Do tour operators train clients before they climb Kilimanjaro?

No! Tour operator does not engage in the business of training clients.
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is a physical undertaking, so you should prepare yourself accordingly with a Kilimanjaro training program. Being in good shape is important in many respects. Obviously, strong, conditioned legs make it easier to walk uphill and downhill for sustained periods of time. General aerobic fitness allows the body to function efficiently with less oxygen. And a fit body is more likely to withstand the stress of consecutive days of hiking and camping. Finally, a positive mental attitude can work wonders for you when fatigue and doubts arise.

You should start training for climbing Kilimanjaro at least two months prior to your departure. If you've never hiked before, you should start with shorter time intervals, a slower pace, and no weight (in your day pack) and then gradually increase all of the above as your fitness level improves. Remember that on Mount Kilimanjaro, you will walk slowly for prolonged periods, and carry probably no more than 20 lbs. in yousay pack. Therefore, in your training, it is better to increase the time interval/distance and keep a slow pace than to shorten the time interval/distance and increase the pace. Try to train three times a week, for at least one hour per session, at a minimum. If you can do day hikes for four to six hours, with moderate elevation changes (~1,000 ft/305 m) while carrying a 20 lb. pack, or if you can climb stairs or use a Stairmaster for 1-2 hours, at 30 steps per minute while carrying a 20 lb. pack, then you're probably ready for the real thing.

Your longest/hardest workouts should be performed two to four weeks before your departure. For the last two weeks, you should taper off you’re training and in the final days, rest so that your body has time to recover before your actual climb. In addition to walking/hiking, you can also supplement your training with exercises such as running or cycling, which will increase your aerobic capacity.

It is imperative that during Kilimanjaro training, you wear the boots that you intend to climb with so that they are sufficiently broken-in (to prevent blisters). Additionally, you should wear the day pack you intend to carry so you're your shoulders/back/hips get used to the points of contact and weight (to minimize chafing and soreness).

Lastly, physical training is just one part of getting in shape. If you have an unhealthy lifestyle, umb as your motivation to change. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Reduce your red meat consumption. Don't drink or smoke. Get eight hours of sleep per night. Don't worry. Be happy.

Tour operators

Is professional and friendly and will support you through the whole process of planning the trek., You want a tour operator that offers a quality mountain crew, as these are the guys who'll be trekking with you, looking after your safety, setting up camp and cooking for you, and encouraging you if you're struggling at any point during the climb.

It's critical that you choose the right Kilimanjaro tour operator for your trek. Firstly, you want a good tour operator who provides the necessities (and extras) to make your trek as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. Think tasty, nutritious meals, camp chairs for relaxing in during the evenings, and quality tents that ensure a dry sleep, among other things. Secondly, you want a company that takes your safety seriously. If something goes wrong on the mountain, from a sprained ankle to altitude sickness symptoms, you want guides that are properly trained in mountain first aid.

Want a company that you know treats its mountain crew ethically. At Follow Alice we're a partner company of the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP) and the International Mountain Explorers Connection (IMEC). This NPO advocates for the fair treatment and proper payment of Kilimanjaro porters. We encourage you to only climb Kilimanjaro with a tour operator who has undergone and passed KPAP's rigorous vetting process.

Note that a good tour operator should also ensure there are emergency evacuation procedures in place. For instance, if someone is seriously injured or ill, flying doctors (air ambulances) can airlift the patient down to ground level where they can receive the necessary medical treatment. Be sure to ask any tour operator you're considering travelling with if they have an emergency evacuation plan in place.

The way you choose the right Kilimanjaro tour operator

The internet, as informative as it is, can also be pretty overwhelming. If you search for Kilimanjaro tour operators, for instance, you'll be inundated with results. And then how to know which to look at, and which are any good? Try not to get too caught up in finding the cheapest option. We’re all for saving money, but not to the extent that it makes a major expedition like climbing Kilimanjaro unpleasant or even unsafe. You're going to be spending a chunk of money on your airfare and the trek anyways, so doesn’t risk the quality and enjoyment of it all just to save a few dollars. That's our opinion, at least.

The best tour operators

Budget tour operators
These are operators are considered to be the least expensive and usually charge between dollar 1,500 and dollar 1,900. This may sound great, but keep in mind that if you pay them less, they probably pay their guides and porters less. Budget tour operators will also charge you less, but increase the tipping amount for you to budget, so ultimately you end up spending around the same amount of money as you would for a value tour operator, minus the quality in service. We discussed the importance of good guides and porters in relation to your health and safety earlier in this post, so keep that in the forefront of your mind when making this decision. Their equipment and food will also be of a lower standard than your value operator. The importance of good, nutritious food is not to be overlooked as this is what will sustain you on this journey.

Value-for-money tour operators
These tour operators generally offer a per-person package fee of anywhere between dollar 1,900 and dollar 3,200. Value operators offer treks of about 6 to 8 days in duration, which give you extra time to acclimatise and so increase your likelihood of successful summiting the mountain. They also ensure your guides and porters are properly prepared, well paid, and don’t compromise on the quality of food or equipment. Follow Alice falls into this category of tour operator. Our fee also includes one night of accommodation and transport on either side of the trek. When comparing the package prices of different tour operators, consider if they all offer the same inclusions.

Luxury tour operators
Any company offering a Kilimanjaro trek package above dollar 3,200 per person can be considered a luxury tour operator. These operators usually offer the same services and amenities as value-for-money operators, but they just offer a little more as well. What sort of extras, you ask? Usually they'll offer five-star accommodation on either side of the trek, as well as things portable showers, wine and oxygen tanks during the trek itself. A reputable luxury tour operator is a perfectly fine choice for your Kilimanjaro trip if such extras appeal to you - the cost is just generally out of the reach of most people's pockets.