Kilimanjaro Climbing by Car Day Trip

Kilimanjaro or bust

I enjoyed the Kilimanjaro hike. We drove the first leg and that helped. Our guide was Peter. He was a skilled hiker and moved quickly along the course. It’s a beautiful thing to see and experience. I will caution hikers, this is listed as an experience that 5 years olds can do. This is a difficult trek. It is not moderate on any level. If you aren’t used to hiking at an advanced level be careful. I got altitude sickness and didn’t finish. We were 30 minutes from Cathedral. The guide was moving quickly but I was wiped out. It took 7 hours. The experience itself was great but the altitude sickness and pace of the guide was not. The guide is very skilled and provided meals etc. the pace was just off.

Response from the operator: Dear Jannette, Thank you sincerely for taking the time to share this honest and detailed feedback about your Kilimanjaro trek. We are thrilled that you found the overall experience beautiful and that Peter's expertise, along with the meals and the initial drive, added value to your journey. However, we are truly concerned and deeply sorry to learn that the pace and the difficulty level negatively impacted your trek, ultimately preventing you from reaching Cathedral. Please know that your feedback is not taken lightly—it is invaluable in helping us refine our guest experience. Regarding the guide's pace: While Peter is highly skilled and accustomed to moving efficiently, we absolutely acknowledge that the guide's rhythm must adapt to the client, not the other way around. A faster pace at high altitude can significantly exacerbate fatigue and altitude sickness, which is the opposite of what we aim for. We will be addressing this directly with Peter and our entire guiding team to reinforce the critical importance of constant client communication, regular pace checks, and prioritizing individual stamina over speed. We apologize that this balance was not struck during your hike. We also take your point about the difficulty rating very seriously. While age is not always the defining factor in physical capability, describing this trek as suitable for a 5-year-old clearly sets misleading expectations. This is a strenuous, high-altitude undertaking that demands solid cardiovascular fitness and careful acclimatization. We are already reviewing our marketing materials and pre-trip communications to ensure we present a far more accurate and transparent picture of the physical challenges involved. Most of all, we empathize with the disappointment of coming so far—just 30 minutes from Cathedral—only to be forced to turn back. You absolutely made the right call for your safety, and we commend your judgment, but we wish we had managed the pacing better to give you the best possible chance to summit. Thank you for holding us to a higher standard. Should you ever consider another adventure with us—perhaps at a lower altitude or with a fully customized pace—we would be honored to host you again. Please feel free to reach out to us directly at twendeafricatours@gmail.com/+255766808335 so we can personally ensure your next experience is tailored perfectly to your needs. Warm regards, Peter/Owner Twende Africa Tours

via Tripadvisor