KILIMANJARO 2014 INTERNATIONAL WOMEN S DAY SUMMIT MARCH 2-10, 2014 WH A WOMEN HIGH ON ADVENT URE
TOGETHER WE CAN DO MORE THAN CLIMB MOUNTAINS WE CAN MOVE THEM ON ADVENT
JAMBO! We re so excited to have so many incredible women like you joining us as we summit Mount Kilimanjaro on International Women s Day. We can t think of a better way or a better day to show the world what women s strength and power can accomplish together! We know first hand that this is an experience that will change the way you look at yourself and, more than that, it will change the lives of local women in Africa. We wholeheartedly believe in the importance of giving back to the communities wherever we adventure, and that s why advocacy is at the core of every WHOA experience. For our Kilimanjaro adventure we are partnering with two women s schools, Give A Heart to Africa in Moshi, Tanzania and Tembea Girls High School in Kajiado, Kenya. These two schools provide access to education that allow girls and women to break the cycle of poverty and lead better lives for themselves and their families. We believe that as women we have so much to share with each other and the world. On this WHOA trip, like every other, we seek to connect our travelers with local women so that we can all learn from one another and grow together. Drawing inspiration from the courage and strength we each show living in societies that, in one way or another, fail to celebrate us as women, we will take on the challenge of Kilimanjaro and stand up for all women! We know the Kilimanjaro experience isn t easy...but we promise after you have seen the world from the roof of Africa at 5,895 meters, it will never look the same again, and it will all be worth it. And after all, the challenge is what makes this trip more than just your average vacation. On the following pages you ll find lots of important information for our 2014 Kilimanjaro Adventure. Please read it thoroughly oug and if you have any questions, you know where to find us. See you in Africa! HAPPY ADVENTURES!!
MEET OUR FRIENDS Founded in 2009 by Monika Fox, Give a Heart to Africa (GHTA) is a non-profit organization in Moshi, Tanzania that empowers women with the skills to improve their situations and pull themselves out of poverty. GHTA accomplishes this by providing free English, business and vocational training. GHTA also runs a Women s Co-Operative retail space where select graduates of the school can get their business started for one year, while giving them the training and confidence to go at it on their own. These programs equip women with the skills to gain more lucrative employment which in turn allows them to better support their families. This approach also helps the future generations of Tanzanian women by giving their children higher expectations of what they can achieve in life. GHTA is unique in that it is 100% volunteer-run, so every penny of volunteer fees and donations go to running the program. The funds raised by the Kilimanjaro event will allow GHTA to offer a vital computer class for students as well as obtain technology and resources that will better prepare the students for success when they graduate. The mission of BEADS for Education is to improve the status of women in Kenya through girls education and business development. Founded in 1993 by Debby Rooney and Lisa Stevens, BEADS matches girls with sponsors and helps Kenyan women sell hand-crafted beaded necklaces, bracelets and baskets to help pay for girls education. Education for these girls allows them to be able to have a career of their choosing and improve the standard of living for themselves and their families. To date, BEADS has sponsored hundreds of girls from third grade through college. 100% of the sponsor s donations go toward each girl s school fees, and it is expected that every Maasai family will contribute a minimum of 5% to their daughter s school fees as well. This structure ensures that the family is also committed to their daughter s education, a critical element for success. BEADS has also built three libraries, an elementary school and a high school for girls in Kenya. The funds raised by the Kilimanjaro event will fund the building of a soccer field on the Tembea Girls High School campus, and will go towards supporting their physical education program. 4
ON ADVENT ITINERARY THE BREAKDOWN
THE BREAKDOWN KILIMANJARO // MARCH 2-10, 2014 MARCH 2 // JAMBO AND GET READY Arrival at Kilimanjaro airport (JRO). You should plan to arrive on March 2nd. We ll pick you up from the airport and bring you to the hotel in Moshi. You ll have the day to relax, rent any gear you might need and meet some of the guides. We ll have a WHOA welcome dinner all together that night! MARCH 3 // DWENDE - LET S GO Machame Gate to Machame Camp (Elevation: 1,645-2,850 m) Hiking Time: 5-7 hours (Distance: 11 km) We ll drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate, which takes about 50 minutes. We ll pass through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. After signing in at the park gate, we ll walk in the rainforest on a winding trail up a ridge. The trail today can be muddy, so gaiters and trekking poles will be useful. It s a short walk after the ridge to Machame Camp. MARCH 4 // POLE, POLE... Machame Camp to Shira Camp (2,850-3,800 m) Hiking Time: 4-6 hours (Distance: 5 km) After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rainforest, continue up a path past a valley, and then make our way along a rocky ridge until it ends. You ll notice you ve left the rainforest and entered the heather moorland. Our route turns west into a river gorge and we arrive to our camp. Time for rest, tea, popcorn and a good night s sleep. 6
T H E B R E A K D O W N KILIMANJARO // MARCH 2-10, 2014 (continued) MARCH 5 // IT S ALL ABOUT ACCLIMATIZING Shira Camp to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower (3,800-4,600-4,000 m) Hiking Time: 6-8 hours (Distance: 10 km) From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the first junction towards the peak of Kibo. Then we change directions and head southeast to the Lava Tower, 4,600 m, also called the Shark s Tooth (you ll see why). Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 4,900 m. We ll head down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 4,000 m. You ll notice we end at about the same altitude at which we begin the day, but our hike up to the Lava Tower and Arrow Glacier are crucial for helping us to acclimatize! MARCH 6 // TAKE IT EASY Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp (4,000-4,600 m) Hiking Time: 4-5 hours (Distance: 5 km) After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the famous Barranco Wall. The Wall is a fun challenge- we stow our hiking poles and get to use our hands to help us climb up the wall to an amazing view! Then we continue on to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day that will again helps us acclimatize. MARCH 7 // ALPINE DESERT, HERE WE COME Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp (4,000-4,600 m) Hiking Time: 4-5 hours (Distance: 4 km) After breakfast, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut, nestled into some rocks at the base of the holy grail: the summit. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. We ll eat an early dinner and get our summit briefing. Then it s time to rest for a few hours...even though you ll be very excited, it s good to try and get some sleep! 7
THE BREAKDOWN KILIMANJARO // MARCH 2-10, 2014 (continued) MARCH 8 // SUMMIT OR BUST! Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut (4,600-5,895-3,000 m) Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent (Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent) Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point (5,700 m), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa- CONGRATULATIONS! We will take photos and truly take a stand on the roof of Africa for all the women of the world! From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep. MARCH 9 // BACK TO SEA LEVEL Mweka Camp to Moshi (3,000-1,645 m) Hiking Time: 3-4 hours After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate. Now that we re back at a lower elevation, the temperature will be warmer and it may be wet and muddy. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). From the gate, we drive for an hour to Mweka Village and then continue on to Moshi. At night we ll have our congratulatory dinner and certificate ceremony! MARCH 10 // GIVE BACK Visit with Give a Heart to Africa school! Walk to Moshi town and see the women s co-op. Evening departure, or transfer to your WHOA Add-On. 8
KILIMANJARO MACHAME ROUTE MAP DISTANCE 61 km // ALTITUDE GAIN 2,800 m SHIRA CAMP 2 3,800 m LAVA TOWER 4,600 m MACHAME CAMP 2,850 m BARRANCO CAMP 4,000 m UHURU PEAK 5,895 m KARANGA CAMP 4,000 m BARAFU CAMP 4,600 m MWEKA CAMP 3,000 m 9
ADD-ONS MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR ADVENTURE KILIMANJARO + 2-DAY SAFARI // MARCH 2-12 // $3,850 KILIMANJARO + 5-DAY SAFARI // MARCH 2-15 // $5,100 Get to know the locals. Meet the lions, elephants, zebras, giraffes, and rhinos that are lucky enough to call Africa home. Discover the beauty of the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire on a 2-day or 5-day safari. Being face to face with the world s most beautiful creatures is an experience unlike anything you could imagine. Just remember to pack your camera for this adventure! KILIMANJARO + ZANZIBAR // MARCH 2-14 // $3,750 Enjoy all Tanzania has to offer at sea level! Visit Spice Island and hit the white sand beaches, splash in the turquoise waters and wander around historic Stone Town. This is our idea of a truly relaxing way to end your Kilimanjaro adventure. You will have the chance to paddle board, sail, snorkel, and enjoy other exciting excursions while on the island of Zanzibar! KILIMANJARO + ADVOCACY PROJECT + GAME RIDE // MARCH 2-14 // $4,100 This is a unique opportunity for a small group of women to immerse and connect with a local community at our partner school (Tembea Girls High School) in Kajiado, Kenya. Participants will stay at the school and be working hands on with the teachers and students to strengthen their physical education program. As part of this giving back project, we ll be fundraising and donating the money needed to build a sports field on their grounds. The field will be completed by our visit in March, which will allow us to hit the field with the girls and share the value and fun that goes along with team sports and being active! Following the visit you ll go on a game ride in Kenya. FOR MORE INFO ON OUR ADD-ONS VISIT WHOATRAVEL.COM/KILIMANJARO OR CONTACT US AT INFO@WHOATRAVEL.COM 10
ON ADVENT WHAT TO PACK
WHAT TO PACK AN OVERVIEW Use this packing list as a guide for what you ll need to bring, but use your own best judgement and discretion when packing. Try to pack as light as possible and take only the essentials. Excess baggage will be a burden to you and to our team on the mountain. Not to mention, your duffel (which will be carried by our porter crew) has a 30 lb weight limit (including your sleeping bag). No one can predict the conditions we ll encounter on Kili, but rest easy knowing that early-march is in the peak season for trekking and usually full of cloud free days. On average, during the day the temperature at 4,000 m tends to be 15 C (50 F) and can fall to -10 C (14 F) at night. At the summit, temperatures are usually about 5 C (41 F) during the day and around -20 C (-4 F ) at night. It sounds cold, but remember you ll be moving and, with the right layers and proper gear, it s nothing you can t handle! While you are trekking Kilimanjaro, your other clothes and second bag for your add-on adventure can be safely stored in a luggage storage area at the hotel. Your local outdoor outfitter is a great resource if you have any questions. Tell them what you are doing and they ll be able to help you make sure you re getting the proper type gear for this adventure. Keep in mind, you can rent equipment as well (more on that in the FAQ). And, as usual, never hesitate to reach out to us if you have any concerns or questions. 12
PACKING LIST ON THE MOUNTAIN CLOTHING o 1 PAIR HIKING BOOTS (Make sure you break them in!) o 1 PAIR TRAIL SHOES (For easier days of the trek and at camps. You ll want something that can hold up in the conditions but give your feet a break from the boots after a full day on the trail.) o 4 PAIRS LINER SOCKS o 4 PAIRS THERMAL SOCKS o 1 PAIR GAITERS o 1 PAIR WATERPROOF/WINDPROOF PANTS o 1 SET WOOL BASE LAYER o 2 PAIRS LONG HIKING PANTS o 1 PAIR SHORTS o 1 DOWN VEST o 1 300 SERIES POLAR FLEECE o 1 WINDPROOF GORETEX JACKET o 1 RAINCOAT o 1 DOWN JACKET o 1 POLAR FLEECE BEANIE o 1 PAIR UNDERLINER THERMAL GLOVES o 1 PAIR OUTER THERMAL GLOVES o 4 PAIRS OF UNDERWEAR o 1 BUFF (Versatile must-have! Great for cold, sun, wind and dust) o 1 PAIR POLARIZED SUNGLASSES o 3 WICKING SHIRTS o 1 HAT (To protect from sun) 13
PACKING LIST ON THE MOUNTAIN GEAR o 1 LARGE DUFFLE BAG (This will carry all your gear and clothing for the trek and a porter will carry it to each camp for you. It must be less than 30 lbs all packed. It should be approx 75-90 liters) o 1 PEE BOTTLE (Optional...ask us and we ll explain...or google it) o 1 SMALL DAY PACK BACKPACK 30L (for daily use on mountain) o 1 SLEEPING BAG (Four season, temperature rated at least -10 C) o WATERPROOF COVERS FOR BAGS (For your duffle and day pack. Many are waterproof already and/or come with a rain cover. However we recommend bringing extra garbage bags to protect your bags just in case.) o 1 HEADLAMP (AND SPARE BATTERIES) o COMPRESSION STRAPS (OPTIONAL) o 2 PADLOCKS (For your suitcase at the hotel and duffle bag on the mountain) o SLEEPING MAT (OPTIONAL) o 1 PAIR WALKING POLES o 2 1L WATER BOTTLES o 1 3L WATER BLADDER o CAMERA (Film, digital and/or DVD. Be sure to check your camera s specs and take extra precaution knowing that there will be extreme conditions on the trek) o SPARE BATTERIES FOR CAMERAS (And an airtight container to store them in) 14
PACKING LIST ON THE MOUNTAIN TOILETRIES o GLASSES AND/OR CONTACTS AND SOLUTION (And an airtight container to store them in) o HAND SANITIZER o FIRST AID KIT o PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS o WIPES (LOTS of them! Trust us!) o PAINKILLERS o TOOTHBRUSH AND TOOTHPASTE o HEADACHE TABLETS o TOILET PAPER (Our team will have some, but bring a backup roll) o IMODIUM o SUNSCREEN o SLEEPING TABLETS o WATER PURIFICATION TABLETS o BERROCA/VITAMIN C o MOSQUITO REPELLENT WITH DEET o CHAPSTICK o DIAMOX (It s an AMS medication and optional. Talk to your doctor about the pros and cons and whether or not it s right for you.) o ANTI-MALARIA TABLETS o VASELINE o ELECTROLYTE POWDER FOR WATER o PROTEIN/ENERGY BARS (And any other trail friendly foods you ll want along the way!) 15
PACKING LIST OFF THE MOUNTAIN DOCUMENTS o PASSPORT (plus one extra photocopy) o YELLOW FEVER CERTIFICATE (According to the CDC, the government of Tanzania requires proof of yellow fever vaccination upon arrival if you are traveling from a country with risk of yellow fever.) o TRAVEL INSURANCE (Check out World Nomads, Allianz and Travel Guard) o DOLLARS ($10-15 for meals and beverages that are not included, additional tips, souvenirs) o TANZANIAN VISA OTHER CLOTHING Tanzania is warm and casual. For the days off the mountain we recommend packing light dresses, tops, shorts and sandals and/or sneakers. Bring a light sweater or scarf to cover your shoulders for the evenings and when visiting town. When you re visiting a local advocacy group or school we ask that, out of respect for the local culture, you wear skirts, dresses or pants that cover your knees and tops that cover your shoulders and are not low cut. SAFARI Earth tones like khaki, brown and dull green are ideal for a safari. Avoid bright colors and blue particularly (because it attracts tsetse flies). We recommend shorts or lightweight pants, breathable shirts and a hat to protect you from the sun. You can wear sneakers or comfortable sandals. You ll be in the Land Cruiser most of the time, but you ll also be getting out to walk around the sandy (sometimes muddy) parks, so keep that in mind when you choose your clothing. ZANZIBAR Zanzibar is quite conservative, so you should be cognizant of that when visiting the island. Wearing clothing that covers your shoulders and falls past your knees is a good rule of thumb. On the beach, traditional beachwear is acceptable. 16
ON ADVENT FAQs
FAQs WHAT S INCLUDED IN THE $2,900 KILIMANJARO PRICE? 7-day hike of Kilimanjaro, 2-days 2-nights in Moshi (1 before and 1 after hike), accommodation and all meals during hike, welcome dinner, guides, porters, park permits, transfer to and from JRO*, transfer and return transfer to Kilimanjaro entrance gate, celebratory dinner, and celebration day at Give A Heart to Africa. *Transfers to/from JRO are included if you arrive between February 28-March 2 and return March 10-16. If you arrive outside of these dates, the transfer is an additional $70 for parties up to 6 people. WHAT S NOT INCLUDED? Flights, gear, WHOA Add-Ons, tips, visas, travel insurance, and additional food are not covered in this fee. Keep in mind that there are ways to cut down on costs; like renting gear and going to health department for shots. WHAT AIRPORT DO I FLY INTO? DO I NEED A VISA? Plan on flying into Kilimanjaro (JRO). There are several flights that fly in and out every day. Flights to Africa from the United States are almost always overnight flights, so whatever day you plan to arrive you will want to leave a day earlier to ensure you arrive at your desired time. We recommend booking your air travel 3-6 months before your adventure start date. For travel to Tanzania you need an up to date passport and tourist Visa (approximately $100). You may purchase your Tanzanian Visa when you get to JRO, but we HIGHLY recommend getting it beforehand to avoid lines and complications at the airport. WHAT SHOTS & VACCINATIONS DO I NEED? It s mandatory you see your doctor and have our medical form filled out and signed by your physician before hiking with us (you can get the medical forms anytime at: whoatravel.com/downloads). Also, please check out the Traveler s Health section of the CDC website for the most current vaccination listings for Tanzania (www.cdc.gov/travel). And, even though you have to visit a doctor, you can usually obtain shots through your local health department at a much lower cost than through a physician. 18
FAQs HOW DO I TRAIN FOR KILIMANJARO? It s a physical undertaking, so being in good shape is definitely important! Strong, conditioned legs make it easier to walk up and downhill for sustained periods of time, and general aerobic fitness allows the body to function efficiently with less oxygen. A fit body is more likely to withstand the stress of consecutive days of hiking and camping. Most importantly, a positive mental attitude will work wonders for you when fatigue and doubts arise! The best exercise that you can do to prepare for Mount Kilimanjaro is hiking. There are training regimens on the internet that entail strict, extensive, cross-training programs, featuring hiking, running, biking, swimming, weight training, etc. Don t let this scare you! They are excessive and unnecessary to sufficiently prepare for climbing Kilimanjaro. The best and perhaps only exercise you need to do is to hike - period. After all, that s what you will be doing on the mountain! Ideally, you should try to hike inclines as much as possible to simulate the ascension on Kilimanjaro. Doing day hikes is great training. If you don t have access to trails, you can productively train on a stair master machine. If you don t have access to trails or a gym, then try to walk as much as you can, with extended walks on the weekends. You should start training for Kilimanjaro at least two months BEFORE your departure. If you ve never hiked before, you should start with shorter time intervals, a slower pace, and no weight (in your day pack) and then gradually increase all of the above as your fitness level improves. Remember that on Kilimanjaro, you ll walk slowly for prolonged periods, and carry less than 20 lbs in your day pack. Therefore, in your training, it is better to increase the time interval/distance and keep a slow pace than to shorten the time interval/distance and increase the pace. Try to train 3 times a week, for at least 1 hour per session at a minimum. If you can do day hikes for 4 to 6 hours, with moderate elevation changes (~1,000 ft/305 m) while carrying a 20 lb pack, or walk on a stair master for 1-2 hours, at 30 steps per minute while carrying a 20 lb pack, then you re probably ready for the real thing. Your longest/ hardest workouts should be performed 2 to 4 weeks before your departure. For the last 2 weeks, you should taper off your training and rest so your body has time to recover before the climb. In addition to walking/hiking, you can also supplement your training with exercises that will increase your aerobic capacity. BREAK-IN YOUR BOOTS! It is imperative that you wear the boots you intend to use on the mountain during training so they are sufficiently broken-in (to prevent blisters). You should wear the day pack you intend to carry so your shoulders/back/hips get used to the points of contact and weight (to minimize chafing and soreness). But, physical training is just one part of getting in shape. If you have an unhealthy lifestyle, use the climb as your motivation to change! Eat healthier. Drink less. Don t smoke. Get more sleep. Don t worry. Be happy! The above advice is provided by UltimateKilimanjaro, but we also suggest you do independent research on training recommendations as well. 19
FAQs DO I NEED TRAVEL INSURANCE? For the Kilimanjaro adventure, we require all participants to have medical and travel insurance. Check with your insurance carrier to see what is covered during international adventure travel. We like World Nomads, Allianz and Travel Guard for adventure travel insurance, but it s always a good idea to ask around and do your own research. WHAT IF I DON T HAVE ALL THIS GEAR? CAN I RENT IT? Yes! You can rent a lot of your gear in Tanzania with our local outfitter, if you prefer. We will be sending out a separate rental form for you to indicate what you plan to rent in Tanzania. Common items to rent, include: Sleeping bag, trekking poles, and waterproof jackets/pants. You should consult with your local outdoor equipment store like REI or EMS for purchasing and renting gear at a discounted rate. WHAT S A NORMAL DAY ON THE MOUNTAIN LIKE? We like to think every day is different, but there are definitely variables that remain constant. As you can imagine, we have very early mornings, followed by a full day of hiking at a slow pace (this is to help you acclimatize). Breaks are common and we always stop for lunch in a nice spot for at least an hour. When we get to our base camp for the evening, we encourage you to enjoy the spectacular views and unwind a bit before dinner. We usually go to bed not long after dinner since we have very early morning wake-up calls. It is important to keep in mind that guides and porters lead treks of Kilimanjaro for a living. THEY KNOW BEST. If they suggest something (like hiking slowly POLE POLE ) or if they do something a certain way, it is for your benefit, health, and safety. The importance of having competent, high quality guides and porters cannot be overstated when it comes to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Our guides have received extensive training in first aid, mountain rescue, flora and fauna, and history. All guides and porters are registered the with Kilimanjaro National Park (KINAPA). WHAT DOES THE GIVING BACK COMPONENT ENTAIL? 5% of all participant fees are donated directly to our partner nonprofits. For the Kilimanjaro trek, we are partnering with two local schools that provide girls and women with vital education: Tembea Girls High School in Kajiado, Kenya and Give A Heart to Africa in Moshi, Tanzania. We also have an online platform set up where we encourage participants to do independent fund raising for these organizations. 100% of all proceeds raised via the online platform go to these two schools to support the empowerment and education of women. 20
FAQs WHAT IS HIGH ALTITUDE SICKNESS? It s totally common for most hikers to feel symptoms of the altitude. Our guides are experts at gauging your symptoms, and they take safety VERY SERIOUSLY. They will turn around with you, if you are showing signs of acute mountain sickness (AMS) that could be serious. We have a packet on high altitude and AMS in the download section of our website (whoatravel.com/downloads). We highly recommend reading this section thoroughly and understanding the various types of altitude sickness before you start the Kilimanjaro trek. Read up and be educated, but don t over think it - your guides will be watching you and taking great care of you. It is normal to experience: headaches, mild nausea and/or loss of appetite. You ll be so distracted by how amazing the views are that you won t notice! WHAT DO I TIP OUR GUIDES AND PORTERS? It is customary to tip your guides and porters, and the recommended tip amount is $200. It will be divided between the head guides, assistant guides, cooks, and porters. You will have the option to contribute your tip up front when you are issued your final invoice (in December 2013). If you do not choose to contribute up front for the tip, you should give the $200 tip to your WHOA representative before leaving the hotel in Moshi for the start of the hike. We ask that you do not give any of the $200 tip directly to the guides or porters. WHOA reps will disburse the tips to the guides and porters on the morning of the last day. It is common to give an additional tip to the porter who carries your duffle during the duration of the hike and to the guide who assists you to the summit (about $20-$30). If you decide to tip additionally to these individuals, please do this at the conclusion of the hike. Please remember, we value and are extremely appreciative to the crew who help make this experience what it is! We want to compensate our Kili crew appropriately and according to standard tipping practices. We kindly ask that all participants contribute the recommended $200 tip. We recommend tipping $8-15 per client per day for safari or game rides (according to your budget and satisfaction). 21
ON ADVENT A FEW MORE THINGS...
SOME MISCELLANEOUS TIDBITS TO GET YOU ACQUAINTED WITH TANZANIA Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest free-standing mountain in the world at 5,895 meters (that s over 3.6 miles, 19,340 feet, 232,086 inches)! There are six different routes you can take up the mountain: Rongai, Mweka, Marangu, Machame, Lemosho and Umbwe. Each has it s own pros and cons, but they all lead to Uhuru Peak! We chose Machame for this trek because it allows your body the most time to acclimatize and is known for having some of the most beautiful scenery. On the trek, you ll pass through five different ecological systems: alpine desert, moorlands, heath, rain forest, and arctic glaciers. Swahili is the official language in Tanzania. The best words to know on the mountain are Jambo! (Hello!), asante (thank you) and pole pole (slowly, slowly). Undugu - this word encompasses the attitudes of the Tanzanian people. It means brotherhood, but broadly means extended family, generosity and compassion towards everyone in the community. Tanzanians will go out of their way to help anyone who may need it. The first person to make it to Uhuru Peak on Mount Kilimanjaro was Dr. Hans Meyer in 1889. Now between 35,000-40,000 hikers hit the trails of Mount Kilimanjaro every year. You can t hike Kilimanjaro without a guide. These guides go to guide school for at least 3 years before earning the assistant guide title - they are truly experts of the mountain, which you ll quickly realize. The mountain s snow caps are diminishing, having lost more than 80 percent of their mass since 1912. In fact, they may be completely ice free within the next 20 years, according to scientists. Tanzania is the only country in the world which has allocated at least 25% of its total area to wildlife national parks and protected areas. Tanzania has the largest concentration of wildlife animals per square kilometer, with more than 4 million wild animals and representatives of 430 species and subspecies. 23
HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THIS ADVENTURE SOME TIPS FROM US TO YOU... Include your family and friends that can t come along. Get them involved through the fund-raising, bring a family heirloom or special photo to the top or have them join you in the training. This experience is best when shared! Kilimanjaro; to the roof of Africa by Audrey Salkeld and David Bresashears and Kilimanjaro: A Trekking Guide to Africa s Highest Mountain by Henry Stedman are great pre-trek reads. Embrace the group. We re all in this together! We re going to experience very lows and very highs on this adventure and everyone deals with these extremes differently. Lift others up when they are down and they will do the same. Be open and patient with the others in the group on the mountain. This is where lifelong friends and bonds will be born. Bring a durable journal, sketch pad, and/or camera so you can document things when inspiration strikes! Talk to people - Tanzanians are incredibly friendly and funny, so get to know our drivers, porters, guides... you ll learn a lot about the local culture. Stay positive! When the going gets tough, remind yourself why you are doing Kilimanjaro. There will be times when this mountain will literally kick your ass, and you will wonder why you are doing this! Whether it be for a charity, a family member, personal, or something that you feel strongly about, you have to remember why you chose to take on Africa s highest mountain. Dig deep and push on! 24
HAPPY ADVENTURES! SEE YOU IN AFRICA ON ADVENT