Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers

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111 Reviews

4.8 out of 5

Reviewed January 2012

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE

The most thrilling, rewarding and emotional adventure I have ever been on.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to mention, but here are a few:Setting off from Stella Point in the knowledge that I was going to make it to Uhuru Peak prompted me to burst into tears. An amazing and unexpected personal experience - I hope no one saw me.The camaraderie with guides and fellow trekkers. Personal bonds made for life.So much laughter, especially in times of despair.Getting to the top of the Barranco Wall and, of course, Uhuru Peak - a truly spiritual moment.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Abraham was calm, inspirational, knowledgeable and, by the end of the trip, a true friend. And I have the upmost respect for his whole team, all wonderful people.

Advice for Potential Travellers

First of all read Henry Stedman's book. That's the only guidebook you'll need.Take wet wipes.Plenty of hiking before you go with a heavy load. I hiked 250 miles during the 5 months leading up to the trip.Take something to wee in at night time - you really won't want to leave your tent at night.Hire their mats.Take all the time you need and be positive and remember to laugh and laugh.Talk to the guides and porters, they are such wonderful people.The only time I got blisters was on the way down - that day and a half of descent was an unexpected torture.

Reviewed January 2012

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE

Brilliant experience. It will no doubt end up being the best and worst thing you’ve ever done.

Most Inspirational Moment

Turning the corner on day 2 and seeing Kibo covered in snow basking in the African sunshine. Overall it's a far more beautiful trek than I expected and the summit itself was breathtaking - literally!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Simon was very organised and experiences having climbed Kilimanjaro over 200 times. He had lots of very good advice for us and made sure we were well taken care of. He was also keen to make sure we gave them feedback to ensure that the trip was going as well as possible.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure and go out of the tent occassionally at night! It's not tempting but the starlight views at midnight and dawn (around 6am) are breathtaking. Take more wet wipes than you think you need. Also Aquaphor cream is great for sunburn, windburn, chapped lips, and very painful runny noses which you will probably get on summit day! For night visits outside it's good to pack essentials into the pocket of your down jacket (wipes, headtorch etc) so you can just grab it and go. Sheepskin boots are really comfortable after a day's walking and always warm - even in the higher camps. Take a sigg or similar to use as a hot water bottle (but check they've purified the water so you can drink it when it cools down)And if you have them it's worth taking a pair of goretex socks in case you do end up with more rain than you expect (umbrella is also handy as the rain just pours down)

Reviewed January 2012

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE

Fantastic trip, wonderful experience, highly recommend. Guides, Porters and stomach engineer (aka, chef) all did an excellent job. Trekking is not particularly arduous although summit day is more demanding given A) you ascend overnight, (B) the cold and C) the lack of Oxygen at that altitude.If you have a reasonable level of fitness then, all things being equal, you should manage to make the summit.While it can be warm during the day it can get cold at night. We woke several mornings to frost on the ground so take warm clothes with you and a good sleeping bag, either your own or a hired one.

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching the sun rise over Africa from Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa, was magical. Well worth the overnight hike. Oh, and having my photo taken at the summit to prove I made it!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Simon from the African Walking Company, was superb. He was organised, approachable, calm, patient, enthusiastic, encouraging and had excellent English. He led his team of porters and guides very well. A true leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You might want to consider taking Diamax to help combat the possibility of altitude sickness.The fitter you are, the easier it will be and the more you'll enjoy it. Try doing some hill walking in the Highlands, the Lakes or Snowdon before going. It will help build up your fitness levels.Take warm clothing. While it is warm during the day it can get cold at night. We woke up to frost on several mornings. The ascent to the summit is done overnight, that does get cold. I'd recommend thermals for legs and upper body. In addition I'd suggest you have another 3-4 layers of warm clothing. On top of my thermal vest I had another vest, a warm shirt and a windbreaker then my jacket. Gloves, a balaclava and a hat were also used. On top of my thermal longjohns I had lined trousers designed for wearing in the Scottish winter. That kept me warm. You'll be sleeping in tents so take a torch and a head torch. You'll need a head torch for the overnight climb to the summit. Make sure you take, or hire, a warm sleeping bag and good quality ground mat. The tents can get cold. Take cash in US dollars. Moivaro Lodge, where we stayed before and after the climb, don't accept Sterling but do take US Dollars as well as Tanzanian Shillings. Take your US dollars in small denomination notes. Tips for the guides and porters are paid in US Dollars. Most shops, street traders etc accept US Dollars.If you leave getting your visa until you arrive in Tanzania be prepared for delays. Try and be one of the first off the plane; first come first served. It's all a bit chaotic but they eventually get there.

Reviewed January 2012

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE

A great adventure, well organised by the African Walking Company. A must if you like a bit of walking and can put up with a frosted tent in the morning.

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the top!!Thank you for our guides for the great support and the signing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We did not have a Exodus group leader as the trip was ran by the AWC. I was actually a little disappointed by the service provided by the Exodus representatives. They were not forthcoming with information, missed a floor mat order and on departure day just left us at the airport. Whilst I am a frequent traveler it would have been a little re insuring that someone stayed with us at the airport at least until we all checked in.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be ready for cold nights and warm days and do not give up you can do it!

Reviewed November 2011

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE

Very enjoyable but summit trek was tough. Relieved to get to the top.

Most Inspirational Moment

Standing on the summit definitely, with the rest of the group.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Joseph was excellent. Young but very confident and dealt with everything in a calm and efficient manner.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't be fooled by the fairly easy going first 6 days. The climb up to the summit is hard work because of the cold, lack of sleep the evening before and altitude. But you will get there eventually. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other!

Reviewed October 2011

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE

Great trip – highly recommend the route for pacing and acclimitisation. The final climb is the hardest of course but with the route I felt as if I was getting stronger each day. It is a spectacular climb and something to remember forever.

Most Inspirational Moment

Last half hour of final climb when sun rising to the East. That melted away all tiredness and any doubts on reaching the Summit and replaced it with a big grin! The whole trip is great so be sure to take lots of photos - its also great getting up early every morning to see the Sunrise and also to see the Stars at night - you wont forget those moments.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Simon Matthews (African Walking Company) was very clam, led his guides and porters well and everything went smoothly. He has lots of experience of the mountain (hundereds of climbs - he lost count) and it is comforting to know that experience is there if needed. Also dealt with a mountain rescue without turning a drama into a crisis!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get as much advice and tips from people who have done the climb before. Pay close attention to getting the right kit. Good kit will make life much easier and avoid any hassles! Other than that there is nothing much to worry about - if you are reasonably fit then you will make the climb - my only climbing training was walking up and down the beach :o (I live on an island with the highest point being the rubbish tip). Highly recommend taking the longer Lemoshu route for Kili - it helps with altitude acclimitisation which is very important. Altitude sickness is really the only obstacle to achieving the Summit.

Reviewed October 2011

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE

Great trip, fantastic scenary, good organization and great company. Highly recommended.

Most Inspirational Moment

The best moment was seeing Uhuru point. I was almost in tears and couldn't believe I made it. The whole group made but several of us suffered during day 7. Teh trek doesn't require super fitness but strong determination and a bit of luck with altitude sickness. One thing I regret is not having enough time to absorb the view on on summit. I was cold and rushed down. Make sure you look around and take your time on the summit before heading down.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The leader was very supportive, well organized and quite nice.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you have well tested rain proof clothes for top and bottom. The weather is unpredictable and we had lots of rain. Also, make sure you have warm gloves, sockes and boots. It was really cold during the summit attack and some people suffered from cold feet and hands. Also, make sure you have a warm sleeping bag, it was below freezing for several nights.I used Diamox after suffering from altitude sickenss in day 4. It did help. So, take some with you.

Reviewed October 2011

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE

Superb Expedition, 8 days camping on the mountain in ‘different’ climatic zones culminating in a successful ascent of a wonderful mountain with great friends and meeting some new ones as well. Truly inspirational.

Most Inspirational Moment

Apart from actually arriving at the summit which was our goal after all! The minute I arrived at Stella Point 5735m on the crater rim, after six hours of steep ascent in the dark..the sun came up as I reached the rim a glorious sunrise the curvature of the earth bieng visible. An hour later traversing along the rim I reached the summit, euphoria!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Abrahim, superb guy and a great guide, never in your face but always around, if you couldn't see him you could hear him! Very good organisationally and certainly knew the game, very comfortable on the mountain and his three assistant guides you could see learnt a lot from him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a nail brush, dust gets everywhere! Failing that pay lots of attention to your kit it really is cold up there, I recorded minus 20 degrees centigrade on our route up on summit night and that was without the windchill, with a strong southerly (cold) wind blowing. Down jct and good down sleeping bag a must.Respect acclimatisation, go slowly, drink min 4 litres of water a day and be mountain fit before you go. we had a strong team all seven of us summitted preparation is everything.

Reviewed September 2011

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE

Very well organised

Most Inspirational Moment

How the porters and guides did their job and got you through it with a smile!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Simon was a very good group leader, kept you informed of exactly what was going on and what was to be expected every day.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Drink lots!....4/5 Leters to be exact!

Reviewed August 2011

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE

A very very hard trip, but thoroughly worthwhile, although not for the faint hearted!

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching Uhuru peak after 8 hours of walking in the dark and freezing cold.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Abraham was brilliant, he did everything for us, especially on summit night and without him and the other guides our whole group may not have made it to the top.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a lot of glucose tablets, immodium and a platapus.

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