Remote routes, local guides, small groups and one signature documentary expedition each year.
We scout and research every destination to craft expeditions with real local connection and a physical challenge. That’s what makes every journey feel rare: deeper access, unexpected moments, and an experience you won’t find in a standard itinerary.
We scout and research every destination to craft expeditions with real local connection — and a serious physical challenge. No copy-paste itineraries. No tourist veneer.
Peak Expedition — Tanzania: summit with deeper perspective
Flagship — Kyrgyzstan: expedition + cinematic film
Whether you’re looking to join an expedition or explore a partnership, a short call is the fastest way to see if we’re a fit. We’ll walk you through the concept, dates, expectations, and next steps. No pressure, just clarity!
In this documentary, we follow Jacob, a porter on Kilimanjaro, from the doorstep of his home to the summit, meanwhile sharing his hopes, hardships, and the quiet strength behind every step.
To truly understand his reality, we climb beside him with 25 kilograms on our backs, feeling the weight he carries every day.
This is not just a film, but a tribute to the invisible engines of our adventures, and a call to see, feel, and carry their stories with us.
Carrying Dreams - Kilimanjaro 2025 Documentary Expedition
We gave away gear, shared stories with the locals, and felt what true solidarity means. This really was an experience like no other.
Sjoerd
It’s not a luxury trip. It’s tough. But you feel like you’ve been part of something that actually matters!
- Daphny
From climbing with a heavy pack, to donating our gear, running my first ultramarathon, and witnessing the great river crossing... this journey had it all.
- Mees
No filters, no pretending, just a group of people trying, sweating, helping each other up a mountain. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
- Belin
From arriving at the airport to dropping us back off, everything was perfectly arranged!
- Wiebe
The climb is one thing, but what happens around it, the people, the laughter, the stargazing, that’s what makes it unforgettable.
- Annette
It wasn’t about money or charity. It was just pure gratitude, from both sides. That moment stayed with me!
- Shiva
This was a trip like no other. Our team was amazing, Peter the guide had so much experience, we felt really comfortable with him as a guide. I also loved the group chemistry we had. Thanks again Cold Ember!
- Wouter
As a photographer, most of the time, you shoot moments for people. This time, we lived them with them. We walked together, felt the exhaustion, reminded each other to drink water. I was not just a photographer, I really was part of a team.
- Cuno
Your brand, team, or group wants to be part of real, emotional storytelling, not staged, not scripted, but lived.
You want to walk shoulder to shoulder with locals, briefly carrying water, carrying the weight, and truly feeling the mountain.
you want the occasional film experience during one of our flagship journeys only.
you’re an outdoor brand ready to outfit a team with field-tested gear, rights-ready assets, and a narrative that rings true.
The moment we’ve been building toward. Our campaign is officially live, and with it, the story we’re ready to tell.
One last gathering before takeoff. A celebration of the road behind us, and the gear check, packing chaos, and final details that make the road ahead possible.
Bags packed. Nerves high. Today we fly to Tanzania. This is where everything becomes real.
The moment we’ve been building toward. Our campaign is officially live, and with it, the story we’re ready to tell.
We begin our 7-day ascent via the Machame Route. Spirits high, packs heavy, this is where Jacob’s journey becomes ours.
We go down the same mountain, but we’re not the same people. The descent is steep, the legs are tired, the lessons are many.
While some rest, others run. A few of our team take on a brutal 75K trail ultra at 3,500m altitude. A final act of endurance, spirit, and solidarity.
At 3,500 meters above sea level, this isn’t just a run, it’s a test of breath, body and grit. A raw physical expression of everything we’ve carried, seen, and become.
While some rest, others run. A few of our team take on a brutal 75K trail ultra at 3,500m altitude. A final act of endurance, spirit, and solidarity.Time to breathe. To connect. To reflect. In the vastness of the savannah, stories are shared, bonds deepen, and we celebrate not just a summit, but a journey of meaning.
Back where we started, but not who we were. Home again, full of stories, sore legs, and something in our hearts that won’t stay quiet.
The founder of Cold Ember. Jordy is building a movement where extreme expeditions fuel real-world impact. He turns raw experiences into honest stories that inspire others to carry more than just a backpack.
With over 24 Hyrox competitions under her belt and World Championship qualifications to her name, Annette knows what it means to push limits. In the Cold Ember team, she leads by example: setting the physical pace, supporting others through the hardest moments, and carrying far more than just her own weight.
Thomas is a filmmaker, adventurer, and creative force: a true jack of all cinematic trades. From concept to camera to final cut, he shapes the raw into the remarkable, giving soul to every frame.
As the founder of a growing run club, he brings people together through movement, mindset, and shared struggle. Driven, grounded, and always in motion, Mees runs with heart, and leads with connection.
Belin knows what it means to rebuild, and to keep moving, no matter what. With relentless drive and quiet strength, she turns adversity into endurance. She's the kind of fighter who lifts the whole team without saying a word.
Absolutely not. We climb with a full local support team, just like any other expedition. The difference is that our porters carry less, and we carry more. We’ve chosen to shoulder extra weight ourselves, but not at the expense of anyone’s job. Everyone on this mountain still gets paid, supported, and respected, as they should be.
We choose to carry a significant load (around 20–25 kg) to better understand the reality of porters. It’s not about replacing their jobs—it’s about empathy, respect, and authentic storytelling.
You have the option to carry part of the load yourself, and many participants choose to do so to better understand the porters’ reality. But you should never feel obliged to push beyond your safety. Our professional porters are always there to take over if the weight becomes too heavy, ensuring the experience stays safe and respectful.
The expedition price covers all on-the-ground logistics: guides, porters, accommodation on the mountain, meals, permits, and our impact contribution. International flights and personal gear are not included. A clear cost breakdown is provided before booking.
Beyond Kilimanjaro, we offer various other trips, Kyrgyzstan: the nomad experience, Zanzibar: The coral gardener, and more in the future. Sign up to our newsletter to be informed when new ones arrive.
It is not neccessary, as long as you have resilience. Our expeditions are physically intense, yet achievable. We help you train, and mental strength matters just as much as physical.
Neither in the traditional sense. We’re a hybrid: an expedition & storytelling platform. That means every trip is designed to be both a transformative adventure and a film/documentary project, with a clear local impact.
Many porters work in poor gear and clothing, often under harsh conditions. We carry quality clothing in our own backpacks to donate, as a tangible act of respect and solidarity.
Every expedition includes professional filmmakers and photographers who capture the journey with integrity from both our team and the local perspective.
Yes. We co-create stories with outdoor brands, NGOs, and purpose-driven companies. That can mean gear sponsorship, co-production of a film, or supporting a specific impact pillar.
Partners receive cinematic visuals, curated photo sets, and rights-ready content for social, print, and events. Your brand is integrated naturally and authentically—through gear in action, field testing, and tasteful co-branding.
Yes. You’ll need travel insurance that specifically covers high-altitude trekking (up to 6,000 m). We’ll advise on recommended providers.
We focus on various solutions: Donating neccessary gear, health insurance, and community-led decisions. A portion of every expedition fee goes directly to these impact programs. Transparency reports are shared after each expedition.
Yes, all participants are required to have valid travel and medical insurance that covers high-altitude trekking and physical activity.
Become a part of our team and help bring bold ideas to life. Join us to grow, create, and make an impact together!
