Kilimanjaro Trek 2011

The World’s largest free standing mountain is waiting to be conquered by you!

Join Children Today in Africa  from the 4 - 11 March 2011 for what promises to be a trek filled with breathtaking panoramic views, exotic wildlife and challenging hikes to what will ultimately lead you to the Uhuru Peak, the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.

 

 

Day 1 - Friday 4 March

Depart from UK airport for flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport (via Amsterdam).

 

Meet and greet on arrival before transferring to your overnight accommodation.

 

 

Day 2 - Saturday 5 March

 

After breakfast depart for Kilimanjaro National Park for registration before commencing hiking. In the rain forest look for towering Eucalyptus trees, bird life, and monkeys. At these lowest elevations, it can be wet and muddy, so gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts should be sufficient, but keep your rain gear and warmer clothing handy. Stop for lunch en-route before continuing on to camp arriving approximately 14:00hrs to 15:00hrs. Unpack rest and have some tea or coffee. Dinner is served during the early evening at 19:00hrs. Bathroom with running water is available.

 

Day 3 - Sunday 6 March

 

After breakfast, pack for your next trek, and hike for an hour through rainforest glades, then follow an ascending path through heath land where you can look for giant lobelias and groundsels. Continue up into open moorlands where small shrubs are the main vegetation. Stop halfway for lunch, where you can enjoy amazing views of Mawenzi. Arrive at camp by 15:00hrs, where you can see Kibo’s summit. Rest, unpack, and prepare for dinner. Bathrooms with running water are available.

 

Day 4 - Monday 7 March

Today is an acclimatisation day allowing a full understanding of the mountains and the effects of the weather and altitude! Today you can either rest at camp or take a stroll up to the Mawenzi base camp. Breakfast, lunch and dinner shall be provided.

 

Day 5  - Tuesday 8 March

 

After breakfast take the opportunity to get some photos of the sunrise. The first part of the day’s hike climbs through the dwindling heath land that blends into a moonscape as you enter the sweeping saddle connecting Mawenzi and Kibo. When you stop for lunch, and later when you cross this surprisingly large saddle, you can examine the summit climb up Kibo that you will be starting in just a few hours. Be careful to notice any signs of Altitude Sickness. There is no running water at Kibo. Rest, unpack, and prepare for dinner.  

 

Day 6 - Wednesday 9 March

 

Wake up at midnight for a light breakfast, then prepare for your summit ascent, the goal is to climb before dawn so that you can reach Uhuru peak shortly after sunrise. Hike up steep scree or possibly snow, and reach Gilman’s point on the crater rim. Here views of the fabled crater and its icecaps greet you. Another 2 hours of hiking along the crater rim near the celebrated snows take you to Kilimanjaro’s true summit, Uhuru peak. This is Africa’s highest point, be sure to have your picture taken at the summit to show your friends, after your summit stay, descend down back to Kibo. Have lunch, rest, collect your things and re cross the saddle to the Horombo. Eat dinner and get some well deserved sleep.

You do the beginning of this climb in the dark with headlamps or flashlights. It will be very cold until you start descending, so you will need all of your warm layers. This is, by far the most difficult part of the trek.

 

Day 7 - Thursday 10 March

 

After breakfast, pack and descend through the moorland to Mandara, have lunch there then continue your triumphant descent down through lush forest to the park gate, which you should reach mid-late afternoon. Here you will leave your guides, cooks and porters (all new friends for life). A vehicle will take you back to your accommodation in Kilimanjaro. Dinner not included.

 

Day 8 - Friday 11 March

 

After breakfast a day at leisure to rest up or explore Kilimanjaro before transferring to the airport for your return flight to the UK. Lunch and dinner not included.

 

Depart from Kilimanjaro International Airport for flight to UK airport (via Amsterdam).

 

As long as you are aged 18 years and over and would like a challenge you can really get your teeth into, why don’t you join Children Today in Africa in March 2011. It is a £150 registration fee to secure you place and a minimum sponsorship of £2,850. For a free information pack please contact Ceri Ward on 01244 335622 or ceri@childrentoday.org.uk