Mount Kilimanjaro Fundraising Trek

Tanzania is home to Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its snow-capped summit looms majestically at 19,340 feet and, on clear days, can be seen from great distances. Kilimanjaro contains an example of virtually every ecosystem on earth—glacier, snowfields, deserts, alpine moorland, savannah, and tropical jungle—all of which are found on the mountain. Despite its height, most physically fit people are able to climb Kilimanjaro as no mountaineering skills or equipment are required.

This trek is unique as we are taking the opportunity to raise needed funds for Camp Interactive. The mission of Camp Interactive is to empower inner-city youth through the inspiration of the outdoors and the creative power of technology. Nearly all expenses are covered through the fundraising, including the transfers, hotels, most meals, equipment, and our renowned team of guides, cooks and porters.

Over the next week, you will summit the majestic Kilimanjaro and, if you wish, continue your adventure afterwards with an optional four-day wildlife safari.

Event Details

• JUNE 07 Arrive in Arusha and Prepare for Mt. Kilimanjaro Climb
• JUNE 08 First Day of Kilimanjaro Climb to Machame Camp
• JUNE 09 Shira Cathedral, Bivi Cave and Shira Camp
• JUNE 10 Lava Tower, Heim Glacier and Barranco Camp
• JUNE 11 Barranco Wall, Karanga Valley, Glaciers and Barafu Hut
• JUNE 12 Summit Kilimanjaro at Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa
• JUNE 13 Descend to Mweka Gate
• JUNE 14 Transfer to Airport or First Day of Safari

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HOW TO FUNDRAISE

Camp Interactive has teamed with Crowdrise to support your fundraising effort. There is no fee to register, however you will be responsible for raising $7,500 prior to May 31, 2012. Upon registration, you will receive a welcome package and full details on how to effectively fundraise. Camp Interactive and Outdoor Bound will support you with fundraising tips, events and a fundraising page to make the effort a successful one.

PACKAGE INCLUDES

• Hotels before and after summit climb
• Transport between airport and hotel
• All park, camp and rescue fees
• Tents and sleeping bags
• Private toilet tent on the mountain
• Transport between Arusha and gates at start and finish of climb
• Services of licensed, experienced, English-speaking mountain guides
• Licensed assistant guides, porters and cooks
• Three quality meals a day during trek

DOES NOT INCLUDE

• International flight
• Travel insurance
• Some meals before and after trek
• Tips for your driver/guide/cook/porters

ACCOMMODATIONS

Clean, comfortable and environmentally conscious bed and breakfast with spacious grounds and tropical garden. Double-occupancy rooms.

ON THE MOUNTAIN

Porters will carry tents, sleeping bag and ground pads for nightly camping. You should only carry a day-pack with your camera, valuables, water, sunscreen, etc. At the summit, Uhuru Point, the night time temperatures can range between 0° and -15° Fahrenheit (-18° to -26° Celsius). Due to Mount Kilimanjaro’s great height, the mountain creates its own weather. It is extremely variable and impossible to predict. Therefore, regardless of when you climb, you should always be prepared for wet days and cold nights.

MEALS

Three meals a day are provided, including delicious vegetarian options. We provide a variety of foods to permit varied meals. Breakfasts will include foods such as eggs, sausage, toast or pancakes, hot cereal, fruit and juice, tea and coffee. Dinners will include meat dishes of beef, chicken or fish, fresh vegetable dishes, pasta, rice, potatoes, homemade soups, fresh fruits, desserts, juice, tea, coffee.

LANDING AT KILIMANJARO INTERNATIONAL

Upon your landing at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will need to pay for your visa for Tanzania. Have $100 US on hand and your yellow fever vaccination certificate ready. From there, you can proceed to pick up any bags you checked. Once you have your bags, you will be met by a shuttle service to transport you to your hotel, The Impala. Here, your Outdoor Bound guide will be awaiting your arrival. Our staff will be monitoring your flight status, so if you are delayed we will make the necessary adjustments to your shuttle.

FLIGHT ARRANGEMENTS

If you can afford the extra day off, we recommend building a day into your travel plans and arrive a day early. This will give you a cushion should there be flight delays. If you are only hiking Kilimanjaro and not participating in the safari, then you should book a flight out the day after the trek ends. For the safari crowd, the ideal departure date is the day after safari ends. Please forward your flight itinerary to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

HOTEL

Your stay in Arusha will be at the Impala Hotel, located conveniently near the heart of Arusha. These accommodations were carefully selected and chosen based on its ideal location, cleanliness and excellent staff. Should you need to contact the hotel, call +255 27 254 3082.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Cancellations within 60 days of departure are non-refundable.

CLIMATE

Arusha in August has an average high temperature of 80 degrees Fahrenheit and a low of 55. Rainfall is rare in August, although a rain jacket is never a bad item to pack. With the many layers you will have for the rest of your journey, you will be well prepared for your time in Arusha.
The weather on Kilimanjaro is quite diverse. The climb starts through a wide belt of wet tropical forest then goes through zones with generally decreasing temperatures and rainfall to the summit where there is permanent ice and sub-freezing temperatures.
Because Kilimanjaro is so close to the equator it not only has fairly consistent weather with no marked winter months but also offers a wide range of vegetation zones on the ascent. You will travel through equatorial forests, alpine heath, moorland, deserts and permanent ice caps in the 6 days that you are on the mountain. At the summit, Uhuru Point, the night time temperatures can range between 0 and -15 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 to -26 degrees Celsius). Due to Mount Kilimanjaro’s great height, the mountain creates its own weather. It is extremely variable and impossible to predict. Therefore, regardless of when you climb, you should always be prepared for wet days and cold nights. The weather on your safari will be similar to Arusha. Pleasantly warm during the days, cool in the evenings.

PHYSICAL PREPARATION

Engaging in as many long, hard hikes as possible is a great way to prepare for your trek. Look for hikes like The Great Escape, Fourteen Peaks, Breakneck Ridge, Storm King Mountain, Slide Mountain, Panther Mountain and Indian Head Mountain. Detailed training plan will be posted soon.

ALTITUDE

The thin air as you get into the higher elevation on Kilimanjaro may take some adjustment. The lower supply of oxygen at high elevations makes exercising more difficult, and you may experience shortness of breath during hikes. Bear in mind that predisposition to altitude sickness does not correlate to an individual’s level of fitness. The altitude in this area can prove challenging no matter what shape you’re in. If you’re not yet feeling acclimated when the trip begins, we suggest taking it easy, eating light meals, drinking lots of water and avoiding alcohol. Usually, it takes no more than a day or two to feel comfortable at higher elevations.
The combination of high altitude and strenuous exercise greatly increases your body’s need for fluids. It is extremely important to drink lots of liquids to prevent heatstroke and dehydration. It’s a good idea to consume at least three liters of water per day and to drink as often as possible – don’t wait until you are thirsty!
Your guide will be constantly monitoring your status, asking questions and making sure you are consuming enough water and food.

HEALTH PRECAUTIONS

It’s best to check with your doctor regarding vaccinations for Yellow Fever, Typhoid fever, hepatitis A and B. You may need to see a Travel Medicine doctor; there are several in New York City. Also be sure that your diphtheria-tetanus vaccination is up to date. Malaria is a concern in Tanzania except for over 5,900 feet. Many trekkers choose to also have medicine to alleviate altitude sickness (Diamox, etc.) Please check with your doctor!
One of the most common health risks for visitors is “traveler’s diarrhea,” which can be caused by bacteria, parasites or viruses transmitted through food or water. Despite precautions taken at our hotels and in all the food preparation, you can expect to experience one or more days of “discomfort” while in Tanzania due to your body’s unfamiliarity with local bacteria. There are many over-the-counter remedies and antibiotics available in Arusha to relieve upset stomachs, but it’s also a good idea to bring some with you.
It is usually risky to purchase food from street vendors unless the food has been cooked and is still hot. However, if you purchase fruit or vegetables from street vendors, we recommend buying products that you can peel or wash in purified water, and always wash your hands before eating. For more specific information on health precautions for travel in Tanzania, consult a travel medicine doctor and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, http://www.cdc.gov.

SAFETY

Tanzania is generally a safe and pleasant place but as with any destination, it’s important to be aware of possible hazards. Violent crime is almost unheard of in the regions we visit. In the rare instances crime does occur, it’s usually petty theft. To limit your susceptibility, we suggest you always travel with at least one other person when going out, and that you avoid flaunting jewelry, cameras, expensive watches and other items that may be tempting to a thief.

MONEY MATTERS

The standard unit of currency in Tanzania is the shilling. As of May, 2009, $1 US is the equivalent to 1,358 shilling. The shilling can fluctuate, however, so we suggest you check the online Universal Currency Converter at http://www.xe.com or with your bank for the most up-to-date information close to the time of your departure. Credit cards are accepted in Arusha and ATM’s are available.  We recommend bringing at least $500 for spending and $260 for tips (this includes Kili trek and the Safari staff tips).  A tip for your Outdoor Bound Guide is also appreciated.

TIME ZONE

Tanzania is seven hours ahead of New York.

PHONE

To call Arusha from the United States, dial 011 (America’s international access code) +255 (Tanzania’s country code) + the city code (27 in Arusha) + the local number. To place an international call from Arusha, first dial 00 (the international access code) and the appropriate country code. To call the United States, dial 00 + 1 (the U.S. country code) + area code + local number.

ELECTRICITY

Electricity in Tanzania is 230 Volts, alternating at 50 cycles per second. If you travel to Tanzania with a device that does not accept 230 Volts at 50 Hertz, you will need a voltage converter. There are three main types of voltage converter. Resistor-network converters will usually be advertised as supporting something like 50-1600 Watts. They are light-weight and support high-wattage electrical appliances like hair dryers and irons. However, they can only be used for short periods of time and are not ideal for digital devices. Transformers will have a much lower maximum Watt rating, usually 50 or 100. Transformers can often be used continuously and provide better electricity for low wattage appliances like battery chargers, radios, laptop computers, cameras, mp3 players and camcorders. However, they are heavy because they contain large iron rods and lots of copper wire. Outlets in Tanzania generally accept two types of plug: Three round pins arranged in a triangle, or two parallel flat pins with ground pin.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

A valid passport, along with evidence of return or onward flight, is required for U.S. citizens traveling to Tanzania. A visa can be purchased at the airport for $100 US.

MEDICATIONS

• Analgesics (painkillers); acetaminophen (i.e., Tylenol), aspirin, ibuprofen, Vicodin*
• Anti-Allergy; hydrocortizone, diphenhydramine hydrochloride; epinephrine*
• Antibiotics; Bacitracin (ointment), erythromycin*, ciprofloxacin hydrochloride*
• Antacids; Bismuth sabsalicylate (ie. Pepto-Bismol)
• Anti-Diarrhea; Loperamide hydrochloride (ie. Immodium), Tinidazole*
• Anti-Emetics (anti-vomiting); Prochlorperazine*, Promethazine*
• Anti-Vertigo (anti-motion sickness); Meclizine*, Scopolamine*
• Altitude illness medicine ; Acetazolamide* (diamox), Dexamethazone*, Nifedipine*
• Anti-malarial prophylaxis medicine*

* Prescription medicines

PACK LIST

• 2 Merino wool or polypro mid–weight long sleeve shirts (long enough to tuck in; snug fit and zip neck is best).
• 2 Merino wool or polypro T shirts
• Hiking shorts
• Hiking pants. Soft shell are best. You will spend most of the trip in these pants.
• Expedition-weight pants for around camp and the summit day
• 2 pair fleece or heavy long underwear
• 1 pair leg gaiters
• 1 pair socks for each day of trekking; 2 lightweight and 3 heavyweight. NO cotton! Wool or wool/synthetic are best.
• 1 pair underwear per day
• 1 warm fleece or softshell jacket
• 1 waterproof Gore-tex rain shell jacket
• 1 pair waterproof Gore-tex rain pants
• 1 expedition–weight top (fleece, etc.)
• 1 pair very warm ski or mountaineering gloves with fleece liner
• 1 pair windproof, lightweight gloves. You will wear these most of the time.
• 1 warm hat
• 1 sun hat
• 1 pair trekking boots (medium weight, waterproof)
• 1 pair comfortable walking/camp shoes
• 1 pair wrap–around, UV–blocking sunglasses or glacier glasses

GEAR

• 1 soft duffel bag (NO hard frame or wheeled suitcases or bags). These will be carried by the porters and they must be soft.
• 1 daypack which you will trek in every day. 30–50L is ideal.
• Plastic bags of different sizes (to protect clothes in your bags against the rain.
• Pair of trekking poles–strongly recommended for everyone
• 1 head lamp with extra batteries and extra light bulb
• 1 emergency heat blanket (reflective foil)
• 1 pocket knife
• 3 One–liter water bottles, or equivalent hydration bladder for your pack
• Sunscreen. Highest possible SPF rating.
• Water purification tablets
• Blister bandages or moleskin
• Small and large band aids
• Kleenex (a lot of them)
• Wet wipes.  We recommend one large container for your camp duffle and a couple travel packs for your backpack.
• Saline nasal spray for dryness and dust
• Elastic Ace bandage wrap
• Safety pins
• Small pair of scissors

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

• Passport
• Wallet
• Airline tickets
• Medications and copies of prescriptions
• Sunscreen and lip ointment
• Hand and foot warmers for the high altitude days
• Travel alarm clock (watch)
• Toiletries

OPTIONAL

• Binoculars
• Camera with plenty of memory and extra batteries
• Current converter and outlet adapter
• Sport sandals
• Camelbak or similar hydration backpack
• Flora/fauna field guide
• Collapsible walking stick
• Leisure reading