Tanzania - MT. Kilimanjaro

Trek the stunning Machame route (the 'whisky route') to the roof of Africa with some of the best and most experienced guides in Tanzania and raise money for rural development projects in East Africa.

Expedition Cost Options:

1. £1,200 charity fundraiser for the Mad Foundation (£500 for the Mad Foundation, £600 overseas cost, £100 Trekventurer)
2. £500 if you are already on a Madventurer East Africa project.

What's included in the cost?

1. Pre-departure fundraising advice, letter of support, and information pack.
2. Pick-up and transfer from Kilimanjaro international airport to Trekventurer base.
3. 6 nights camping on the mountain.
4. 1 night before climb in B&B, 1 night visiting Madventurer development project, 1 night at end of climb in hotel. .
5. All meals for 8 days.
6. Expert guide plus porters and cook
7. Tents and cooking equipment.
8. 24 hour emergency back-up Trekventurer UK

What's not included (but we are happy to advise on):

1. Flights
2. Visas
3. Vaccinations
4. Personal equipment and spending money
5. Guide & Porter tips (usually $50 per guide/ $20 per porter - this becomes cheaper the more you have on a trek)

For information on future departure dates please contact team@madventurer.com or call Trekventurer on 0845 121 1996

The Trek

The best times for Mt. Kilimanjaro climbs and treks are from June until October and from December until March.

Mount Kilimanjaro

Over the past few days, you have already walked a lot, chatting and strolling - enjoying the incredible views over savannah and up to the snows and ice of the huge mountain massif - through montane forest - over heathland and past giant heather - over high desert - a day clambering on russet lava rock - up cliffsides, but now, at some impossibly early hour of the morning, you stumble out of the last night camp before the final ascent.......this is it - the 'real thing....'

It's freezing cold, the wind is getting up and cutting through your gloves and whistling around your balaclava and hood - WHOSE idea was this, anyway?! What are we trying to prove? Is it true the tropical sun will rise in a few hours and transform this Arctic hell into Africa again? Please don't let me fail......it CAN'T be that bad - can it?!!

It is, and worse! This last climbing morning is a relentlessly steep and painfully slow upward trudge, giving new meaning to the expert Guides' words: "Pole Pole, Rafiki" ('take it easy - slowly - slowly, My Friend') Friends they are - for life if you make it, and even if you don't - to the highest point in Africa, mythical and isolated, Kilimanjaro summit at 5896m, gasping for oxygen in the rarified atmosphere. The blinding white of the glaciers turn an amazing blue when the sun's rays strike them.

The whole experience is an unforgettable achievement - and an amazingly personal experience.

The Climb can be made by a variety of routes

The Marangu Route over a minimum of 5 days is the most popular - and cheapest, because it is on a well-worn track from mountain hut village to mountain hut village - but care should be taken to get a good reliable trekking company to arrange guides, porters and food supplies and equipment for all the team. It is not permitted to go without a Guide and his support team. People have been lost on the mountain and in common with other of the World's high places, there are local weather conditions and dangers. The temptation is to try and economise and this leads to disappointment and to recrimination afterwards. Remember that the Park Fee, Hut Fee and Rescue Fee are payable to Kilimanjaro National Park and that they help the conservation effort. There is also a temptation to rush the climb. To go to these altitudes on a non-technical climb, and have a chance of reaching the summit, it is best to take it very slowly and spend as long as you can on the ascent. The commercialisation of the climb has led to inevitable pressure on hut beds and booking is essential during the busy periods.

The Machame Route over a period of 6 days is for some people the most beautiful. Camps are put up for the climbers at the various night stops and the ascent is over a longer period. The extra expense is money well spent in terms of the more varied landscapes on the western side, the overall experience, the views, the lack of other climbers and the sense of achievement gained.

Useful Tips for KILIMANJARO CLIMBS:

1. The luggage of the trekker is given to a porter to carry. This should weigh no more than 1skg (above that and another porter would usually have to be taken on)
2. You carry own small backpack with personal things for the day's walk.
3. In addition to professional guides and porters, Trekventurer provides a cook who prepares picnics and hot meals.
4. Temperatures can go down to -20 C particularly during the final ascent. Like everywhere else at high altitude, the weather can change radically in a few minutes from nice blue sky to heavy snow storm.
5. The Marangu (coca-cola route) and Machame (whisky route) treks do not contain any technical difficulty; it just requires determination, some endurance, good physical condition and correct equipment. You can prepare yourself by walking and running during the weeks prior to your departure, and keen hill walkers and trekkers would have no problems on the initial stages. However, an adverse reaction to exertion at this very high altitude is unpredictable, and very individual. There are many papers and articles written on the subject.

Advice for the trek:

1. Never go too fast; it is essential not to push yourself, for altitude requires twice as much effort and time of recovery. Almost all climbers suffer from lack of oxygen and from the effects of lower atmospheric pressure. The days are more than long enough to allow you to really take your time. Take long steps at a regular pace, in phase with your breathing.
2. Young, fit males are in more danger than others as they tend to overdo things and go too fast.
3. Buy some Diamox (preventive medicine) before your departure to counter acute mountain sickness cerebral (initial symptoms are exhaustion, vomiting, breathing difficulties, lack of coordination, hallucination).

WARNING: lf these first symptoms become persistent, speak to your Guide at once and go down immediately, even by night (with a guide). It is a question of survival.

1. It is vital to drink 3 litres of water per day, even (and especially) if you do not feel thirsty.
2. To prevent blisters, wear 2 pairs of wool socks to avoid friction. Apply elasticated adhesive bandage as soon as you feel irritation.
3. very evening try to go to bed early (shortly after 9pm if possible) to benefit from maximum daylight hours between 0600 and 1830 and to get into the habit for the final ascent on the summit when you leave the hut or camp in the early hours.

Suggested Equipment List for Kilimanjaro Climbs

• 1 pair of mountain/climbing boots (already worn in) with quite rigid soles and/or sides.
• 1 pair of trainers for the lower slopes and drier tracks and for the evenings after trekking
• 1 smaller rucksack for your personal things (e.g. camera; sun creams; lip salve; wallet; purse; emergency foil blanket; cape; water bottle)
• 1 waterproof duffle bag for the porters to carry your gear
• 1 good mountain sleeping bag
• 1 sleeping mat (e.g. Karimat) for routes other than Marangu Route
• 1 good warm waterproof mountain jacket (e.g. Gore Tex)
• 1 cape - if the jacket is not waterproof
• 3 wool or polypropylene sweaters (wearing in layers is better than one thick one).
• 1 pair of mountain trousers
• 1 pair of cotton trekking trousers
• 1 pair of cotton shorts
• 1 pair of mittens or mountain gloves
• 1 pair of silk gloves
• 2 pairs of underwear
• 1 pair of thermals
• 2/3 tee-shirts and wool shirts
• 2/3 pairs of woolen socks - not too thick
• 1 sun hat
• 1 high factor sun cream or block
• 1 balaclava/woolly hat
• 1 pair of sunglasses with side panels
• 1/2 telescopic walking poles
• 1 pair of gaiters
• 1 foil blanket
• 1 headlamp with spare high quality batteries
• 1 good torch
• 1 water bottle of capacity at least one litre
• 1 set of lightweight toiletries
• Personal medicines etc., and personal first aid kits as a supplement to standard kit carried by guides:
• Aspirin or Paracetamol ("crunchable")
• Vitamin 'C'
• Anti-diarrhoea pills (lmmodium etc)
• Sleeping tablets and pain killers
• Sterile alcohol wipes
• Antiseptic bandagelelasticated adhesive plaster(Elastoplast)double skin
• 'Energy' bars and sweets

For more information on all our treks and projects please contact team@madventurer.com or call 0845 121 1996