Your safety and success are the top priorities, in that order.

Climbing the Seven Summits at its core is a climbing and mountaineering guide service vs. a run of the mill tour operator.

As such we have a greater focus on safety at altitude, pull from a deeper knowledge base navigating mountainous terrain, have better strategies to mitigate weather and a better grasp of how to empower climbers to succeed, than say your average adventure tour provider might.

Our clientele’s well-being factors into every decision we make while on expeditions. Although we like to stand on the top of mountains more than anyone, we believe that climbing is a round-trip endeavor, and getting you back to your loved ones safely is paramount. We are conservative in our approach and plan and execute our expeditions from a ‘mountaineers’ perspective’ with extra acclimatization, higher redundancies and the highest quality gear to ensure a safe environment in which to climb.

We are proud to have maintained a 100% expedition safety and success rate for all our Kilimanjaro expeditions. This is a testament to our approach, quality of service and attention to detail.

Guidance on Kilimanjaro is often overlooked and underestimated. Look for guides who are seasoned experts with a strategy that is patient, conservative, and well-planned to give you the best opportunity for success.

They should be adept at managing the team, able to make sound decisions, have a deep understanding of alititude illness signs and symptoms, have a hunger to summit whenever it is safe to do so, and have a proven track record.

Our Guides are true mountain leaders, not just tour guides. They lean on their extensive experience on Kilimanjaro (for instance; one of our favorite Kilimanjaro Guides Gerry has over 500x Kili Summits!) and further afield across the Seven Summits (for instance regular Kili Team Guide Tendi Sherpa has 15x Everest summits!) to help guide you through the many nuances of climbing Kilimanjaro to help you be successful and lay the foundations for a successful mountaineering career if you chose to climb beyond Kilimanjaro.
Often, being able to troubleshoot problems before they occur can make the difference, and this is where CTSS’s handpicked Guide team and their vast experience becomes crucial.

Our Leadership also extends beyond the mountain, for instance, our pre trip team will work with you to make sure you’re as prepared as possible to reach your goal;  from answering questions, providing detailed gear lists, advice on training etc. CTSS’s Leadership and Guiding approach is holistic.

For most people, Kilimanjaro is their first experience at altitude and acclimatizing is a critical aspect of a successful summit attempt. The mountain’s summit is 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) at the summit and if not properly managed, there is a very real risk of altitude-related illnesses such as acute mountain sickness (AMS), high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), and high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE).

CTSS recognizes that everyone (regardless of their fitness) acclimatizes slightly differently so we offer a longer, gentler acclimatization itinerary, route and progression to help climbers adjust to the altitude gradually, reducing the risk of these conditions.

In contrast, many Kilimanjaro operators race their clients up the mountain, in large, understaffed groups  to cut corners on costs. They have a “churn and burn” approach, (especially if they only offer Kilimanjaro climbs because they know you are unlikely to return so aren’t worried about your satisfaction) whereas CTSS is highly invested in our reputation for safety and success and work tirelessly to maintain our hard-earned status.

We also hope you will love climbing so much, that you will continue your climbing journey with us beyond Kili and are therefore invested in you having the best opportunity to reach the summit feeling the best you can!

Kilimanjaro is often the starting point for budding mountaineers who go on to enjoy a lifelong passion.  If you are considering Kilimanjaro as a progression to bigger objectives, like the Seven Summits, then having a Guide Service who can help advise, coach and direct you not only through your Kilimanjaro journey but BEYOND it, is a huge asset.

CTSS will help you prepare, progress, improve with real time Guide feedback, and plan your next steps.

Does an operator have strong values?

This is sometimes a little harder to identify as it’s more a feeling than a sales pitch, but you should get a feel for a company through their little interactions, their care factor, their responses to you as an individual and your questions, their attention to detail, their corporate social responsibility and approach to sustainability and protecting the environment.

For instance; is your chosen Kilimanjaro Guide Service a member of KPAP? KPAP stands for the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project and is an independent, non government body that ensures fair wages, proper working conditions and ethical treatment of high altitude porters on Kilimanjaro. CTSS has been a proud member of KPAP since the inception of our Kilimanjaro program.

On a personal level, mountaineering can be high risk and stressful so it is important pick an operator who has strong core values and a team mentality that aligns with yours so that when things get challenging you can rely on open lines of communication, knowing they will do what they can to support you. It is this team cohesiveness that flows through to each individual climber and helps them stand on top.

Expedition Meets in: Arusha, Tanzania
Continent: Africa
Currency: Tanzanian Shilling
Population: 63.59 million
Official Language: Swahili and English
Seasons to climb: December to mid-March and mid-June to the end of October

Meeting Location:
The first day of your itinerary is your arrival day, meaning you can arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport at any time on that first day. You can spend this day settling in, relaxing, and shaking off the jetlag. Our hotel in Arusha provides very comfortable accommodations. Feel free to explore the hotel, but please don’t wander too far until you’ve made contact with one of your guides. They will swing by as soon as possible to introduce themselves and answer any questions.

You will formally meet the team on Day 2 for Gear Checks and a Guide Briefing. On this day, your guides will lead a compulsory briefing to go over all the specifics of your expedition and climbing schedules, weight limits for the porters, how to pack for the upcoming week, and any updated logistics. If you have any questions, this is a great time to ask them.

Tourist Visas:
A tourist visa is required for Tanzania. This can be granted on arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport. There is a $100 USD fee for this visa, which needs to be paid in cash on arrival, so please be prepared. This can be paid in a number of different currencies, but it is advised to have USD to make the process smoother. Note: it is your responsibility to ensure that you can get a visa on arrival from your country.

Getting There:
Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) is the starting point for our adventure. Qatar Airways and Ethiopian Airlines are the most common carriers, but there are several others available depending on where you are connecting. We ask that you keep us informed of your travel details by forwarding us a copy of your flight itineraries, both inbound and outbound. A CTSS representative will pick you up at the airport, so please advise us well in advance of any changes to your arrival time and flight number. If you experience a delay in traveling, let us know immediately.

Domestic Transportation:
Your domestic transportation in Tanzania is included in your expedition.

Money:
In Tanzania, the unit of currency is the Tanzanian shilling, which is divided into 100 cents. Notes are issued in denominations of 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, and 10000 shillings. Coins are issued in denominations of 50, 100, and 200 shillings.

Banks are open from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday to Friday. Many banks are equipped with 24-hour ATM machines. Credit cards and traveler’s checks are not widely accepted in Tanzania. Where they are accepted, high service fees and poor exchange rates should be expected. Major foreign currencies – particularly the US dollar – are accepted in Tanzania and are convertible at banks and Bureaus de Changes in the main towns and tourist areas. If bringing cash in US dollars, please make sure bank notes are in good condition, with no cuts or damage, and are not older than 2004. Most banks offer higher exchange rates for US $100 / US $50 bank notes compared to US $20 / US $10 or US $5 bank notes.

Tipping:
Tipping in Tanzania isn’t mandatory but highly appreciated. The rule of thumb is: If you’re happy, leave a tip by rounding up a bill to the nearest thousand or five thousand shillings (about 3-5%).

We require all climbers to contribute to the Porter Tip Pool (US $300) at the end of their expedition. It is customary to tip your guides, but not mandatory. We recommend tipping your guide 10 to 20 percent of the total cost. If you have multiple guides, you can tip the lead guide, and they can split that up amongst the other guides.

Adapters:
In Tanzania, there are two associated plug types, D and G. Plug type D is the plug that has three round pins in a triangular pattern, and plug type G is the plug that has two flat parallel pins and a grounding pin. Tanzania operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.

Tap Water:
When on the mountain, all water that is provided is safe to drink. When in the towns, it is recommended that you only drink bottled water to ensure your safety, as the water system in Tanzania is not always reliable, and tap water is not safe to drink.

Language:
Tanzania has two official languages, Swahili and English. Although English is widely spoken in Tanzania’s tourism sector, Swahili is still the most commonly used language. Swahili derives approximately 60% of its words from Arabic and is used in a number of East African nations. The most common phrase, hakuna matata, meaning no worries, found fame in the Disney movie The Lion King and will be used a lot throughout your trip.

Personal Safety:
Tanzania and Arusha are considered generally safe, but it’s wise to exercise caution against petty pickpocketing by avoiding leaving valuables in plain sight. Given the diversity of guests, it’s essential to remain vigilant. Keep valuables in a hotel safe if possible. Behave in Tanzania as you would at home. Be respectful, and always let your guide know if you’re going to leave the hotel. In general, we prefer to travel and stick together as a team.

Vaccinations:
We strongly encourage all travelers to be properly vaccinated for common viruses. The WHO and CDC recommend people traveling to Tanzania are vaccinated against hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia, and influenza. Many of these people are covered already, but it may be worth checking with your local doctor regarding your vaccination history. Yellow fever vaccines are not mandatory in Tanzania but are required in nearby Kenya. Please consult your local physician for more information on yellow fever to decide if this vaccine is right for you.

Malaria:
Tanzania is classified as a high-risk area for Malaria. This risk is only prevalent in the lower altitudes and once we start our time on the mountain, the risk is virtually zero as there are no mosquitos at altitude. It is recommended that all clients talk to their GP about some malaria-preventative medication for their time in Arusha and at lower altitudes. Many of these medications are broad-spectrum antibiotics
that can be useful for preventing any infection.

Accommodations:
All of your accommodations are included in your expedition. If you would like to stay longer or arrive earlier in Tanzania, we can help you organize and plan your additional excursions.

Gear Storage:
Our on-the-ground team will help coordinate gear and luggage storage.

Cell Phone Coverage:
Phone reception in the region has improved over recent years, and you can now get some form of reception for most of your time on the mountain. Some people even report getting cell phone reception at the summit! There are numerous phone providers that service the region, and if you require a local prepaid SIM card, the team at the hotel will be able to assist you when you arrive.

Plastic Bags:
Please note that, as of 2016, Tanzania has banned the use of plastic bags in a bid to tackle pollution and protect the environment. Travelers to Tanzania will no longer be allowed to bring plastic carrier bags into the country. This ban targets all plastic bags that are imported, exported, manufactured, sold, stored, supplied and used.

Trip Insurance
https://climbingthesevensummits.com/insurance/

Application Process & Payments
https://climbingthesevensummits.com/application-process-payments/