Kilimanjaro Climb

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Tuesday 12 July 2022 - Saturday 23 July 2022

(11 nights)

From £3,935.00

Listed by Spice Escapes

Touch the roof of Africa and tick this one of the bucket list!

Kilimanjaro is one of the world’s greatest natural wonders. A perfect snow covered peak rising from the African Savannah, it takes your breath away when you first see it. During the climb you will pass through five unique climate zones described as ‘walking from the equator to the North Pole in a week’. You don’t need any technical experience to climb – currently the youngest person to reach the summit was 7 years old and the oldest 85. That’s not to say it isn’t challenging. This might well be the hardest thing you have ever done, but the sense of achievement and inspiration you will feel if you manage to reach the summit, will stay with you for the rest of your life.

The tour operator for this flight inclusive holiday is Spice UK Ltd (ATOL 9046). This holiday is protected by the Civil Aviation Authority under the ATOL scheme in the event of failure of the tour operator. Spice UK Ltd holiday terms and conditions apply, as supplied with the full holiday information pack. Your money is protected via our trust account in compliance with EC travel regulations.

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Includes

  • Flights
  • Transfers
  • 8 breakfasts, 7 evening meals and 7 lunches
  • All National Park fees (entrance, camping/hut and rescue fees)
  • Salaries for the mountain crew (guides, cooks, porter)
  • Camping equipment (where applicable)
  • Transfer to and from Kilimanjaro National Park
  • Meals and accommodation as indicated in detailed itinerary
  • Transfer from and to the Kilimanjaro International Airport
  • All taxes

Extras

  • Single supplement £190 (2 night’s pre/post climb only - camping singles during climb not available)
  • Insurance available through Spice UK if required.
  • Some drinks & some meals
  • Optional excursions
  • Personal extras.
  • Visa fees
  • Tip kitty £170 taken with balance
  • Sleeping bags
  • Covid testing as required at the time of travel

It has been a few years since one of our groups touched the roof of Africa so it’s about time we did it again! This is one of the iconic bucket list destinations and we have had lots of success getting groups to the summit in the past so we do hope you will join us.

The saying slow & steady wins the race couldn't be more true than when you attempt a Kilimanjaro Climb - it's not about how quickly you can walk, a steady plod will usually be more effective and booking early will give you the best chance of success allowing you to set yourself achievable goals and train effectively over a period.

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1. Lodge (29)

Location & Itinerary

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1-2 Depart UK and arrive Moshi and transfer to Honey Badger Lodge

Depart from the UK and fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport. Transfer from airport to the Honey Badger Lodge, Moshi. Rest of the day at leisure to enjoy the peaceful gardens, take a dip in the pool and take in the stunning views of Kilimanjaro.

Honey Badger Lodge

Meals included: Dinner

Day 3. Machame Gate (1,490m) to Machame Camp (2,980m)

After a hearty breakfast, your guides will come to collect you and you will drive from the lodge to Machame village/gate (although you may have to walk to the gate depending on the road conditions). After registering at the gate, you will begin by entering the rain forest. Living up to its name, there is a strong possibility of rain in the forest, which will transform the trail into a very soggy, muddy and slippery experience.

You will have a welcome packed lunch stop about half way and will reach the Machame camping area in the late afternoon. The crew will set everything out at your campsite and all you have to do is sit back, relax and enjoy the great outdoors.

Camp

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 Machame Camp (2,980m) to Shira Camp (3,840m)

After an early breakfast, you will climb for an hour or so to the top of the forest and then for 2 hours at a gentler gradient through the moorland zone. After a short lunch and rest, you will continue up a rocky ridge onto the stunning Shira plateau, due west of Kibo, from which you will be able to see the breath-taking glaciers. After a short hike, you will reach the Shira campsite at 3,840m. The climbing crew will provide you with a tasty meal and you will then have plenty of time to sit back and relax.

Camp

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5. Shira (3,840m) to Lava Tower (4,630m) to Barranco Camp (3,950m)

The route now turns east into a semi desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower. After lunch you will climb a rocky scree path to the Lava Tower (4630m). This five to hour walk will probably be your hardest day so far and some climbers may begin to feel the altitude. However, our experienced team will coach you through the symptoms and provide you with all the advice and support you need. After lunch, you descend again by almost 680m to the Barranco camping area, whilst it may seem illogical to be going down at this point, you will quickly appreciate its true acclimatisation benefit. This descent to Barranco camp takes about 2 hours and offers great opportunities to take some beautiful photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is situated in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while you wait for the preparation of your dinner.

Camp

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6. Barranco Camp (3950m) to Karanga Camp (4099m)

Your day begins by tackling the awesome obstacle of the Great Barranco Wall. Whilst initially an imposing site, its climb is invariably easier than anticipated. You will quickly appreciate how beautiful the mighty Kilimanjaro is when you reach the bottom of the Heim Glacier. You will then head down to the Karanga Valley where you will camp for the night. This is a shorter walking day of approximately 4 hours, there is the option for and acclimatisation hike in the afternoon. 

Camp

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7. Karanga Camp (4099M) to Barafu Camp (4550M)

Today is a similarly short day of around 4-5 hours walking. You will make your way over the ridges and valleys, and join up with the Mweka route. After another hour or so, you reach Barafu (Swahili for Ice) Hut. This camp gives you a real experience of the icy elements. The camp is exposed to the ever-present gales the tents are pitched on a narrow, stony ridge. You will appreciate your warm and cosy sleeping bags on this night! The summit is now only a further 1,345m up and you will make the final ascent the same night. The team will help you to prepare your equipment and clothing for your summit attempt. You will go to bed at about 19h00 and try to get some precious rest and sleep.

Camp

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8. (Summit attempt) Barafu Camp (4,550m) to Uhuru Peak (5895m) to Mweka (3,100m)

At about 23h30 you will be awoken to some tea and biscuits and will make a move into the night. You will head in a north-westerly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. Many climbers find this 6-hour walk to Stella point the most mentally and physically challenging aspect of the climb. At Stella Point (5,685m) your efforts will be rewarded with a short rest and the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point you will normally encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa and achievement you will remember for the rest of your life. 

​The walk back to Barafu from the summit, takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well earned but short rest and collect the rest of your gear, before heading down to Mweka hut (3,100m). The route is not difficult and will take you down the rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest. Here you will rest and feel proud of your achievement.

Mweka Hut

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 9. Mweka Camp (3,100m) to Mweka

After an early and well-deserved breakfast, it is a short 3-hour and scenic hike back to the Park gate where you will receive your certificates; those climbers who reached Stella Point (5,685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5,895m) receive gold certificates. You will be picked up and brought back to the lodge for a warm welcome, a cold celebratory drink and a hearty meal.

Lodge

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 10 Free day

A day of well deserved rest around the pool.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 11-12 Return to the UK

Time at leisure to recover before your flight home.                                                                       

Meals included: Breakfast


Food & Meals

Being hydrated and well fed is one of the most important elements to summiting success. Whilst on trek your crew will provide you with delicious meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We have all the necessary cooking and eating equipment for on the mountain, and our experienced mountain chefs whisk up hearty meals every day, ensuring no one goes hungry. We are happy to cater to specific dietary requirements, just let us know beforehand.

Is this for me?

​THE MACHAME ROUTE

This is generally considered as the most beautiful route up Kilimanjaro; your efforts will be rewarded with a unique scenic splendour that is not seen on the other commonly traversed routes. Passing five stunning and diverse climatic zones it is one of the best routes to take in terms of acclimatisation. In certain sections it is steeper than other routes so this route is better suited to the slightly more adventurous hiker, but it is generally considered easiest overall. Only tented accommodation is available on this route but all your equipment and supplies will be carried up the mountain by our friendly porters and delicious meals will be made for you each day.

The recommended duration for this climb is 6 days, it is possible to shorten this to 5 but that reduces the chances of a successful ascent. We are making our climb over 7 days allowing an additional day for acclimatisation and increasing the changes of a successful summit climb.

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Travel & Stay

elephants infront of Kilimanjaro

In Moshi before and after the trek we stay at the Honey Badger Lodge, with excellent facilities including an outdoor swimming pool, and breath-taking views of Mount Kilimanjaro. Our Kilimanjaro trek is camping based and, as you may expect, conditions are basic on the mountain, though the service from our porter team is superb. The tents will be put up and taken down by our porter team. There are no permanent washing facilities at the camps and a limited amount of water is available for washing so we recommend taking wet wipes.

Single accommodation in the tents during the climb are not available for safety reasons. They don’t let people camp on their own – in case they get altitude sickness and there is no one to check that they are ok. The tents are 3 man and usually only have 2 people in them however if there is an odd number they make up three in a tent.

​OUR BASE IN MOSHI

The Honey Badger Lodge is situated in a peaceful rural location and offers breath-taking views of Mount Kilimanjaro. The lush spacious gardens are home to colourful plants, abundant bird life, monkeys and African tortoises and a large swimming pool. Onsite there is a lively thatched bar and lounge area which is the perfect space to meet up with your fellow travellers and the a la carte restaurant serves up a delicious fusion of Swahili and world flavours. With a Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence this is the perfect space to immerse yourself in African culture and relax in preparation for your climb.

Getting There

Provisional Flight information

12/07/22 Manchester to Doha QR0024 Dep: 2130 Arr: 0620 (+1)

13/07/22 Doha to Kilimanjaro QR1476 Dep: 0800 Arr: 1620

22/07/22 Kilimanjaro to Doha QR1476 Dep: 1725 Arr: 2250

23/07/22 Doha to Manchester QR0021 Dep: 0125 Arr: 0650

Availability & Pricing

Kilimanjaro Climb

TypePrice
Own flight with transfers£2935.00Sold Out
Manchester£3935.00Sold Out
Manchester/Heathrow£3935.00Sold Out

Kilimanjaro Climb accommodation

TypePrice
Place in twin share accommodation£0.00Sold Out
Place in single accommodation (lodge only)£220.00Sold Out

Not enough spaces left for you? Join the waitlist

Kilimanjaro uhuru peak

Host & Everything Else

It is of course impossible to predict exact weather conditions, and mountains are notorious for creating their own, localised conditions. The highland areas of East Africa, including Northern Tanzania where Kilimanjaro and the parks of Ngorongoro, Tarangire and Lake Manyara are located, have a pleasant, temperate climate throughout the year. There is a long rainy season in April/May and a second, shorter rainy period in November/early December. Temperatures vary greatly with altitude. At the foot of Kilimanjaro it’s usually approximately 25- 28⁰C, dropping to 15⁰C at night. At 3000m, daytime temperatures can be around 15⁰C. Above 4000m, the night-time temperatures will fall below freezing and it is usually no more than 10⁰C in the day. For more information we recommend visiting www.worldweather.org.

YOU WILL NEED

We ensure that you are properly equipped to comfortably reach the top of the mountain. Prior to arrival we will send you a recommended equipment list which includes the approximate local rental costs of items you may choose not to purchase. We provide all your camping gear including foam mattresses and tents. You will receive a pre-climb briefing where we inspect your gear to ensure it is suitable. We bring all the necessary cooking and eating equipment for on the mountain. Our expert mountain chefs whisk up hearty meals every day, ensuring no-one goes hungry on the mountain. We are happy to cater for specific dietary requirements, just let us know beforehand. 

Please find below a list of what to bring on your trip.

Required Mountaineering Equipment (non-exhaustive list)

·        1 Mountaineering Sleeping bag (usually a -10-degree rating or better is recommended)

·        1 litre water canteen (sturdy plastic or lightweight metal) or water bladder (Camel Bak).

·        1 LED Flashlight with spare batteries - or if you can get a wind-up one that is even better!

·        1 Pair of comfortable trekking/hiking boots

·        2 pairs of thick thermal socks and several pairs of regular socks

·        2 Fleeces

·        1 down jacket or long-sleeved wind-breaker (down jacket is unnecessary if you have a couple of good heavy fleeces)

·        1 set of thermal underwear (i.e. thermal vest & long-johns)

·        2 pairs of trekking trousers

·        1 waterproof jacket

·        1 pair of waterproof trousers

·        1 balaclava or ski-mask

·        1 pair of gloves

·        1 pair of hiking/walking poles

·        1 sun hat and sunglasses

·        1 duffle bag and 1 day pack                                             

·        Additional items for day pack:

·        Sunscreen, sun hat and sun glasses

·        Poncho or lightweight waterproof

·        Spare socks (in case you come across some wet weather and your boots get wet)

·        Camera

·        Energy Bars (optional, but great if you feel like having a nibble while you hike)

·        Water


Passport and visas

Please allow plenty of time to renew your passport if it has less than 6 months validity. UK passport holders require a visa to enter Tanzania. At the time of writing this costs £40/$50 (single entry) and is obtainable on arrival or prior to departure online at: https://tzhc.uk/visa-application. We recommend you travel with 4 passport photos. Payment must be in cash when getting your visa on arrival. If you are travelling via Kenya to your destination you may also require a visa for Kenya. If you have connecting flights and your baggage has been checked all the way through to your destination you will not need a Kenyan visa. For more information we recommend visiting https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/tanzania/entry-requirements.

​​TIPS:

Tips are the accepted way of saying thank you to your local guides and porters. They do not form part of their wages and although at your discretion, you will be expected to reward good service. All tips should be a way for individuals to thank staff for good service. We will tip as a group and a tip kitty will be collected before you travel with your balance to be held by the Spice coordinator. The tip kitty has been based on the following guidelines:

5 US$ per day and per porter (e.g. 35$ in total for each porter if it is a 7-day climb)

10 US$ per day and per cook (e.g. 70$ in total for each cook if it is a 7-day climb)

15 US$ per day and per guide (e.g. 105$ in total for each guide if it is a 7-day climb)

Health

Make sure you visit your local health centre at least 2 months before departure, to be advised on any vaccinations needed. You should be up to date with routine courses and boosters as recommended in the UK e.g. diphtheria-tetanus-polio and measles-mumps-rubella), along with hepatitis A and typhoid. Malarial prophylaxis are required. Mt. Kilimanjaro – also known as the “Roof of Africa” – stands 5,895 metres above sea level and hence forms the highest freestanding mountain in the world. With a variety of landscapes at different altitudes, climbing the mountain is a truly exciting and unforgettable experience. Nevertheless, one should not overlook the fact that being exposed to high altitudes puts you at risk. Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) or more commonly known as altitude sickness is one of the biggest threats when climbing Kilimanjaro. Please inform your guide if you have any symptoms or if you taking any form of medication. Your guide will be trained in mountain first-aid, and will carry a comprehensive first-aid kit on every trek. If you maintain your fluid level with at least 3-4 litres per day, ascend according to the itinerary, and are adequately fit, you are unlikely to experience any problems. Keeping warm is essential, so make sure you change into warm dry clothes at the end of the day, and wear layers on trek. We recommend bringing a personal first-aid kit containing the following: high factor sun cream, lip salve, moisturiser, plasters, antiseptic cream, insect repellent, cold/flu tablets, throat lozenges, electrolyte powder, aspirin or equivalent, muscle rub, nail scissors, 100mm elastic bandage, knee/ankle supports if needed, and wet wipes. For more information we recommend visiting fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk

Money

The unit of currency is the Tanzanian Shilling (TSZ or TSH) although US dollars are widely accepted in hotels and tourist areas. We recommend that you change money at the airport. Credit cards are accepted in large hotels and some souvenir shops, but may be subject to commission.

Electricity

We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at: http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/


EXPERIENCED GUIDES

Whether you are an experienced mountaineer or a first-timer with a passion for a challenge, our highly trained guides have climbed with people of all fitness and skill levels over the years. They take great care of everyone and undertake health and well-being checks every day. Acclimatisation is the key to success with this mountain and this itinerary is specifically tailored to help you to acclimatise better. The day before your climb you will receive a full briefing from our specialist team, all your equipment will receive a final check and we will be able to answer any of your questions.

​​SPICE CO-ORDINATOR

Jamie Morris - Spice Scotland

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