Day 1: Depart UK, London

 

Day 2 - Arrive Tanzania

Upon arrival we will be met by our local guides and transferred to our hotel. Later in the day we will have a climb briefing and the local guides will answer any questions we have about the challenge. We will also do an equipment check with each participant to be sure that we are all fully prepared.

 

Day 3 - Machame Gate to Machame Camp - 3,100m

After breakfast we take the transfer to Machame Gate where we register and complete the National Park formalities. It’s here that we will also meet the rest of our Support Crew – the cooks and porters! We start trekking ascending steadily through stunning rainforest, which can be quite muddy and wet underfoot – but it’s a magnificent way to start our challenge.

Trekking distance: 9km/5 – 7 hours

 

Day 4 - Machame Camp to Shira Camp - 3,750m

Following breakfast at camp we push on with our ascent. Today is a short day but rather steep and rocky in places. It’s a slow hike with plenty of rests and enough time to acclimatise. We reach Shira Plateau where we will be rewarded with great views of the mountain and if we look back, magnificent views of Mt Meru rising above Arusha Town.

Trekking distance: 5km/5 – 6 hours

 

Day 5 - Shira Camp to Barranco Hut - 3,950m

Our day starts with trekking over high moorland with the scenery now changing the whole character of our challenge. We trek steadily uphill to the Lava Tower where we stop for lunch around noon. For those with enough energy, there may be time to climb up the Lava Tower (4,500m) to aid acclimatisation. From the Lava Tower we start our descent for about 2 hours to our camp at Barranco. The day today is great for acclimatisation as we climb up to 4,600m and sleep at 3,900m – the golden altitude rule as they say is “walk high, sleep low”.

Trekking distance: 10km/6 – 7 hours

 

Day 6 - Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp – 4,000m

Following breakfast, we set off to conquer what the locals know as ‘breakfast wall’ – the Great Barranco Wall! It is a scramble using our hands and feet, (not technical like rock climbing) but certainly adds to our adventure. Once we take in our achievements at the top, we will be able to witness stunning views across the mountain towards the Karanga Valley and will be able to spot our previous night’s campsite. We continue undulating through the green valley until we reach our camp at Karanga Valley.

Trekking distance: 5km/4 – 5 hours

 

Day 7 - Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp - 4,800m

We start with a short but steep ascent but are rewarded with breath-taking views of the Decken Glaciers. We’ll be remembering to keep our pace to a slow rhythm as we’ll need to conserve as much energy as we can for the summit attempt later this evening.

We reach our camp then it’s an early dinner before getting our heads down, as we will be woken at 10:30pm for our summit attempt!

Trekking distance: 6km/5 – 6 hours

 

Day 8 - Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak - 5,895m. Descend to Millennium Camp

We aim to leave camp at 12am using our head torches to light the way. If it’s a clear night we may be able to trek using the moonlight which adds to the summit experience. The next 4 hours is spent trekking to Stella Point (5,750m) over scree and rock, but upon reaching Stella Point we will be rewarded with magnificent and spectacular views of the ice cliffs which surround us, and majestic views to the Mawenzi Peaks.

We make regular rest stops now every 15 mins or so to aid our chances of reaching Uhuru peak. It’s a long tough trek and night! We aim to reach the summit by about 6 / 7 am.

After taking in the ‘freedom’ (“Uhuru” in Swahili) of our successful challenge, we start our long descent via Stella Point and back to Barafu camp where we will enjoy some lunch and a good rest.

Our descent then continues down to Millennium Camp – today is a very long, emotional day – but at the same time, so memorable and exhilarating.

Trekking distance: 6.5 km/6 – 7 hours to Uhuru Peak and approx 13km/6 – 8 hours to Millennium Camp

 

Day 9 - Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate

We descend for approximately 6 hours to the Mweka Gate (1,600m). After lunch we transfer back to our lodge. This journey takes us through beautiful coffee plantations and traditional small villages.
In the evening we meet as a group to mark our achievements at our celebratory dinner.

Trekking distance: 13.5km/6 hours

 

Day 10 - Return to uk

Depending on the flight times we may have some free time to relax at the lodge or go shopping in Moshi before transferring to the airport to catch our flight back to the UK.

 

Day 11 - Arrive UK

Arrive UK.

Please note this is a complex itinerary and subject to change, including the timings and distances detailed. Mountain weather conditions, the group’s ability and any other factors outside our control can impact on the schedule set out in this brochure.

 

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What's Included

Before your challenge

• Your own personalised account hub that houses all your challenge support information to ensure you are fully prepared for your challenge
• Support documents to aid your preparation including but not limited to further information about your challenge, detailed challenge itinerary, kit lists, training plan/schedule, fundraising advice
• Discount vouchers with affiliate partners such as Nomad Travel
• A dedicated Customer Care team supports each participant from registration and is always on hand to answer queries
• Financial Protection
• Risk Management including but not limited to challenge specific risk assessments, emergency management plans and medical screening.

On your challenge

• Return flights from a London Airport to Kilimanjaro International Airport
• All transfers per the itinerary including to and from the in-country airport
• 8 nights accommodation – 2 nights hotel accommodation, twin share with private bathroom, 6 nights camping twin share. Please note that accommodation in Tanzania will be different to what we are used to in the UK, hotels will have a local category rating of 4 stars.
• All meals on the trek including celebratory dinner, starting from dinner on day 2 through to breakfast on day 10
• Safe drinking water whilst trekking
• A superb ground team of porters, cooks and professional English speaking local guides who are experienced in Kilimanjaro summit climbs (Global Adventure Challenges have been working alongside our in-country ground team for more than 10 years)
• Local Doctor experienced in Kilimanjaro climbs
• Global Adventure Challenges Leader from the UK
• Oxygen cylinders, oxi-pulse meter, Gamow bag and medical kit to assist with monitoring participants’ wellbeing on the climb
• Trekking permits and National Park fees
• Tents and other camping equipment including cooking and toilet facilities
• Thin sleeping mats
• Challenge Medal
• GAC 24 hour emergency on call team

What's not included

• Airport Tax and Fuel Surcharge Contribution – Please refer to Dates and Costs tab. These are approximately £250 and payable 8 weeks prior to departure
• Personal trekking kit (trekking boots, poles, etc)
• Personal travel insurance
• Alcoholic drinks
• Tips and gratuities
• Sleeping bags, air mats
• Visa for Tanzania
• Lunch on day 2 and 10

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