Climb Mount Kilimanjaro with Saving The Survivors

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Looking to challenge yourself this year and trek in of the most scenic locations in the world while raising money for Saving the Survivors? We’re looking for people to join us on a life changing adventure between 14th -21st November 2020 as we climb the famous Mount Kilimanjaro. This trek is for people who love adventure, new cultures and want to trek in one of the most scenic locations in the world. 

If you are interested, read on for further information about the challenge and what is required of you to participate.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Your trip includes:

• Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
• Accommodation in lodges and tents
• All tour, permit and camp fees
• -29C Extreme Limit Sleeping Bags and mats
• Airport Transfers
• Food and water
• Tree donation in support of local projects

Your trip excludes:

• International Flights
• Tips for mountain crew
• Personal insurance
• Any Visa fees

ITINERARY

DAY 1: FLY TO KILIMANJARO

Take your international flight to Kilimanjaro. You will be met at the airport by your local guide. From here you will be driven 45km to Moshi where you will be briefed by your Kilimanjaro guide.

Meals included: Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel with Shared Twin Rooms

DAY 2: MACHAME GATE TO MACHAME CAMP (3021M)

One hour’s drive from Moshi lies the gate to the Machame route, where you will complete park registrations, attend the Flag Off ceremony then you are off on your 6 day trek. The first section of the route climbs steadily and passes through magnificent, dense rainforest. This path is less well-trodden so it can get somewhat overgrown in places and it is often wet and muddy underfoot.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Distance/Time: 10km/ 6 hours approx.

DAY 3: MACHAME CAMP TO SHIRA CAMP (3830M)

The route continues up through the forest until you reach the steep ascent onto the Shira Plateau, where there are rewarding views of the mountain. Looking back, you will be able to see Mt Meru rising high above Arusha town in the distance.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Accommodation: Camping

Distance/Time: 4.8km/ 5 hours approx.

DAY 4: SHIRA CAMP TO BARRANCO CAMP (3972M)

Walking now on high moorland, the landscape changes the entire character of the trek. You traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach and finally reach camp The day has been spent at altitude (up to 4600m), but you have followed the mountaineering code of ‘walk high, sleep low’ to aid your body’s acclimatization to altitude.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Distance/Time: 10km/ 8 hours approx.

DAY 5: BARRANCO CAMP TO BARAFU CAMP (4642M)

Your day starts by descending into the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. You then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides you from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock, not technical, but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, you head towards the Karanga valley, which is your last stop for fresh water before the summit. Scree now forms the terrain as you walk through arid and desolate land towards Barafu camp.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Accommodation: Camping

Distance/ Time: 8km/ 8 hours approx.

DAY 6: BARAFU CAMP TO UHURU PEAK (5895M)

You start off at around midnight, and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. You will be climbing scree for 4 to 5 hours but gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. You should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5739m) as the first rays of the sun hit you. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround you and the views to jagged Mawenzi peak and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour’s walking takes you to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). You begin your descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to Millennium Camp for a long well-earned rest.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Accommodation: Camping

Distance/Time: 13.4km/ 12 – 15 hours approx.

DAY 7: MILLENIUM CAMP TO MWEKA GATE (1635M)

A gentle trek takes you down through the rain forest to Mweka Gate, where you complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! You are then met by your vehicles and return to the hotel in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a welcome shower (and a cold beer or two!) before our big celebration.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, dinner Included

Accommodation: Weru Weru River Lodge

Distance/Time: 11.5km/ 6 hours approx.

DAY 8: TRANSFER TO KILIMANJARO AIRPORT

Today you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro Airport and arrive by 12 lunchtime.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Not included

ACCOMMODATION

You stay in a hotel at the beginning and end of the trek. The lodges offer twin shared rooms and basic showering facilities.

During the trek, you will be given a 3-man tent and use it as a twin share.

Single supplements are available for the duration of the trip for $90. Please ensure you request this on your registration form before you depart.

If you need to book any additional nights at the hotel, you can do so here: http://www.panamagardenresort.com/

FOOD

You will have chefs with you on the hike who can cater for all dietary requirements. You will have 3 nutritious and filling meals each day, which help keep your energy levels high.

Please make us aware of any requirements on your registration form before departure.

WATER

Filtered water will be readily available free of charge.

CURRENCY

The currency used in Tanzania is Tanzanian Shillings. Some places will accept USD ($), but you will get a worse rate with everything you purchase.

VISA

When purchasing your visa, be aware that there are many companies online that are not legitimate. Please be mindful of this if buying online. Here is the official Tanzanian High Commission website: https://tzhc.uk/

INSURANCE

If traveling from abroad you must get appropriate travel insurance. Good providers from the UK include the BMC and Dogtag. Insurance should cover your medical expenses including emergency repatriation. The policy should also cover your personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects.

ALTITUDE

When you go above altitudes of 2,500m, you need to allow your body time to acclimatise properly. When you are at altitude, you enter a lower oxygen environment. All relevant itineraries are designed to ensure that this process is met.

So, what does this mean? This may mean that you may need to follow a longer route during the ascent phase to achieve the end goal. In this case, reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro. It may also mean that you must rest for a day or so at certain altitudes to ensure that our bodies acclimatise properly to the change in environment. You will work alongside some of the most experienced local guides to help you reach your goals when at altitude.

High altitude sickness can happen to anybody – old or young, in a good shape or not. Being in hurry in the mountains can be deadly. Your body can adjust to this altitude, but only if given enough time. If you find symptoms of altitude sickness, then you must descend down at any cost. The symptoms are totally different from one person to other. Sometimes you might feel headache, you may feel you need to throw up, your fingers may go slightly numb or you may start breathing heavy. If you have these kinds of symptoms you should stop at this height.

Drinking lots of water can help you out.

You are advised to move slowly, don’t rush and ensure you protect yourself from the weather.

FOREIGN TRAVEL ADVICE

We all want to stay safe when we travel. That is why we recommend that you check the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) Travel Advice website at:

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

WEATHER

Weather conditions on Kilimanjaro can change rapidly. This means your guides may be forced to change the trip itinerary accordingly.

Travelers should be prepared for all weather conditions. For more information please read the kit list provided.

While our itineraries are designed to allow for adequate acclimatisation you are likely to feel the effects of altitude sickness and oxygen deprivation whilst on this trek. Please be aware that your guide may deem it unsafe for you to continue trekking at any time, and arrange for you to descend to a lower attitude.

Hopefully weather delays will not occur, or if they do it will be for a limited time. Should the delays stretch into days a collective decision will be made by the group on how to proceed.

TIPPING

It is customary in Tanzania to tip guides and porters. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels.

There are several times during the trip where there is opportunity to tip the local guides or drivers. You may do this individually, or your guide will offer to collect the money and tip as a group.

ITINERARY DISCLAIMER

While it is the intention to adhere to the itinerary described, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary, and on occasion it may be necessary to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as you never know exactly where your journey will take you. Due to the nature of the climate and environment, you cannot always know the exact route you will take. The guides will make dynamic risk assessments throughout the whole expedition.

EQUIPMENT LIST

Please note that from the 1st June 2019, all plastic bags, regardless of their thickness will be prohibited from being brought into Tanzania.

Plastic packaging for medical services, sanitary are not prohibited.

DOCUMENTS

• Passport
• Travel insurance details
• Boarding passes for flights
• 2 passport photos
• Driver’s license (if needed)
• Cash
• Credit/Debit Card

SLEEPING

• Sleeping bag liner (Optional)

FOOTWEAR

• Trekking boots: 3 or 4 season lightweight
• Shoes for the plane (Optional)

CLOTHING

Please make sure that you have non-cotton clothing for trekking.

• 2 base-layer t-shirts (e.g. running t-shirts)
• Fleece/soft-shell jacket
• Waterproof jacket
• Down jacket for warmth
• Travel clothes and City Wear
• Underwear
• Base-layer trousers (optional)
• Waterproof trousers
• Trekking trousers
• Trekking shorts (Optional)
• 2 thick wool mountaineering socks
• Lightweight and breathable trekking socks
• Gloves and wool hat

MISCELLANEOUS

• A daysack: 35 litres
• A duffel or rucksack with straps to go over your back
• Dry Liner or Dry Bag
• Water bottle/thermos: At least 2L. Nalgene bottles best.
• Sunglasses
• Suncream
• General Toiletries, Contact lenses, Glasses (if needed)
• Towel
• Electronics – Head torch, travel adaptor, phone & charger
• Lipsil
• Book
• MP3/Music and headphones
• Travel wash
• Hand sanitizer, wet wipes
• Trekking Poles (Optional)

CHALLENGE COSTS

Registration Fee: £130

You can register and confirm your space by paying a deposit of £130. In order to secure your space, the registration fee is to be paid to Saving the Survivors by 29th February 2020.

Your Sponsorship commitment:

In addition to paying the £130 deposit to reserve your space, you are required to raise a minimum of £2,300 excluding Gift Aid for Saving the Survivors.

You will need to have raised at least £1,300 by Friday 11th September 2020. If you are short of this amount, Saving the Survivors reserves the right to prevent you from taking part in the trip.

The total minimum sponsorship of £2,300 is expected to have been paid to Saving the Survivors by the end of November 2020.

The total sponsorship commitment does not cover your travel. You are responsible for booking and paying for your own flights to and back from Kilimanjaro.

How to book

To confirm your space and pay your deposit to Saving the Survivors, please contact Tristan Wood (Board of Directors) on [email protected]

YOUR FUNDRAISING

Set up a Just Giving Page

You will need to set up an online giving page. This is a fantastic way to help you bring in donations and helps us to keep track of your fundraising in the lead up to the trek.

Please use this link to set up your own online giving page.

How will Saving the Survivors help you?

We have created a fundraising guide to give you some advice on how to raise £2,300.

Joanna Boyd, Fundraising Manager at Saving the Survivors will be on hand to answer any questions you have, to offer any advice about your fundraising and to send out various materials to help you out. You can contact Joanna by sending an email to [email protected] 

GETTING HERE

• FLY TO KILIMANJARO AIRPORT

We tend to keep an eye on Skyscanner. It’s a useful website to find the best and cheapest flights.

• AIRPORT TRANSFER

Your local guide will collect you from the airport. The guide will be waiting for you with a smile.

You will be offered 3 pickup times from the airport. These times are 10:00, 17:00 and 23:59 on the first day of the trip.

Please ensure that your flight is booked with enough time to make one of these pick-up times.

If you decide to make your own way to Moshi, then please ensure that you book a taxi in advance. It can be difficult to find a taxi in the middle of the night.

Team Saving The Survivors look forward to meeting you!

How else can I support Saving The Survivors?

You can support us by following us on social media. Share our stories to give these vulnerable animals a voice. With your help we can raise awareness of issues and create a more positive future for wildlife. Check out our other supporters views on facebook. Check out our instagram here.