Adventure Alternative Review: Climbing Kilimanjaro with a unique tour guide

Is Adventure Alternative one of the best tour operators to help you climb Kilimanjaro? In my honest opinion, yes! When I first decided to hike Kilimanjaro with Adventure Alternative, I excitedly scoured the internet to find reviews of this UK based company, but to my surprise, I could find very little. This is why I am writing a full and honest Adventure Alternative review, highlighting exactly what you can expect if you choose them as your Kilimanjaro tour operator.

If there’s something particular that you would like to know, you may find the below table of contents handy to help jump straight to your desired section. Otherwise, grab a cup of tea or coffee and let’s dive into why Adventure Alternative is an extremely underrated Kilimanjaro tour company.

Pre-Trip Experience

Why I chose Adventure Alternative

During my search to find the perfect tour company, I did a lot of research into respectable and ethical tour companies and Adventure Alternative was one that kept popping up. My concern with Adventure Alternative (and the reason I didn’t choose them right away), was because they were not K-PAP certified. As you likely know, KPAP (The Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project) is a respectable organisation that ensures safe and respectable working conditions for all porters and staff that are part of the organisation. During my research into tour companies, I quickly learnt that being a member of KPAP is one of the main areas that the majority of climbers look for when picking their tour company.

For me, Adventure Alternative was coming out as a great tour company in all other aspects, so I decided to email them to gain more information as to why they were not a KPAP certified tour company. The response I received was very detailed and it was explained to me that they used to be KPAP certified but after many discussions and votes among the local porters in Tanzania, it was decided that they would leave the organisation due to certain benefits of not being KPAP certified. The reasoning was clearly outlined to me but I won’t be posting the exact reasoning here for privacy reasons for the Porters and staff. However, if you are debating booking via Adventure Alternative and them not being KPAP certified is a concern to you, I would strongly advise reaching out to the team via email to gain a better understanding of why they are not KPAP certified, before writing them off as a potential tour operator for your climb. Adventure Alternative having team members based in the UK as well as Tanazania, was also a big positive for me because it made communication easy because we were in the same timezone, therefore my queries were answered efficiently and for anything urgent, it was easy to pick up the phone and call the UK office without worrying about them not being available or me being charged extortionate phone call charges. There will be more on communication later on in this post, so let me end this section by saying that I put a lot of research into my decision of tour operators and upon review, I am still extremely happy with my choice!

The Adventure Alternative Booking process

Booking with Adventure Alternative is super easy. You’re given access to your own private area on their website, where you can manage your booking, make payments, and upload/access key documents about your trip. The process is straightforward and well-organised, with clear step-by-step instructions. One thing I really appreciated was the level of transparency regarding costs and what was included, which helped me budget effectively.

Once you’ve booked, the team keeps in regular contact, ensuring you’re well-prepared for the journey ahead. From visa requirements to packing lists, they provide everything you need to know before setting off on your Kilimanjaro adventure.

What’s Included in an Adventure Alternative Kilimanjaro Package?

Adventure Alternative offers a comprehensive package that covers almost everything you need for a successful climb. This includes hotel accommodation before and after your trek, park fees, meals on the mountain, tents, and the support of an experienced team of guides and porters.

One of the standout features of their package is the level of service provided on the mountain. You’re well looked after with nutritious meals, comfortable camping arrangements, and a focus on acclimatisation to give you the best possible chance of reaching the summit. The package also includes emergency support, with oxygen and first aid kits available, which added to my confidence in their professionalism and care for climbers.

Package Exclusions

Please note that the below list are things that are not included within Adventure Alternative’s Kilimanjaro package:

Airport Transfers – These were not included within the overall package and cost $40 each way. I originally felt that this was an expensive price but after experiencing how far the hotel is from the airport, I don’t think this is a bad price but budgeting for this will need to be taken into account when planning your trip.
Tips – Adventure Alternative provides a clear tipping guide on their website, you can expect around $200 per person for tips which covers tips for all porters and guides. However, it is likely that you will be wanting to spend more than this once you have experienced the kindness, patience and incredible service from all the porters and guides.
Meals before/after the climb – Breakfast at the hotel is included within the package, however you will need to organise your own meals for lunch and dinner. The hotel serves a good option of food choices for a very affordable price. The hotel is also located close to Moshi central town where you can find some delicious meals for a good price. You can read my Best Cafés & Restaurants in Moshi for a Pre/Post-Kilimanjaro Meal to find out the best spots for a pre-post climb meal.

Communication & Pre-Trip Support: How Well Did They Prepare Me?

From the moment I booked, the communication from Adventure Alternative was excellent. They provided detailed information about what to expect, from packing lists to visa advice and travel insurance recommendations. Any questions I had were answered promptly via email, and it was reassuring to know that there was a UK-based team available during office hours if I ever needed to speak with someone directly.

One of the things that really impressed me was how flexible and accommodating they were. A couple of weeks before our trip, our original flights were cancelled, meaning we were unexpectedly arriving in Moshi at 3am. I was worried about how this would impact our airport transfer, but when I reached out to Adventure Alternative, they assured me that it wouldn’t be a problem. True to their word, we were met at Kilimanjaro International Airport by a friendly driver, who helped us with our bags and got us safely to our hotel in Moshi.

The payment process was also straightforward. The website made it easy to pay in instalments, which was helpful for spreading out the cost. Plus, they sent reminders when a payment was due, so there was no stress about missing deadlines.

Landing in Tanzania before the climb

Transfer from Airport to Hotel

Due to the unexpected change in our flight schedule, we landed at 3:30am local time, which could have been stressful, but Adventure Alternative ensured everything was sorted for us. Having this level of support before even setting foot on the mountain gave me confidence in their organisation and reliability.

The transfer process was seamless. After collecting our luggage, we walked out of the arrivals gate and were greeted by our driver holding a sign with our names on it. He was professional, however he wasn’t very personable but I am assuming that this was down to a mixture of the language barrier and the fact that the driver was awake working at 4am in the morning! The drive from the airport to Keys hotel took about an hour, and despite the early morning arrival, the journey was smooth and comfortable. You can read my full review of Keys Hotel here.

Meeting the Adventure Alternative Team

Since we arrived at our hotel around 5am, we understandably needed some sleep. The guides and porters came to our hotel at 10am, without notice. This meant that we were in deep sleep and did not realise that they were waiting for us. When we eventually woke up and made our way downstairs, we were informed by the reception staff that the Adventure Alternative team had been waiting for us outside but they informed them to let us sleep. Whilst this was very kind of the hotel staff, it would have been nice to have had a heads up from the Adventure Alternative team as to what time they were coming so that we could have ensured to be up in time and we weren’t leaving them waiting.

However, when we finally met the team, their spirits were luckily not dampened as they were all very kind and welcoming. The team took us through a safety briefing and made sure that we had everything that we needed. This is the perfect opportunity to rent anything that you decided not to bring due to weight limits. We decided to rent trekking poles and the process was very easy with them bringing the poles to the start of our trek, the next morning. We asked where the nearest local cash points were and one of the porters kindly drove us to one as well as showing us around the local area. This small but thoughtful gesture really set the tone for the personalised and friendly service that we would receive throughout our climb.

Climbing Kilimanjaro with Adventure Alternative

Transport from the Hotel to the mountain

On the morning of our climb, the Adventure Alternative team arrived promptly at our hotel to collect us. The journey from Moshi to the starting point of our trek was smooth, with our gear loaded up efficiently. The drive took about an hour and a half and we stopped on the way at a local breakfast place so that the porters could pick up some breakfast before the start of the climb. This was a nice touch because the majority of porters and guides had been picked up early so this gave them the opportunity to enjoy some good food and fuel them before the start of our climb. We took this opportunity to explore a little bit around the area that we stopped at and speak to some locals. Once all the porters were satisfied with their delicious smelling food, we continued our journey to start our adventure. The excitement was palpable as we drove towards the towering silhouette of Kilimanjaro and we even saw a giraffe on the way to the mountain, which was really exciting! The driver made a point to stop the car as soon as he noticed the giraffe, so that we could fully immerse ourselves into the experience which was very much appreciated and made us even more excited for the start of our climb!

Group Size & Atmosphere

Before we left for the hike, I emailed the UK office to ask about the group size and was surprised to learn that it was just the two of us on the trip alongside 2 guides, a chef, a waiter and 7 porters. This meant that we had a more personalised experience, with plenty of one-on-one time with our guides. The atmosphere was incredibly supportive and friendly, we became like a small family during the trek, encouraging each other through the tough moments and celebrating every milestone together. One of my favourite phrases from the trek is ‘Remember that you’re strong like a Simba’! This was one of the many motivational quotes that the guides shared with us to help us reach the summit and is an example for how personable and supportive they were during our climb. The guides also taught us lots of Swahili and when we reached the camps, we were always met by friendly encouragement when we would showcase the new words and phrases that we had learnt!

Guides & Porters: How Knowledgeable and Supportive Were They?

The guides and porters were absolutely phenomenal. Their knowledge of the mountain, weather conditions, and acclimatisation strategies was impressive. Both of our guides regularly checked in on us during the hikes and they kept a close eye on our wellbeing. They also shared fascinating stories about the mountain and local culture, making the experience even richer.

A moment that I will never forget and will always be grateful for, is when I was struggling during summit night because my legs were refusing to cooperate and upon noticing this, one of the guides took my bag from me to lighten the load. The guide then continued to carry my backpack all the way to the summit which was greatly appreciated beyond words. I still to this day believe that I wouldn’t have reached the summit without that selfless act of kindness.

Beyond their expertise, they were incredibly kind and supportive. Whether it was lending a hand during tricky sections of the trail or boosting morale with songs and jokes, their presence made a huge difference. The porters, in particular, were incredible, carrying heavy loads with ease and always greeting us with warm smiles and a friendly ‘Hakuna Matata’.

Camps & Food on the Mountain: What to Expect

The camping setup was excellent. Adventure Alternative provides high-quality tents, sleeping mats, and a small but cosy dinner tent where we gathered for meals. Everything was well-organised, and despite the challenging environment, the camps felt comfortable and welcoming, especially after a long morning of trekking! I was particularly impressed with the comfiness and thickness of the sleeping mats. I surprisingly had some great night sleeps on the mountain and I know that it was all down to the cushioned support of the mat under my sleeping bag.

The food on the mountain exceeded my expectations. We were served a variety of hearty meals, including soups, pasta, rice dishes, and fresh fruit. Given the altitude and physical exertion, having nutritious and tasty food made a real difference in keeping our energy levels up. Special dietary requirements were also catered for, which was a big plus. I often struggle with eating a high quantity of food and once I explained this to the chef, he was more than happy to accommodate this by providing me with my comfort foods (mainly fruit and soups) that I knew I would be able to stomach.

Safety & Acclimatisation: Did Adventure Alternative Prioritise My Health?

Absolutely. Adventure Alternative takes acclimatisation seriously, following the ‘climb high, sleep low’ principle to help prevent altitude sickness. Regular health checks were carried out, including monitoring general wellbeing. The day of summit night, I had an awful headache and the guides made sure to check my oxygen levels and did their best to encourage me to eat and rest up to ensure that I made it to the summit.

The team also provided excellent guidance on pacing , “pole pole” (slowly, slowly) was the mantra of the trek, ensuring we didn’t push too hard and risk altitude-related issues. Having access to emergency oxygen and a well-trained team reassured me that my safety was a top priority throughout the climb.

Cost & Value for Money

How Much Does It Cost to Climb Kilimanjaro with Adventure Alternative?

Adventure Alternative’s Kilimanjaro climbs are priced competitively, especially considering the level of service provided. The cost varies depending on the route you choose and the length of the trek, but you can expect to pay between £2,000 and £3,000 for the full package. This includes guides, porters, food, accommodation, park fees, and transport which are all crucial elements for a successful and enjoyable climb.

I did the Northern Circuit route which is a 9 day climb and this cost £2595 per person. In my opinion, it was definitely worth the price but more on that below!

Is Adventure Alternative Worth the Price? My Verdict

Without a doubt! The quality of the guides, the ethical treatment of staff, and the overall organisation of the trek make Adventure Alternative excellent value for money. They offer an experience that balances safety, comfort, and adventure, giving you the best possible chance of reaching the summit. Not to mention, the incredible enriching experience that you receive from the team who are keen to share with you their stories growing up in Tanzania and are genuinely the kindest and most helpful people that you will ever meet. In my opinion, the feeling that you will be left with after the hike is priceless.

Ethical & Sustainable Travel

How Does Adventure Alternative Treat Their Porters & Staff?

Adventure Alternative is deeply committed to the welfare of their porters and staff. They ensure fair wages, provide proper gear, and treat their team with respect. The guides and porters spoke highly of the company, which says a lot about how they are treated.

Are They a Responsible & Sustainable Tour Operator?

Yes! Beyond treating their staff well, Adventure Alternative is also committed to protecting the environment. I saw guides and porters actively picking up litter on the mountain, and they follow responsible trekking practices to minimise their impact.

Overall Thoughts & Recommendation

This trip was truly unforgettable. From the stunning landscapes to the camaraderie within the group, every moment was special. The professionalism of the Adventure Alternative team ensured a seamless and enjoyable experience, and the incredible support from the guides and porters made the tough moments so much easier. The sense of achievement upon reaching the summit was indescribable, and I couldn’t have asked for a better company to share this journey with.

Would I Recommend Adventure Alternative? My Final Verdict

Abso-frikkin’-lutely! Adventure Alternative provided an unforgettable Kilimanjaro experience, with outstanding guides, great organisation, and a commitment to ethical travel. If you’re looking for a trustworthy and experienced tour operator for your Kilimanjaro climb, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them.

You can view the Adventure Alternative website and hike routes here.