Kilimanjaro Marathon,
Half Marathon, & 5K Tour - Trek Extension
Mar 02 - 10, 2009

MOUNT KILIMANJARO

Situated south of the equator - in Tanzania - at 19,340 feet (5,895 m), this is Africa's highest mountain and the highest "free standing" mountain in the world. Huge slowly receding glaciers flow down from the summit, and spectacular views and beautiful ice formations are the reward for the successful trekker, as well as the satisfaction of conquering this mighty peak.

It is not for the faint-hearted - this will at times test you to your limits, mentally as well as physically. The main problems encountered are altitude sickness, which can be countered by use of medicines, and lack of oxygen. The standard route is a hike - no technical climbing as such. It is cold in the upper section - correct kit is a must - but our kit lists will assist you with packing requirements. We have personally done the major routes, so can offer first hand advice.

Good preparation and advice, as well as good guides on the mountain, have given us an over 95% success rate (the average is 60%) - this type of thing is a "once in a lifetime" challenge, and must not be taken lightly. We ensure that all our trekkers have all the facts - medical list, equipment list, etc., long before they travel - possibly the reason for our success rate.

UMBWE ROUTE:

We use high altitude mountain tents for our Kilimanjaro trek because the huts (where available) are in poor condition. The Umbwe Route is considered the most beautiful route by which to ascend the mountain, and is shorter than the other routes, while having good acclimatization time. It also makes the distances covered between overnights at altitude shorter and avoids a lot of the crowding experienced in some sites in season. Please note that the first two days on the mountain are quite tough, as one gains altitude relatively quickly, thereafter the distances are short.

The guides employed by us are excellent (some have climbed Kili over 300 times!) They are employed by the Keys Hotel and have looked after a multitude of our clients. Each trip is led by a senior guide, with other guides in a ratio of approximately one guide per 2 or 3 trekkers - if you are a bit slower than the rest or get ill and have to descend, a guide will always be with you. Food served on the mountain is generally tasty and wholesome, including a lot of carbohydrates and fresh vegetables. Vegetarians are catered for, but please notify us in advance.

Trek Itinerary - Umbwe Route

Sun 01 Mar ~ in Moshi

Mon 02 Mar ~ in Moshi

Tue 03 Mar ~ Moshi - Umbwe Caves
The Kili Trek begins...

0800 After an early breakfast you will be driven to the Umbwe park gate (5,200ft.) where you will meet your guide and porters. The guides have an amount of paperwork to do at the gate, as well as organizing the porters - these things take time (African time!) - please relax, sit down and enjoy the scenery.

Your chief guide will discuss with you, in detail, the route and each day's activity.

This day wear your hiking boots and ensure you keep your wet weather gear with you. Shorts and t-shirt will be sufficient. There are patches on the route where it can be wet and muddy, and you may end up with wet boots this evening. Ensure your boots are waterproof, and that you have spare lightweight shoes to wear in camp this evening. ALWAYS keep your boots and water bottles INSIDE the tent at night - otherwise they will freeze in higher altitude. Fill up your water bottle at night, and purify it - allowing some of the chlorine fumes to dissipate.

Take it SLOWLY today. You will encounter some steep parts on the trek. The porters walk ahead - so make sure that every day you have all your personal gear needed with you for the day, as you will not have access to your kit bag until the next camp. A seven-hour walk through the spectacular rain forest will bring you to a camping area - Umbwe Caves Campsite. Take your time walking through this section - it will help towards acclimatization. REMEMBER - Go 'pole pole' (slowly, slowly) up the mountain - this is the surest way to successfully reach the top!

Camp will be set up by the porters and your meals will be prepared by the cooks. Conditions are at times difficult on this route, and your guides / porters will do everything they can to make your trek pleasant and as comfortable as possible. Eat well - at higher levels your appetite may diminish. Overnight camping - Umbwe Caves Campsite (2,850m or 9,375ft).

Wed 04 Mar ~ Barranco

Take a jersey with you today, as it cools down considerably after lunch. Again, keep your wet weather gear handy, just in case, and some snacks for the route. Drink plenty of water. Today you should take Diamox (if planning to) - in the morning. You may experience tingling fingers, toes and nose from this drug. As it is a diuretic, it is most important to keep your fluid intake high.

Some fairly steep walking through the forest, and along a scenic ridge, before the path flattens as you approach Barranco Hut, in the moor land zone. A fairly long and strenuous day (+- 8 hours walking), as the altitude is now beginning to be felt. Overnight camping - Barranco Camp (3,950m or 12,795ft).

Thu 05 Mar ~ Karanga Valley

Mid-morning ascend a steep rocky ridge known as the Barranco Wall (4,200m or 13,780 ft). Continue up and down before arriving at Karanga Valley Camp (± 4 hours walking). Once again, pace yourself to graduate slowly. Night temperature - can be cold (night frosts). Overnight camping - Karanga Valley Camp (3,963m or 12,950 ft).

Fri 06 Mar ~ Barafu Camp

Continue this morning across the valley and up to Barafu Camp(4,600m, 15,092 ft),, approx. 3 hours walking. This is an acclimatization day, as you ascend up sections of scree and rock. You will be able to rest up at Barafu for the whole afternoon, acclimatizing and gathering strength for the summit.

Learn to pace yourself with your breathing - do not try to rush to catch up with anyone, go at your own, most comfortable speed and you will arrive at base camp relatively comfortably. Listen to your guide/s, they will help you. It will be cold tonight - dress warmly. After an early supper, drink as much tea as possible, settle down for an early night.

Drink plenty of fluids, as you are in a 'desert' area - albeit cold, and tomorrow will be a long hard day. You will be woken about 11:00PM with tea and cookies.

Sat 07 Mar ~ Summit! Uhuru Peak - Millennium Camp

Today is a very long and strenuous day. Drink lots of fluid before you start. You will be very thirsty by the end of the day - if you can manage, carry 3 liters of fluid with you today. Put on all your clothing ready for the final ascent, and use your headlamp.

At about midnight you will start trekking up scree for approximately 6 hours. The guides will stop frequently for resting. It is very important to listen to your body and breathing and try to get into a rhythm. Because of the slowness of your walk, your fingers and toes are likely to get cold - three pairs of socks should be considered for today and two pairs of gloves (inner and warm outer). Use foot, toe and hand warmers for additional comfort (REI). The night views from the mountain (on the way up) are spectacular - you gain incredible height over a short distance.

You arrive at Stella Point (5,750m or 18,865 ft), just at the top of the crater, for a rest - the sun should be rising! From here continue on a relatively easy path for about one hour up to Uhuru Peak (5,895m or 19,340 ft), the highest point in Africa. CONGRATULATIONS!! Enjoy the view and take photos at the Top of Africa sign.

Then descend from Stella to Barafu, about 3 hours. You will travel down quickly on the scree taking in more oxygen, step by step. Depending on the timing of your summitting, you will be able to have a short rest here at Barafu Camp and something to eat, before continuing down the Mweka Route, which has recently re-opened after extensive re-furbishing by National Parks.

Arrive Millennium Camp (3,900m or 12,650ft), mid-late afternoon. Last overnight camping. Time to reflect on the day's achievements. Treat yourself to a tasty beer from the Millennium Hut.

Sun 08 Mar ~ Millennium Camp - Mweka Gate - Moshi

Approximately five hours descent down the mountain via Mweka Camp then through the rainforest to the Park Gate (1,700m or 5,200ft.), where you will be met by the vehicles. There are generally beers and cokes for sale at the park gate. Transfer by vehicle to the Keys Hotel (approximately 45 minutes drive) ready for an evening of celebration by the swimming pool.

1800 "Mission Accomplished Happy Hour" hosted by Kathy Loper Events, followed by a Bar-B-Q dinner. A perfect occasion to collect your Kili Trek Certificate and special "I went all the way" Kili t-shirt.

Liaise with your head guide regarding tips - we recommend US$120.00 per person which the guide will apportion out among all the guides and porters. Any old clothes, shoes, etc. would also be most appreciated. If you feel at any stage, any pressure regarding tips, please make sure you report this on your return to the hotel to the management and it will be taken up accordingly. Whilst tips are compulsory and 'highly anticipated' - anything above that for specific personal attention is totally at your discretion.

Mon 09 Mar ~ Moshi - USA

Mon 09 Mar 2150 ~ Leave KILIMANJARO

Tue 10 Mar ~ AMSTERDAM - USA

Tue 10 Mar 1325 ~ Arrive MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL