The Kili climb, as it is known, is a favourite among many people and can be achieved by anyone with a relatively good level of fitness who enjoys a challenge or the regular hillwalker looking for a high-altitude climb. A huge crater, Kilimanjaro is not only Africa’s highest point, but it is also the highest free-standing mountain in the world. The mountain is made up of five distinct climate zones: Cultivation, Rainforest, Heather-Moorland, Alpine Desert and the Arctic zone as you approach the summit.
All routes offer the chance to experience the different zones as you climb, but the Machame Route is the most impressive and probably the most beautiful route of ascent. The route, which covers approximately 100km and rises to 4,400m, culminates with an exciting, easy scramble through the huge amphitheatre of the Western Breach before a traverse of the upper plateau to the summit. Outside of your day rucksack, all your equipment and supplies are carried by porters and cooks prepare all meals. Accommodation at the camps on the Machame Route (or ‘Whiskey Route’) is in tents.
We have taken thousands of people to the summit of Kilimanjaro. Pat himself has submitted over 45 times while Freddy, our main Sirdar on Kilimanjaro, has climbed to the summit over 400 times already. Our track record of 98% success for our clients reaching the summit is second to none in the world, ensuring that you have the best chance in making your dream a reality on an adventure of a lifetime to the ‘Roof of Africa’.
For those who would like to spend more time exploring Tanzania. We offer the options of adding on a wildlife safari to Lake Manayara and Ngorongoro Crater and/or a break in Zanzibar where you can have a luxurious and well-deserved rest after your climb.
Day 8: Trek Barafu Camp (4,600m) – Stella Point – summit of Kilimanjaro (5,895m).
Zone 5: Arctic (5,000m – 5,895m). Descend to Barafu Camp and on to Mweka Camp (3,100m).
Day 9:Trek from Mweka Camp (3,100m) to Mweka Gate (2,000m)
Return to hotel.
Day 10: Departure for Ireland or transfer to hotel if opting for safari and/or Zanzibar
Day 11:Five-hour game drive to Lake Manyara
Arrive at Ngorongoro for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 12: Five-hour crater tour
After tour drive to Arusha. Stay overnight.
Day 13: Fly to Zanzibar
Transfer to Hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 14: Zanzibar
Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 15: Return to airport to travel home
Day 16: Arrive Ireland
Note: Land-only option – arrive at the hotel on the afternoon on Day 2. Depart from hotel on the morning of Day 10.
Note: This itinerary is subject to change
DATES
2018
10 February – 19 February
24 March – 7 April
14 May – 24 May
16 June – 26 June
14 July – 24 July
11 August – 21 August
15 September – 25 September
6 October – 16 October
27 December – 6 January (2019)
2019
Contact us for our 2019 dates.
Note: Minimum group size of six applies for the above dates. If you are interested in travelling to Kilimanjaro at dates other than those listed, we would be delighted to organise the trip for whatever dates you wish for groups of two or more people.
PRICE
Full price: €3,650
Land-only: €2,650 (contact us for details of inclusions and exclusions)
Deposit: €500 due at time of booking
Inclusions:
Group meetings in the months prior to departure
Ireland – Tanzania – Ireland international flights
Airport pick-ups
All accommodation is based on twin sharing of rooms and tents (if you require single accommodation please let us know and we will advise of additional cost)
National Park entry fees (these are subject to government change. If this happens the excess will be added to the overall cost)
All guide, porter and cook fees
All meals and fully serviced trek
Exclusions:
Visa fee
Travel insurance
Meals en route before and after final destination
Bar bills, tips and laundry
Travel insurance
Personal gear
Medication
Insurance liability and hospital costs
Optional extras
If you wish to arrange and pay for your own flight to Tanzania, we will meet you at the airport. Full refund applies only if cancellation is received and acknowledged 20 weeks or more prior to departure. For bookings where flights have to be paid for in advance, the flight cost is non-refundable once paid.
PREPARATION & TRAINING
Climbing to Kilimanjaro’s summit is physically and mentally challenging but with the help of our experienced guides and leaders, it is a challenge that can be met by most fit people. The climb does not require any technical mountaineering skills and Kili is classified as a trekking peak, suitable to all and one that can be achieved by a beginner with training. A good level of fitness and some experience on a mountain is recommended prior to departure. You will enjoy your trip a lot more if you have prepared well.
We recommend that you attend our free Meet Weekend in County Kerry to say hello to the group and meet with our guides. This is an ideal opportunity to check out your fitness levels when you are assessed by our experienced guides on this preparatory hill walk. The day also provides a good opportunity to get any questions answered or concerns dealt with that you may have in relation to the trip. We talk about dealing with altitude and different weather conditions as well as giving tips on gear and general training.
We consider ourselves among the world’s leading experts in high-altitude trekking and pride ourselves on putting together trips that provide the best possible opportunity to succeed. Acclimatisation is key to success and it’s important that you don’t underestimate the time you allow yourself to adjust to your new environment. Pace is key to preventing AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) and our guides monitor the group at all times for signs and symptoms.
On the Saturday of our Meet Weekend we climb one of Ireland’s highest peaks during the day while, very early on Sunday morning, we undertake a night hike. The hike simulates the requirements on the summit day/night of the actual trek, taking you out of your comfort zone and helping you learn how to prepare your mind and body for the challenge ahead.
For beginners, we offer fitness testing weekends and a variety of hillwalking options (see our Courses &Training section) and recommend a 12-month personal training programme for Everest Base Camp. If you have some degree of fitness and experience, we recommend a six-month training programme to ensure that you can trek comfortably between 4,000m and 6,000m. Our suggested programme is as follows:
Months 1-2: These should include fortnightly hillwalking treks lasting three hours and including carrying a small/medium pack weighing 5kg approx.
Months 3-4: Increase your fortnightly treks to last six hours plus and increase your pack weight to 7kg approx.
Month 5: Do two walks on consecutive days twice during the month. Do a five-hour walk the first day and a six-hour trek the second day. Be careful to avoid injury.
Month 6: Continue with some hillwalking but reduce to lower peaks and durations of a maximum of four hours.
Ask your GP for advice on vaccinations, keeping in mind your travel history to date. You are required to have a valid and up-to-date Vaccination Card (yellow in colour) approved for the destination. You can get this from your doctor.
Passport/visa: You will need a valid full passport. Please ensure it has six months before expiry prior your departure date. All visitors are obliged to get a visa at the airport in Tanzania so please ensure you have four passport-size photos of yourself before we depart.
Money: It is advisable to bring some money in cash for the trip. ATMs are not always reliable or might have a low daily withdrawal limit. Once en route, Euro or US Dollars in cash are the best way to pay for services including porters, tips, etc.
GEAR
Clothing:
Lightweight long thermal underwear – tops and bottoms
Short and long-sleeved t-shirts
Expedition-weight long underwear – tops and bottoms
Fleece jacket – mid-weight to heavy-weight; wind stopper an advantage
Fleece trousers
Parka jacket – down or synthetic parka with hood
Jacket – waterproof and breathable
Over-trousers, waterproof and breathable
Headwear:
Sun hat with good visor and white bandana or buff for protecting your neck
Balaclava/facemask – 1, lightweight
Wool or pile ski hat
Head torch (inc. spare bulbs & spare batteries); suggested: Petzl LED
Sunglasses – UV & IR protection
Handwear:
Liner gloves
Synthetic gloves – lightweight, pile or polypropylene
Our passion for your adventure treks and expedition is one of the defining characteristics of Pat Falvey Irish & Worldwide Adventures. We love what we do, the places we travel to and the people we work with in each destination. After 25 years of worldwide travel, we remain curious about learning more and retain our delight in sharing what we know with you. We are a hands-on company whose staff are available to answer your queries both inside and outside usual office hours.
Our staff and partners in Nepal, Russia, Africa, Argentina, Peru and Antarctica are as close to us as family members and share our enthusiasm for your trips. We see their work as a vital part of each adventure and have always ensured that local staff, most of whom have worked with Pat for many years, are fairly and honourably treated. The experience and expertise of everyone who works with us is guaranteed and makes for adventures that are high on safety, support and good fun.
Our company is one of the world’s leading experts in high-altitude trekking in remote regions and we pride ourselves in putting together trips that give you the best possibility of success on your adventure. To ensure this, we have a comprehensive acclimatisation formula, designed to maximise each person’s chances of completing their trek without falling prey to the effects of high altitude or acute mountain sickness (AMS). Our guides closely monitor the group at all times for symptoms of the effects of high altitude and are always ready to take the necessary precautions when necessary.
We are not only willing to go the extra mile to make your trip our priority, we are happy to do so.
Note: Minimum group size of six applies for the above dates. If you are interested in travelling to Kilimanjaro at dates other than those listed, we would be delighted to organise the trip for whatever dates you wish for groups of two or more people.
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