Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Reinvigorate your spirit on the roof of Africa–Mt. Kilimanjaro
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Trip Summary: Not only is Kilimanjaro the highest mountain in Tanzania and Africa, it’s the highest freestanding mountain in the world. Rising 19,341 feet (5,895 m) above sea level, it has three distinct volcanic cones, two of which are extinct and one that could erupt again. It lies within the 756-square-kilometer Kilimanjaro National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the few places on earth that encompasses every ecological life zone—tropical jungle, savannah, desert, montane forests, and alpine zone.
During this 13-day trip you will spend two community service days at the Mwereni Integrated School for the Blind. Seven days will be spent on the mountain and your last day in Tanzania is spent on an amazing African safari.
Itinerary:
Day 1 and 2 – Fly out of U.S. or connecting cities with a final destination of Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). Our African leader will meet all of us at the airport, and we will take a private bus to our hotel. Everyone will sleep two to room unless you have signed up for single accommodations at an extra cost.
Day 3 – This is traditionally our first day of community service in Moshi at the Mwereni Integrated School for the Blind. We will wake for an early breakfast and leave the hotel by 9:00 a.m. and arrive back at the hotel around 4:00 p.m. Lunch will be served at the school. In the evening we will have a team meeting and a team dinner.
Day 4 – This is traditionally our second day of community service in Moshi at the Mwereni Integrated School for the Blind; however, you can also spend the day in Moshi visiting the market, shopping, or just relaxing at the hotel. We will wake for an early breakfast and leave the hotel by 9:00 a.m. and arrive back at the hotel around 4:00 p.m. Lunch will be served at the school. In the evening we will have a
gear check, team meeting and a team dinner.
Day 5 – This is our first day on the mountain. We will wake for an early breakfast and leave the hotel at 9:00 a.m. We will drive to the Machame Gate for registration, last-minute organizing and final team meeting. We will begin our trek at 6,800 ft and hike through shambas and montane rain forest. This will be our lunch spot. Following lunch we will continue to Machame Campsite (9,840ft/2998 m). Approximately 6-7 hours of hiking.
Day 6 – We will awaken to morning coffee and tea followed by a complete breakfast. After breakfast, we will leave the forest on a path following a steep ridge, passing through heather and open moorlands. This will be our lunch spot. Following lunch we will cross a large gorge to reach the Shira Campsite (12,450 ft/3800 m). Approximately 5-6 hours of hiking.
Day 7 – We will awaken to morning coffee and tea followed by a complete breakfast. After breakfast, we will continue ascending through the dry landscape along a ridgeline, crossing a broad valley, and climbing the ridge crest to 14,800 feet. This will be our lunch spot. After lunch, we will descend several more hours through a beautiful valley to reach the Barranco Campsite (13,000 ft/3950 m). Approximately 7-8 hours of hiking.
Day 8 – We will awaken to morning coffee and tea followed by a complete breakfast. After breakfast, we will cross the floor of the great Barranco Valley, climb up the Barranco wall to the Karanga River valley. This will be our lunch spot. After lunch, we will arrive at the Karanga Campsite (13,400 ft/4100 m). Approximately 4-5 hours of hiking.
Day 9 – We will awaken to morning coffee and tea followed by a complete breakfast. After breakfast, we will travel up the ridge towards Barafu Campsite (15,800ft/4800 m). This is the time to get prepared physically and mentally for an early morning summit push. Approximately 4-5 hours of hiking.
Day 10 – We will awaken to a complete breakfast around 3:30 a.m. and start the summit push at about 5 a.m. We will reach the ‘Roof of Africa’ or Uhuru Peak (19,340 ft/5895 m) in approximately 6-8 hours. After the summit, we will begin our descent to Barafu Campsite for lunch. After lunch, we will drop to Millennium Campsite (12,300 ft/3700 m). Approximately 10-12 hours of total hiking.
Day 11 – We will awaken to morning coffee and tea followed by a complete breakfast. After breakfast, we will descend through the rain forest to the Mweka Park Gate. We strongly suggest micro spikes by Kahtoola for the descent. It is very slippery. Upon arrival at the gate we will have lunch and a celebration. We will board our private bus and drive to the hotel in Arusha where we will have a team
dinner. Approximately 3-5 hours of hiking.
Day 12 and 13 – These are traditionally the days that individuals leave for their private safaris or Zanzibar packages. If you have not booked a private safari or Zanzibar package you can participate in a 1-day safari that can be booked at the last minute. The cost for a 1 day safari is $575 to Tarangire National Park. We will be back in time for evening flights. If a 1-day safari is not for you, then you can go shopping in Arusha or just relax at the hotel. On the evening of day 13, a private driver will take you to the airport.
The following items are provided for all participants:
- One coach air fare ticket to Tanzania
- Evacuation and travelers insurance policy
- All accommodations in hotels and four season tents
- Private transportation
- All meals as stated in itinerary
Cost Per Person – $10,000