trips

Starting Point

Please make your way to the joining hotel.

Springlands Hotel
Pembo Road
Pasua Area
Moshi, Tanzania
Tel: +255 27 27 53581

On arrival no transfers are included.
Kilimanjaro International airport is approximately 40km, or 40 minutes, from Moshi. Taxis are available to transfer you to Moshi, and cost approximately USD 50 per car. If you arriving in Moshi from Nairobi, Kenya, there is a public shuttle bus that leaves Nairobi at 8:00am daily to Moshi. It is a direct bus via Arusha, and with border formalities, and a break (and potentially a change of vehicles) in Arusha, the trip is approximately 8 hours. There are a number of local companies that offer this service.

Finishing Point

Finishing Point Hotel

Springlands Hotel
Pembo Road
Pasua Area
Moshi, Tanzania
Tel: +255 27 27 53581

This hotel is actually a short taxi ride outside of town of Moshi

Group Size

Maximum group size is 13
The Average is 10

Difficulty - Challenging

High altitude trekking, suitable for those with a high level of fitness and endurance.

Accommodation

Hotel (2 nts)
Stone Mountain Hut (4 nts)

The accommodation during your trek up Mount Kilimanjaro will be very basic.
The stone huts are not heated and have simple, single beds and thin mattresses.

Your third sleep, before your summit hike, will be at the most basic of the shelters. This structure has many bunk beds, shared with several other hikers. With the altitude, the shelters do get very cold. For added comfort and insulation, you may consider bringing your own sleeping mat to lay on top to the provided mattresses. All huts have shared toilet and bathing facilities.

Please note, in the event of having to descend from your climb early due to altitude sickness, injury or exhaustion, any extra nights spent at Springlands Hotel will be at your own expense and will not be covered by Live To Xplore.

Meals

The following meals are included:
6 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 Dinners

This includes all meals while trekking on the mountain, along with a final dinner and breakfast back in Moshi after your hike. All meals you have during your trip will be prepared from fresh local produce. Shopping for food will be done before the trip departs. Breakfasts and dinners will be served at camp, while lunches will tend to be packed to have en route while trekking.

All evening meals will be hot and will consist of a variety of continental and local dishes. We believe that providing more than enough food while on such a trek is of the upmost importance, and as such you can be ensured that your cook and crew will provide enough quality food for you. Vegetarian meals and other dietary requirements need to be specified prior to arrival.

Local Payments

There are no local payments on this trip.

Single Supplement

Not available on this tour.

Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip.

Included

Guided climb up Mt. Kilimanjaro with local guides and porters.

Not Included

International Flights. 

Below is a list of some optional excursions you can do.
Please note you may need to extend your stay in certain places to take part in any of them and some may not be during certain times of the year.

All prices are in US dollar amounts, per person, and are examples of the entrances fees charged - this does not include hiring transport to/from the destination.

Kampala
Ngamba Island Excursion (1/2 & Full Day) $54/$72
City Tour $30 (min 2)
Kasubi Tombs Entrance $2

Queen Elizabeth National Park
Kyambura Gorge Chimp Tracking $30
Kazinga Channel Launch Trip $10pp, or $150 for the boat

Murchinson Falls
Boat Launch Trip $15 pp, or $120 for the boat
Hike to the falls $8

Jinja
Guided Village Walk $20
Rafting Half/Full day $75/$95
Tandem Kayak Half/Full day $85/$125
Quad Biking Half/Full day $55/$99

Masai Mara
Masai Mara balloon safari $430
Masai village tour $20 per village

Nairobi
Bomas of Kenya $9
Giraffe Centre $11
Karen Blixen Museum $12
Nairobi National Park $60 Nairobi Safari Walk,
Animal Orphanage and Impala Sanctuary $20
National Archives F.O.C.
National Museum $10
Railway Museum $5
The Carnivore Restaurant $30 set meal.

Transportation

Private minibus, Trekking by foot.

What to Take

As you will be trekking up Africa’s highest mountain, you will be passing through a number of different climate zones, and should pack to prepare for a number of extremes – hot and sunny, cool, cloudy, and misty, fog, rain (your first day you will ascending through a section of rain forest), wind, and lastly snow and cold.

You may experience one or all of these conditions in the same day on your trek. In the lowlands, temperatures in the shade can reach 35?C, and in the highlands it will be below freezing, with possible rain and fog.

The use of lightweight, breathable, easily removable layers of clothes works best to allow you to adapt to the local conditions. We recommend breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics made of wool or synthetic fibers. Cotton is not recommended for hiking as it does not allow for heat or moisture to enter or escape, and it will not dry once wet.

Please note that is gets extremely cold near the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro, and you will begin hiking your final ascent to the summit at approximately midnight, and hike through the coldest part of the day. For this, in addition to several warm layers and good boots to grip as you climb over frozen scree, ice, and snow, you will need warm protection for your extremities – warm socks, gloves, and a warm winter hat.

Lastly, Mt. Kilimanjaro is located only a few hundred kilometres from the equator, and at altitude, the sun’s affects are heightened. Use a hat, sunglasses, sun screen, and wear proper clothing to protect yourself from the sun, to reduce the risk of sunstroke.

Cameras whether Video or film, need to be protected against the severe cold weather either in warm pouch or the interior pockets of your clothing. A selection of lenses will aid the final results although weight and bulk will obviously influence your selection. A polarized or neutral density filter is recommended, as is slide film rather than print. Bring your own film as it can be hard to find and expensive in Tanzania.

For digital equipment and mp3 players, check with the manufacturer’s specifications for temperature range (especially battery life), water tightness, altitude range, and general hardiness.

Your baggage should be clearly labelled and restricted to one large waterproof duffel bag or backpack, maximum 15kg, plus a daypack. Please note, secure luggage and valuables storage facilities are available at your hotel in Moshi for any extra mountain gear/clothing that you do not require for your climb.

Health & Safety

For vaccinations please visit the MDtravelhealth website.


We recommend you contact your family physician, or your local travel clinic for the most up-to-date health information at least one month before departure.

Please ensure you have all the inoculations recommended by your doctor for travel in East Africa. Be aware that Tanzania has regions where malaria is present, including the ones visited. We thus recommend that you take malaria medication; your doctor should be able to recommend the necessary prophylactics. Travellers should also carry a basic travel first-aid kit as medical facilities are basic throughout these countries. An important item to include is a liquid or gel hand sanitizer and/or alcoholic/sanitary wipes, as they will aid in personal cleanliness and hygiene throughout the trip. The local tap water should not be consumed, so any water treatment tablets (ex. iodine), drops, etc, would help. If you have any pre-existing medical condition, you must inform Live To Xplore prior to the purchase of the tour, and upon arrival, to the tour leader so he/she can be prepared to help you.

Sand flies and Mosquitos
Are found in the areas visited. Mosquitos are more prevalent in areas that receive more rainfall, and sand flies, though generally found on the coast, can also be found in dry & dusty conditions inland. Both tend to come out in the early evening and early mornings. Protective clothing, and insect repellent are highly recommended during these times.

Malaria
This infectious disease is transmitted by mosquitos carrying the parasite. These mosquitos are found at altitudes of under 1,800m, and thus can be found in Moshi and the base of the mountain. You must have prophylactics which you can obtain from your local doctor at or health clinic.

Sun
It is very important that you wear sun block, even on a cloudy day, or at high altitudes when it feels cool, as we are near the equator and the sun is very strong. A sunburn can turn a pleasant trip into a painful trip.

Hydration
Even when days are cool please be sure to drink a minimum of two litres of water and refrain from drinking to many diuretics, as while when travelling outdoors the breeze can dehydrate you quickly as well as the heat.

Diarrhoea
It is normal for people travelling overseas to get an upset stomach due to a change of climate and food. Please make sure that you wash your hands and stay away from street food.

Physical Fitness
Although Kilimanjaro is not a technical mountain climb, it is a major challenge and the rigors of altitude should not be underestimated. Remember that Uhuru peak is 500m higher than Everest Base Camp!! The pace of your ascent coupled with good acclimatization will help you on the climb but it is essential to be mentally and physically prepared before you start. Regular hikes are one of the best ways to prepare, increasing frequency and length, as you get closer to the trek. All aerobic exercises such as cycling, running, swimming and funnily enough aerobics are good for strengthening the cardiovascular system. Generally, any exercise that increases the heart rate for 20 minutes is helpful but don’t over do it just before the climb.

Altitude and Acclimitization
Altitudes are generally defined as follows:-
· High altitude 2,400m – 4,200m
· Very high altitude 4,200m – 5,400m
· Extreme altitude above 5,400m (Uhuru peak is 5,895m)

During the trek it is likely that all climbers will experience at least some form of mild altitude sickness. It is caused by the failure of the body to adapt quickly enough to the reduced level of oxygen in the air at an increased altitude. There are many different symptoms but the most common are headaches, light-headedness, nausea, loss of appetite, tingling in the extremities (toes, fingers) and a mild swell of ankles and fingers.

These mild forms are not serious and will normally disappear within 48 hours.

Hypothermia
Hypothermia is a condition where the body becomes dangerously cold. It can be caused by brief exposure to extreme cold, or by prolonged exposure to mild cold. Hypothermia occurs when a person's deep-core body temperature drops below 35 degrees celsius (95 degrees farenheit). It is the lowered temperature of the organs inside the body that is important - an ordinary thermometer cannot measure this. The person may not actually feel cold but if they stay in a cold environment and do little or nothing to keep warm, then they may run the risk of becoming hypothermic or becoming ill with bronchitis or pneumonia. Both are cold-related illnesses.

Danger signs to watch out for
Drowsiness,
Very cold skin on parts of the body normally covered, for example, stomach or armpits,
Slurred speech
Absence of complaint about feeling cold, even in a bitterly cold environment.

Eye Issues
All contact lens wearers should take care to remove the lenses at night, as the eye needs to absorb oxygen from the atmosphere. The rarefied conditions of altitude reduce oxygen levels and in extreme cases a Corneal Oedema can develop.

Emergency Evacuation
In the event of an emergency on the mountain the rescue team plus one of the assistant guides will descend with the casualty to the park gate. At the gate the casualty will be taken care and the necessary arrangements will be done.

Live to Xplore Country Guides

Tanzania Country Guide

Weather & Climate

Lying just south of the equator, Kilimanjaro is affected by the passage of the Intertropical Convergence Zone, which brings with it the main rainy periods. The highest rainfall occurs between mid March and early May, and slightly less between the beginning of November and late December. Rain and, higher up, snow, can however be encountered at any time of year - even in the driest periods (January, February and September).

Normally the drier seasons are associated with clear, dry weather which can last for weeks on end. The best weather is generally encountered in the mornings, and convectional rainfall, if any, tends to come in mid-afternoon. Temperatures vary considerably with height and time of day. On the plains surrounding Kilimanjaro the average temperature is about 30°C. At 3000m. frosts can be encountered at night while day time temperatures range from 5 to 15°C. Night time temperatures on the summit can be well below freezing.

Important Info

Disclaimer | The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and tour operator/agent. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. This tour is run by Gap Adventures.

Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader,


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