"Day by day on Mount Kilimanjaro " a Kilimanjaro National Park Travel Page by JulesH

We chose the 6 day Machame Route trek through Tanganyika Tours. The company seemed very pleasant, but in retrospect I feel they could have done more to ensure a successful climb for the whole group. In addition, they did not appear to pay their porters a fair rate, despite what they maintained, and I believe that our tips served more as wages than tips to the poor guys who lugged our stuff up the mountain. Hence the trek cost us a whole lot more than we anticipated as the guide was very prescriptive about how much he would accept in tips. This was NOT discretionary on our part.

Unfortunately, neither myself, nor Rob made it to the summit on the 5th day, although our two friends did. Rob could not climb due to altitude sickness, and me due to sheer physical exhaustion following the long 4th day. I have included some tips on how best to avoid the problems we encountered. This kind of failure was our worst fear for this trip, and it appears that we became a self fulfilling prophesy.

But this is not a tale of failure, so please don't be put off by this account. Evey step I took above 1000 metres was an achievement for me as the highest mountain I had attempted before was Mount Snowdon. I managed to get to nearly 3000 metres relatively easily on day 1 (although that's a bit of a cheat as of course you don't start at sea level) and I was one of the first 9 people to make it to the first campsite, despite walking at a very slow speed. I have every reason to be proud of myself and I saw some amazing sights and tested my limits.

Rob insists he will return to conquer the peak within the next couple of years...I am still undecided whether I will join him though.

If you are discouraged from climbing Kili from reading the following account, then you probably aren't mentally ready for it. Yes, it will probably be the hardest thing you have ever done...but even if, like me, you don't make the summit, it will be such a worthwhile experience. I am glad I did it.