02 Feb 2019

Hiking Trip - Kilimanjaro - Tanzania

  • Who says traveling is just for the summer? With Vamos Todos, a new African adventure awaits us this coming February.
    After heading to Uganda not too long ago, we have our eyes set on Tanzania this time; The Roof of Africa to be exact, and we want you to be a part of it!
    This February, join us on a guided trek to the highest mountain in Africa: Mt. Kilimanjaro, and see the glaciers at the summit before they melt.

    Kilimanjaro is one of the world’s most beautiful and highest free standing mountains in the world. Climbed in the late 1880s, the mountain is one of the most popular treks worldwide, with around 25,000 people climbing it each year. It is also part of the 7 summits challenge, which is to climb all the highest peaks of each continent.

    Located in Tanzania just three degrees below the equator, Mount Kilimanjaro stands at 5,891 meters (19,330 ft). Mount Kilimanjaro is an inactive stratovolcano and was formed approximately one million years ago. On a clear day, Mount Kilimanjaro can be seen from more than 100 miles away.

    For our adventure, we chose the Marangu route, with accommodations inside huts on the mountains.

    Route Details:
    The Marangu Route has been referred to as the ‘Coca Cola’ route and this has led potential climbers to think that it is an easy route to the summit. Although it does not require technical climbing, it is a demanding route that needs a minimum of good fitness! The route starts from the park headquarters in the village of Marangu and heads straight westwards towards Kibo. The trail then goes through lush rainforest, heath, moorland, the alpine desert, and ultimately the arctic zone at the peak and same route down.


    Daily Summaries
    DAY 1
    Arrive to Kilimanjaro Airport in the early afternoon, then leave to Moshi through a private transfer. Relax after a long day, and then meet at dinner for a quick debrief about our days to come.

    DAY 2
    Marangu Gate (1,800m) to Mandara Hut (2,743m) Elevation Gain: 915 meters
    We Leave Moshi/Arusha at 8am for Marangu Gate. We begin our Kilimanjaro trek along a narrow trail, through the rainforest of Kilimanjaro. After lunch, we will continue walking through the rainforest until reaching Mandara Hut. You can take a short walk to Maundi Crater, or relax for the day. All of Marangu's huts have beds with mattresses.

    DAY 3
    Mandara Hut (2,743m) to Horombo Hut (3,720m) Elevation Gain: 977 meters
    After breakfast, We will leave Mandara Hut for Horombo Hut. Most of the day's hike will be through Kilimanjaro's moorland, a rocky landscape with desert-like plants. After a lunch break, we will continue to arrive at Horombo Hut at around 3pm and spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing.

    DAY 4
    Horombo Hut (3,720m) to Mawenzi Hut (4,600m) to Horombo Hut (3,720m) Elevation Gain and Loss: 880m
    Day three is an acclimatization day. We can hike all the way to Mawenzi Hut and come back down, to allow for maximum acclimatization and increase our chances of reaching The summit. Return to Horombo for a late lunch.


    DAY 5
    Horombo Hut (3,720m) to Kibo Hut (4,750m) Elevation Gain: 1,030 meters
    After breakfast, we will start to hike through the moorland and alpine desert of Kilimanjaro's upper altitudes. After hiking for about an hour arrive at Maua River, a small mountain stream. After Maua, the terrain becomes flatter and the vegetation begins to disappear. We will reach Kibo Hut around 3pm to rest and prepare for our midnight climb.

    DAY 6 SUMMIT DAY!
    Kibo Hut (4,750m) to Summit (5,895m) to Horombo Hut (3,720m) Elevation Gain: 1,145 meters, Elevation Loss: 2,175 meters
    Around midnight, we will start the final ascent to Uhuru Peak, the roof of Africa. Although this is considered to be the easiest of the three crater ascent paths, it is still difficult. Upon reaching Uhuru, we will take photos at the peak before beginning the descent to Horombo Hut. On the way down from the summit, you will see all of the magnificent views you could not see on the way up. Stop for a short break and snacks at Kibo Hut before continuing on to Horombo Hut. Reach Horombo Hut in the afternoon and enjoy your last night on the mountain.

    DAY 7
    Horombo Hut (3,720m) to Marangu Gate (1,800m) Elevation Loss: 1,920 meters
    After breakfast, finish the trek with a descent to Marangu Gate. Your last hike on Kilimanjaro is a beautiful one, passing through Kilimanjaro's cloud forest. Our vehicles will be waiting at Marangu Gate to take us back to Moshi/Arusha.

    DAY 8
    After a long awaited relaxation, we leave our hotel to the airport and head back home, with smiles and memories of the adventure we had shared.


    Included
    • All international and/or domestic flights (BEY – JRO – BEY)
    • All park fees, camping fees and rescue fees
    • Transportation to and from the mountain gate
    • Professional Lebanese and Local mountain guides, cooks and porters
    • 3 meals daily while on the mountain
    • Filtered water throughout the trek
    • Pre & Post Trek accommodation
    • 2- way private airport transfers

    Not Included
    • Tips to mountain crew
    • Items of a personal nature
    • Laundry Services
    WHERE: KILIMANJARO – Meeting at Beirut Airport on the 2nd of February at 11:30 PM

    WHEN: February 3rd till February 10th

    WHAT TO GET: Passport first of all. Thermal cloths for the peak, where it is cold and snowy, overnight, change of clothes, towel, sunscreen, hat, jacket, sunglasses for the hike. For your personal shopping, you need to get some money.

    TRIP DETAILS:
    - The total cost will be of US 2999 $ per person
    - At the hotel, you will be divided in rooms for two persons. During the hike, you will have to sleep in special multiple occupancy huts accommodated for the event.
    - Since the weather on the peak is cold, bring special thermal cloths to protect you from the wind and the snow.
    - Do not overload your travel bags, because it is a hiking trip. Just bring the essentials that you will really need.
    • If you confirm registration and pay before November 20th you will get a discount and the price will become 2850 $
    • Last day for registration is December 12th
    • The passport must be valid for at least 6 months.

    CANCELATION POLICY:
    • If you cancel your reservation before December 1st half the amount will be returned.
    • Cancelation after December 1st will not be refunded.
    RESERVATION: For reservation call 03-917190 or 79-115001

    Upon registration the flowing must be provided:
    1- The full amount of the trip.
    2- A copy of your passport.
    3- Passport size photographs x 3
    4- Yellow Fever Certificate.

    ESSENTIAL MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENTS: Good equipment is vital for a safe enjoyable trip. The following is a list of basic essentials. (NB: Equipment can be rented from Moshi, in case you have any concerns, but it is always better to have your own equipment and gear)

    Sleeping bag. A down or fiberfill sleeping bag rated at least ‘3 seasons’ if camping.
    Comfortable walking boots. Good semi-stiff walking boots are suitable for most walks.
    Water proof jacket & trousers. A good waterproof jacket (with zip to assist ventilation) is essential. Waterproof trousers are optional.
    Head cover. A woolen hut or balaclava is invaluable.
    Windproof jacket.
    Sun protection. A good sun cream, lip cream, sunglasses and sun hat.
    Rucksack or duffle bag.
    Warm Gloves.
    Head torch.
    Medical first aid kit including; Headache – syndols, diarrhea-Imodium, Nausea-valid, Malaria-prophylaxis, water purification tablets, bandages, muscular sprains, Abrasions, insect repellent, blister and cuts plasters, pain killers, Flu and colds.
    Pair of socks
    Long sleeved shirts and trousers, thin jumpers and a duvet jacket is a luxury to have.
    Wash Kit, towel, toilet soap
    Hiking poles
    Water bottles (2 ltr)
    Gaiters
    Warm jacket and trousers

    TRAINING
    The best exercise for Kilimanjaro is to do lots of walking.
    During work days, try to walk as much as you can ... take the stairs instead of the elevator, walk instead of driving or catching a taxi. Try to get at least an hour of walking into every day. In addition to this, try to get some morning and evening sessions of aerobic activity in, such as cycling, running or spinning. An hour of any of these activities three or four times a week will be a great help. You may want to do some muscle-building weights work in the gym, but this is probably only appropriate for people used to this type of activity and is not a necessity for this trek.
    Weekends and days off you should try to head for the hills. Try to walk for 6 to 8 hours, perhaps on consecutive days. Even try camping out on the nights in between, but be careful not to put yourself off the whole idea. Increase the pace, especially on uphill sections to increase your aerobic capacity. Use the boots that you will bring with you to Kilimanjaro so that they are well worn in.
    Some guidebooks say that you should be able to run for half an hour without being out of breath. Don't be disheartened by this kind of talk ... many of us are not cut out for running and this is not an achievable goal. Remember that Kilimanjaro is a walk, not a run, but one which requires a higher than usual aerobic capacity due to the extreme altitude. Just get as fit as you reasonably can in the timescale available. Make it a priority and make the effort. That way if you don't make it to the top at least you know you gave it a good shot.

    The Trekking Day
    On the trek you are accompanied by a ‘trek crew’ which consists of a local guide or guides, a cook plus kitchen staff, and a team of porters. The porters transport all our personal and communal equipment, allowing you to walk with just a light day pack. We sleep in large two-man tents or single tent and will have a separate mess tent where we take meals. The trekking day starts early. Typically you would be woken in your huts around 7am. The cook will bring a cup of tea and we then have breakfast whilst the porters dismantle the camp and prepare their loads. We plan to be leaving camp around 8 or 9am to take advantage of the cooler morning temperatures. The cook will provide everyone with a packed lunch and we can take this at our leisure, usually after about two or three hours of walking we then continue for a couple of hours more, reaching camp by 3pm. The porters will pitch the tents (although we will be expected to help) and they then deliver your trek bag to the door of the tent. You are then free to relax until we have our evening meal usually taken around 6pm.

    Conditions
    We must be prepared for rain and even snowfall at any time during the year. The paths we follow are very well-defined and easy to follow. On Kilimanjaro the summit day involves climbing moderately steep scree slopes which can be loose.

    Temperatures during the day will normally be temperate and typically around 20 degrees C. When starting the walk to Kilimanjaro it will be possible to hike wearing shorts, and indeed it may be necessary if the day is hot and humid. Night time temperatures at the higher elevations on Kilimanjaro will be below zero and a down jacket is recommended for these chilly nights. Normally you can expect clear and crisp mornings, with an afternoon cloud build-up, usually clearing again in the evening.
    The following three steps are a guide to achieving acclimatization:
    Water: A fluid intake of 4 - 5 liters per day is recommended. Fluid intake improves circulation and most other bodily functions, but does not increase fluid leakage from the body. Thirst should not be an indicator of proper fluid intake; if your urine is clear then you are drinking enough.
    Slow Walk: Pace is a critical factor on all routes. Unless there is a very steep uphill section your breathing rate should be the same as if you were walking down the street. If you cannot hold a conversation you are walking too fast. Breathing through the nose for the first 2 days of the climb will limit the pace. Walk "softly" allowing your knees to gently cushion each pace. "Pole Pole" < go slowly > is the phrase that will echo around your head as it is repeated to you by the guides.
    Walk high sleep low: If you have enough energy and are not feeling the affects of altitude, then you might take an afternoon stroll further up the mountain before descending to sleep. Almost all routes offer an extra day for acclimatization. Taking this day increases your chances of getting to the top by 30% and increases you chances of actually getting some enjoyment out of the experience by much more than that. We do not offer climbs which do not include this extra day.

    Altitude sickness:
    Serious cases of altitude sickness can only be treated by immediate descent. Our Chief guides are all experienced in dealing with the problems of altitude. It may be necessary for one to descend to a lower altitude where an assistant guide remains behind while the others continue with the climb.
    Please also note that rescue services are conducted by the Kilimanjaro National Park.

    Baggage
    While trekking you will only need to carry the things you need during the day, such as waterproofs, fleece jacket, snacks, camera, water bottle etc. The remainder of your personal equipment will be carried by porters and you will need a strong duffel bag for this. Any personal belongings not required for the climb can be left at the hotel in Moshi and for this you need to bring a suitable hold all, preferably lockable if you are leaving valuable items.

    Local Transport
    For most of the road journey’s we will travel in 4WD which are ideally suited to Africa’s rough roads.

    Visa Requirements
    All nationalities require a passport and this must be valid for at least six months beyond the intended length of stay.

    TRAVEL TIPS
    Please take a moment to review our suggested list of some reminders and planning tips to ensure you have a worry free holiday.

     Ensure all passports are current and valid for at least 6 months AFTER the departure date, and each has at least 2 blank pages.
     Make extra copies of passport and airline tickets to take with you on your trip. Please ensure you keep these documents separate from the originals in the event of an emergency such as your passport getting lost or stolen.
     You are required to bring a maximum of 20kg. Any unwanted baggage and suitcases can be safely stored at the hotel or in our safe store.
     You are required to bring good equipment which is vital for a safe and enjoyable trip.
     It is imperative that you obtain malaria prophylactics before entering Tanzania.
    Regards,
    Vamos Todos
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