Mount Kilimanjaro Trek

In the middle of the African continent, lies a solitary, giant volcano. Capped in snow and dormant for 200,000 years, Mount Kilimanjaro towers above the grassy plains of Tanzania where elephants and giraffes roam below. The journey to the summit starts in a tropical rainforest full of monkeys and cicadas, and in just 7 days you will gradually pass through all the ecosystems until you reach the icy arctic-like conditions of the peak at 5895m.

Climbing Kilimanjaro is no easy feat. It will push the limits of your comfort zone in every way: No showers, no electricity, no comfy bed, long days walking on your feet, and eventually the thin air of high altitude. But, when you reach the summit, you will feel on top of the world! Every time that you push the limit of what you believe you are capable of, you realise just how powerful you are, and this feeling flows over to many areas of your life. Little struggles that you previously had, feel so trivial afterwards because you know you can climb a mountain! You’re guaranteed to go home with a new lust for life, and an aura of confidence that will radiate into the world around you.

Highlights:

Spend 8 days trekking and immersing in beautiful untouched nature.
Watch sunrise on top of Uhuru peak, Africa’s highest point at 5985m.
Trek with like-minded adventurous women who will encourage and support you every step of the way. We are in this together!
Be supported by a professional, expert trekking team who make safety the number one priority.
Camp out under some of the best stars you will ever see!
Meet local Tanzanian's and be guided by a powerhouse woman guide.
Detox from the stresses of modern life and social media, being present with yourself and the people around you.

This trip was created to be combined with our Ultimate Tanzania Safari adventure. See more info for that here, or come and join us just for trekking Kilimanjaro!

The Details:

Duration: 10 days

Dates: September 6th - 15th, 2024.

Start & Finish: Moshi, Tanzania.

Group size: 12 - 16

Price: $4399 AUD

Gallery

Information

Included:

Airrport transfer on arrival and departure from Kilimanjaro International Airport to hotel in Moshi.
1 night hotel in Moshi before and after trek.
Camping gear: Tent and sleeping mat
National Park entry fees and permits
3 meals a day, tea/coffee, drinking water, and snacks
Experienced mountain guides
Porters

Not Included:

Visa
International flights
Winter trekking gear (available for hire in Tanzania)
Tips

Fitness:

Kilimanjaro is a challenging trek which requires a good level of fitness and endurance. The entire journey covers about 70kms, so you will be walking approximately 10kms per day, which may not sound much, but it is a very steep mountain. The path winds up and down over rocky terrain, so there are many stairs and uneven ground which requires strength and agility to cross.

You should be comfortable hiking for 4-7 hours a day uphill, and have the strength and balance to cross rocky sections.

We will be taking this trek nice and slowly, with plenty of breaks along the way and as always your Wild Women leaders and new adventure sisters will be there to support you every step of the way!

Porters:

On this trek you will be accompanied by porters who carry all the supplies required for the hike, as well as your personal bag. You will be allowed to give the porters up to 15kg of your personal items which they will carry through the day and give back to you upon arrival at camp each night. These items should be put in a small duffle bag of your own, which the porters will then put in a larger heavy duty waterproof pack that they will carry.

Any other luggage which you bring to Tanzania (your main backpack or suitcase) can be stored in our hotel in Moshi whilst on the trek.

Hiring porters is a great way to support the local community by providing jobs which builds a positive relationship between tourists and locals, and will make your journey up the mountain MUCH more attainable. It has even been enforced since 2003 by the Tanzanian National Parks Authority that all trekkers MUST be accompanied by a guide (1 guide to 3 trekkers) and porters (2 porters to 1 trekker). Working conditions of porters are overseen by the Kilimanjaro Porters Association Project, which ensures they are paid adequate salaries, provided comfortable sleeping arrangements, 3 meals a day, carry only maximum 20kgs each and more.

You can read more here: https://kiliporters.org/

Altitude:

High altitude trekking, where you begin to feel the effects of altitude, is considered to be anything above 1500m. On this trek you will walk from 2360m above sea level, to 5895m, and back down again, so you will definitely feel the altitude! But the good thing is, if you ascend up slowly, and make stops to wait and acclimatise, your body has the capability to adjust to the altitude.

We have specifically chosen the Lemosho route because it has the longest and most gradual ascent up Kilimanjaro, providing the best chances for acclimitisation and most likely route for you to successfully reach the summit.

In high altitude the first symptom you will feel is being out of breath, or "puffed", more quickly than you would at sea level. This is normal, and everyone trekking at altitude is guaranteed to feel it at some point. The better your cardio is, the higher you will be able to trek before you feel this extra exertion, and the less this will effect your trekking experience overall. Which is why its important to work on your cardio fitness before the trek.

The next stage of altitude symptoms is to feel dizziness, a lack of apetite, and potentially nausea. If you feel this, you are approaching altitude sickness and will need to rest a while before continuing higher. For this reason, our group will have 3 expert Kilimanjaro mountain guides, as well as 2 Wild Women trip leaders, so that we have the capability to split when needed, having some people walk slower or faster than others. This means there is no pressure for you to maintain any speed or keep going when you are not feeling well. Of course we will regroup and walk together as often as possible so that we go on this journey together.

Altitude Sickness:

Altitude sickness, also known as acute mountain sickness (AMS), can occur when ascending to high altitudes too quickly. Symptoms may include headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and difficulty sleeping. If you begin to feel unwell, the guide will recommend stopping and resting, drinking lots of water and monitoring your symptoms, and if it persists, you may need to descend.

What happens if you are unable to complete the trek?

If you realise that you are unable to go further, or your guide advises that you must descend due to altitude sickness, you will rest in camp until you feel well enough to walk back down the mountain and then be escorted by an assistant guide and porter.

In the unfortunate event that you are unable to walk yourself back down, you may be carried down on a stretcher by porters, or in severe cases a helicopter may be called. You should make sure your travel insurance covers medical assistance above 3500m for this reason.

Altitude Medications:

Acetazolamide (Diamox): This is a medication that helps to reduce symptoms of altitude sickness by increasing the amount of bicarbonate excreted in the urine, which stimulates breathing and helps the body adjust to higher altitudes. It's often taken preventatively starting a day or two before ascending to altitude. It can also be used to treat mild symptoms of altitude sickness. However, it's important to consult with a healthcare professional before taking acetazolamide, as it may not be suitable for everyone.

Dexamethasone: This is a steroid medication that can be used to prevent and treat altitude sickness. It works by reducing inflammation in the body, including in the brain, which can help alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness. Dexamethasone is typically used as a treatment for severe altitude sickness or as a backup option if acetazolamide is not effective. Like acetazolamide, it should only be taken under the guidance of a healthcare professional.

Ibuprofen or Aspirin: These over-the-counter pain relievers can help alleviate symptoms such as headache or body aches associated with altitude sickness. They don't treat the underlying cause of altitude sickness, but they can provide temporary relief while your body adjusts to the altitude.

Anti-nausea Medications: If you experience nausea or vomiting as a result of altitude sickness, anti-nausea medications such as dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) or ondansetron (Zofran) may be helpful. These medications can help alleviate nausea and prevent dehydration.

It's important to note that while these medications can be effective in preventing and treating altitude sickness, they are not a substitute for proper acclimatization and altitude awareness. It's essential to ascend slowly, stay hydrated, and listen to your body's signals while at high altitude. Additionally, always consult with a healthcare professional before taking any medication, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking other medications.

Weather:

The temperautres on Kilimanjaro do not change much throughout the year as it is so close to the equator. At the base of the mountain, the temperature is around 21 - 27 degrees celsius, and it is quite humid, then as you ascend, the temperature drops. There are 4 main zones of Kilimanjaro:

The Rainforest Zone (~800m-3,000m): It is warm and humid. Experiences a lot of rain, particularly during the wet season. The average temperature is around 12-15 degrees Celsius at 2,870m.

Low Alpine Area (~3,000m-4,200m): It is a semi-arid zone where average temperatures range between 5-10 degrees Celsius at 3,630m.

High Alpine Zone (4,200m-5,000): This zone is like a desert. Here the temperatures average around the freezing point 0 degrees at 4,970m.

Glacial Zone (Above 5,000m): Here the average summit temperature is around -6 degrees Celsius.

Although the Kilimanjaro Summit Temperature doesn’t sound too cold, wind chill is a major factor. You are almost guaranteed to undergo relatively high winds.

- From https://jerrytanzaniatours.com/kilimanjaro-temperature

How to dress in East Africa:

Tanzania is a relatively open minded and progressive country, however the religious beliefs and local culture still expect a degree of modesty with how you dress. You should cover your shoulders and mid drift, however T-shirts and shorts are fine. If we are ever passing through an area which is particularly conservative we will let you know that day so you can wear something more covering.

This dress code suits the weather anyway because the sun can be very strong in Tanzania and its easy to get burnt, so I would recommend loose full covering clothes to protect yourself from sunburn.

What to pack:

Clothing

T-shirt x2
Long shirt x1
Long pants (tights or hiking trousers. If they can be doubled up and worn at the same time thats best) x2
Woolen hiking socks x4
Comfortable underwear x8
Fleece jumper
Windproof/waterproof jacket (shell)
Windproof/waterproof snowpants
Hiking shoes
Sandals for camp
Hat
Beanie
Gloves

Toiletries/Medicine

Sunscreen
Mosquito repellant
Panadol
Anti-nausea tablets/ginger chews
Moisturiser
Chapstick
Baby wipes (there are no showers)

Other:

Lifestraw waterbottle (optional, will save you buing plastic bottles.)
Head torch
Sleeping bag suitable for -15 degrees
Day pack about 21L
Trekking poles. Not compulsory but will make a HUGE difference for your knees on the way down.

Winter gear is available for hire in Moshi if you dont have this gear or dont want to travel with it. However purchasing your own gear means you have quality items which you know fit you well, plus its an investment into your hiking adventures!

Meeting Point:

For this adventure we will be meeting in Moshi, Tanzania, which is the town at the base of Kilimanjaro. The airport here is called Kilimanjaro International Airport, and is a major airport with a variety of flight routes. You can book your flight landing anytime on the 6th of September or earlier, and we will have a driver waiting to collect you from the airport and bring you to our hotel in Moshi where the rest of the group will be awaiting you.

If you are continuing on this journey from our Ultimate Tanzania Safari trip, we will fly straight from Zanzibar airport to Kilimanjaro International Airport as a group on the 5th of September, and check into our hotel in Moshi for 2 nights.

Finishing Point:

After our trek, we will arrive back down in Moshi at about 5pm on the 14th of September. Your hotel that night is included and we will have our farewell celebration dinner together.

You can book your departure flight from Kilimanjaro International Airport at any time on the 15th of September or later. Our driver will drop you back to the airport.

Visa:

You will need a visa to enter Tanzania. Tanzania has introduced an online visa application form that can be submitted and approved online ahead of travel.

https://visa.immigration.go.tz/

East African Tourist Visa

Just in case you are choosing to continue your travels to Uganda or Rwanda in collaboration with our trip, you may be interested to know there is another visa, the East Africa Tourist Visa, which combines Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda in one multi-entry 90 day visa. (Unfortunately it does NOT include Tanzania.)

https://www.immigration.go.ug/services/east-african-tourist-visa

Covid Vaccines:

Tanzania does not require covid vaccines to enter, however it is still recommended by their government to be vaccinated.

See the latest travel information for Tanzania here.

https://access2tanzania.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Travel-Advisory-No.-13-as-of-12-JAN-2023.pdf

Travel Insurance:

Travel Insurance is compulsary for this trip, you will need to send confirmation of your insurance to info@wildwomenjourneys.com before the trip begins. There are lots of different companys offering travel insurance with different prices, so do some comparing and find the insurance which fits best for you. Make sure it includes surfing and medical assistance.

Tipping:

It is customary in Tanzania to tip any service staff, especially in the tourism industry, as this is considered a part of their payment. Your Wild Women trip leader will collect all the tips together and present it to the trekking crew (guides and porters) at the end of the trek as a group to say thank you. We will have approx 20 porters and 5 guides, so an appropriate amount for you to contribute will be around $250 - $450AUD total, depending on your budget, which gets divided amongst the staff.

You do not need to tip your WWJ staff.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival in Tanzania.
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be picked up by our friendly staff and transported to the hotel booked . You will spend a night to rest up and rearrange your gear before the trek begins the next day. We will have a group beifing around 5pm so you will have the opportunity to go over any last minute questions and leave a bag behind with anything you don't need on this trek. Your left-behind gear will be secured at the storage room and will meet you as soon as you back from the mountain.

Accomodation: Hotel

Meals: Dinner

Day 2: Londorossi Gate to Forest Camp
•Distance: 6 km

•Elevation: 2360m
•Hiking Time:3-4 hours
•Habitat: Rain Forest
We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead (another hour to reach the trailhead). Upon arrival at trailhead, we eat lunch, then commence through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site.

Accomodation: camping