Below are a series of diary extracts, written by our Polar and Scandinavian travel expert, Jonny, whilst he was back at basecamp in Longyearbyen after what he descibes as "an unforgettable multi-day dog sledding expedition into the heart of the wild". 

Your days on the mountain start at sunrise with steaming cups of coffee and delicious hot breakfasts served in the mess tent. (For more information on Kilimanjaro food and meals click here: mountain food is the source of success). Sandgrouse do high altitudes in style! A quick briefing follows breakfast – letting you know what to expect over the day ahead whilst the porters forge ahead with your tents and kit. Fortified, you trek on, the porters control the pace and pick...

Located only a few miles outside of Edinburgh is one of the Scotland's most beautiful and impressive family homes, in fact this is often said to be the country's finest stately home. The glorious Hopetoun House is the home to the Marquis of Linlithgow and has been the ancestral seat of the Hope family whom still occupy the South Wing for over 200 years.  

(The magnificent and ornate state rooms within...

We can tailormake your next holiday to include everything you dream of whilst here in Scotland. Our 'Luxury Scotland' itineraries can include anything you wish, from a round of golf at the famous St. Andrews Old Course to whisky tasting at a single malt distillery on Islay. With Sandgrouse Travel, you have access to extraordinary experiences, and you could even be staying in some of Scotland's best castles. The below series of photographs gives you a sneak peak, sometimes literally through the keyhole, into some of the great monuments...

We at Sandgrouse Travel & Expeditions find ourselves being called back to magical parts of the world in a reoccuring cycle. From here at home in Scotland and within the UK, to remote corners of world such as Scandinavia and Africa we go in search of our 'fix'. These callings lurk within us all and if neglected they become almost nagging desires. It is this same emotion that is essentially the driving force behind people booking a holiday (or two or three) each year.

People need...

Our excellent method for dressing in cold conditions is hardly rocket science, nor does it involve the use of some ground breaking new technology. It is in fact far more simple than those and yet can easily be overlooked or forgotten, especially by visitors new to cold, winter or Nordic environments. The 'multi-layer principle' can help you avoid being uncomfortable and enable you to take the most from your next winter holiday. 

For us to be able to enjoy spending time outdoors...

For a successful ascent of Kilimanjaro you need a team who will work tirelessly for you to achieve your goal. Your success is our success and every aspect of the climb is meticulously planned and prepared for you. We genuinely want you to succeed as much as you do.

Our aim is to get you to the summit and back down again with a big smile on your face. With that in mind you need to have an...

You have checked and double checked your kit. Packed and repacked. Made friends with your new hiking boots, invested in some serious technical clothing, caught your flight and are on your way. Out of the plane window, as you fly across the border between Kenya and Tanzania, Uhuru Peak (the highest point of Kilimanjaro) can be seen penetrating upwards through the clouds just below, this is when the butterflies go into overdrive. 

(The Lava Tower with Kibo looming in the distance). 

In less...

Maybe you are considering climbing Kilimanjaro? You are not alone. People have been drawn to this challenge since men in tweed...

To give you the very best chance of success on one of our Mount Kilimanjaro treks in Tanzania, we select a suitable route based on in-depth discussions with yourself coupled with our personal expertise, we consider all on-going aspects of each trek on the ground, as it happens. This includes perhaps most importantly, your nutritional needs.

We are proud to say that all the meals you consume whilst on a Sandgrouse Travel & Expeditions trek to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro are...