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DAY 1 - Friday - 25 February 2011
When travelling (flying) we strongly suggest you wear / carry on you your running shoes & climbing boots - these are crucial for your race & climb, and you do not want to risk losing them in the hold. Make sure you have your yellow fever certificate with you – you need to produce it on arrival in Tanzania.
Depart OR Tambo International Airport from Johannesburg on Kenya Airways to Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania (via Nairobi).
On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Moshi, Tanzania (± 1 hour’s drive). Stay here for 3 nights on a bed and continental breakfast basis (see choice of hotels and cost below).
For the budget conscious, there is the option to fly to Nairobi on Kenya Airways & do a road transfer to Moshi (± 7 hours drive, including the Tanzania / Kenya border crossing at Namanga).
DAY 2 - Saturday - 26 February 2011
Spend the day relaxing at the pool or you may opt to go and explore the little town of Moshi. You can buy curios and have some lunch at one of the local restaurants. Day trips can be arranged at an additional cost.
This evening a special carbo-loading supper will be available (payable direct to the hotel) for you to “fuel up” for the race. Tonight there will be a Marathon briefing.
DAY 3 - Sunday - 27 February 2011 - RACE DAY!
Transfers to and from the stadium will be provided for all Wild Frontiers clients. The Wild Frontiers Hospitality tent with shade and drinks will be provided exclusively to all Wild Frontiers clients at the finish.
Overnight at the at your Moshi hotel on a bed and continental breakfast basis.
Climb briefing tonight.
If you need to hire any extra gear, advise the hotel this evening. Leave any excess clothing and valuables at the hotel - they will lock them up for you. Pack your bag carefully for the climb - remember the weight limit of 12 kg. Leave some 'bin bags' in an outer pocket of your bag, and show the porters where they are so that in case of rain they can quickly cover your bag. Keep one out for your personal backpack too!
DAY 4 - MONDAY - 28 February 2011
After an early breakfast you will depart for the National Park Gate (approx one hour) where you will meet your guide 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 in the region of 5 hours to complete, after which you arrive at Machame Hut (3 000m).
Wear your hiking boots today and ensure you keep your wet weather gear with you. Shorts and t-shirt should be sufficient. There are patches on the route where it is VERY wet and muddy, and you may end up with pretty wet boots this evening. Ensure your boots are waterproofed, and that you have spare lightweight shoes to wear in camp this evening. Gaiters are also advised to help you keep the mud and dampness out.
Take it SLOWLY today; your climb is made in the first two days, so you need to get a slow, steady pace going. You will encounter some steep parts on the climb - but generally its not too strenuous. The porters walk ahead and sometimes with you - make sure every day, that you have all your personal gear needed with you in your daypack, as you will not have access to the bag that the porter will be carrying.
The porters will set up camp and the crew will prepare your meals. Conditions are difficult on this route, and your guide and the rest of the crew will do everything they can to make your climb pleasant and as comfortable as possible. Eat well - at higher levels your appetite will diminish.
DAY 5 - Tuesday - 01 March 2011
Ascend to Shira Hut, 3 800m. When you depart from Machame Hut you will be in the heather zone, and you will be climbing up one of the ridges on the mountain. It is a fairly steep start, followed by an hour or so of hard uphill, then 2 hours at a gentler angle through the lower moor land, which brings one to the top of a rocky bluff. Lunch is normally taken here. From the lunch stop you will start traversing westwards, up towards Shira Cathedral. The last sections of this route is relatively flat and easy - but once again, take it very slowly.
Take a jersey with you today, as it cools down considerably during and after lunch. Again, keep your wet weather gear handy, and some snacks for the route. Drink plenty of water, it is vitally important to keep your fluid intake high, as it aids the acclimatisation process.
Camp at Shira – it’s a pretty exposed and cold campsite, you may get rain or sleet, and in the morning the ground and tents could be frozen over. You do, however, get to see some of the most spectacular sunrises and sunsets as your reward for camping here!
DAY 6 - Wednesday - 02 March 2011
From Shira you will set off to Barranco (3 900m), skirting just below Lava Tower - you are now walking at an approximate altitude of 4 500m, while traversing around the southern side of the mountain. A few steep sections of uphill & valleys, some parts that looks like a 'moon landscape' and quite a steep descent to Barranco – it’s a long and fairly tiring day.
This is part of your acclimatisation - walking in height from 3 800m up to 4 500m, and then overnighting at 3 900m. Once again, pace yourself to gain altitude slowly. The night temperature at camp could be cold (night frosts).
DAY 7 - Thursday - 03 March 2011
Continue from Barranco across and up towards Barafu Hut (4 600m). Today you will cross the Barranco Wall – it’s a climb over rock & it looks like a sheer rock face, but it is still a hike & there is no technical climbing involved. It is rather tiring and hard/long though – and the guides might use rope on some sections for peace of mind. There’s a steep descent down into Karanga valley, where you will have lunch on the other side. After lunch you start to ascend to Barafu, It’s a long day - your guide(s) will set the pace.
Learn to pace yourself with your breathing - do not try to rush to catch up with anyone, go at your own, most comfortable speed and you will arrive relatively comfortably. Listen to your guide(s) they will help you. It will be very cold today - especially when you stop for lunch and rest - dress warmly, you may expect some sleet on this day. You will be walking through the cloud.
After supper, drink as much tea as possible; settle down for an early night.
Drink plenty of fluids, as you are in a 'desert' area - albeit cold, and tomorrow will be a long hard day.
DAY 8 - Friday - 04 March 2011
Today is a very long and strenuous day. Drink lots of fluid before you start, you will be very thirsty by the end of it - if can you manage, carry 3 litres of fluid with you.
You will be woken at about 23:30 or 00:00 with tea and a biscuit. Put on all your clothing ready for the final ascent.
You will be climbing up scree for approximately 4-5 hours. The guide will stop frequently to rest and check on his group. It is very important to listen to your body and breathing and try to get into a rhythm. Because of the slowness of your walk, your fingers and toes are likely to get extremely cold - three pairs of socks should be considered for today and two pairs of gloves (inner and warm outer). The views from the mountain (on the way up) are spectacular - you gain incredible height over a short distance.
You arrive at Stella Point (5 750m) on the crater rim & have a quick rest - the sun should be shining! From here continue around the crater rim to Uhuru peak (5 895m), the highest point in Africa.
After taking your picture and enjoying the view you descend along the crater rim to Stella Point, from where you descend further to Barafu. You will travel down quickly on the scree gasping in more oxygen, step by step.
The porters do not travel to the summit with you (only the guides & assistant guides), and the tents stay up at camp, so depending on the timing of your summit, you will be able to have some rest here (maybe a short sleep) and something to eat. After a good rest & some nourishment you can pack your thick outer clothing items in the bag that the porter carries before you continue down the Mweka Route.
This is a long descent, and Mweka always seems to be on the 'next hill' - never arriving. Arrive Mweka (3 100m), late afternoon, on the edge of the rainforest, overnight camping. Time to reflect on the day’s achievements.
DAY 9 - Saturday - 05 March 2011
A three to four hour pretty descent through the rainforest to the Park Gate at Mweka, where the vehicle will meet you. There are generally beers and cokes for sale at the park gate. Transfer by vehicle to the hotel (approximately 45 minutes drive) ready for an evening of celebration.
The certificates are generally handed out by the guides (either at the gate or on occasion they may join you at the hotel).
Overnight Keys hotel with continental breakfast included.
* Kindly note that your night after the climb will be spent at Keys Hotel and not one of the other hotels in town. Please advise if you would like to change this.
Liaise with your head guide regarding tips - we recommend approximately USD 120-150 per climber, which the guide will help apportion out amongst the crew & help you note on a form as per the instruction of the KPAP (Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project).
Our crew work extremely hard up there on the mountain and a tip of USD 120-150 per climber (which gets split across the group) is a fair reflection of your appreciation of this - more than this is at your discretion. Old clothing is also appreciated! If you feel at any stage, any pressure regarding tips, please make sure you report this to our dedicated client liaison officer, Edita Mboya, and it will be taken up accordingly.
Check with receptionist that flights are all ok, and your departure time for the following morning.
DAY 10 - Sunday - 06 March 2011
You will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your return flight to Johannesburg on Kenya Airways (via Nairobi).
For the persons that opted for the road transfer, you will be transferred to Nairobi and dropped off at JKIA International Airport in time for your return flight on Kenya Airways.
Note: Continental breakfast means pastries, yoghurt, fruits etc, if you order a cooked breakfast there will be a small additional charge payable at the hotel.
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