Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest peak of Africa continent. Today, some trek expert teams offer Climbing Kilimanjaro tours where you can enjoy a lifetime experience to step on the world’s highest free-standing summit. If it’s your first Climbing Kilimanjaro tour, you should know that the price isn’t the only major factor to consider. Instead, check these following guides to pick the best Climbing Kilimanjaro tour.
1. Safety
First of all, the tours should focus on safety indicators. The guides should be certified and be able to perform regular health checks pulse and oxygen saturation during climbing. Check whether they’re in partnership with high-altitude medical training organization or not. Ensure that the tour or guides have emergency protocols including rescue and evacuation procedures. In the worst scenarios of Climbing Kilimanjaro like severe injuries or serious health problems, a reliable tour should be able to provide helicopter evacuation.
2. Professional Guides
You should ensure that the tours have professional, licensed, and experience Climbing Kilimanjaro guides. It’s mainly indicated by the success rate of the high summit. The high success rate may represent the overall skills and how the guide team collaboratively work to reach the summit. At this point, you can check the tour specs or ask for licenses and/or certification directly to tour providers. In other hands, it’s also helpful to check the former customers’ experience towards the Climbing Kilimanjaro services.
3. Equipment and Facilities
A reliable Climbing Kilimanjaro tour should provide you with quality equipment. The four-season climbing tents should be heavy-duty, warm, and waterproof as the weather could be very harsh especially when you’re reaching the peak. They should be able to provide you with foods and clean water during the climbing which is the fundamental sources of energy for climbing for sure. It would be better if they can provide sanitary solutions like toilet tents or other similar facilities. Even though it’s an adventure tour, the comforts and convenience are still considerable factors.
4. Route and Tour Options
There are various routes of Climbing Kilimanjaro including Marangu route, Rongai Route, Machame route, Lemosho route, and Northern Circuit route. Each route feature different distance, difficulties, views, and experience. For example, if you the shortest distance to the peak, you can take Marangu Route while the quietest routes include Rongai Route and Northern Route. However, if you want to see cultivation area, village, and locals during your climbing, Machame route could be the best option. Each route takes less or more days to complete which also depends on the tour package.
5. Customer Reviews
You can take the customer perspective into account when choosing Climbing Kilimanjaro tour package. Comprehend their experience on the routes, the guide professionalism, equipment, facilities, procedures, and other factors. See how far the features are confirmed by to former customers. See whether they’re satisfied with the Climbing Kilimanjaro tours or not. Take your time to research the customer reviews so you can get into a conclusion soon.