Trip Itinerary

“It is not the mountain we conquer, it is ourselves.” – Sir Edmund Hillary, 1st person to climb Mt. Everest

This is the day-to-day outline of the trip. Please take the time to go over it so you know exactly what’s going on.

The trip will have three main parts:

The Climb, The Safari and The Hospital visit.

Daily Schedule:

Jan. 10, 2010: Arrive in Africa at Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO). Night at Arusha/Moshi Hotel

Jan 11, 2010:Acclimation Day – Arusha/Moshi Hotel with breakfast included; day to explore the city; afternoon or evening briefing by Kilimanjaro guide

Jan 12, 2010:Mountain Day 1- Machame Gate (6,000 ft) to Machame Camp (9.700 ft)

Hiking time: 7 hours

After breakfast at your hotel depart for Mount Kilimanjaro National Park. The journey passes through the village of Machame, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. Once you leave the park gate you will walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge until you reach the Machame Camp.

Jan 13, 2010: Mountain Day 2 – Machame Camp (9,700 ft) to Shira Camp (12,600 ft)

Hiking Time: 5 hours

Shortly after leaving the Machame camp you will leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path to a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather. The route then turns west onto a river gorge onto the Shira Campsite.

Jan 14, 2010: Mountain Day 3- Shira Camp (12,600 ft) to Barranco Camp (12,950 ft)

Hiking Time: 7 hours

From the Shira Plateau, you will continue to the east up a ridge eventually passing the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, you come to the second junction, which brings you up to the Arrow Glacier and continuing on to the Barranco campsite.

Jan 15, 2010: Mountain Day 4 – Barranco Camp (12,950 ft.) to Karanga Camp (13,780 ft)

Hiking time: 4 hours

Leave Barranco after breakfast with a challenging scramble up the Barranco Wall. This is the most difficult part of the day. Once you reach the top of the wall you will make a small descent to the Karanga Valley and spend the night a Karanga Camp.
Jan 16, 2010: Mountain Day 5 – Karanga Camp (13,780) to Barafu Camp (15,100 ft)

Hiking Time: 5 hours

Make your way across the Karanga Valley . The final stage to Barafu is quite steep, and as always it’s taken it very slowly. In the evening your guide briefs you for the final ascent.

Jan 17, 2010: Mountain Day 6- SUMMIT DAY Barafu Camp (15,200 ft.) to Summit (19,340 ft) to Mweka (10,000 ft)

Hiking Time: 15 hours

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), you will continue your way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point, you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). It can be very cold at night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day. You will want clothing for both extremes with you. From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon.

Jan 18, 2010: Mountain Day 7 – Mweka Camp (10,000 ft.) to Mweka Gate (6,000 ft)

Hiking Time: 3 hours

From Mweka Camp you continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). From the gate, continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to hotel in Arusha.

Jan 19, 2010: Safari Day 1. Ngorongoro Crater – The Eight Wonder of the World

After breakfast at the hotel your driver will pick you up from your hotel in Arusha and drive to the Ngorongoro Crater with picnic lunch, descend 2000 feet (over 600 meters) to the floor of the crater for a game drive. Explore the bush areas that are inhabited with monkeys and elephant, the lake area, where you may see the flamingos and the open savannah where the lions hunt for food. Dinner and overnight at the Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge

Jan 20, 2010: Safari Day 2. Ngorongoro Crater
After breakfast visit of a Masai Village, and then depart for Arusha along the way. Stop for shopping on your way back to Moshi/ Arusha

Jan 21, 2010: Visit Mt. Kilimanjaro hospital’s obstetric fistula ward – night at Moshi Hotel /Arusha

Jan 22, 2010: Departure Day – transport to JRO and fly home

Included: is transportation to and from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). Two nights in a Moshi/Arusha Hotel with bed and breakfast board prior to your climb and 3 nights after. All mountain services including transport to and from the mountain, all park fees, guide, porter, and cook services, full board meals, Mountain Hardware sleeping tents, mess tent and chairs, chemical toilet and privacy tent and water filter. Safari services included are 4×4 Toyota Land Cruisers with pop-up viewing roofs, English speaking guide/driver services, deluxe accommodations with full board.

Not included: expenses not included are tips for your climbing crew, safari guide and beverages at any of the hotels. Also excluded are any charges incurred because of early evacuation from the mountain