Microsoft word - nn7 kilimanjaro climb.doc

This trip begins in Nairobi, Kenya and travels south to Moshi & Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania before ending in Nairobi, Kenya. This trip departs early every morning from Nairobi. Should you wish to explore Nairobi, an earlier arrival should be planned and accommodation booked through your agent. Departure Point: Acacia Camp - Magadi Road (off Langata Road), Pre Departure Meeting: Briefing held on arrival in Moshi Local Payment: US$100 (payable in Moshi if not joining an existing climbing group) Included in Trip Price: Return Shuttle Bus between Nairobi and Moshi 2 nights accommodation in budget hotel in Moshi 4 nights accommodation in mountain huts while on Mount Kilimanjaro Please Note: Transportation is by means of a Shuttle Bus. You must provide your own sleeping bag. All prices & Local Payments are subject to change with prior notice. US$60 of the local payment is paid to the representative at Acacia Camp, the remainder of the local payment and single supplement (where necessary) is paid to the operator in Moshi. Your arrival transfer and pre-trip accommodation in a dorm bed is included in your trip price. Should you choose not to make use of these, or in the event that we were not updated with your arrival details, no refund wil be paid for services not used. The transfer to the shuttle from Acacia Camp to the departure point on day 1 is included in this trip. Day 1: Nairobi to Moshi (NM) After collection by the Shuttle Bus, we travel via Tanzania’s safari capital, Arusha, to our hotel in Moshi. We are delivered to the Springlands Hotel, where we are met for our Pre-Departure Meeting and briefed about what climbing Africa’s highest mountain entails. The Marangu Route is the easiest and shortest route to Kilimanjaro’s summit and is known as the “coca cola” route as it is the most popular for tourists. It is the only route that has communal sleeping huts at each stop off point, and offers bunks with sponge mattresses and pil ows for your use. Tonight we spend the night at the Springlands hotel, where we have a good night’s rest before we start our climb in the morning. Day 2: Moshi to Mandara Hut - 2743 m (B / L / D) An early start takes us to Kilimanjaro National Park, where we trek through the spectacular rain forests on the first section of our ascent, on the way to our camp at the Mandara Hut for the first night on this awesome mountain. All climbing groups, often from around the world, share dining huts along the way which provide a jovial and social atmosphere. There may be soft drinks and beer on sale in these huts so please bring along some smal er denominations of Tanzanian notes (Tanzanian Shil ings) to purchase these items. Please note that the prices increase as elevation increases. Day 3: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut - 3760 m (B / L / D) Leaving the rain forest behind, we climb through stunningly beautiful open moor land before reaching the Horombo Hut. (Should you wish to have an extra day to acclimatise; it wil be here at the Horombo Hut. The additional acclimatisation day is available at the time of booking your trip, and paid local y at a cost of aprox. US$200 per person). The stark scenery from this altitude is remarkable and the vegetation (although seemingly sparse after the rain forests) seems quite alien. Day 4: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut - 4730 m (B / L / D) Trekking over “The Saddle” between the Mawenzi and Kibo peaks, we arrive at Kibo Hut. This is the final stage before we ascend the summit. The total distance to the ascent is 32km (20mi). Day 5: Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak - 5895 m to Horombo Hut – 3760 m (B / L / D) A very early morning start takes us via Gilman’s Point, on the rim of the crater, and to Uhuru Peak. Most of your climb wil be done in the dark, so bring along a head torch to make it easier to navigate the path. It wil also be very cold, so this is where you’l need al those warm layers, socks, gloves and beanie’s to see you through. As this is the last of the ascent, it is taken very slowly – or “pole pole” and an optimistic attitude along with perseverance will get you there! Once you reach Uhuru Peak, you’l watch the sun rise over Tanzania and Kenya from Africa’s highest point. After gazing over the top of Africa and taking your photo mementos, we return to Horombo Hut for a wel deserved celebration and some much needed rest. Day 6: Horombo Hut to Moshi (B) Continue your descent and exit via the Marangu Gate, before being transferred back to the Springlands Hotel for hot showers and dinner. Tonight you can celebrate your achievement at the Hotel bar! Day 7: Moshi to Nairobi After breakfast, the Shuttle Bus wil col ect us for the drive back to Nairobi. A late afternoon arrival in Nairobi marks the end of one of Africa’s most unique experiences. ADDITIONAL NOTES: Please ensure you have the correct equipment for your Kilimanjaro expedition. The Springlands Hotel in Moshi has the fol owing items for hire: Rucksack/Daypack:
Balaclava:
Sweater:
Normal Standard Sleeping Bag
Sunglasses:
–10C.Temp
Mont bell Sleeping Bag –25C.Temp
The North Face Sleeping Bag: -25C. $ 35
Raincoat:
Duffel Bag:
Rain Pants:
Hiking Poles (2)
Hiking Boots:
Gaiters:
Water Bottle:
Torch/Flashlight:
Fleece Pants:
Batteries:
Warm Jacket:
Long Underwear:
We provide tents and foam sleeping pads at no charge should the mountain huts not be available. Sunglasses are available for purchase in the gift shop for $10-US$15 Oxygen is available for $10/day/group of 4 pax Hyperbaric Pressure Bag (Gamow Bag): US$120/group. Hyperbaric Pressure Bags: $100/group. *prices above are subject to change without prior notice. Please budget extra in event of an increase. LOCAL PAYMENT - Al passengers contribute to the Local Payment for this trip equal y. It is payable to the representative of our ground handler in Moshi on day 1 of your safari. Payment should only be in US dollars cash. The single supplement is applicable if a single climber does not get al ocated to a group climbing on the same date (i.e. climbs alone with own team). Accommodation is 2 nights at the Springlands Hotel in Moshi & 4 nights either camping or in base huts (dependant on availability) while on the mountain. Meals are provided as listed on the itinerary above. Please note that no snacks are included (energy bars, chocolate etc). Temperatures vary while ascending with day time temperatures on the lower mountain being warm and night temperatures cool; on the upper reaches temperatures are cold to freezing dependant on weather conditions. Please pack accordingly. Luggage should be packed in a backpack with a day pack for smal er daily items such as snacks, drinking water, rain jackets and camera’s etc. Your trekking fee includes the services of a qualified trekking guide and a porter (to carry food items etc). Please note that gratuities/tips are not included in the trekking price and tipping is at your own discretion. Tips for the porters and staff are not included in your trip price or local payment. While these are completely at your own discretion, most crew have come to rely on these and so may make comments about tipping during your trip. Please only tip if you feel you have received an adequate service, and feel the individuals have warranted a gratuity. The guideline issued by the operator is as fol ows: Mount Kilimanjaro climbing check list/Tips Guidelines: FOR CHIEF GUIDE: US$20 - US$25 PER DAY x number of days on Mountain, Assistant Guide: US$10 - US$15 PER DAY x number of days on Mountain, COOK: US$ 5 - US$10 PER DAY x number of days on Mountain, PORTERS: 5 - 10 PER DAY x number of days on Mountain. OR TIPPING GUIDELINES CAN BE GIVEN (Aprox): US$ 200 per person trekking. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS THEIR GUIDELINE ONLY. Clients must bring their own personal first aid kit containing al the basic items, as wel as rehydration salts, muscle rub, plasters/foot cushions for blistering, head ache tablets and possibly altitude sickness tablets. Al clients are required to have personal medical travel insurance. For those interested in ascending Kilimanjaro on the Rongai or Machame routes – please contact your agent for prices and information. Although Kilimanjaro is not a technical mountain climb, it is a major challenge and the rigors of altitude should not be underestimated. Remember that Uhuru peak is 500m higher than Everest Base Camp!! The pace of your ascent coupled with good acclimatization will help you on the climb but it is essential to be mentally and physically prepared before you start. Regular hikes are one of the best ways to prepare, increasing frequency and length, as you get closer to the trek. All aerobic exercises such as cycling, running, swimming and funnily enough aerobics are good for strengthening the cardiovascular system. Generally, any exercise that increases the heart rate for 20 minutes is helpful but don’t overdo it just before the climb. Altitudes are generally defined as follows:- During the trek it is likely that all climbers will experience at least some form of mild altitude sickness. It is caused by the failure of the body to adapt quickly enough to the reduced level of oxygen in the air at an increased altitude. There are many different symptoms but the most common are headaches, light-headedness, nausea, loss of appetite, tingling in the extremities (toes, fingers) and a mild swell of ankles and fingers. These mild forms are not serious and will normally disappear within 48 hours. All contact lens wearers should take care to remove the lenses at night, as the eye needs to absorb oxygen from the atmosphere. The rarefied conditions of altitude reduce oxygen levels and in extreme cases a Corneal Oedema can develop. In the event of an emergency on the mountain the rescue team plus one of the assistant guides wil descend with the casualty to the park gate. At the gate the casualty will be taken care and the necessary arrangements will be done. PHOTOGRAPHY Cameras whether Video or film, need to be protected against the severe cold weather either in warm pouch or the interior pockets of your clothing. Do not keep in your backpack at higher elevations. A selection of lenses will aid the final results although weight and bulk will obviously influence your selection. A polarized or neutral density filter is recommended, as is slide film rather than print. Bring your own film as it can be hard to find and expensive in Tanzania. For digital equipment, check with the manufacturer’s specifications for temperature range (especially battery life), water tightness and general hardiness. Waste Disposal: “Pack it in, Pack it out”. Litter is not only ugly but can be harmful to people. Buried litter may be dug up by animals, and burning it is il egal, so – “Pack it in – Pack it out” Until the appropriate disposal area. Watch your steps: In highland areas watch for Stinging nettles: - Plants which cause temporary painful irritation to bare skin, and May even sting through clothes. Shorts are not recommended where these occur. Ants: - These are smal shiny brown ants that move rapidly in dense columns trails. They are carnivores and if you step in them they crawl up your legs and start chewing. Tuck your trouser cuffs into to your socks, and watch where you step. DRESS: Be prepared for different physical extremes. - In the Lowlands, shade temperatures can reach 35˚C and shade may sometimes be scarce - In the Highlands it may freeze at night. Fine weather can change very quickly to fog or rain. To keep you warm, wool and synthetics are better than cotton, but to keep you cool cotton is best. Always protect yourself from the sun. - A hat reduces the risk of sunstroke. - Protect your eyes with dark glasses. - Protect your skin with clothes or sun block lotion. PEOPLE: - You are the guest of the locals and Tanzanians in general. Please treat them with respect. - Always ask your guide to seek permission before photographing people before photographing people or - Avoid roadside photographic deals. They encourage resident people to harass tour vehicles. Never give anything to children from a car or by the roadside – you could cause the death of a child who runs out into the road to beg from cars. - Try to avoid any interaction with wildlife. Wild animals particularly buffalo and elephants may attack if surprised or provoked. - As the general Remark please observe al the park rules, your Guide wil explain these to you or you can read them AT THE PARK Gate where there is a Precautions notice. The staff and management look forward to welcoming you aboard and trust that you wil enjoy your trip with us.

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