Kilimanjaro Climb and Safari Expedition
Climbing/Mountaineering in Tanzania with Alpine Ascents International
Highlights
- Embark on a full mountaineering experience on this Kilimanjaro expedition
- Summit Mount Kilimanjaro (19,340 ft.)
- Encounter zebra, elephant, rhino, cheetah and hippo in Tarangire National Park
- Visit Ngorongoro Crater, one of the world’s most incredible natural wonders
Full Description
Crowned by eternal snows, the mighty Kilimanjaro (19,340ft) is the highest free-standing mountain in the world and dominates its landscape unlike any other mountain.
Located in Tanzania, this extinct volcano looms over five eco-systems and large game reserves and is certainly one of the world's most impressive sights. The terrain is nothing short of dramatic. As a mountaineering company, we treat this African travel adventure as a mountain climbing expedition.
As one of the most fascinating and diverse regions on earth, Kilimanjaro has attracted both climbers and nature enthusiasts with its magnetism. The ascent up this great peak is non-technical by nature and it affords a full mountaineering experience (with all the rigors and rewards) for those in strong physical condition. Over the past ten years, we have emerged as a leader in guiding Kilimanjaro, applying expertise from other formidable mountains to the wilds of Africa. We consider the Kilimanjaro climb and safari expedition to be one of the most appealing and treasured adventure experiences we offer.
Kilimanjaro at 19,340' is an extreme, high altitude climb and is perhaps the most underestimated of the seven summits. You should be comfortable walking 4-8 hours per day. Summit day is the most demanding portion of the climb, typically involving 8 hours for the ascent and 6-7 hours for the descent. Our expeditions require strength & endurance. Being in sound physical condition is the single most important aspect for climbers to maximize their climbing potential. The better your physical condition, the more likely you are to perform well and have an enjoyable experience. The most frequent comment we have received over the years is that climbers have underestimated the fitness level needed to fully enjoy their trip. Additionally, inadequate fitness will affect the atmosphere, pace, and overall enjoyment of the climb for all participants. We highly recommend checking with your physician before undertaking any strenuous activity.
Includes:
- All Tanzania transportation
- All hotel accommodations in Tanzania during listed itinerary (double occupancy)
- All group equipment, such as tents, stoves, etc.
- All meals (B,L,D) during the climb and safari (Days 3-14)
- Porters, drivers, guides, park fees and climbing permits
Excludes:
- $25 wire transfer fee (if applicable)
- International round-trip airfare Tanzania
- Optional Serengeti balloon ride ($475.00)
- Tanzanian and/or Kenyan visas
- Meals, transport, and lodging outside the regular itinerary
- Alcoholic beverages and bottled drinks
- Excess baggage charges and airport taxes
- All expenses incurred in the event of early departure (evac fees, transport, extra hotel nights, etc)
- Personal gear
- International vaccinations
- Optional single room supplement: $425.00
- Charges incurred as a result of delays beyond the control of Alpine Ascents International
- Tips and gratuities
- All prices and dates subject to change
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1
Depart country of origin for Kilimanjaro International Airport, Tanzania. (JRO).
Day 2
Arrive in Tanzania. Airport pick up and transfer to New Arusha Hotel in Arusha, Tanzania.
Day 3
Rest Day. We spend the day relaxing after our international flights. Sightseeing and shopping at the Cultural Heritage Center. Upon return we have a thorough equipment check and orientation including principles of Leave No Trace environmental ethics. O/N New Arusha.
Day 4
We travel by Land Cruiser to the Machame trailhead, winding through coffee fields and small forests of ferns and flowers. After registering with the park service, we meet our porters from the Chagga Tribe, indigenous to the slopes of Kilimanjaro. They are an integral part of our African journey and become friends and provide insight into their culture and society. Our climb begins on the edge of a rain forest (elevation 5,800'). Below the watchful eyes of the monkeys, we trek seven hours to the Machame Camp (10,000') and set camp for the night.
Day 5
Leave the Machame Hut, cross a small valley and begin our ascent. The environment changes from heath forest to moor lands. These moor lands are littered with two species of giant groundsel, Senecios and Lobelia. Halfway up the trail we meet a river gorge and ascend across the Shira Plateau (12,300’). We sleep at Shira Camp.
Day 6
Today we climb to 14,800' while crossing a ridge and view the plains far below. Here we eat lunch and admire the ancient glacier ice of the Breach Wall before dropping to our 12,800' campsite at Great Barranco.
Day 7
We climb up and over the Great Barranco, topping out at about 14,500' before dropping to our camp at the Karanga River at about 13,000'. This completes another day of acclimatization as we pass below the famous Breach Wall, the largest ice and rock face in Africa. The Breach Wall climbing route, known as ‘The Icicle', was first climbed in the early 1970's by Reinhold Messner. Daytime temperatures can reach (80°F), while evening temperatures often drop below freezing.
Day 8
From the Karanga River we climb about 5-6 hours to our high camp at Barafu (14,650'). As we wind through beautiful and rarely traveled regions, we enter a high desert plateau, littered with volcanic boulders. Looking south we view the desert plains as the pinnacles of Mowenzi Peak tower before us. At Barafu we prepare for the summit attempt. While our cook staff prepares the food, we spend our time packing and preparing for the early morning, 2:00am departure.
Day 9
Summit day! Awake at midnight and prepare gear for the ascent. We climb wearing headlamps until the predawn light is reflected off the African plains. Following a distinct ridge we approach the crater's rim, then traverse northwest along the rim to the main summit, Uhuru Peak (19,340'). From here we view the Bismarck Towers, rock pinnacles along the rim and the hanging Rebman Glaciers.
As the sun rises over Africa, we are privy to a panorama of incredible views. To the north stands the second highest mountain on the continent, Mt. Kenya (17,056'/5199m), with its unique twin summits. The southern exposure reveals the sprawling plains of Tanzania and East Africa and Mowenzi Peak.
After enjoying the view from the top, we descend to Barafu, pack camp, and begin our traverse down the Mweka route on the southern side of the mountain.
Day 10
The sunrises are exquisite as we awaken below the towering mountain. We descend through the lush green landscape of the Mweka route into the thickest jungle we have yet encountered. The environment becomes primordial, with 20 foot-tall fern trees creating a prehistoric atmosphere. After reaching the Mweka Gate we drive to Arusha and enjoy a celebratory dinner. O/N New Arusha.
Day 11
(Safari itinerary subject to change. Based on team size and availability, travel order of safari parks may be reversed). Begin the safari to Tarangire National Park. This beautiful valley overlooks African grassland, sprinkled with acacia and baobab trees and is known for its variety of large mammals. Here we overnight comfortably in a deluxe safari lodge.
Day 12
After lunch we may visit a Masai village where we observe the tribal dance and local life-styles of the nomadic herders of the region. We then travel to Ngorongoro Crater and overnight comfortably in a deluxe safari lodge perched on the rim of the crater.
Day 13
We spend the morning in Ngorongoro Crater, one of the world's most incredible natural wonders. Here we encounter herds of zebra, antelope, buffalo, elephant, rhino, cheetah and hippo. After lunch we proceed with a game drive through Serengeti National Park en route to a deluxe safari lodge and dinner.
Day 14
There is an option for a spectacular sunrise balloon ride. We fly back to Arusha (Weather Permitting) for a farewell lunch at the lodge and then prepare for late night international departures.
Day 15
Arrive country of origin.
About The Operator:
Alpine Ascents International
Headquarters:
Seattle, WA
A Brief History
Founder Todd Burleson has traveled the globe incessantly (from 8 Everest expeditions and the 7 summits, to Greenland, Mongolia and Iran) not only for his love of guiding but his never-ending pursuit of perfecting the Alpine Ascents approach. In 1986 there wasn't much of a business model for international guiding, but making a living at something you love has its merits. While Todd's proficiency in climbing was well regarded, he had a propensity for not only guiding and teaching, but looking at mountains as to how they might be successfully and safely guided (routes, camps, guide ratios, supplies and itineraries). From our early successes on Himalayan Peaks, this approach soon took hold on mountains around the world. Willi Prittie joined on with Todd and added his relentless pursuit of perfection and joy of the mountains to the zeitgeist of Alpine Ascents. This unique combination snowballed into some of the finest logistics, training and guiding in the industry.
With this recipe, Todd and Willi began sculpting a reputation - as a climber's outfitter. This included Willi maniacally developing the Alpine Ascents Mountaineering School, with the theme that any graduate should possess enough safety skills to call themselves a climber. Enter Gordon Janow who brought his eclectic background of writing, business and many years of traveling through Asia to galvanize Alpine Ascents as a business and mind set. This led to other strategic and opportune partnerships with old climbing friends such as Vernon Tejas, Peter Athans, and Jose Luis Peralvo, as well as recruiting, developing and training a host of younger guides that eventually became the core of the Alpine Ascents guiding staff. The office staff, not to be outdone, put the expertise of Matt Lepisto and Kristine Kitayama, and more recently Brent LaDoux, Alayna Cullen, Garrett Madison and Savannah Klunder, along with Todd and Gordon to the task of organizing and creating all that manifests the visions of guides and climbers alike. Most of the original members are with us today, keeping it a jovial and enthusiastic (bordering on obsessive) team.
Alpine Ascents International Today
Alpine Ascents International leads expeditions that have become benchmarks of quality in the climbing community and operates what we believe is the finest mountaineering school in the country. This expertise is based upon years of accumulated experience, not just from individual mountain guides, but through experience on particular mountains where details are fine-tuned over time. We maintain our ongoing process of multi-leveled and critical evaluation for each expedition. Innovations like daily weather reports, established season-long base camps, environmental pioneering, and operating our trips with small climber-to-guide ratios led by Alpine Ascents guides are just some of the factors that keep us in the forefront. Our guides are the primary reason that Alpine Ascents has built such a unique reputation. Many of our guides have been with us for most of their careers and have had the opportunity to participate in a wealth of climbs and programs. Our guides are generally not seasonal employees, who teach a few courses and head back to "other lives", but are dedicated and committed to a life of climbing.
Along with these elements, our commitment to the environment and ethical global business practices make Alpine Ascents the most respected and well-rounded mountain guiding company in the industry. Alpine Ascents is proud to be one of a small minority of companies authorized to guide on Denali, Mt. Rainier and throughout Washington's Cascades.
Program Philosophy ~ Mission Statement
Alpine Ascents is committed to developing safe, self-reliant and environmentally-conscious mountaineers and offering courses and expeditions of unsurpassed quality throughout the world. Our business practices stress ethical and culturally aware travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time of year to go?
All of our Kilimanjaro climbs avoid the two rainy seasons in Tanzania, the "long rains" in April and May and the "short rains" from late October through November. It is important to understand however that weather on Kilimanjaro is as changeable and unpredictable as mountain weather all over the world is. Some light rain is virtually constant in the lower sections of the mountain throughout the year. But it might dry out on a given day or week. And the upper reaches of the mountain, which are quite arid, can see passing rain or snow storms at any time of year.
Which trip dates are during the warmer season?
Even though it is only about 3 degrees south of the Equator, Northern Tanzania has surprisingly variable temperatures through different times of the year. July and August are generally referred to as "winter" by the locals and it is the coolest time of the year in Nairobi and Arusha. Nighttime lows are typically about 48F and daytime highs might only be in the high 60's or 70's. You are probably thinking these sound like very pleasant temperatures, and you are right. We tell people "if you leave the United States in the summer months and travel to East Africa you are going to a cooler climate". This is surprising to most people, but very true. Safari and the time you spend in Arusha during these months can be wonderful in terms of weather - never as hot and steamy as you probably imagine tropical Africa to be. Similarly, if you are on a trip during our winter, you will find the weather to be as much influenced by altitude as latitude. It is warmer in December or February, but it is still not extremely humid or hot.
The above description is for the lower elevations. It gets very different on the upper reaches of the mountain. Talk to anyone who has climbed Kilimanjaro, at anytime of the year, and they will probably comment about how cold they got on summit day. This has more to do with the mild hypoxia (lack of oxygen) and the exertion that climbers experience, than it has to do with temperatures, or even wind. When you go to 19,000, anywhere on the earth, at anytime of year, you need to have very efficient insulation and be prepared to conserve you body's energy effectively. There is little difference in the degree of "warm" than can be experienced on a summit day on Kilimanjaro at any given time of year.
Which dates generally have the most people signed up and why?
The most popular months on Kilimanjaro are July and August, with December running a close third. Alpine Ascents trips tend to fill at any time of year they are run, but you will see fewer people from other groups in months other than August or December.
What is the average number of climbers?
Most trips last year ran with between 12 and 15 people.
The number of people per tent?
We currently use three-person tents on our Kilimanjaro program. Two climbers per tent.
Is there a community tent for eating/gathering?
Yes, we have a large dining tent and tables and chairs that are used at all camps. (OK, sometimes we forgo the table and chairs at high camp) These are especially nice if it happens to rain. But often people will go inside to get their food and then eat outdoors in beautiful evening light.
Approximately how much weight will climbers carry?
You will need a medium sized backpack (say 2500 to 3500 cubic inches) that can hold your layers of clothing for changing temperatures and activity levels through the day. One thing that many people do not expect is the porters who carry your large bags will probably move slower that you do. It is not uncommon to get to camp as the afternoon and evening temperatures cool off, ahead of the porters, but with lots of photographs to be taken and relaxing to be done. You need to be prepared to be inactive through part of each day as well as to hike. Most people carry packs that weigh about 20 pounds. You could pare this down to perhaps 15 if you were careful, but with a lot of camera equipment, or other personal preference type items, it might be more.
Do American guides take part in the actual climb all the way to the summit? If not at what point do they stop and why is this?
We always plan to go to Uhuru, the true summit of Kilimanjaro at 19,340'. A medical emergency that would require a lead guide's attention rather than an African guide's would be the only reason that they would not.
Do you have assistant guides to take someone back down should they become ill upon ascent and require descent? And what is the client to guide ratio?
We normally take a lead or "chief" African guide, plus 3 assistant African guides, for a total of five guides, including our guide, on a typical summit attempt. All of these men are well-known to us and we have done many successful summits together. Obviously this does not leave options for an unlimited number of turn - arounds during the summit attempt, but we have always been able to get people who really need to descent headed in the right direction, very quickly, and under excellent care and supervision.
Could you give an example of a typical breakfast, lunch and dinner on the mountain?
Breakfast: Scrambled eggs, porridge, toast, sliced cucumber and tomato, coffee, tea and cocoa.
Lunch: Sliced bread, cheese, salami, oranges, peanut butter and jam, potato chips, snack mix, candy bar.
Afternoon Tea: Hot drinks, popcorn, cookies
Dinner: Soup (Always!), chicken with rice, sliced fresh carrots and green beans, mashed potatoes, canned fruit
Does the price of the trip cover meals, land transfers, accommodations?
Yes, all hotels for the scheduled trip, meals on the mountain and on safari, airport transfers and shuttle to Arusha are included. One thing that is not included in town and on safari is bottled drinks (soft drinks, bottled water, alcohol.) Also not included is tips at the hotels, tips for safari drivers, and tips for guides and porters at the end of the trip on the mountain.
What are the accommodations like on the safari?
We stay in high-standard safari lodges run by the renowned Sopa chain. We use these places to relax and reward ourselves after a rigorous climb. They really are beautiful in terms of setting and amenities. The safari drives have their own demands, long dusty days and a lot of excitement and adventure with all the wildlife. One of the greatest feelings is to go into your room at the end of one of these days, get a shower and some clean clothes on, and go have a nice dinner with your friends who you recently climbed Kilimanjaro with. The sun will be setting on the African landscape and the large glass windows will scarcely separate you from this. Pretty civilized. We currently stay at the Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge and Tarangire Sopa Lodge during our standard 3-day safari, and the Serengeti Sopa Lodge on the extension.
What type of vehicles are used on safari?
You will be in a Land Cruiser, maximum 5 or 6 per vehicle. Your vehicle will be driven by an experienced Guide/Driver. He is the only person who ever drives his vehicle and is responsible for its complete safe operation and maintenance for the 2 to 3 years it sees service after it is purchased new by our agent in Arusha. The only seat that sometimes becomes undesirable if the vehicle is full is the front seat with the driver. Everyone in the back is under a canopy that extends up so that you can stand for wildlife viewing and photography while you are in the parks.
Why has Alpine Ascents chosen the Machame route for the ascent and the Mweka route for the descent over the Marangu route?
The Marangu Route, also know as the "Tourist Route" or "Coca Cola route" is convenient for people who choose not to prepare for Kilimanjaro as an expedition. You can stay in crude, rather crowded shelters, so you do not need tents. The route is very crowded by anyone's standards and, truth be known, the success rate on this route is very low because people tend to ascend too quickly. If you look at a map of Kilimanjaro you will see that our route, the Machame Route, climbs to over 12,000 feet on the mountain and then traverses a significant portion of Kilimanjaro at this elevation. Altogether we spend three nights in different camps at the same approximate elevation, before we ascend to high camp for our summit attempt. This part of the trip is beautiful in its own right - unlike anything you will see on the Marangu Route - and it has the added benefit of allowing us to acclimatize by taking the longer route. With regard to our descent, the Mweka is beautiful, feels very remote, and is direct. The last day out, after our very long summit day, it is only 2 - 4 hours back to the Land Rovers at the Mweka Gate.
On the climb and on the safari, how is the drinking water situation handled?
On the mountain, we have the staff purify all cold drinking water with 2% iodine solution. This goes into 20 gallon containers which they bring water to you in, before it goes into your water bottle. All water for hot drinks and cooking is, of course, boiled.
Do you have access to radio communications for any emergency needs if one were to arise?
For the past few seasons, we have relied on the satellite phone for possible emergency communication while we are on the mountain. Things change from season to season however. We also carry a cell phone and radio phone on the mountain and safari. All our Kili trips are run in our normal, self contained expedition style. That is to say, complete medical kits, and equipment to deal with emergencies travel with us. This self-reliant approach is especially important in Tanzania where unlike, say Nepal, helicopter evacuation is not available. The staff of 40 plus experienced Chagga men who travel with each group are who we really rely on for possible emergency response. If necessary they could carry an injured person, and they can run from any location on our route to a road head and telephones