Kilimanjaro Climb and Safari Extension

Kilimanjaro Climb Itinerary:

• Day 1

  Your trip begins today in Arusha, Tanzania with a flight into Kilimanjaro Airport. We provide a group transfer to a very comfortable hotel near Arusha. Most travelers find they are tired after the long flight and prefer to go directly to their room to rest. No meals included.

• Day 2

  Take your time today to adjust to life in Africa. You're free to do as you wish until our 4 p.m. group orientation meeting. You can arrange local transportation at the hotel front desk if you'd like to explore Arusha town, which is known as the "little Geneva of Tanzania." Set in the shadow of Mount Meru with impressive views of Kilimanjaro, Arusha was established in 1900 as a German garrison town. Or you might want to just relax at the pool and gardens or try the jogging path on the grounds. We can also arrange for a day trip into Arusha National Park for some wildlife viewing (added cost). Breakfast and dinner included.

• Day 3

  We depart after breakfast and drive to the park headquarters. There is the normal hustle and bustle of hiring porters, signing in and beginning the climb. The actual hike begins at the park gate (6,000') and we hike 5.5 miles up to Mandara hut (8,860') near the upper edge of the forest line. The hike takes about 4 - 6 hours- a good time to start using your walking sticks. Our path starts off in a bamboo rainforest (keep your eyes open for blue monkeys) then opens up to hillsides of heather and temperate forests. If time and weather permit, a short walk from Mandara to Maundi Crater is certainly worth it. Lodging here, as well as at Horombo, is in wooden A-frame huts that sleep 4 to 8 people. All meals included starting with breakfast today through breakfast on Day 9.
  
  Hiking: 5.5 miles; Elevation gain: ~2,860'.

• Day 4

  Our destination today is Horombo Hut at 12,340'. It takes a good 5-6 hours to cover the 10-mile journey – altitude will slow the group down, and the trail is strenuous but not technical. Be sure you're drinking lots of water (no less than 2 liters per day). We often get our first views of the Kibo summit today far in the distance as we pass from forest into high moorland. In addition, we pass beneath the impressive, rocky southern face of Mawenzi - one of the three volcanic peaks that make up the summit of Kilimanjaro.

• Day 5

  Today is an extra day to acclimatize, and it is best spent taking the day hike up towards Mawenzi, gaining elevation so that this evening when you return to Horombo, you're sleeping at a lower elevation. The day hike is through a beautiful landscape with unique flora such as the odd-shaped, seemingly inside-out giant groundsel. The trail offers inspirational views of both Kibo and Mawenzi. Birdlife is also abundant in the Horombo area. If you're feeling really fatigued at this point, you can choose to spend the day at Horombo. Afternoon rains are common, so plan your day hike in order to be back inside the lodge with a cup of tea and good book by 4 p.m. And, after the rain passes, the sunsets are typically beautiful and the black night sky full of stars.
  
  Hiking: 6 miles.

• Day 6

  Today is another long hike, this time up to Kibo Hut at almost 15,520'. Although shorter in distance, this usually takes 7 hours because it is steeper, and the altitude slows everyone down. Keep drinking your water! The route passes directly up onto the Saddle, a wide, flat plateau with the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi looming overhead. The views here are fantastic! The last part of the trail passes across the plateau before a final ascent to Kibo Hut, a stone hut with rooms that sleep 10 - 15 people in bunk beds. We have a light dinner, a pre-climb talk with our guides and turn in early for what little sleep is possible.

• Day 7

  Our guides wake us before midnight for tea and cookies and final dressing (in many layers) for our summit attempt. It can be bitterly cold. The guides like to have the team on the trail between 12:00-1:00 a.m. in hope of reaching the summit for the sunrise. Starting off, the trail swings back and forth up a steep scree slope while the line of climbers stretches out in the darkness, only visible by their headlamps. Placing one foot in front of the other and focusing on your breathing, the black sky infinitely above you, this climb is one you will never forget. Most climbers arrive at Gillman's point, elevation 18,685 feet, in time to see the sunrise around 6:30 a.m. The views from the top looking down on the plains of Africa make it all worthwhile. Some climbers decide they have reached their goal and head down from here, a legitimate summit. Others hike an additional 2-3 hours to the true summit, Uhuru Peak at 19,340'. The descent from Gillman's point is fairly rapid, taking about 2 hours. Most climbers take a short rest at Kibo Hut before descending to Horombo Hut for the night, arriving in the late afternoon.
  
  Hiking: 15 miles, 12-16 hours; Elevation gain: ~3,165'-3,820'; Elevation loss: ~7,000'.

• Day 8

  Another long hike is in store for us today, but it is essentially all downhill, and our spirits are boosted by the satisfaction of yesterday's climb. Back at Marangu gate, at the park headquarters, we pick up our certificates to attest to our success and bid farewell to many of our porters and guides. We transfer then to our hotel in Arusha (2 – 2 ½ hours), where it's a welcome treat to take a hot shower, drink a tall cold one and commemorate the climb with a celebration dinner.
  
  Hiking: 14 miles; Elevation loss: ~6,340'.

• Day 9

  Today is personal time for shopping in Arusha or relaxing at the lodge. A day room is arranged for late check-out. We provide a group transfer to the airport. Or, continue the adventure on our Kilimanjaro Safari Extension. No trip to Africa is complete without seeing its magnificent wildlife! Breakfast included; lunch and dinner on your own.

  Explore even more. See the Kilimanjaro Safari trip extension.

  
  

Although we do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.

Please check with us before purchasing your airline tickets to ensure your trip has the necessary minimum number of participants required to operate.

If you are traveling alone and specifically request single accommodations, you will be asked to pay the full single supplement noted on the trip itinerary. If you wish to share accommodations, we will assign you a roommate if one is available. If a roommate cannot be found, you will be asked to pay a reduced single fee which is half of the full single supplement. Please be advised that there are a limited number of single rooms available on most departures. Single accommodations are not available while staying in the mountain huts on the climb.

All accommodations and meals as noted in the daily itinerary; park fees; airport transfer when arriving and departing with the group; skilled climbing guide(s), cook, and porters on the mountain; all group camping gear including tents is provided; all sightseeing as noted; services of skilled safari driver/guide; taxes and tolls.

Airfare to Arusha, 2 lunches, 1 dinner, optional gratuities to your guides and climbing support staff, excess baggage charges, airport taxes and items of a personal nature such as soft drinks, bottled water or liquor, laundry fees, phone calls, internet access, cost of obtaining a passport and visas, immunizations or insurance.

This trip is rated Strenuous [5]. Trip members should be strong, experienced hikers in excellent physical condition. Your physical fitness is vital to your success on the climb. A serious physical conditioning program should be undertaken 6-9 months in advance to get into shape. Hiking hills for the legs, swimming to increase lung capacity and circulation, jogging and bicycling for overall fitness are all excellent for building the strength necessary for the trek. The best training is extensive hiking up and down hills with significant elevation gain and loss (2,500'-3,800' – similar to what you'll experience on the climb) and doing 10 mile hikes on weekends prior to the trip. Previous experience at altitude may improve your chances of summiting Kilimanjaro. Consult with your physician.

The summit of Kilimanjaro is at 19,340', and even with a rest day the climb has a rapid rate of ascent. We attempt to minimize the effect of altitude through our program of acclimatization. Most climbers experience some symptoms of altitude illness during the climb. These symptoms can include headache, nausea, loss of appetite, difficulty breathing and general weakness. More severe reactions can include both cerebral and pulmonary edema, which can result in permanent injury or death. The only cure is to descend. Our Kilimanjaro climbing guides are experienced at altitude and are there to help all trip members maximize their summit climb.

The weather on Kilimanjaro is quite diverse. The climb starts through a wide belt of wet tropical forest (70s-80s), and then goes through zones with generally decreasing temperatures and rainfall to the summit where there is permanent ice and below-freezing temperatures. Our trips avoid the rainy season, which runs March to May, and the short rains in November.

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased at the time of your initial reservation, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

The key to staying comfortable while on an active trip is layering. To get maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection. Try to bring only what is necessary—this will help you and the field staff.

Weather

Kilimanjaro: Climbing Kilimanjaro involves passing through five climatic zones: rainforest, heath, moorland, alpine desert and arctic. Temperatures can range from 80s during the first day to below 0 degrees on the summit day. Daytime temperatures during the climb are usually in the 60s. The summit climb is done at night and the temperature, regardless of season, is always cold and can be below freezing. Safari Extension: Temperatures are typically in the 70s - 80s during the day, falling to the 50s in the evening.

Weight Limit

Please limit your duffel bag on the climb to 22 pounds of gear or less.

Gear Checklist

Things to Consider

• Always pack essential items such as your passport, money, eyewear, a change of clothing, hiking boots and medications in your carry-on baggage in case your luggage is delayed.
• The duffel bag used for the climb will be placed inside a waterproof duffel bag (provided by REI Adventures). While on the climb, your main luggage will be placed in storage at the Arusha lodge.
• Your guide and climbing team will ensure that plenty of potable drinking water is available during your climb. Hydration packs with a minimum 70oz capacity are recommended for the lower elevations. Since even insulated hydration packs can freeze on our summit day, be sure to pack along two additional 1-quart water bottles for your summit attempt.
• Be kind to your feet! If you plan on purchasing new boots, do so well ahead of time and allow yourself time to break them in. A very good way to minimize the risk of blisters is to wear a thin liner sock under your regular hiking socks. Test your sock combination before you go on the trip.
• Many of the roads in Africa are deeply rutted and dusty. It is a good idea to pack camera equipment and binoculars in sturdy plastic bags to protect them from the dust. This is in addition to their normal cases. Also, bring lens cleaning materials.
• Cotton is wonderful in warm weather and can be worn on safari. However, once it becomes wet, it will drain your body heat. Bring wool or wicking synthetics such as Capilene, MTS and Thermax for the climb portion of this trip.
• Laundry is difficult on this trip, but you can hand wash a few quick-drying items and the lodges.
• The REI MultiTowel or similar is recommended as a quick-dry towel on this trip. See www.rei.com for details.