Booking terms

These are the terms on which we run a climb or safari. They form part of your contract with us once a booking is confirmed. Read them before you pay a deposit rather than afterwards.

Making a booking

A booking is confirmed when we have received your deposit and issued a written confirmation. Until then, dates, prices and availability are not held.

Payment

A deposit is payable on booking and the balance by a stated date before departure. Park fees are a substantial part of the price, are set by the national park authority, and are payable whether or not you reach the summit.

Cancellation by you

Cancellation charges apply on a sliding scale according to how far in advance you cancel, because park permits, accommodation and crew are committed in advance. The scale is set out in your booking confirmation.

Changes and cancellation by us

Very occasionally we may need to change an itinerary — route closures, weather, park regulation changes, or circumstances beyond our control. Where a change is significant we will tell you as soon as we can and offer the alternatives available.

Insurance is mandatory

You must hold travel insurance that covers trekking to the maximum altitude of your itinerary and includes emergency evacuation. Many standard policies exclude altitude above a stated ceiling, which is lower than Kilimanjaro's summit. We will ask for your policy details before departure and we may refuse to start a climb without them. See the travel insurance guide.

Health and fitness

You must tell us about any medical condition or medication that could affect you at altitude, honestly and in advance. Concealing a condition puts you, your group and the crew at risk and may invalidate your insurance.

Your guide's authority

Your lead guide has final authority on the mountain. If the guide judges that continuing would put you at risk, that decision is final and you will descend. This is not negotiable and is not grounds for a refund. It is the single most important safety provision in this document.

Acceptance of risk

High-altitude trekking carries inherent risks, including altitude illness, extreme weather, rough ground and remoteness from medical care. These cannot be removed, only managed. By booking you accept those risks.

If something goes wrong

Tell your guide at the time, so it can be put right on the mountain. If it cannot be resolved there, write to us within a stated period of your return and we will investigate.