Empowering and connecting women through adventure is at the heart of everything we do at WHOA. Our special style of giving back is about sharing experiences with local women and their communities - it’s something that makes our adventures more meaningful for everyone! From our guide teams to the hotels we stay at, we go the distance to find amazing local partners and small businesses that share our values, which in turn creates the most authentic, sustainable and mutually beneficial travel experiences.

For Kilimanjaro, we provide the opportunity for local women in the region to join us on each climb to experience and conquer the mountain that they’ve lived next to their whole lives. The stories and experiences we share with one another over the course of our adventures creates special connections that inspire and transcend the mountain. You can meet some of our fantastic former climbers here, or watch this 360 video featuring, Elizabeth, a local climber from one of our International Women’s Day summits!

While we like to dance and have fun on the trail, safety is the #1 priority at WHOA. Our mountain guides have received extensive training in first aid, mountain rescue, wildlife, and are registered with the Kilimanjaro National Park (KINAPA). We also work closely with The Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP) to ensure our crew receives ethical treatment and the fair wages that they deserve. Like KPAP, we recognize the value of the demanding labor our porters and guides perform, and we’re dedicated to helping them constantly improve the safety and quality of the Kilimanjaro experience for everyone. It goes without saying, our Tanzanian mountain crew is the best in the business, and you'll quickly become one big family on the mountain!

We’re also dedicated to protecting the places we love to explore, and in 2019 launched our sustainability initiatives that strive to lessen our impact and encourages our community to be responsible travelers!

Above all, at WHOA, we make sure that all our adventures support women, the local community, and fill a need that is of value to our partners. For that reason, the partnerships can and do vary depending on their needs, the season, and the abilities and desires of our group. In each case, we do due diligence to seek out local partners that are doing valuable, sustainable work, and we work closely with them to understand their needs and create an experience that will truly be of value to them and you!

While Kilimanjaro can be climbed year-round, it’s most enjoyable in the dry seasons from mid-December to mid-March and June - September. Which is why we plan all our group adventures in these months!

That said, Kilimanjaro is a free standing mountain (the tallest in the world!) and the weather is very unpredictable! Rainstorms can blow in out of nowhere, which is why you need to be prepared mentally and physically for hiking in the rain and have all the proper gear. No matter what time of year you’re hiking, it will always be COLD on Kilimanjaro. Temperatures get to freezing by night one, and are usually down between -15°F (-26°Cpack light and stay warm) and 15°F (-10°C) on summit night. No matter the time of year, in order to have the most enjoyable trek possible, we recommend layering so that you can pack light and stay warm while you’re hiking at altitude and camping on Kilimanjaro.

One of the great things about Kilimanjaro is that every day is a completely new and exciting adventure with diverse and different landscapes to take in! That said, there are some things that remain constant from day to day. Every morning you and your tent buddy will be woken up bright and early to pack up your things, have coffee, fill your water bladders, eat breakfast, and head out for a full day of hiking! We’ll be walking at a pace that is probably slower than you are used to (pole pole, as they say in Swahili), and this is to help your body properly and safely acclimatize. You’ll always have a certified local mountain guide with you when you’re trekking (we maintain a 1:4 guide/climber ratio), and we'll take several breaks for pictures, snacks, and a hot prepared lunch along the way. You will carry what you need for the day (layers, snacks, water, sunscreen, etc.) in your daypack, and our crew will carry all the tents, gear and your large duffel from camp to camp for you. They’ll usually have our entire camp set up by the time we reach it in the late afternoon - Did we mention how amazing these guys are!? When we get to our camps in the evening, we encourage you to enjoy the spectacular views and unwind a bit before dinnertime. Dinners are always well-balanced and usually consist of soup, rice or pasta, sauce, a protein and fruit for dessert. Bedtime is usually early, as you'll want to be well rested for the next day of hiking that awaits!

Kilimanjaro is a tremendous physical and mental undertaking, so training is essential for your safety and enjoyment! There’s no such thing as being too prepared. Bottom line, the fitter and stronger you are, the better your experience will be. Aerobic fitness allows your body to function more efficiently with less oxygen for consecutive days of high altitude hiking, and being strong and conditioned makes it easier for your body to handle the stress of walking up and downhill.

One of the best ways to train is to get out there and hike as much as possible. After all, that’s what you will be doing on the mountain! Train at least a few days a week walking and/or jogging on inclines and declines to simulate the ups and downs on Kilimanjaro. If you don’t have trails accessible, practice uphill on a treadmill or stair climber, and downhill on a long staircase. Over the course of your training, gradually increase the time and distance, while maintaining a moderate pace. While you’re training, always wear and break in the boots and day pack you plan on bringing! This will help prevent blisters and get your shoulders, back and hips used to the points of contact and weight.

In addition to aerobic training, incorporate a day or two per week of strength training for your core, upper body and legs. This will increase your stamina and help you feel more comfortable lifting and carrying your pack. Do some stretching after each workout too – bonus points for weekly (or more!) yoga sessions.

Before you leave for your Kilimanjaro trek, you need to be able to hike comfortably for a full day (approx. 8-10 hours) for multiple days, with elevation changes, while carrying a full day pack. If you have the opportunity to hike at high altitude, take advantage of it! It’s the best and only way to get used to the feeling of being active with less oxygen. As with all training, you should taper off and rest the last 2 weeks leading up to the big event, so your body has time to recover.

Investing the time to prepare yourself will make it that much easier to enjoy your time on the mountain. If you currently have a not-so-healthy lifestyle, use the climb as your motivation to change! Eat healthier. Drink less. Don’t smoke. Get more sleep. Don’t worry. Be happy! And remember, physical training is just one part of getting in shape. Having a positive attitude will work wonders for you when you get tired and need that extra boost!

If you’d like a personalized training plan and coaching to support your journey, reach out to our partner personal trainer and adventure coach Becki Rupp of Trailblazer Wellness. She’ll help you build strength and stamina for hiking (and dance parties)! Check out her plans at Trailblazer Wellness and email her at becki@trailblazerwellness.com for a free initial consultation.

There is a healthy mix of solo travelers and ladies who come with a friend, but the greatest thing about a WHOA adventure is that we walk in as strangers and leave as family. If you're traveling solo, we'll pair you up with another solo traveler to room with before the trek and tent buddy with on the trail. You'll be amazed at how quickly bonds are formed between our mountain family!