Are you ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Kilimanjaro is the highest peak in Africa at 19,341 ft high. You will start your adventure by landing in Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania. There your guide will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi to prepare for the start of your climb. Your climbing team will review safety measures, your gear and what to expect. Get a good night's sleep because the climb will start the next day. The team will guide you up the Marangu route. This is a scenic route that traverses 7 climate zones. You will experience the flora and fauna of each zone on your way up. There are plants on Kilimanjaro that do not exist anywhere else on the planet. As you climb look for lizards, monkeys and the giant groundsel trees. Enjoy the sunsets and the sunrises as you ascend to the summit. There is nothing like looking down from Uhuru Peak, and reflecting on your accomplishment. See you at the top!
Once we are on the mountain all you need to worry about is enjoying your experience and ascending to the roof of Africa, everything else is taken care of by the experienced staff. You will have a fully licensed head guide, fully licensed assistant guides, an experienced cook and hardworking porters. Food will be fresh, healthy and in abundance making sure that you are getting the right nutrition and energy for your ascent of the mountain. Our team's goal is to give you the best experience on the mountain and memories you will never forget.
Baggage and Sleeping Bag:
1. Large Backpack/ Rucksack or Holdall, 70-90 litres capacity (This will be carried by porter)
2. Daysack, 25-35 litres (This is for personal use on mountain, each hiker will carry their own; ready-access items)
3. Sleeping Bag (minus 10 degrees Centigrade rating or colder)
4. Waterproof rucksack liner or heavy duty plastic sack
5. Elasticated waterproof rucksack cover
Note: sleeping mattresses are not required as they are provide
Packing List:
1. Sweat-wicking T-shirts / vests
2. Fleece
3. Insulated down jacket or similar
4. Down mittens or similar
5. Thermal long-johns for summit night
6. Lightweight walking trousers (avoid jeans or heavy cotton as they chafe and dry slowly)
7. Underwear (briefs are usually better than boxer shorts which gather and chafe).
8. Very good quality hiking socks and thin liner socks. (We advise that socks should be at least a size too small otherwise they stretch and bunch causing blisters)
9. Breathable lightweight waterproofs (jacket and trousers)
10. Waterproof walking boots, sturdy and worn-in. A Gore-Tex membrane or similar is advised. While Alpine or C3 boots are not required for Kilimanjaro it is important that your boots have good ankle and arch support and good deep read patterns.
11. Calf gaiters
12. Balaclava
13. Goretex Mountain Cap or Woollen Hat
14. Wide brimmed sun hat to protect face, ears and neck
15. Hygiene related gear for use on Kilimanjaro
16. Toothbrush, toothpaste & deodorant
17. Flat packed Wet Ones, travel wipes, or similar for personal hygiene on the mountain
18. Kleenex tissues in plastic travel pouches or toilet paper
19. Hairbrush / comb
20. Sanitary products
21. Lip balm with UV protection
22. Vaseline, to prevent chafing skin and heel friction blisters
23. Sunscreen
Tipping the staff of our team is completely up to the client’s discretion whether it is done privately or as a group. It is customary to tip but certainly not obligatory, suggested rates follow:
Main Guide- $15-$20/day
Assistant Guides- $10-$15/day
Chef- $10-$15/day
Porters- $5-$10 per day per person
Note that this amount is per group, and not per person.
Country specific information for US citizens:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Tanzania.html
Visas are required for U.S. citizens traveling to Tanzania.
Foreign nationals may apply for a visa online in advance of travel. Applicants may complete the e-visa application form and make payment online with a credit card or bank transfer at www.immigration.go.tz. If the e-visa is approved, the applicant will receive a “grant notice” via email. Present a copy of the grant notice to the Immigration Officer on arrival at the airport in Tanzania.
U.S. citizens may also obtain a tourist visa upon arrival at the airport in Tanzania. The cost is $100 USD. Be prepared to pay in cash in case connectivity issues make electronic transactions impossible.
A passport valid for a minimum of six months beyond visa issuance and/or date of entry, and at least one blank visa page, is required. Visitors who enter on visas must present a roundtrip ticket and demonstrate they have sufficient funds for their stay.
Today arrive in Tanzania and meet your guide team. They will transfer you to the hotel in Moshi. The goal is to rest and prepare for your first day of climbing.