Kilimanjaro

Overview

Taking part in this iconic challenge you will climb Africa’s highest peak, standing at 5,895 metres above the plains below it. Accompanied by our local, highly experienced guides you will wind your way up the 33 km Rongai Route to the summit. The route begins in the Marangu National Park takes you through diverse landscapes and after six days, the summit. The steady pace allows your body to acclimatise to the high altitude. This is the ultimate Charity Challenge that will be the trip of a lifetime!

Detailed Itinerary

B = Breakfast is provided
L = Lunch is provided
D = Dinner is provided

• Day 1 Depart from UK

• Day 2 Arrive Kilimanjaro International Airport. drive to Marangu

All going to plan, we arrive in Tanzania in mid afternoon, transfer to the group hotel, followed by a group briefing with the trip guide/leader. The rest of the evening is free to rest or perhaps to explore this small town at the foot of Kilimanjaro. (D)

• Day 3 Commence Kilimanjaro climb (2600m, 3-4 hrs)

After completing the necessary registration formalities at Marangu National Park gate, we transfer by Landrover to Rongai. The climb begins from the attractive wooden village of Nale Moru (1950m) on a small path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering pine forest. The track then starts to climb consistently, but gently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife, including the beautiful Kilimanjaro Colobus monkey. These monkeys are black with a long ‘cape’ of white hair and a flowing white tail. The forest begins to thin out and our first camp is at the edge of the moorland zone (2600m) with extensive views over the Kenyan plains. (B,L,D)

• Day 4 Trek to Kikelewa Caves (approx 7-8 hrs)

The morning walk is a steady ascent up to the ‘Second Cave’ (3450m) with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim. After lunch, we leave the main trail and strike out across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. Our campsite is in a sheltered valley with giant senecios near Kikelewa Caves. (B,L,D)

• Day 5 Trek to Mawenzi Tarn (approx 4-5 hrs)

A short but steep climb up grassy slopes is rewarded by superb all round views and a tangible sense of wilderness. We leave vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn (4330m), spectacularly situated in a cirque directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. The afternoon will be free to rest or explore the surrounding area as an aid to acclimatisation. (B,L,D)

• Day 6 Walk to Kibo

We cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo campsite at (4700m) situated at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night. (B,L,D)

• Day 7 Ascend to the summit and descend to Horombo Hut

We will start the final (and by far the steepest and most demanding) part of the climb by torchlight around 1am. We plod very slowly in the darkness on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillmans Point (5685m). We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the three hour round trip to Uhuru Peak (5896m), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. Descending steadily on a steep slope of silt and scree for approx 1000 metres, we arrive tired but elated at Kibo Hut (4700m). After some well earned refreshment, we continue an easy descent on a well-defined trail to our final campsite at Horombo (3720m).

Today’s trekking involves from 11 hours to 15 hours walking which is made to feel more strenuous by the effects of altitude and extreme cold. This section of the trek is one of the steepest and most demanding and should not be taken lightly. It is a great idea to have your own head torch so that your hands are free for balance. Most people are surprised by the extreme cold and the best advice is to follow the clothing list and pack your warm clothes – you will need them! (B,L,D)

• Day 8 Descend to Marangu

A steady descent takes us down through moorland to Mandara Hut (2700m), the first stopping place on the Marangu route. We then continue descending through lovely lush forest on a good path to the National Park gate at Marangu (1830m) where you will be taken back to our hotel for gala dinner and overnight accommodation. (B,L,D)

• Day 9 Drive to Kilimanjaro International Airport. Return flight

After an early breakfast participants may opt to take part in a safari excursion. In the afternoon the group will then take the 1hour bus ride back to Kilimanjaro International Airport. (B)

• Day 10 Arrive back in the UK

NOTE: It is important to realise with any trip to Africa that the itinerary needs to be flexible. While every effort will be made to follow the above schedule, in the event of political problems, airline schedule changes, National Park authorities or natural difficulties it may be necessary to change the itinerary from time to time.

Dates & Prices

Date	Prices	Book
07 Oct - 16 Oct 2011	£1,650	How to book
03 Feb - 12 Feb 2012	£1650	How to book
05 Oct - 14 Oct 2012	£1650	How to book
01 Jan - 31 Dec 2012	more dates available	How to book

How to book

For more information about the Kilimanjaro trek and to book your place please email trailblazers@rockuk.org or call 0844 8000 222

Photos

Kilimanjaro is the world’s highest free-standing mountain and from which you can enjoy spectacular views over the Kenyan plains below. During the ascent you pass through equatorial rainforest, rich in wildlife; across high moorland with unique vegetation; and cross glacial terrain at the summit. The stunning surroundings can be enjoyed as we allow an extra day to reach the peak. We highly value responsible travel initiatives and as such your itinerary is designed to have minimum impact on the local people

Important Information

What’s included

• Airport transfer
• Experienced English speaking local expedition guide
• All meals including Gala meal on final night
• Entry to Kilimanjaro National Park (USD $745 pp)
• Services of Porters
• Medical kit
• Accommodation and camping fees; 2 nights in good quality hotels in Marangu
• Group camping equipment EXCEPT sleeping bags and sleeping mats
• Bottled oxygen, full medical kit, mobile phone communication between guides

Cost Excludes:

• Flights
• Sleeping bag, sleeping mat or personal gear
• Tipping
• Items of a personal nature such as laundry and postage, extra meals, alcolholic beverages
• Additional transport or accommodation required due to any emergency situation. Should be covered by insurance.
• Optional half day safari
• Insurance
• Visa

THE COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE

Tanzania is the largest country of East Africa, being almost 950,000 sq kms and made up mainly of a dry highland plateau, with a narrow trip of low-lying coast and the off-shore islands of Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia. The Rift Valley, containing some of the world’s most magnificent and famous game reserves, sweeps down into Tanzania from Kenya and is covered by many inland lakes; Tanzania’s highest mountains – Meru and Africa’s highest, Mt Kilimanjaro – lie on or close to the Kenyan border in the north of the country.

With a heritage of British and German colonialism – and the strong influence of the Portuguese and Arab traders felt along the coast -Tanganyika gained it’s independence in 1961 and merged with the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba to become Tanzania. Being guided very much by it’s president for 20 years, Nyerere, it launched into a radical socialist experiment in self-reliance but with little western aid and as one of the world’s poorest countries, it’s experiment had little chance of success. Today Tanzania is still largely agricultural and depends very much on its tourism for economic survival.

With a population of around 40 million, including over 100 different tribal groups, the majority of people are Bantu, while Arabic features and cultural traits show up throughout the coastal and island communities. The Masai are in evidence in the north of the country, although they no longer hold the large areas they once did and are found across the larger national parks and games reserves.

Climate

Generally April and May are the months with long rains and should be avoided if considering this climb. November brings short rains but it seldom rains all day. As a general rule, Tanzania is usually warm by day and cool by night. Temperatures rarely rise above 27C during the day or fall below minus 10C at night although these conditions are guidelines only and obviously vary with altitude and topography. In spite of its equatorial location, Kilimanjaro can have severe weather conditions at the higher altitudes and you need to be prepared for temperatures well below freezing at the summit, minus 15C is not uncommon. On the lower slopes, it will usually be mild – warm during the day and cold at night. Some rain can occur at any time on the mountain.

Guides and Safety

Local guides are well trained in first aid and camp routine and will look after your group effectively. In 2010 the ratio is 1 guide to 2 clients.

Additionally an experienced western leader and a UK based doctor can be supplied at extra cost.

Kilimanjaro is a tough trip and one which we take very seriously given the altitudes reached. Therefore it is necessary for a western leader and a western doctor to join the trek. Whilst this is an expensive option, we feel it is vitally important to have good quality and experienced English speaking leader/doctor on the trip.

In addition we provide:

• bottled oxygen for emergency use only
• full medical kit
• mobile phones using different networks
• radio communication between guides/leader/doctor and the National Park authorities

We have been operating Kilimanjaro trips for many years. We have run charity fundraising trips on Kilimanjaro for 8 years and we have successfully dealt with groups of 15 – 40 people on Kilimanjaro.

Food

The food provided for the climbers is surprisingly good and is portered up the mountains for the climbers. Food is prepared by experienced cooks. Extras such as bars of chocolate etc should be purchased before starting the climb in the UK.

• All meals are included
• If you require a special diet – i.e. if you are vegetarian or must avoid certain foods for medical reasons – please inform us as early as possible.

The Crew and Trek Routine

With regard to the trek routine, we would aim to rise early, pack up our gear and have breakfast by 7.30am (except on summit day), before getting on the trail by 8.00am. The kitchen staff would normally prepare hot cereal with eggs and bread, and hot drinks, and fill water bottles if they have not already been filled from the night before. We trek on average 6 hours per day, with summit day being anything from 10 to 15 hours, or possibly more depending on your pace and number of breaks. Local people will carry our gear (each member’s bag should not exceed 12kgs), as well as our other camp gear, each person carrying up to 20kgs, usually on their heads! You will only need to carry the items that you need for the day in a sturdy daypack with a comfortable harness. This would typically include your rain jacket, warm jacket, water, hat, gloves, glasses, camera etc.

Lunches will either be picnic style or a packed lunch, with sandwiches, biscuits and fruit etc. Dinner will be prepared by our cook and include a soup and main dish of stewed vegetables and meat with rice or potatoes or similar, followed by hot drinks. You may wish to bring some boiled sweets or muesli/energy bars that you have a preference for, for the trail. Trail conditions are variable however we would expect people to have a sturdy pair of leather boots for the summit climb. They should be well worn in but still have a solid vibram sole on them for grip in loose terrain. All of our camps will be in tents and we will be self-reliant with our needs. Some of the huts can be crowded and unclean and disruptive to our routine and overall experience. On this lesser known route (Rongai), we are able to enjoy some scenic and pristine wilderness camps.

Fitness

Kilimanjaro is perhaps the most demanding challenge we offer. As with all our challenges, we expect people to be regular outdoors people, enjoying aerobic sport around four or five times a week for at least 45 minutes each time. Preferably this has been a long term interest but if not, you have set a program of fitness preparation with at least 6 months lead in time to your trip. The fitter you are for your trip, the more enjoyable it will be. Activities as close to the actual activity on your trip are the best training; in this instance walking and climbing, with and without a pack. This builds leg strength, aerobic capacity and confidence in your ability to travel comfortably with a pack for extended periods. At the same time, you are also comfortable with the layers you like to wear and footwear.

Running, hill climbing, hiking, biking, swimming, gym workouts are all ideal parts of making up a good weekly fitness routine as well as a little bit of stretching to ensure flexibility. Consistency is the key, if you have been consistent with your fitness preparations including through more adverse weather conditions, you will be in a good position to achieve all the set objectives of your trip.

Whilst this ascent of Kilimanjaro is not a technical climb, it is nevertheless a short and steep trek at altitude, and in order to get the most out of the trip, people should join in Tanzania with a maximum state of fitness. There is not time to ‘get fit on the trek’.

Come and talk to us if you are unsure about your suitability for the Rongai route on Kili; we would be happy to discuss your level of experience and fitness with you and put you in touch with one of our guides to help you make your decision.

Environmental Conditions

The environments we travel through are fragile. It is our responsibility as visitors to minimise the impact of our presence. Our adventure provider received a Highly Commended Award for the Best in a Mountain Environment category in the 2006 First Choice Responsible Tourism Awards.

“Our global adventure travel company has over 30 years experience around the planet. Their Nepal trekking operation, run by Nepalis, is notable for its pioneering Porter Protection program that has set the industry benchmark which many companies are starting to follow. All porters are provided with generous insurance, all the protective clothing and footwear needed, all camping and cooking facilities, as well as food” First Choice Responsible Tourism Awards, 2006.

In 2008 our adventure providers were awarded the inaugural ‘Leadership Award’ in the Responsible Travel and Tourism Forum (RTTF) in Toronto, Canada and in 2000 were the proud recipients of the inaugural Australian National Travel Industry’s Environmental Achievement award for their Responsible Travel Guidebook.

Water

Supplies of drinking water are taken by the porters and you will require two water bottles so that you can take water with you during the day (we supply boiled water throughout the trek).

Storage of Gear

Excess baggage may be stored at the hotel while you are away. Please remember to clearly label any bags you are leaving there. Any valuables should be left with reception in a safety deposit box or hotel safe and not in your main baggage.

Vaccinations

Please consult a doctor or travel vaccination specialist for up to date information on the advised vaccinations for the country you are visiting.