Mount Kilimanjaro Guides
19,340FT / 5,895M | TanzaniaKilimanjaro Guides
Each scheduled climb is led by a US-based Alpine Ascents senior mountain guide. Our senior guides have 10+ years in the field, and beyond their expertise on Kilimanjaro, they lead expeditions to great peaks around the world, from Alaska to the Himalayas. Many have dozens of Kilimanjaro trips to their credit, and several have guided and climbed 8,000 m peaks. Their high-altitude experience includes advanced training in wilderness medicine, a deep understanding of altitude and acclimatization, and risk-management skills developed on remote climbs worldwide. This level of support gives you a real advantage: you approach Kilimanjaro with a mountaineering team behind you, not just a trekking outfit.
Tanzanian Lead Guide Staff
Our lead Tanzanian guides are selected for their experience and training. Each must meet strict standards for leadership, mountain experience, medical training, client care, and English-language skills. Every lead guide has at least 15 years of mountain experience, including a minimum of five years and 25 trips with Alpine Ascents groups, working alongside one of our US-based senior guides. They know and practice our standards for safety, leadership, teaching, and one-on-one client care, the foundation of our high success rates.
Our assistant guides have at least four years of experience and have shown the potential to become lead guides. They train under our lead guides over several years, building invaluable experience on the mountain.
Exceptional staff and good trip planning
Some other guiding companies offer “upgrades” that feel somewhat silly or frivolous. AAI seems to focus on more important factors such as exceptional staff and good trip planning to avoid crowds on the mountain.
- Kilimanjaro Climber
A 5 star rating isn't high enough
A 5 star rating isn’t high enough for David Gottlieb. David was a pleasure to be around and a fountain of knowledge. Very caring to all of the climbers and support staff. Not only is he a top-level climber, but his knowledge about motorcycles and punk rock music really blew me away. David is a real gem.
- Kilimanjaro Climber
They were right there beside you to encourage and help.
I have only great things to say about the full local guide team. Their English was excellent, and they were all very nice and very personable. When the higher altitude hike got hard, they were right there beside you to encourage and help. Sauley, Cynthia, Ramadan, and Emannuel are salt of the earth folks.
- Kilimanjaro Climber
Ben Jones was amazing.
He was knowledgeable, patient, and encouraging and demonstrated excellent planning and leadership throughout the climb. He planned each day to maximize our enjoyment of the mountain. Each morning, Ben would give us the “plan for the day” and the reasoning behind it, and each day, the plan came together just as described. Thanks to Ben, we truly were able to focus on enjoying the climb and the mountain.
- Kilimanjaro Climber
Senior Guide Staff
Eric Murphy
Kilimanjaro Program Manager. International, Mountaineering School
A talented climber and guide, Eric is a 35 year resident of the Pacific Northwest. A former competitive distance runner, and cyclist, Eric was born in Alaska and introduced to the wilderness at an early age. He has led many of our mountaineering courses in the Cascades. He has been climbing for over 25 years, and has guided trips for 16 years. Eric has vast experience in the mountain ranges of the Cascades, Rockies, Andes and Himalaya. He has led or participated in over 30 expeditions to Alaska, Canada, Kenya, Tanzania, Antarctica, Nepal, Tibet, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, and Chile. His background covers technical ice, rock, and high altitude. Over the last 15 years, he has developed climbing curriculums for local organizations. Eric has guided for us in the Cascades, on Denali, Mount Vinson, Cho Oyu, Everest/Lhotse, Aconcagua and Kilimanjaro for the past 15 years. Most recently, Eric guided for us...
Ben Jones
Kilimanjaro, International, Everest, Denali, Mount Rainier, Mountaineering School
Ben is one of the premier high altitude guides in the world, with over 20 years of experience leading expeditions and courses across the globe. Ben’s guiding resume includes 10 expeditions to Everest, 4 expeditions to Cho Oyu, and numerous ascents of other 8000m peaks. Ben is an expedition leader on the seven summits, and has first ascents in remote areas around the world. Ben guides full time, leading expeditions to Everest, Denali, Cho Oyu, Kilimanjaro, and Vinson to round out his season as one of the most active guides in the industry. When not on an expedition, he instructs courses in mountaineering, backcountry skiing, snowboarding, and horse packing. While teaching mountaineering at National Outdoor Leadership School, Ben extensively explored the glaciers of the Chugach Mountains, Wrangells, eastern Alaska Range, and remote mountains in British Columbia, as well as in Wyoming and Idaho. In the off season while residing in...
Rachel Molstad
KILIMANJARO, INTERNATIONAL, ALASKA, WASHINGTON
Rachel grew up in Oregon and attended college in her home state, earning a degree in International Relations before beginning a series of explorations of many regions of the world, living in several different countries from Asia to Europe. Since 2013 she has made La Paz, Bolivia her home base after discovering a love of exploring the region’s remote glaciated peaks and granite walls. She has been guiding full time since 2014 across various regions of the world including Bolivia, Aconcagua, Denali, Kilimanjaro, and the Pacific Northwest of the US. Rachel has extensive experience in high altitude and international expeditions and has guided climbers to 6000 meter plus summits on over 200 occasions. She has completed numerous female first ascents of technical routes on the highest peaks of the Bolivian Andes, along with a few first ascent routes on lesser explored peaks. Her fluent Spanish language skills are an asset...
Vern Tejas
KILIMANJARO, INTERNATIONAL
Vern is known for Denali’s first solo winter ascent, the first solo of Mt. Vinson (Antarctica’s highest), first winter ascent of Mt. Logan (Canada’s highest) and as lead guide for Col. Norman Vaughan’s first ascent of Mt. Vaughan in remote Antarctica. In 2000, Vern was named one of Alaska’s top 50 Athletes of the Century by Sports Illustrated and in 2012 was inducted into the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame. In addition to his fame in the extreme environments of Alaska, Greenland and Antarctica, Vernon’s success in guiding people to the summit is simply remarkable. Along with guiding numerous high altitude expeditions, Vern is a ten time summiteer of Everest and an avid adventure racer finishing 10th in 1999 and 13th in 2001 in the Eco-Challenge Race. Vern’s guided ascents are an extremely unique blend of his dynamic spirit, climbing expertise and guiding savvy, known throughout the guiding community. Recently...
David Gottlieb
KILIMANJARO, INTERNATIONAL, ALASKA, WASHINGTON
David Gottlieb is a highly experienced alpinist and professional mountain guide with an extensive background in high-altitude mountaineering and technical climbing ascents across the world. Before joining the Alpine Ascents team in 2016, David spent 18 seasons as a Climbing Ranger on Mount Rainier and traveled far and wide accumulating a wealth of experience in mountain rescue, risk management, and technical climbing. In addition to his guiding career, David’s passion for remote and high altitude environments has driven him to complete four first ascents of unclimbed 22,000-foot peaks in the Himalayas, including Kang Nachugo (6,735 meters) and Takargo (6,771 meters). David’s guiding approach is based on precision, safety, and effective leadership. He is dedicated to mentoring climbers in technical skills and expedition strategy. Whether leading teams on established routes close to home on Mount Rainier, or travelling to guide our Volcanoes of Ecuador and Kilimanjaro expeditions, he brings a measured...
Sauly Kyara
KILIMANJARO
Sauly was born in the Arusha region and grew up in Moshi at the foot of Kilimanjaro, where he completed his school studies. He has a family of 5 children and a lovely wife of 20 years. He completed his primary education in 1996 and his secondary education in 2000. He has studied tourism and wildlife management at Mweka Wildlife College and holds a class A certification in mountain guiding from Mweka College. Sauly began his work on Kilimanjaro in 2004 as a porter, reaching the top over 50 times as a summit porter from 2004-2006. In 2006 Sauly was awarded his guide license and has been guiding on Kilimanjaro since. Sauly has 20 years experience on Kilimanjaro with more than 200 summits and has been working with Alpine Ascents for more than 5 years.
Guide Staff
Jonas Rutta
Lead Tanzanian Guide
Jonas was born in the Chagga Village of Marangu, growing up with Kilimanjaro in his backyard. He has worked as a mountain guide for over 20 years. Jonas has traveled to Argentina, completing an ascent of Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Western Hemisphere- 6963m/22,844ft. While in Argentina, Jonas also completed a professional mountaineering course for guides. Jonas is the current Chairman of the Tanzanian branch of the Explorers Club, based in New York City. He has been featured in a New York Times article by Tom Bissel. Jonas is Wilderness First Responder certified by NOLS. As a guide he is very passionate about his work enjoys very much sharing his extensive knowledge on natural history, mountain climbing and the local culture. He is the father of 4 children and lives in Arusha, Tanzania with his family.
Daniel Leonard
Lead Tanzanian Guide
Daniel was raised in Arusha, Tanzania and has been working on Kilimanjaro with Alpine Ascents since 2009. Most recently he has led most of our private teams over the last 3 years with an a near 100% success rate. Daniel is trained and certified as a Wilderness First Responder. Known for his smiles, patience, and easy going manner, he enjoys teaching clients about mountain skills and the history of the Kilimanjaro region. Daniel currently lives in Arusha with his family. In his spare time he enjoys trail running, hiking, and farming.
Zelothe Mollel
Lead Tanzanian Guide
Zelothe was born and raised in the Arusha region and is part of the Arusha Maasai tribe. He grew up in a family of 9 children, part of the large Moses clan, Zelothe has been working on Kilimanjaro for over 14 years and as a guide for 10 of those years. He has worked with Alpine Ascents groups for over 8 years. Zelothe is a thoughtful and kind presence on the mountain. His is known for his unending smile and enormous patience in helping climbers reach their goals safely.
Rodrick Mtui
Lead Tanzanian Guide
Rodrick is from the Chagga tribe and was born in Marangu Village on the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro, where he grew up in a family of 8 children. He is part of the prominent Mtuy clan, many of whom have worked on the mountain in the last 30 years. Rodrick has been working as a guide for over 15 years, with over 150 ascents of the mountain. He has worked with Alpine groups for over 10 years and is currently the lead Tanzanian guide for all Alpine Ascents trips alongside the Western guide. He is known for his excellent leadership skills, unending patience, and a great smile. Rodrick lives in Arusha with his wife Aggie, and his young son Genius. The family is currently expecting another child in 2018! They hope to move to a new location in Maji A Chai (water of tea) where they are working on building...
August Maleo
Assistant Tanzanian Guide
August was born in the Chagga village of Marangu, on the slopes of Kilimanjaro. Growing up with the mountain in his back yard, and other family members working as guides, it was a natural progression for August to learn to be a guide. August has been working as a guide on Kilimanjaro for more than 30 years. August is a father of 4 children, and continues to live in Marangu Village with his family. His daughter is the first in the family to attend college, and works in Dodoma, the capital of Tanzania, as a teacher. August is a master pacer, beloved by clients for his ability to maintain the “all day pace”.
Edward Tofili Urio
Assistant Tanzanian Guide
Edward is from the Chagga tribe and was born in Kilimanjaro region at Marangu Village. He is part of 7 children of Tofili Urio Family. Edward has been working as a guide for 25 years with over 300 ascents of Kilimajaro from all the different routes. He has guided Alpine groups for over 10 years. He is known for his excellent leadership skills and unending patience helping climbers reach the summit in “good style and with a smile”. Edward brings a fun sense of humor and a great smile to everyday on the mountain. He has personally worked our 7 day Machame trip with Kilimanjaro Program Director Eric Murphy more than 50 times. Edward lives in Marangu Village with his wife and family of 4 children. 25 years Experience as Assistant Guide 300+ Ascents of Kilimanjaro 10+ Years working with Alpine Groups Mountain First Aid Training
Miriam Mrutu
Assistant Tanzanian Guide
Mariam was born in the Northern Tanzanian region of Babati and grew up in a household of 6 children. She began to work as a porter on Kilimanjaro in 2017 and quickly progressed to other roles. She joined the Mweka Wildlife College tourism course in 2019 and became an assistant guide in 2021. Mariam has reached the summit of Kilimanjaro more than 50 times. Mariam’s warm personality is omnipresent and she is always there to ensure clients are fully experiencing the mountain wilderness. She enjoys learning from her clients and peers, helping clients reach their goals safely, and sharing her knowledge about the local flora and fauna.
