Have you ever dreamed of running around the base of Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa? What about being part of the Great Zebra and Wildebeest Migration on the Serengeti – where over 1.5 million animals come together in one area? What about hiking Mt Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa?
Dream Travel is excited to announce its fifth return to the enchanted country of Tanzania for what is sure to be a trip of a lifetime! Visit a Masai tribe on the Serengeti, camp on the ridge of the great Ngorongoro Crater, buy hand-crafted goods from the artists themselves – all in a safe, group atmosphere escorted by Dream Travel. Escape the coming winter and head to 30 degree weather and embark on this incredible group journey with us!
General Information
Where: Mt, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, Africa
Date: February 17th until March 5th, 2012
Race Kit Pickup: Dream Travel will be contacting you to make all trip arrangements and to confirm all travel details.
Reference Material:
Itinerary
This 17 day trip to Kenya and Tanzania, East Africa includes a breath-taking 6 day hike up the Machame Route of Mt Kilimanjaro, a 5 day safari upon the incredible Serengeti and an opportunity to run a 10K, Half or Full marathon at the base of Mt Kilimanjaro!
Friday - February 17th, 2012
Meet at the Toronto Pearson International Airport as a group and depart for Nairobi, Kenya!
Saturday - February 18th
Arrive Nairobi Airport and transfer to the Southern Sun Mayfair Hotel. Click here for hotel info.
Sunday - February 19th
Bus transfer from Nairobi, Kenya to Moshi, Tanzania.
Monday - February 20th
Today we start our hike up Mount Kilimanjaro for 5 nights / 6 days using the Machame route. Mount Kilimanjaro stands 330 kilometers south of the equator, on the northern boundary of Tanzania. Its location, on an open plain close to the Indian Ocean, and its great size and height strongly influence the climbing conditions. Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain on the African continent. It is composed of three extinct volcanoes: Kibo at 5,895 meters (19,340 feet), Mawenzi at 5,149 meters (16,896 feet), and Shira at 3,962 meters (13,000 feet). It is also one of the world's highest free standing mountains, its bulk looming 4,800 meters above an undulating plain that averages around 1,000 meters above sea level. Its long axis lies in a north-west to south-west line for 60 kilometers and, at its widest part, Kilimanjaro is 40 kilometers across.
The Machame Route is the most scenic route which maximizes the time and options available for hiking and allows for a more leisurely pace. The nights are spent camping, and we provide top mountain guides, porters and safari chefs to look after you. Camping equipment is provided and it is carried by the porters. There are no shower / bath facilities while doing the climb, and toilets will be long drops. You will be provided with a bowl of warm water each morning, on request, to wash with.
It is advisable to "walk high, sleep low" - so after a short rest at the camps, walk up another few hundred meters and then return to camp for the evening. This will help you with acclimatization to the altitude and assist with a successful summit.
Kilimanjaro National Park comprises the area above the 2,700 meter contour. It includes the moorland and highland zones, Shira Plateau, Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. In addition, the Park has six corridors, or rights of way, through the Kilimanjaro Forest Reserve. The Forest Reserve, which is also a Game Reserve, was established in 1921. The Park was established in 1973 and officially opened in 1977.
The Park exists to preserve Mount Kilimanjaro's outstanding scenic and geological features and its flora and fauna for the use and enjoyment of all people, present and future. This is also the aim of the Forest and Game Reserve below the Park itself, and these different agencies are co-operative in the conservation of all the mountain's resources.
After an early breakfast, a senior guide will do your climb briefing. You will then be driven to the National Park Gate near Machame Village (approximately 1 hour) where you will meet the rest of your guides and porters. After the formalities at the gate have been completed, you will start your walk through the spectacular tropical rain forest. This section of the climb should take you approximately 6 hours to complete, after which you arrive at Machame Hut (3,300 meters).
Day 2
Depart Machame Hut and cross the valley. You will climb up a rock ridge which are a fairly steep start, followed by an hour or so of hard uphill hiking, then approximately 2 hours at a more gentle angle through the lower moorlands, which brings you to the top of a rocky bluff. Lunch is normally taken here. From the lunch stop you will start westwards, up towards Shira Cathedral. The last section of this route is relatively flat and easy. Camp at Shira Hut (3,800 metres), a fairly exposed and cold campsite. You may experience rain or sleet and the ground and tents will probably be frozen over in the morning.
Day 3
From Shira, continue east towards Kibo, passing the junction, then on towards the Lava Tower. You will be walking at an approximate altitude of 4,500 meters, around the southern side of the mountain. There will be a few steep sections and valleys, some parts that look like a "moon landscape" and quite a steep descent to Baranco. Today is a long and fairly tiring day. This is part of your acclimatization - walking in height from 3,800 meters up to 4,500 meters, and then overnight at 3,900 meters. The night temperature at camp will again be cold with night frosts. Overnight at Baranco Hut (3,940 metres).
Day 4
Your first obstacle today is to breach the Baranco Wall, a 600-foot rock. The climb over the rock is not a technical one, but it is long, hard and tiring. The guides will use rope on some sections for peace of mind. Once over the wall, the climb becomes easier and extremely beautiful with fantastic views of the crags and crevasses of the jagged peaks on your left. Descend to the Karanga Valley for lunch before continuing on to Barafu Hut (4,600 meters). This is a slow, tough hike as the air begins to get quite thin.
It will be very cold today as you will be walking through the clouds. Settle down for an early night tonight.
Day 5
Today you will be heading for the highest point in Africa, Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters). You will be woken around midnight to commence the 6 hour hike to Stella Point (5,750 meters), arriving around sunrise. You will be walking in the dark as the ground is frozen and this makes it easier to ascend. At dawn, from the Crater Rim, rugged Mawenzi is a thrilling sight, with Kibo Saddle still in darkness beneath you, and the Crater's ice-walls looming ahead of you. The views are spectacular and it makes the entire journey worth every step! Continue another 1 to 2 hours to Uhuru Peak, along the wide paths of the crater rim - peering down onto massive glaciers shining in the morning sun.
Arriving at Uhuru can be quite emotional, with the strain of the summit finally behind you and Africa surrounding you! After a few photos at the summit, begin your steep but picturesque descent to Mweka (3,100 meters), stopping for rest and nourishment along the way, arriving in the late afternoon for overnight.
Day 6
A 3 to 4 hour descent through the pretty rainforest to Mweka Gate, where the vehicle will meet you. You will be transferred to the hotel (approximately 45 minutes) for a well-needed shower and an evening of celebration by the swimming pool.
Overnight at Keys Hotel on a bed and breakfast basis
Sunday - February 26th - 2012 Mt Kilimanjaro 5K, Half and Full Marathon Day!
There will be a Wild Frontiers Hospitality Tent, with shade and drinks, is provided exclusively to all Wild Frontiers and Dream Travel clients at the finish of the Kilimanjaro Marathon.
MARATHON INFORMATION: The 42.2 kilometer marathon route leaves Moshi Stadium and heads down towards the town, and then along the main road to Dar es Salaam for approximately 8 to 9 kilometers. This section of the route is relatively flat, and there are plenty of well-wishers along the road. Turn around and head back to the town of Moshi, tracking down into the actual town itself before turning toward the mountain and heading up a long, steady ascent towards Mweka. The uphill climb is gradual, but with Kilimanjaro towering above and all the local villagers out to cheer you on, the time passes quickly. The turnaround point marks approximately 10 kilometers and the last section is a fast downhill run back towards the stadium. Regular water tables as well as "sponging points" and the odd "shower" keep you refreshed and cool along the entire route.
HALF MARATHON INFORMATION: Should you be taking the Half Marathon (21.1 kilometers), the route for this race covers the second half of the full marathon. You leave Moshi stadium and start slowly ascending the road up towards Mweka. It's a gradual climb, and Kilimanjaro should be in full view as you steadily ascend the route. At approximately the 10 kilometer mark you turn and head back down the same route in a fast descent.
5K INFORMATION: The 5 kilometer Fun Run takes place through the shady streets of Moshi. The start is from the stadium, but the route differs to the full and half marathons. Water will be provided en-route and there is usually a large crowd of well-wishers to cheer the athletes along.
The route passes through many small-hold farms, villages, parts of town, banana and coffee plantations and patches of forest, providing great excitement to the residents who give ample vocal support.
Transfer from stadium to hotel.
Accommodation at Keys Hotel in a Standard Room on a Bed and English Breakfast basis. Click here for hotel info.
Monday - February 27th – SAFARI
We depart today in our private 4x4 vehicles with game viewing hatches for our camping safari! Walk in tents (3m x 1.9m x 3m), camp bedroll and bedding, mess tent, tables, chairs, fridges and / or coolboxes) are all provided. We will be escorted by a professional driver and an English speaking guide, safari chef – all Park Pass fees are included! Guests are requested to erect their own tents, but the crew will take care of the rest of the chores.
Drive to Ngorongoro for overnight at a public campsite in the conservation area.
Tuesday - February 28th
Today, after an early breakfast, we descend to the Ngorongoro crater floor. We explore this amazing area which home to the Big Five and enjoy a picnic lunch on the crater floor. You are almost guaranteed to see 3 or 4 of the Big Five here, as well as hyena, hippo, and a myriad of smaller animals and birds.
This is rightly one of the Natural Wonders of the World. Please note that permits may be changed to allow 6 hour visits, either in the morning or the afternoon - we will adjust our travel accordingly should this occur.
We will overnight at the Ngorongoro public campsite in the conservation area.
Wednesday & Thursday
Drive to Serengeti for 2 nights at a public campsite. Here we hope to see the Great Zebra and Wildebeest Migration – where upwards of 1.5 million animals can be seen in one area!
Friday - March 2nd
Drive to Lake Manyara for overnight at a public campsite.
Saturday - March 3rd
Return drive to Arusha and stay at the Outpost Lodge in a Standard Room on a Bed and Breakfast basis for 1 night Click here for hotel info.
Sunday - March 4 th
Transfer from Arusha to Nairobi for our flight back to Toronto.
Packages
| Machame Package | Rate | Tax |
|---|---|---|
| Air + Kilimanjaro + Safari + Run | $7,779.00 | $837.00 |
| Serengetti Package | Rate | Tax |
|---|---|---|
| Kilimanjaro + Safari + Run | $6,399.00 | $189.00 |
| Zanzibar Add-On | Rate | Tax |
|---|---|---|
| $1,897.00 | $57.00 |
| Single Supplement Pricing | ||
|---|---|---|
| Machame Package | $585.00 | |
| Serengeti Package | $285.00 | |
| Zanzibar Add-On | $249.00 |
Please Note:
- Prices are per person, based on double occupancy.
- Air from Toronto - Please inquire for our inexpensive air add-ons from your city of departure.
- Package includes: Roundtrip airfare from Toronto, accommodation and meals as outlined in the itinerary. English speaking guides, professional drivers and on-site Dream Travel representation.
- Package excludes: Meals not listed on the itinerary, tax, travel insurance, Visas, porter tips and items of a personal nature.
Deposit
$1100 via the Running Room website. Click here...
Final Payment: Final payment must be made no later than December 23, 2011. Dream Travel will send you an invoice for your package and payment details.
Insurance
Travel insurance is required for this trip. We sell group RBC Deluxe Package Travel Insurance including cancelation, interruption, medical and baggage. Please contact us for a quote. Click here for insurance details and coverage: http://www.rbcinsurance.com/files/00125/file-125726.pdf