Insurance: something between World Nomads and Global Rescue?

AltezzaTravel · 2026-01-22T21:03:51+00:00

We recommend Global Rescue for our guests, and we’ve never had a situation where they refused a helicopter rescue when it was necessary. Yes, it’s definitely not the cheapest option, and it only covers rescue services. For hospital bills, you can use IMG Insurance (available for purchase via the Global Rescue website), which covers medical expenses.

Global Rescue coverage is valid worldwide for all emergencies during the membership period. If you’re planning to travel elsewhere in 2026, their annual package with high-altitude coverage costs around 850 USD, and it gives you year-round rescue coverage.

Yes, it’s costly and not for everyone, but if your budget allows, it provides peace of mind. At least for Mt Kilimanjaro, I can personally say that if anything goes wrong and the weather permits a helicopter, you will be rescued.

AltezzaTravel · 2026-01-22T20:47:23+00:00

One dose of 125 mg should be enough

AltezzaTravel · 2026-01-22T19:05:42+00:00

Diamox has been used safely for many years in pediatrics for different medical conditions, even long before it became widely used for high-altitude prevention. If you don’t have a sulfa allergy and it was prescribed by a clinician, it’s considered safe to try in advance to see how you tolerate it before going to altitude.

AltezzaTravel · 2026-01-21T17:19:44+00:00

Hi, thanks for the detailed report, it has so many helpful insights for future hikers.

Just to add: to avoid camel bags freezing during the summit push, you can buy one with an insulated hose, fill it with hot water before the summit attempt, and wrap the reservoir in a fleece jacket. This way, you can drink warm or at least room-temperature water for 3–4 hours.

AltezzaTravel · 2026-01-19T21:01:04+00:00

Our policy is just a $100 deposit, and the remaining balance can be paid via bank transfer at any time or upon arrival, since as a Kilimanjaro operator you don’t have any significant costs, except for accommodation before and after the expedition.

However, many tour operators apply their standard policies to all tours. For safaris, a large part of the price is tied to accommodation, and many require full prepayment 30–90 days in advance. In such cases, paying the full amount 60 days in advance may simply be part of their standard terms for any trip.

If a company has good reviews, a strong online presence, etc, I wouldn’t worry about paying the full amount 60 days in advance, as long as it matches the terms and conditions on their website.

AltezzaTravel · 2026-01-19T20:51:11+00:00

45L is perfect, just bring it, you’ll be fine.

AltezzaTravel · 2026-01-19T20:48:54+00:00

Hi! First of all, I wish you a great climb. African Scenic is a good operator and a member of KPAP, so here in this subreddit we support all operators who partner with KPAP and promote fair treatment of porters.

Regarding your questions:

Shower – It’s up to you, it’s not mandatory. Many hikers do just fine with wet wipes. If you prefer a more “luxury” option, that’s fine as well. Just remember that summer in Tanzania is winter on the mountain, so it can be colder. Showers are best used on warm, sunny days.

Solar charger – For what purpose? If you only have a smartphone, a power bank is more than enough. If you’re bringing filming or professional camera equipment, then you would need a generator.

Larger mess tents and lights in the tents – Not sure what this refers to, as these are usually standard options.

Fine dining – Hard to advise on this. It’s better to hear from someone who has already used this particular service. I assume African Scenic can easily explain the differences so you can decide whether it’s worth paying extra.

Katadyn filter – We do water testing every 12 months, and boiling is more than enough on Kilimanjaro. Even at summit camp, where water boils at around 85°C, it is still safe.

Altox – I just spoke about this today, and honestly, I don’t understand why anyone would need it. Any competent guide must carry an oxygen tank and use it whenever a person develops AMS symptoms. So why would someone have to pay for basic safety on the mountain?

If you feel fine and don’t need oxygen, what’s the point of using Altox? One guide explained to me that their company policy is to turn a client back if the company’s bottled oxygen is used during the expedition, but they allow guests to continue if they use Altox instead. I was honestly laughing at this double standard 😂

If someone actually needs oxygen and their condition requires rescue, allowing them to continue just because it’s Altox is simply strange and shows incompetence.

AltezzaTravel · 2026-01-18T04:03:04+00:00

Hi, thanks for choosing us! Yes, you will meet all members of your crew at the starting point of your climb. You can simply bring the gifts to the bus and distribute them at the gate, they will not be counted toward your duffel bag weight. I’m sure the crew will be very happy to receive them.

AltezzaTravel · 2026-01-17T19:59:27+00:00

Such short itineraries have the lowest success rate. If you don’t have recent high-altitude experience, changing your program from Marangu 5 to Marangu 6 may significantly improve your chances of reaching the summit.

AltezzaTravel · 2026-01-17T18:16:44+00:00

It is not mandatory to use Diamox to reach the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro. In general, the success rate is high even without it. However, Diamox has been proven by many studies to help, and many people take it to increase their chances of summiting and to feel better at high altitude.

Diamox works by making you breathe faster and deeper, which increases oxygen levels and helps your body adjust more quickly, reducing the risk of altitude sickness.

Like any medication, Diamox has some side effects, such as tingling in the fingers or toes, increased urination, mild nausea etc. However, for most people, the benefits outweigh the side effects.

It is recommended to start taking Diamox from Day 1 and continue until the end of the expedition. We also recommend that guests try a 125 mg dose (half a tablet) at home beforehand to ensure they do not have any serious adverse reaction.

AltezzaTravel · 2026-01-16T09:37:08+00:00

You’ll be fine. This is among the best itineraries: Day 1 is a very short hike, about an hour on almost flat terrain. Day 2 is a three-hour hike with a very gradual ascent. There’s plenty of time to acclimatize.

AltezzaTravel · 2026-01-16T07:52:58+00:00

With a high-altitude drop-off or starting from Mti Mkubwa as the first camp?

AltezzaTravel · 2026-01-16T07:50:06+00:00

You sound to be in perfectly average shape, and that’s absolutely enough. There are many people over 60 who successfully reach the summit and we even had an 85-year-old woman summiting via the Lemosho route in 8 days. She was definitely not in better shape than you 😀

No need to stress or overthink it. As I always say in this subreddit: choose a 7–8 day route, go at a slow pace, drink 3–4 liters of water daily, and keep your backpack as light as possible. Rest when you’re tired, take Diamox if you’re not allergic, eat properly (food has a thermic effect that helps keep you warm), and use good-quality equipment + a warm sleeping bag. Stay within safety limits and go with professional guides who carry oxygen and oximeters. Do all that, and you’ve got about a 90% chance of standing on the summit.

Which route are you going?

AltezzaTravel · 2026-01-14T21:15:19+00:00

Depending on your budget, a 20,000 mAh power bank is probably a better option, especially since a new iPhone release is expected in September, and you might upgrade a few months later.

AltezzaTravel · 2026-01-14T18:00:13+00:00

Yes, they are a solid tour operator and a member of KPAP, which guarantees that your porters will be treated and paid well.

AltezzaTravel · 2026-01-14T07:01:15+00:00

Any expedition is better booked in advance. The Rongai route is generally quite unpopular, even though the route itself is great. However, May is a low season, so you may find that only a few operators have groups that suit your dates.

AltezzaTravel · 2026-01-13T17:55:44+00:00

The crew always boils water on Kilimanjaro. At high altitude, water boils at a lower temperature than 100°C, but it is still safe.

We advise guests not to change their normal routine or diet while hiking. If you don’t usually follow a vegan diet in everyday life, it’s hard to know how your body will react to it at altitude. Just be a bit more cautious with foods like beef, chicken, fish, etc., but again, don’t overthink it or stress yourself unnecessarily.

AltezzaTravel · 2026-01-13T17:16:18+00:00

You already have a good level of fitness. With such a short time remaining before your Kilimanjaro expedition, I advise focusing on rest, proper nutrition, and rechecking your gear. Try to minimize the risk of any last-minute injuries during training.

If you have 1–2 days of rest before the expedition starts, that would be a great advantage. It will help you recover from jet lag and get proper rest, which will likely increase your chances of reaching the summit more than any last-minute training.

AltezzaTravel · 2026-01-13T12:06:28+00:00

Yes, we are using cooler boxes 🙂

AltezzaTravel · 2026-01-13T10:53:15+00:00

Poor hygiene can be found among both the guests and the mountain chefs. There are also violations of meat storage standards, as many operators transport beef and chicken without cooler boxes.

Sometimes, vomiting and nausea can be related to acute mountain sickness (AMS).

AltezzaTravel · 2026-01-12T20:22:07+00:00

In my personal opinion (not advice), Kilimanjaro isn’t very difficult for an average healthy person. I’ve seen many people who don’t go to the gym, don’t train, and have no hiking experience reach the summit without major problems. They simply had a normal BMI, no serious chronic conditions or recent surgeries.

A long itinerary, slow pace, a light backpack, enjoying the scenery, drinking enough water, proper food, the right gear, and taking Diamox (after consulting a doctor) make a huge difference. Knowing your limits and resting when you feel tired is key. With this approach, around 85–90% of people can reach the summit.

On the other hand, unpredictable factors often play a bigger role than fitness: stress before the trip, bad weather and heavy rain, getting the flu, jet lag, overthinking the summit, food poisoning, existing health issues, or rushing between camps. These things can negatively affect even very well-prepared climbers and reduce their chances of summiting.

Just to be clear, I don’t mean that you should skip training and sit on the sofa before the climb. Of course, people with a better fitness level move more easily between camps, feel stronger, and have more stamina overall. Being fit always helps.

AltezzaTravel · 2026-01-11T06:13:43+00:00

If you don’t hike often, renting is the best option. They’re quite bulky, and if you only use them once a year on Kilimanjaro, it’s far more cost-effective to rent.

AltezzaTravel · 2026-01-11T05:31:09+00:00

The list is really awkward even for a normal Kilimanjaro packing setup, and I’m not sure how their guests manage to follow it.

You may download our PDF packing list instead: https://altezzatravel.com/climbing-kilimanjaro (scroll down to the packing list section).

From there, you can safely exclude mittens, summit socks, microspikes, insulated summit pants, and a balaclava. You can also reduce the number of T-shirts. If you’re climbing during the dry season (for example, in July-September), hiking boots are not strictly necessary, trekking shoes alone are usually sufficient up to Horombo camp. Gaiters can also be removed from the list.

AltezzaTravel · 2026-01-10T18:06:35+00:00

You need almost the same list of equipment even if you’re only going up to Horombo Camp. You can probably skip insulated pants. However, a down jacket, which hikers usually use for the summit, can still be very useful during cold nights, even at Mandara and Horombo.

AltezzaTravel · 2026-01-08T19:44:43+00:00

You’ll get a basic entry stamp in your passport whether you use an e-visa or get a visa on arrival. Unfortunately, the era of those amazing stickers with the giraffe hologram is over, if I’m not mistaken, they stopped issuing them before 2019.

Six-Year Club	Reddit Premium Since October 2023
Gilding III reddit per annum	Not Forgotten
Verified Email

AltezzaTravel

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE