What's the average age?
We have guests on our treks from 14 to 70 and
every group is different. The majority of the party will be 30 to
60.
Will I be able to keep up?
This is not a race. You will be able to trek at
your own pace. Usually, the group divides into several sub-groups, each with
its own professional guide, hiking at the speed they are most comfortable with.
We have designed the trek to alternate long and short days. We intentionally
hike slowly to assist our acclimatization. The fitter you are the better you
will cope with the increasing altitude and physical strain of high altitude
trekking.
How much will I need to train?
Reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro is not
easy. The air is thin at 19,340 feet and you will need to be sensibly fit to
enjoy the trek. The more you train for the trek the more comfortable you will
feel on the mountain. If you are able to train specifically for the trek then
so much the better. We train either in the gym or on walks with our hiking
boots on, backpacks on our backs and wearing our typical hiking gear. By doing
this you make sure everything fits comfortably before arriving in Tanzania,
especially your boots, and you train the muscles you will be using on your
trek. If you steadily increase the weight in your backpack your cardio vascular
endurance will improve too and this is a major part of your training goals. You
should end up with substantially more weight in your pack than you will ever
carry on the mountain.
We will provide you with a training
guide.
What is altitude sickness?
As you gain altitude the atmospheric pressure
lowers. At 15,000 feet there is roughly half the pressure we experience at sea
level. What does this mean? Simply that every time you take a breath you take
in roughly half the air you would take in at sea level. This causes reduced
oxygen concentrations in the blood which means less energy. The reduced oxygen
can also lead to headaches, nausea and breathlessness. Most of the group will
experience some effects of altitude sickness. Your age or sex has no affect on
how your body will cope.
You should be confident in the knowledge that
we have designed this trek to allow you the best possible opportunity for
acclimatization.
Additional information will be included in your
sponsor pack.
What is included in the price?
Your flights from New York - additional costs
may be incurred if you are traveling from other cities. Please call us and we
will be happy to make the arrangements for you.
All your accommodations in Tanzania, trekking
permits, all meals, bottled water throughout the trek, a fully supported trek
with professional English speaking guides, cooks, kitchen staff and porters,
tents, sleeping pads and mess tent.
Will I need specialized gear and
equipment?
No. You will need good quality hiking boots,
lightweight waterproof and windproof jacket and pants, warm clothes and
sleeping bag. We will provide you with a detailed packing list with your
sponsor package.
What is the hiking like?
The hiking changes each day as we move from
zone to zone on the mountain. We will be waking on trails and off trail. The
Western Breach will require some light scrambling where hands and feet will be
used. We have carefully designed the trek to alternate long and short days.
You will hike with just a daypack. A day pack
is an intentionally small backpack, just large enough for you to carry water,
camera and perhaps your shell jacket and pants. The majority of your gear and
equipment will be carried by porters.
What happens each evening?
When you reach camp you will be met by one of
the kitchen staff with hot and cold drinks. You will then have time to relax in
your tent, change clothes and write your journal before dinner is served in the
Mess Tent. Dinner is a fun social time when you really get to know your fellow
trekkers.
What will the weather be like?
The weather will change as we gain altitude. As
we start it will be hot in the rainforest and temperatures will drop as we gain
altitude. We will experience temperatures below freezing. Typically the
mornings will be clear and bright and, particularly as we close on the summit,
the afternoons will be cloudy. The clouds usually clear mid-evening. As always
when mountaineering you should expect the weather to be changeable.
What back up will we have?
We will be guided by very experiences, English
speaking professional guides, cook, kitchen staff and porters. Graham
Farebrother, founder of Absolute Adventure Travel, and an experienced
mountaineer will lead the trek.
The party will have emergency oxygen, Gamow bag
(portable pressurization chamber) and medical supplies.
We will have constant radio contact with base
and satellite telephone communications with anywhere in the world.
Will I be insured?
We strongly recommend that you buy travel
insurance. We will include a premium quote and details of the insurance we
suggest with your sponsor package.
Where do we stay?
In Arusha we stay at King's Cottages. This is a
delightful property on the edge of town. We will be well looked after here and
it is also a good base from which to explore the tourist areas of Arusha.
Vehicles and drivers will be available to drive you around town.
On the trek we will be camping. We use first
class mountain tents. We also supply sleeping pads.
Do I carry my own gear and equipment?
No. We will have porters carrying all your gear
and equipment other than the small amount you carry in your daypack.
Can I go on safari too?
Yes. One of the reasons for being in Tanzania
in February is the gathering of the Great Migration for its annual calving in
the Short Grass Plains. The sight of more than a million wildebeest and zebra
plus their attendant predators, lion, hyena, jackets eagles and vultures, is
absolutely incredible. We have designed a short safari for those able to extend their
stay.
How do I raise the sponsorship?
We will provide you with a sponsor sheet from
the charitable organization. Sponsors come in all shapes and sizes; friends,
family, co-workers, corporate matching, and corporate sponsors.
It is no mean feat to reach the summit of
Kilimanjaro and you are undertaking a serious challenge. It will require a
focused training program, physical hard work and a real commitment to be
successful. In addition you will be paying the fee and your airfare and taking
vacation time to participate. And all for a really great cause. People should
be delighted to sponsor you.
Can I raise more than the $5,000?
Of course. We have set a minimum amount and the
more you are able to raise the better.
What if I cannot raise the funds?
You will be asked to make up the shortfall from
your own funds. In the event you are unable to do so you will forfeit your
place on the trek. The amounts you have had donated will be returned to the
sponsors should they require it.
How much does the event cost?
This event costs US $3,475 per person. Airfare
from Newark is US $1,584 per person.
Your Costs are:
Your Fee for the
trek: US $ 999
airfare: US $1,584 from New York
Your total out of pocket
costs: US $2,583
The amount you need to raise for charity
is:
Your Charitable Contribution: US $5,000
Total Cost US $7,583
We ask you to pay a fee of US $999 plus your
airfare. The funds you raise from sponsors will pay the balance of your trek
costs, being US $2,476 leaving a minimum of US $2,524 for the charity.
Are the donations tax deductible?
The
Texas Neurofibromatosis
Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) organization and all donations will be tax
deductible as allowed by the IRS.
What is Neurofibromatosis?
Please see our page on
Neurofibromatosis.
