I have to say I couldn’t summit without Daniel and his team! They made our life time experience so memorable!
I don’t know how many WhatsApp messages have been communicated between Daniel and us. He seemed always there to answer the questions instantly 24/7. The information he provided equipped us very well for the trip from the initial planning, the packing list, the special food and allergy accommodation, and communication during our hike, etc.
With 3 of us inexperienced hikers, we have two guides, one cook, and eleven porters to team up with us. Both the lead guide, Gilbert and the assistant guide, Yahya were friendly, knowledgeable, and patient with us. The first a few days were pleasant until the last two days of summit and descending. I was struck by the altitude problems at the beginning of the summit, I couldn’t stop vomiting and delayed the whole group. With my friend Ani shivering over the freezing weather, Gilbert and Yahya made a strategic decision to separate us to two groups. Gilbert and Innocent stayed with me, cheered for me, carried the day pack for me. Even when I had a few meltdowns and refused to walk they treated me with respect, patience and sympathy, and encouraged me that you can do it! The summit was a phenomenon, but descending was another hurdle, steep and slippery. Paulo assisted me all the way done to the base camp. Even though he didn’t speak much English he knew when to stop to give me a break and when to carry on. Of course, the other porters carried out the daily tasks - setting up the tents, cooking the fresh meals above 4600 meters (15,000 feet), carrying the supplies and our duffle bags, etc. Without their hard work we couldn’t summit!
Daniel and his team have helped me to accomplish one of the most difficult tasks in my life. For that I am grateful to have you on my side!
My friend Cindy wanted to go on this trip 3 years ago, but because of COVID, we had to postpone until July ‘22. Meanwhile, Daniel and his team patiently and graciously waited for us to finally rebook.
We found out about Youth Adventures by word of mouth. With a 100% success rate, Daniel and his amazing team made our dreams come true 100%. Our goal to summit was their goal, and they made sure we did it safely, showing us care and consideration all the way thru, and coaxing and coaching us when we needed it.
Daniel, the company owner, was there to answer every question within minutes, for months before we even got there. When we finally arrived, he picked us up from the airport, took us to dinner, and checked our gear to make sure we were good to go. When my flight was changed at the last minute, he was there to help me with airport and hotel changes to make and made sure I got out safely and on time. He even messaged our family to let them know how we were doing when we were up on the mountain and didn’t have internet access. He continuously checked in with the guides to make sure we were doing alright.
Gilbert & Yahya, our Super Guides, were absolutely amazing. They literally know every rock on the mountain and we trusted them with our lives. They checked our vitals every day to make sure we were ok to proceed to higher altitudes. And when the going got tough, which it did, they were there to cheer us on and coax us to keep going even when we ourselves did not know we had it in us to do so. They believed, so we believed.
The porters that helped us summit, Innocent and Paolo, were super positive, pleasant and definitely on team US. John (aka Hallelujah) was always there to help us clean up and make sure we got up, our “mommy” for the trip. And so many more amazing porters who carried pounds of gear and food for us up the mountain. Not sure how they did it, but they left after we started our daily trek, and were always there to greet us at the next camp
with smiles and high fives. Our tents were always set up when we arrived and we always had hot water ready for us for washing off the ever-present mountain trekking dust. Entering camp after a long day of trekking felt like coming home ❤️
On the way back, I met a few people that did not summit for one reason or another. Not that summitting is everything, but it was our goal, and this made me realize we chose the best Adventure Guides in Tanzania! You won’t be disappointed! They really are AMAZING!
Thank you Youth Adventures for the adventure of a lifetime.
I would definitely recommend Youth Adventures in a heartbeat.
Visiting Moshi a decade later than the first time I went I couldn’t resist trying to Summit Kili via the Machame route (first time Marangu). Daniel met me at the airport and arranged steller accommodation at Keys hotel. He also put together an amazing team of 7 to support me on the mountain. Gilberto the head guide was friendly, experienced, calm, helpful, and caring. This mountain man is the reason I was able to summit again with relative ease. When I needed pacing he told me to slow down, reminded me when I needed to drink water, and when a hike went faster than planned we were able to do an extra small acclimatization hike. The rest of the team made sure to make me feel as much a part of the team as well as providing an at home feel on the mountain. Hallelujah my waiter promised to “love me like a baby”. With daily wake up calls and timely food service he did just that every single day of the trek. Mojamoja the head chef put together a fantastic menu every day from morning to evening. He checked with my dietary needs to see if I had any restrictions and was willing to accommodate. More impressively the meals were proportional to the exertion of the trek day and the day to come. Sometimes this would be a lot of food, tho the appetite at altitude doesn’t always match its important to replenish calories. It’s easy to get swept away by the majestic nature of Kilimanjaro’s biomes but I must say Daniels procurement of top notch people and attention to detail may yet be more impressive. There wasn’t a minute of the trip on and even off the mountain where I felt that my needs were not taken care of.