we walked along - mzungo in the middle - I felt totally relaxed even although I was in an foreign landscape (mbogos, mambas) knowing that, although I was keeping my eyes to the ground so I wouldn't slip, Elias and Ozzie were scanning our surroundings for anything of interest or threat. They
were both so knowledgeable. I loved being on the trail without a crowd of people and even more the short excursions off it to look at colobus monkeys and the waterfall. The climb down from the summit to the Saddle Camp was incredible and the pictures I took with my camera to show my family and friends
here at home just couldn't do the crater, rock and everything else justice.

Raymond's cooking was exceptional and Cornell was so pleasant and helpful. However, my hat goes off to Elias most of all. I thoroughly enjoyed my conversations with him at meals and I learned a lot from him. Everything was well organized and I know that was Elias. He was so nice and tactful when I confessed my tipping problem too. I also really appreciated his and your thoughtfulness in bringing me the newspapers. I read them on the way home and they were very interesting. I should have made a greater effort to get a hold of one before.

My climb was not only fun but enriching personally. I will never forget it and am so grateful to you all for helping make my experience in Tanzania such a memorable one. If I ever get back to Tanzania or Kenya and need a guide I will contact you - but I will insist on Elias!

With kind regards,

Vivien (Galitzki)

PS: I am also going to let Alpine Ascents know what a wonderful time I had.

Dear Nicholas Minja,

Hereby I sent you, as promised, some selected pictures from the 4 th – 9 th Ocotber Kilimanjaro expedition of the EB group. I hope they are what you need. We all enjoyed the Kilimanjaro expedition very much and want to thank you again for the perfect organization. We will inform Edward Bekker about our satisfaction with Big Expeditions.  

Yours Sincerely,  

Kees Vester

Lekdijk 66 3998 NJ Schalkwijk

Nederland

kees@vester.demon.nl  

Dear Nick

You may or may not remember us, but we travelled with Big Expeditions up the Kilimanjaro at the end of June 2007 (guide was John, Machame route) and with a Safari early July. We truly appreciated our trip with Big Expeditions and we just wanted to copy to you the message we sent to Lonely Planet travel books in the hope that they put your name in their books: "I just wanted you to know that we have experienced an amazing trek up the Kilimanjaro with a local company based in Arusha (Tanzania) named "Big Expeditions".  

We paid one of the lowest prices on the mountain and had the best quality trek of all companies (everybody on the mountain at the same time as us agreed). The staff was well treated (for example, a buffet at the bottom on arrival was served on the last day, first aid training for the guide which came in handy when he saved the life of a porter from another company, etc).

The owner Nick is a true mountaineer and it showed in all aspects of the trek and preparation. Our guide went through our entire luggage and made a list of what we were missing, and lended to us everything we needed for free (including trekking boots, down feather jacket, winter sleeping bag, waterproof pants, ski goggles, ... you see the picture).   Food and snacks were amazing and plenty, equipment in excellent condition, and all aspects of the trek was well thought and of quality. We had been recommended this company by other travellers, and we encourage Lonely Planet to investigate this company further as they offer a true quality trek for an excellent price (especially when combined with safari).

We believe it should be part of your book on Tanzania, or the Africa book. Check out the website for more info: www.bigexpeditions.net" ******* Thanks again Nick and all of your staff for this great trip, and we truly hope your business grows and stays true to its current image and values of delivering quality.

Émilie and Maurice

DEARS FRIENDS

ALWAYS I REMEMBER MY TIME IN ARUSHA

Specially

TREKKING in KILIMANJARO!!! WITH VERNON TEJAS!!!

BEST WISHES

for you all at Big expeditions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Marcela (ARGENTINA)