At Dirty Freedom® Adventures, we’re committed to offering an authentic and ethical trekking experience. We respect local cultures, pay fair wages to our dedicated team, and prioritize environmentally responsible practices throughout our climbs. Our goal is to help you achieve a meaningful, challenging adventure that also supports the communities we work with.
Our routes on Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru are well-established, but let's be clear – these mountains are no joke. Expect a serious challenge that will test both your physical and mental endurance, regardless of your fitness level. While we’re here to guide you every step of the way, reaching the summit is never guaranteed. It’s a tough climb, and there are many factors – like altitude, weather, personal fitness, and even your own DNA – that come into play. But with the right preparation and determination, your chances are much better.
Mount Kilimanjaro: While routes vary in difficulty, we recommend a minimum of seven days for proper acclimatization. Six days is doable (and even five days is available), but seven or eight days will dramatically increase your chances of summiting by giving you more time to acclimatize and reducing the risks of altitude sickness. And just a heads-up, the descent is no walk in the park either. It’s just as challenging in its own way, so practicing descending is important in your training as well. Don't shortchange your chances of summiting for the sake of saving a little money. Do this adventure right, and allow your body a better chance to acclimatize. That said, we strongly recommend the Machame seven day route and the Lemosho eight day route.
Mount Meru: Technically, three day Meru climbs are available, but we strongly advise against them. The problem isn’t acclimatization – it’s that the 3-day trek is just too rushed. This increases your chances of injury and makes the experience far less enjoyable. Most climbers won’t make it to the park gate by closing, which means they’ll be forced to pay for another day of park fees and then exit the mountain early anyway. To avoid all of that, we recommend four days, which allows for a more comfortable and safer climb, while giving you ample time to enjoy the journey and the stunning views.
Meet Larick, The Best of the Best
Larick, our Chief Guide, has over 20 years of experience guiding climbers on Kilimanjaro and Meru. With 86 Kilimanjaro summits and 23 Meru summits under his belt, Larick knows exactly how to pace climbers safely, ensuring that everyone moves at the right speed and stays energized. His natural ability to read the group’s energy and keep everyone motivated is invaluable, especially during the tough stretches.
But it’s not just about experience – you’ll love Larick and his crew’s energy and sense of humor. They know how to keep the mood light, even when the climb gets tough. Larick holds Wilderness First Responder certification from the Sentinel Outdoor Institute, so you can trust that you’re in the hands of a well-trained professional who’s prepared for any situation. And it’s not just him – all of our staff share his passion, work ethic, and commitment to your success. While summiting will be a tough feat, we make sure everyone is supported throughout their journey.
Custom Routes Tailored to You
Every adventurer is unique. If you want to customize your route to suit your personal needs, we’re happy to help. Our team will work with you to design a trek that meets your goals while staying true to our high ethical standards. Let’s make your dream trek a reality.
Day Hikes & Overnight Hikes
If you’re not quite ready for the full summit experience, we offer day hikes and abbreviated overnight hikes on both Kilimanjaro and Meru. These shorter treks are ideal for those who want to experience the mountains without committing to a full climb. They’re still challenging, but you’ll be able to enjoy the beauty of the area without the challenges of extreme high altitude.
Elevate Your Adventure with Yoga & Wellness
Looking for some restoration and rejuvenation on your adventure? Consider adding Rebekah from RebekahYoga.com to your trek. She offers yoga, meditation, and Ayurvedic insights to help you find balance and mindfulness throughout your journey. We’re confident her experience will make your trek very special and unique. Inquire about adding Rebekah to your private climb, and we'll advise the cost. Subject to availability, so reserve early!
7 Days
No, we do not sell or serve whiskey on the Machame Route, a popular route on Kilimanjaro. It is nicknamed the "Whiskey Route" because it is more difficult than other routes, such as Marangu ("Coca Cola Route") or Rongai. It is best if you have some hiking or climbing experience before you attempt Machame, but trust me: it is doable, because the Honey Badger did it!
7 or 8 Days
The Lemosho Route is a Kilimanjaro favorite because of its longer acclimation time (eight days) and gentler slope, although it can also be done in 7 days by skipping Shira I camp on day two. However, we strongly recommend opting for the Machame 7 day route if you don't want to do 8 days.
5 or 6 Days
The Marangu or "Coca Cola Route" is considered to be easier than the Machame "Whiskey Route," and thus it is nicknamed after a soft drink instead of hard liquor. In reality, although it is shorter duration and has sleeping huts, it isn't easier. The fewer days allows less time to acclimate to altitude, which is the major consideration in climbing Kilimanjaro.
The Marangu is another of the tribal groups in the larger Chagga tribe from the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania. There are several other subsets in the Chagga tribe, including one that was discussed in the Machame Route. Our very own RG3 hails from the Marangu branch of the Chagga tribe.
We highly recommend at least 6 days on this route, but a 5-day option is available.
6-7 Days
The Rongai Route is unique because it is the only one that approaches from the North, near the Kenyan border. Here, you can find members of the Chagga tribe living in the foothills behind Kilimanjaro. Although Rongai can be done in six days, we recommend doing it in seven to increase your chances of summiting. However, if you are hell-bent on doing it in six, we can arrange it for you.
One advantage of Rongai is that it is less popular, so you won't see as many hikers on the trail.
6 Days
Umbwe is not for the faint of heart. Though it is similar to Machame, it is much steeper and more rugged, and therefore we recommend that only experienced, very fit climbers attempt this route. It also does not offer much opportunity to acclimate to high altitude.
9 Days
The Northern Circuit Route is a Kilimanjaro favorite because of its longer acclimation time (nine days) and gentler slope.
6 Days
The Shira Route is similar to Lemosho but only lasts six days instead of eight. Naturally, this means your chances of summit success drop. However, the route is generally easy, with shorter distances and a shorter summit night. Climbers should note that if the Arrow Glacier approach is used, there is an important restriction: You must proceed to the summit once you start; it is very difficult, if not impossible, to go backwards because it is too steep.
3 or 4 Days
Mount Meru is smaller in height than Kilimanjaro, but don't underestimate her! She's got a steep pitch at the summit that you will have to scramble a bit to get over. But the views are worth it. And--Meru makes a great warmup hike for Kilimanjaro.
Although there is a 3-day option, we strongly recommend against it. Most hikers have trouble getting to the park exit by 6 pm, which will attract another day's park fees. Give yourself that extra day to avoid wearing yourself out and to also enjoy the after-summit.