Mount Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

DA
Dash Adventures LLC
  • Email address verified
16 reviews
Sep 17 - 26, 2024
Group size: 1 - 10
Mount Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Dash Adventures LLC
  • Email address verified
16 reviews

Sep 17 - 26, 2024
Group size: 1 - 10

About this trip

Kilimanjaro stands at an impressive 5,895 m/19,340 ft above sea level, making it the highest free-standing mountain globally and earning it the title of the "Roof of Africa." Mount Kilimanjaro is a top travel destination on the continent, attracting over 40,000 visitors annually. Its popularity is due to its stunning beauty and the fact that climbers do not need advanced technical skills to conquer it. A good level of fitness is all that is required to reach the summit, which is why many choose to start their Seven Summits journey with this iconic mountain. 


The Machame Route, also known as the "Whiskey Route," is the most popular path up the mountain. It offers spectacular views and excellent acclimatization. Starting at Machame Gate on the southern slope of Mount Kilimanjaro, this route takes trekkers through various climatic zones, from tropical forest to the Arctic desert zone at the summit. 


During your trek, you will have the opportunity to walk alongside Dave Ashley, a climber who has conquered Mount Everest and the Seven Summits. You can benefit from his climbing tips, advice, and stories of high-altitude mountaineering from all over the world.


Dave Ashley, Mount Everest/7 summits climber will be the trip leader for this adventure.  

What’s included

  • All transfers
    Transfers to/from Kilimanjaro Airport and your hotel
  • 3 Nights Hotel
    Hotel with included breakfast for 2 nights before the trek and 1 night after
  • Professional guides
    All guides are Wilderness First Responder certified
  • Support crew
    Porters, chefs, camp managers...proud member of KPAP (Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project)
  • All meals on the trek
    Breakfasts, lunches and dinners on the trek. Special diet accommodation at no extra charge (vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, lactose free...just ask!)
  • Toilet Tent
    Public restrooms are available in camps along the way. However, we prioritize your comfort and a portable toilet is included in your package.
  • Tents & sleeping pads
    2 people share a 3 person tent with 3 inch mattress pads
  • Dining tent
    Tents, tables, chairs, silverware...everything you need at mealtime
  • Bottled oxygen
    Available for immediate use in case of altitude sicknes
  • Medical support
    2 medical checks per day, full medical kit on the climb, and company doctor on call 24x7
  • GPS Trackers
    Not just for safety, your family and friends can follow you from home online!
  • Park fees and taxes
    All mandatory fees and taxes for trekking Kilimanjaro Park
  • Safe storage room
    What does not go on the trek will be safe and secure when you return

What’s not included

  • International flights
    Please fly into Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO)
  • Tips
    Your climbing crew will be working hard the entire trip to ensure you have a magical experience, please thank them with a tip from approximately 10% of the trip cost ($300-$350 USD)
  • Visa Fee
    USA passports it's around $100
  • Personal Gear Rental
    Forgot something, lost some luggage, or just need an upgrade? You can rent gear in Tanzania!
  • Hotel Lunch and Dinner
    Breakfast is included!
  • Single supplement
    You will be sharing a hotel room and tent with your travel companion, or, if traveling solo, with a same-sex traveler. A single room and/or tent is available for an extra charge.
  • Travel Insurance
    All trekkers are required to have travel insurance that covers hiking up to 19,340 feet and helicopter evacuation.
  • Late Hotel Checkout
    On your departure day hotel checkout is 11am. If you wish to have an extended checkout it's available for an extra charge.

Available Packages

Kilimanjaro Machame Route 7 Day Trek

Note: Dash Adventures highly recommends trip cancellation insurance for all programs. Due to the nature and heavy costs of government and operator permits, Dash Adventures must adhere to a stringent refund policy.
Payment and Refund Policy:

  • Initial deposit is non-refundable.
  • Full payment is required 60 days prior to trip start
  • 50% refunds, less the non refundable deposit, will be provided for cancellations made 60-30 days prior to the expedition start date.
  • No refunds will be provided for cancellations made 29 days or less prior to the expedition start date.
  • Dash Adventures will attempt to accommodate changes and cancellations when necessary, waiving certain fees when feasible.
$3,199
Deposit: $300

Itinerary

Day 1
Welcome to Tanzania!

Prepare yourself to be amazed as soon as you disembark from the aircraft. Tanzania, with its astonishing array of wildlife and breathtaking national parks, offers endless opportunities for adventure. Once you have completed all the necessary border control procedures, keep an eye out for a signboard bearing your name. Our representative will be waiting at the arrivals zone exit, ready to assist you with your luggage and transport you to your hotel. Our modern and comfortable mini-vans, equipped with refreshing soft drinks and air conditioning, will offer a well-deserved respite after a lengthy flight.

Your Organizer


DA
Dash Adventures LLC
16 reviews
DASH Adventures, founded in 2023 by Colonel Dave Ashley, a retired US Air Force officer, is a small business that takes pride in its veteran ownership. DASH Adventures exclusively partners with guide companies that are locally owned and operated in the countries where we embark on our treks and climbs. Our unique business approach involves working as unpaid staff members and setting prices that solely cover our expenses.

Reviews

Overall, I had a great time traveling with Dash Adventures. However, due to some unforeseen planning challenges, our women’s group was not entirely separate and ended up being combined with a men’s group. Thankfully, the men in the group were friendly and easy to get along with, but this created some confusion for me. I felt I didn’t connect with the women in the way I had hoped. This was my first experience on an all-women’s tour, and I was really looking forward to it. For some, this mix of groups could be intimidating, especially when participating in adventurous activities. I struggled a bit with finding my pace, deciding who to talk to in the evenings, and where to focus my emotional energy. While I fully understand the reasoning behind the change, I still felt disappointed about not having a women-only experience. In adventure travel, it’s important to stay as close to the original itinerary as possible when changes occur. Nevertheless, I want to emphasize that the Dash guides were compassionate, understanding, friendly, and knowledgeable about trekking and mountaineering, which significantly contributed to the positive aspects of the trip. Dash provided a fantastic itinerary, selected excellent overnight teahouses and lunch stops, and even offered an unexpected and unique camping experience at base camp. I have many wonderful memories and truly enjoyed my time with the entire group. Our partnering organization, Expedition Himalaya, was exceptional, and I want to especially recognize our female Sherpa, Ang Doma Sherpa. I had the honor of walking back from Everest Base Camp (EBC) with her and spent three enjoyable days in her company. She was kind and knowledgeable and ensured that I made it back to Lukla safely. Even while feeling under the weather, she maintained her pace and positive attitude. She was a great ambassador for both Nepal and Expedition Himalaya. The entire crew at Expedition Himalaya is wonderful! I got to know several of them and appreciated their passion for the mountains and their culture in Nepal. A few tips: If you are planning to travel to Nepal and EBC, make sure to bring some emergency cash. A helicopter ride out, if needed due to illness or exhaustion, can cost up to $600 per person. I was fortunate enough to walk out, but others did have to pay for additional travel. Tipping is appreciated by everyone in Nepal. Before leaving the airport, make sure to get some local currency and then exchange the rest near your hotel. This way, you’ll have cash available to tip your cab driver and anyone assisting you with transportation to and from the airport. Everyone at the the hotel and along the way in addition to your guides like to be tipped.
By Jessica G for Women-only Everest Base Camp Trek Spring 2025 on May 27, 2025
Dave and Shelley organized a great trip that created a wonderful and true challenge that many of us were seeking. They managed the planning and logistics of sleeping and eating well, they have a terrific local team that helped quick responses to unpredictable weather events and kept us on track, and they prepared us ahead and during the trek with great advice to manage the physical demands and enable the extraordinary visit to Everest Base Camp. Traveling with them was like traveling with friends -- friends who've done this before and want you to succeed!
By John G for Everest Base Camp Trek Spring 2025 (Private Group) on Apr 29, 2025
DASH Adventures delivered an exceptional experience for our group. Professionalism and personalization were hallmarks from planning through execution. Not only did the our whole group reach EBC, but we had an amazing time every single day. Local Sherpa guides were the best and key to our success. Accommodations exceeded expectations. The team managed complex logistics seamlessly, ensuring our group could stay focused on our trekking in this stunning corner of the world. Dave and team were also very attentive to each person's health and well-being, making sure we were acclimating properly and ready for next challenge. A subset of our group also climbed Laboche East with outstanding support from the DASH Adventures team to ensure our success. I will continue to explore the world with DASH Adventures.
By Troy T for Everest Base Camp Trek Spring 2025 (Private Group) on Apr 25, 2025
Great trip and thanks to DASH for a fun and adventurous vacation.
By William C for Everest Base Camp Trek Spring 2025 (Private Group) on Apr 24, 2025
The Himalayas awe-inspiring, a bucket list destination for anyone who loves mountains. I can't say enough good things about Expedition Himalaya, the Nepali company hired by Dash that handled all the logistics and guided us on this trip. The reason this is not a five star review is that I signed up and paid for a women's trip. We were under the impression we would be a group of five women, moving, eating, and staying together, when in fact we were mixed in with a group of 11 men. While the men ended up being lovely, and added to instead of taking away from our experience, that was not what we paid for. There were some further challenges with understanding who was the group lead. Dash Adventures does not take any responsibility for the safety or experience of their clients, but still are in a decision making position, which is confusing, particularly if a safety/health situation arises. While I would definitely trek in Nepal again, and I wouldn't hesitate to hire Expedition Himalaya, I don't know if I would sign up for a Dash trip.
By Mary C for Women-only Everest Base Camp Trek Spring 2025 on Apr 22, 2025
Dear Mary, ​ Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We're truly sorry to hear that aspects of the trip did not meet your expectations, especially regarding the group composition and communication around leadership. We take all feedback seriously and continuously strive to improve the clarity and quality of our trips. Your desire for a women’s-only experience was entirely valid, and we understand how the group change could have felt disappointing. Due to unforeseen staffing issues with our guiding partner, we had to make a last-minute adjustment to ensure the safety and success of everyone involved. This was communicated to all clients at the time, and we’re grateful that, despite the change, the group came together in a supportive and positive way. ​ Regarding safety and emergency procedures, your health and well-being were always our top priority. When early signs of altitude sickness were identified, we acted immediately to coordinate a safe evacuation with your travel insurance provider. We're relieved that you made a full recovery and are now home safely. We’re glad you enjoyed the beauty of the Himalayas and appreciated the professionalism of Expedition Himalaya. We also value your comments and will use them to reflect on how we communicate expectations and handle last-minute logistical changes. ​ We hope that, despite this experience, your memories of Nepal include moments of wonder and connection, and we’d welcome the opportunity to provide a more aligned experience in the future.
By Dash Adventures LLC on Apr 26, 2025
DA
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