Tanzania Climb Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route Trekking Tour

The Longest & Most Remote Trek to Uhuru Peak


Follow MT Sobek's highly experienced guides up the Northern Circuit, also known as the Grand Traverse and the 360 Route, the longest and most remote route on Kilimanjaro. Every step from the forest edge to the summit crater sits within Kilimanjaro National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The trek begins on the scenic western approach through wildlife-laden cloud forest, then breaks away from every other route on the mountain, circling north and east across Kili's quiet, rarely-visited slopes, where you may go days without seeing another climbing party. Eight days of gradual acclimatization on the mountain, plus a strategic pre-trek recovery night on the slopes of Mount Meru, and 360-degree views including sweeping sightlines across Kenya's Amboseli plains set you up for summit day at Crater Camp. At 18,800 feet, it is the highest camp on the mountain and just 800 feet below Uhuru Peak, meaning you climb 3,000 fewer feet than most trekkers on summit night.


Extend your Tanzania adventure with MT Sobek's Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti Safari Extension, a five-day journey through three of Tanzania's greatest parks.

12 Days • 11 Nights

Follow MT Sobek's highly experienced guides up the Northern Circuit, also known as the Grand Traverse and the 360 Route, the longest and most remote route on Kilimanjaro. Every step from the forest edge to the summit crater sits within Kilimanjaro National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The trek begins on the scenic western approach through wildlife-laden cloud forest, then breaks away from every other route on the mountain, circling north and east across Kili's quiet, rarely-visited slopes, where you may go days without seeing another climbing party. Eight days of gradual acclimatization on the mountain, plus a strategic pre-trek recovery night on the slopes of Mount Meru, and 360-degree views including sweeping sightlines across Kenya's Amboseli plains set you up for summit day at Crater Camp. At 18,800 feet, it is the highest camp on the mountain and just 800 feet below Uhuru Peak, meaning you climb 3,000 fewer feet than most trekkers on summit night.


Extend your Tanzania adventure with MT Sobek's Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti Safari Extension, a five-day journey through three of Tanzania's greatest parks.

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Traverse Kilimanjaro's longest and most remote route, circling the mountain's rarely-visited northern slopes

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Sleep at Crater Camp, 18,800 feet up, and climb just 800 feet to Uhuru Peak on summit morning

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Savor sweeping views across Kenya's Amboseli plains and the rarely-visited northern slopes that no other Kilimanjaro route reaches

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Highlights


  • Traverse Kilimanjaro's longest and most remote route, circling the mountain's rarely-visited northern slopes
  • Sleep at Crater Camp, 18,800 feet up, and climb just 800 feet to Uhuru Peak on summit morning
  • Savor sweeping views across Kenya's Amboseli plains and the rarely-visited northern slopes that no other Kilimanjaro route reaches

Tanzania Climb Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route Trekking

Start: Arusha, Tanzania  End: Arusha, Tanzania

Itinerary


  • Welcome to Tanzania

    Day 1

    Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where an MT Sobek representative will meet you and transfer you to the KIA Lodge, just five minutes from the airport. Tonight is yours to rest and recover. Enjoy a hot shower, a comfortable bed, onsite dining, and a savannah garden perfect for unwinding before your adventure begins.

    Accommodation: KIA Lodge

  • A Game Drive in Arusha National Park

    Day 2

    After breakfast, meet your guide and the rest of the group in the lobby for a brief introduction and welcome orientation. Then transfer into Arusha National Park, watching for giraffes, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and Cape buffalo along the way. Pause midday for a beautifully prepared picnic lunch in the open bush, then continue on to Itikoni Tented Camp, nestled in the lush forest of Mount Meru's slopes at almost 6,800 feet. Settle into your canvas tent, relax by the fire, and join the group for a welcome dinner beneath the stars.

    Accommodation: MT Sobek Deluxe Camp-Itikoni Camp

    Activity: Game drive

    Transportation: 2-hour private transfer

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Hike the Forested Slopes of Mount Meru

    Day 3

    Spend a leisurely morning soaking in camp views of Kilimanjaro, Meru, and the Ngurdoto Crater before lunch. Afterwards, gather for a briefing and gear check, separating what you'll carry on the mountain from what will be waiting for you when you return. Then head out for an afternoon hike through the cedar and podocarpus forests of Mount Meru, a 14,968-foot dormant volcano and Tanzania's second-tallest peak. A perfect introduction to the altitude, with good chances of spotting colobus monkeys, bushbuck, giraffe, and a host of bird life along the way. Look up and you'll catch impressive views of Meru's dramatic ash cone summit.

    Accommodation: MT Sobek Deluxe Camp-Itikoni Camp

    Activity: 1-2 hours/2 miles optional hiking with 2,000' elevation gain; camp at 6,000'

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Trek Through Kilimanjaro's Montane Forest

    Day 4

    Today your Kilimanjaro trek begins. After an hour's drive from camp you'll arrive at the forested edge of Kilimanjaro National Park. From here, walk about three hours through undisturbed cloud forest, ascending among moss-covered trees and through mist-shrouded jungle. Keep your eyes open for Colobus monkeys, signs of elephants, and other forest wildlife along the way. Enjoy a flora-filled ascent toward camp, stopping to replenish with a hearty lunch along the way. Settle into camp near Machame Hut at 9,000 feet, then gather with your group in the mess tent for a warm, thoughtfully prepared dinner before turning in for the night.

    Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp-Kilimanjaro

    Activity: 4.5 miles/4-6 hours hiking with 1,750' elevation gain

    Transportation: 1-hour private transfer

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Trek to the Shira Plateau at 11,600'

    Day 5

    Embark on a slow-paced hike through the forest, ascending through Kili's enchanted cloud forest and into its high-elevation Hagenia forest zone. Colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, and Hartlaub's turacos are some of the wildlife and bird life you might spot as you make your way upward through these equatorial transition zones. Over the ascent, dense forest gradually gives way to the expansive moorland and heather of the Shira Plateau, where your camp tonight sits at 11,600 feet with stunning views of the 19,341-foot Kibo peak.

    Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp-Kilimanjaro

    Activity: 7.2 miles hiking with 3,100' elevation gain

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Traverse the Shira Plateau

    Day 6

    Cross the Shira Plateau today, one of the highest plateaus in the world, on a relatively flat four-hour traverse through vast moorland and heather. Ancient lava flows and dramatic rock formations like the pyramid-shaped Shira Cathedral line the route as you move from the plateau's western edge toward Kili's eastern slopes. Spend another hour ascending the western slope of Kibo, the largest of the mountain's three volcanic cones, with the dramatic Western Breach coming into full view as you climb. Camp tonight at Moir Camp at 13,600 feet, one of the mountain's most remote and peaceful sites, surrounded by steep slopes and ridgelines that reward patient campers with dramatic sunsets and star-filled skies.

    Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp-Kilimanjaro

    Activity: 6 miles/5 hours hiking with 2,000' elevation gain

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Descend to Pofu Camp

    Day 7

    The day begins with an ascent out of the Moir valley to 14,200 feet, with an optional detour up Little Lent Hill for those wanting an extra push and sweeping views across the mountain. From here the trail descends to Pofu Camp, one of the most secluded camps on the entire mountain, sitting on the quiet northern base of Kibo at 13,200 feet. Along the way, take in vast sightlines across West Kilimanjaro and the Amboseli plains below, home to the free-roaming elephant herds long studied by renowned researchers Cynthia Moss and Joyce Poole.

    Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp-Kilimanjaro

    Activity: 6.2 miles/5-7 hours hiking with 1,071' elevation gain and 1,623' loss

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Acclimatize in the Alpine Desert at Third Cave Camp

    Day 8

    A shorter day by design, giving your body time to adjust before the big push ahead. The trail follows the transition zone between moorland and alpine desert, where hardy shrubs gradually give way to rockier, dustier terrain and the mountain starts to feel genuinely raw. Trek past massive volcanic formations before arriving at Third Cave Camp at 12,900 feet. The setting is almost lunar, with large volcanic boulders, barren open desert, and dramatic views of the Kibo cone stretching out in every direction. A good day to breathe, eat well, and let the altitude do its work.

    Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp-Kilimanjaro

    Activity: 3.6 miles/3-5 hours hiking with 232' elevation gain and 457' loss

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • The Long Climb to School Camp

    Day 9

    Short on miles but relentless in climb, this is a continuous 2,600-foot ascent through Kilimanjaro's rock and ice zone. Pole pole, or “slowly, slowly,” is the only sensible approach as the trail climbs through an increasingly stark and dramatic alpine landscape. School Camp at 15,600 feet is often described as the quietest, least-used camp on the mountain, and arriving here feels earned. Less than 3,000 vertical feet from the summit, your expert guides will walk you through a demonstration of MT Sobek's high-altitude safety equipment, including hyperbaric chambers and supplemental oxygen systems, before the following day's ascent to Crater Camp.

    Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp-Kilimanjaro

    Activity: 3 miles/5-7 hours hiking with 2,600' elevation gain

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • The Push to Crater Camp - Africa's Highest Campsite

    Day 10

    A big push today as you wind your way above School Camp to the summit crater rim at Stella Point, a major summit landmark on Mount Kilimanjaro's Kibo crater rim. From here you'll have an opportunity to explore the inner crater and ash pit before descending into the summit crater. Make your way to Crater Camp, perfectly perched beside Furtwangler Glacier at a breathtaking 18,800 feet in elevation. As the highest camp on the mountain, Crater Camp makes for a much easier summit day than most outfitter routes offer. Most trekkers face a grueling 3,000-foot overnight trek to reach the peak, while yours is an 800-foot climb. Enjoy spectacular westward views of the setting African sun on your final night before summiting.

    Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp-Kilimanjaro

    Activity: 6-8 hours hiking

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Summit Kilimanjaro

    Day 11

    Summit day is finally here. Start your 800-foot ascent in the early morning, leaving enough time to be standing on Kili's 19,341-foot top near dawn. The moment at Uhuru Peak, Africa's highest point, is yours to take in. Soak up the views, breathe it in, and relish the accomplishment. Then begins the long descent: first to Barafu Hut to refuel, then continuing down to your final camp near Mweka Hut at 10,170 feet. The trail from Barafu is rocky and steep at first, but softens into lush rainforest as you drop through the lower slopes, a fittingly beautiful end to the mountain.

    Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp-Kilimanjaro

    Activity: 8 miles/8-10 hours hiking

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Down the Mountain & Back to Arusha

    Day 12

    Start your morning with a final 4,500-foot descent, hiking 3 to 5 hours to reach the park gate and your pick-up point. A celebratory lunch awaits, along with the chance to say a proper goodbye to your mountain staff before boarding your transfer to the KIA Lodge in Arusha. A hot shower, a comfortable bed, and a story-swapping dinner with the group round out an extraordinary journey. Rest well before your flight home, or wherever your travels take you next.

    Transportation: 1.5- to 2-hour private transfer

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Why Travel With Us?


  • Since 1969, MT Sobek has led adventure travel across the world's most storied mountain destinations, building a reputation for exceptional guides, thoughtful itineraries, and experiences that go deeper than the standard tour.
  • The Northern Circuit is the longest and most remote route on Kilimanjaro, circling the mountain's quiet northern and eastern slopes where most trekkers never venture. Eight days on the mountain, a pre-climb night on Mount Meru, and Crater Camp just 800 feet from the summit.
  • MT Sobek has led treks on Kilimanjaro since 1974 and holds a 98% summit success rate, the highest on the mountain. Expect highly qualified guides, full emergency equipment, nourishing meals, and a private acclimatization camp at 6,000 feet.

Dates & Prices


Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.

The earlier you book, the more choice of available dates you’ll have and once you book, your price is guaranteed.

Looking ahead to 2027 and want to be notified when new departures are released? Just fill in the form and we’ll be sure to notify you when the dates are ready:

KEEP ME IN THE LOOP
  • Go Private
  • Inclusions

Go Private

Go Private with MT Sobek


Gather your favorite travel companions—family, friends, colleagues, or club—and enjoy an exclusive departure that’s easy to book and completely unforgettable.

Private Trip Request

Private Trip Requirements


A 25% non-refundable deposit is required to confirm your private departure.

Minimum age for guests on this trip is 18 years old.

Choose Your Own Travel Dates


June

Call for Private Trip Pricing

800-974-0300

Inclusions

Price Includes


  • Expertise and services of our experienced adventure guides
  • All accommodations as noted in the itinerary
  • All breakfasts, almost all lunches and dinners as noted in the itinerary
  • Snacks and water between meals
  • Additional regional guides and experts on many trips
  • Comprehensive Trip Planner with detailed pre-trip information
  • Private guided tours at historic sites, museums, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the itinerary
  • Special events and other select attractions as mentioned in the itinerary
  • All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
  • Equipment and experienced guides for activities as described in the itinerary
  • Park and other entry fees (unless otherwise noted)
  • Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the itinerary
  • Select transfers as mentioned in the itinerary
  • Baggage transfers and porterage
  • Sleeping bag and pad

Price Does Not Include


  • International airfare, airport taxes, and excess baggage fees
  • Alcoholic beverages (MT Sobek provides wine at select events)
  • Gratuities for MT Sobek guides and guide-drivers
  • Travel Protection Program
  • Personal expenses

Contact An Expert


800-974-0300

Need help picking your next adventure? Call us to answer your questions.

Your Guides


The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.

Wines T.

Wines T.

Wines was born and raised in the Kilimanjaro region, at the base of Mountain Kilimanjaro, and studied wildlife in colleges in Arusha (Tanzania) and Kampala (Uganda). He has been guiding Kilimanjaro adventures for 9 years and has led or assisted over 200 summit bids. Wines brings a wealth of knowledge, both about Tanzanian wildlife and local history, and speaks multiple languages such as Chaga, Maasai, Kiswahili, English, and French. Wines is a fun and friendly guide, who is well-loved for his organization and communication skills, and he enjoys helping guests of all ages to fulfill their dream of climbing Kilimanjaro.

Elias M.

Elias M.

Elias is a keen outdoorsman who fell in love with the natural beauty of Tanzania at an early age. In addition to being an accomplished climber, he is also a graduate of wildlife studies at the College of African Wildlife Management in Tanzania. Upon his graduation, he decided to pursue a career as a mountain guide and has led over 100 climbs of Kilimanjaro across his 20-year career. Elias currently resides in Arusha with his family and is very much looking forward to hosting you in Tanzania.

Noel M.

Noel M.

Noel—or “Mchili” as he is known — was born at Pare Mountain in the Kilimanjaro region. He first started climbing in 1988 when he attempted the first summit of Mount Meru and has been guiding for 17 years. In addition to being an accomplished climber and caring guide, Noel is a graduate of wildlife studies and is passionate about sharing Tanzania’s amazing wildlife. Recently he has enjoyed leading immersive walking safaris with the Hadzabe in Eyasi and Maasai in Ngorongoro, and his goal is to create a once-in-a-lifetime experience for every guest.

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Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where an MT Sobek representative will meet you and transfer you to the KIA Lodge, just five minutes from the airport. Tonight is yours to rest and recover. Enjoy a hot shower, a comfortable bed, onsite dining, and a savannah garden perfect for unwinding before your adventure begins.

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A big push today as you wind your way above School Camp to the summit crater rim at Stella Point, a major summit landmark on Mount Kilimanjaro\'s Kibo crater rim. From here you\'ll have an opportunity to explore the inner crater and ash pit before descending into the summit crater. Make your way to Crater Camp, perfectly perched beside Furtwangler Glacier at a breathtaking 18,800 feet in elevation. As the highest camp on the mountain, Crater Camp makes for a much easier summit day than most outfitter routes offer. Most trekkers face a grueling 3,000-foot overnight trek to reach the peak, while yours is an 800-foot climb. Enjoy spectacular westward views of the setting African sun on your final night before summiting.

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Summit day is finally here. Start your 800-foot ascent in the early morning, leaving enough time to be standing on Kili\'s 19,341-foot top near dawn. The moment at Uhuru Peak, Africa\'s highest point, is yours to take in. Soak up the views, breathe it in, and relish the accomplishment. Then begins the long descent: first to Barafu Hut to refuel, then continuing down to your final camp near Mweka Hut at 10,170 feet. The trail from Barafu is rocky and steep at first, but softens into lush rainforest as you drop through the lower slopes, a fittingly beautiful end to the mountain.

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Start your morning with a final 4,500-foot descent, hiking 3 to 5 hours to reach the park gate and your pick-up point. A celebratory lunch awaits, along with the chance to say a proper goodbye to your mountain staff before boarding your transfer to the KIA Lodge in Arusha. A hot shower, a comfortable bed, and a story-swapping dinner with the group round out an extraordinary journey. Rest well before your flight home, or wherever your travels take you next.

[Breakfast] => 1 [Lunch] => 1 [Dinner] => 0 [Travel_Type] => 1.5- to 2-hour private transfer [Quotation] => [Quotation_Attribution] => [Quotation_Location] => [Itinerary_Location] => [Latitude] => -3.4 [Longitude] => 37.077 ) ) [ActivityHighlight] => Climbing Kilimanjaro requires sustained periods of up to 15 hours of strenuous hiking at high altitude. You must be in excellent physical and mental condition. Previous experience and a signed Physician Certificate is required. [Trip_Level] => 5 )

Activity Level


This trip is rated activity level 5. Climbing Kilimanjaro requires sustained periods of up to 15 hours of strenuous hiking at high altitude. You must be in excellent physical and mental condition. Previous experience and a signed Physician Certificate is required.
Learn more about activity levels here.

Activity Snapshot

Day 2

Game drive

Day 3

1-2 hours/2 miles optional hiking with 2,000' elevation gain; camp at 6,000'

Day 4

4.5 miles/4-6 hours hiking with 1,750' elevation gain

Day 5

7.2 miles hiking with 3,100' elevation gain

Day 6

6 miles/5 hours hiking with 2,000' elevation gain

Day 7

6.2 miles/5-7 hours hiking with 1,071' elevation gain and 1,623' loss

Day 8

3.6 miles/3-5 hours hiking with 232' elevation gain and 457' loss

Day 9

3 miles/5-7 hours hiking with 2,600' elevation gain

Day 10

6-8 hours hiking

Day 11

8 miles/8-10 hours hiking

*Mileage and elevation change information is approximate and may vary slightly depending on trail conditions, weather, and route adjustments, and the guide’s discretion.

Accommodations


Nights split between a deluxe acclimatization camp with canvas-style tents set in tropical gardens and well-equipped high-altitude camps with four-season dome tents built for whatever the mountain throws at you.
MT Sobek Camp-Kilimanjaro
MT Sobek Camp-Kilimanjaro

Guests on the epic Kilimanjaro summit bid sleep in comfortable four-season Mountain Hardwear dome tents, sleeping up to two guests. Delicious hearty meals are served in the custom-designed mess tent. Each camp (Machame, Shira, Barranco, Karanga, Barafu, Crater, and Mweka) commands exceptional views of rugged plateaus or verdant valleys, often amidst afro-alpine scenery well above cloud level.

MT Sobek Deluxe Camp-Itikoni Camp
MT Sobek Deluxe Camp-Itikoni Camp

Nestled at the base of Mount Meru in Arusha National Park, our deluxe camp offers luxury-style canvas tents with wooden beds, linens, comforters, pillows, and en-suite toilets and showers. Day hikes from camp lead to enchanting forests and waterfalls. Guests savor delicious meals in the dining tent or relax in the cozy library lounge with a wood-burning stove.

KIA Lodge
KIA Lodge
Perched on a low hill less than five minutes from Kilimanjaro International Airport, KIA Lodge is your first real taste of Tanzania. Forty spacious thatched-brick cottages sit privately within a savannah garden alive with over a hundred bird species, each en suite with hot showers, air conditioning, and a mosquito net. The hilltop swimming pool looks out over Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru, and the Maasai plains in every direction. Add a full-service spa, open bar, onsite restaurant, and laundry, and you have everything you need to arrive tired and wake up ready for the mountain.

Weather


Warm and sunny in the bush, with occasional showers. On Kilimanjaro expect the full range, including dramatic temperature swings by elevation, wet days, cold nights, and the possibility of snow at any time of year.

 
Jan
Mar
Jul
Dec
Arusha 
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
Arusha
82
59
82
62
71
56
80
60
Mount Kilimanjaro 10,000ft 
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
Mount Kilimanjaro 10,000ft
70
20
70
20
60
10
70
20
Mount Kilimanjaro 19,341ft 
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
Mount Kilimanjaro 19,341ft
28
5
28
5
18
0
28
5

FAQs


Who will meet me at the airport?
Our representative will meet you in the arrivals hall after you have proceeded immigration, luggage collection and customs on your own. Look for your MT Sobek representative holding a signboard bearing your name(s).
Do I need a visa to enter Tanzania?

Yes, if you are a U.S. citizen, you need a visa to enter Tanzania. You may obtain your Tanzania visa in advance OR upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport. The current fee for a visa is $100 for a 12-month multiple-entry tourist visa.

What qualifications do your Kilimanjaro guides have?

Our leaders undergo extensive training to provide the safest Kilimanjaro climbs. Every year we operate an annual Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and Wilderness First Aid (WFA) training in Arusha, Tanzania. A Porters Association also selects the porters; they will carry an identification card allowing them to carry your belongings, and assist you up the mountain.

Do I have to be extremely fit to climb Kilimanjaro?

Yes, this is a Level 5 trip which requires a high level of fitness. The very best way to prepare for climbing to high altitude is to climb to high altitude! Although this is difficult for most people, remember that the higher the altitude and the longer the hikes, the better. This also allows you to get used to your backpack and boots.

What safety equipment do the guides carry?

As well as being wilderness first responders, our guides carry hyperbaric chambers, oxygen, and satellite phones. Guests' blood oxygen levels are monitored daily.

What are the camps on Kilimanjaro like?

Our sleeping tents offer storm-proof comfort and our chefs create culinary masterpieces. Expect fresh ingredients and gourmet meals.

What is the minimum age for this trip?
The standard minimum age for this trip is 18 but check out our private trip options for families and groups with younger guests.

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Guest Reviews


If you are looking for a challenge that is reachable, this is it. MT Sobek will feed your mind, body and soul as you move along with knowledgeable guides, who are educated in the environment, physiology, and psychology. This is a unique experience that is worth every penny.

Caroline L.
MT Sobek Guest, Tanzania Climb Kilimanjaro

MT Sobek's trip guide, assistants, cooks, and porters were all very experienced and devoted to making our trip successful and a pleasure while attempting our goal of reaching the summit. I can't praise the porters enough; they made the trip extra special with their personal attention to us, helping us in so many ways. They are extraordinary people, experienced, helpful, and fun.

France C.
MT Sobek Guest, Tanzania Climb Kilimanjaro