Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro Ascent & Safari
This fabulous trip will take you to climb the highest peak in Africa via the Machame route, followed by an incredible safari to three amazing National Parks. We utilize local guides and porters to carry our gear, cook and handle all the camping duties while you hike with a light day pack and relax in camp. After the mountain experience, we will travel by land rover to see a multitude of African animals including elephants, lions, hippopotamus, zebras, and lions.

Mount Kilimanjaro is located three degrees south of the equator in Northeastern Tanzania. It is the tallest mountain in Africa and is the highest free-standing mountain in the world. This immense mountain is made up of three volcanoes: Shira, Mawenzi, and our goal, Kibo, the tallest one in the middle. Of the famous Seven Summits peaks in the world, this is the easiest to get to and to climb, and it requires no technical climbing experience. Most moderately fit and determined person can summit the mountain with the assistance of the guide and porters.

After the mountain experience, we will travel by Land Rover to see a multitude of African animals, including elephant, lion, hippopotamus, zebra and water buffalo. This exciting safari is truly an adventure of its own!

What’s Included?
The price includes international and domestic airfare, all hotels and most meals, and guide fees. Yes, you can (almost) leave your wallet at home - the price is ALL inclusive! This is a unique feature of the Backwoods Adventures trips as most companies price their trips on land cost only.

What’s not included?
Personal gear and clothing for your personal use on the trip; alcoholic drinks at meals, guide tips (should you choose to tip your guide): additional charges in hotels such as laundry charges, etc.; additional activities outside the designed trip; airport and immigration taxes (in some situations); passports; travel insurance; any medical costs; and any costs associated with leaving the trip early by your choice. The trip price is figured on double room occupancy; however, single occupancy is available at an additional charge.

Tips
During your Backwoods Adventures experience your leaders work 24 hours a day for the duration of your trip ensuring that you have a great time. If you feel they gave you an excellent experience, and you wish to leave a tip for them, it is greatly appreciated! Certain Backwoods Adventures trips will require the additional assistance of porters, drivers, or other local staff members to assist with the overall operation. These are hard working individuals who also stay on task 24 hours a day and assist in any way necessary. It is not mandatory to tip, but, it does highly supplement their pay, therefore, again is greatly appreciated.

Excess Baggage Fees
Each airline has its own baggage regulations; most will charge for overweight baggage. Check with your international airlines to determine their baggage weight limitations and excess baggage fees. Most international flights allow two bags per person that can weight up to 70Lbs. For domestic flights, remember that the weight limits for baggage is much less. Please check with Backwoods Adventures for this weight if your trip includes domestic flights.

Group Size
We like to travel in small, more intimate numbers. This allows us to build great chemistry as a group and also allows for opportunities that may not be available while traveling in larger numbers.

Trip Leader
A unique feature of Backwoods Adventures is that you can talk directly with your guide. Please call or email Joe Koehly (316-200.5720 ~ jkoehly@backwoods.com) with any questions you have regarding this adventure.

Meals At Backwoods Adventures we know that well fed travelers are happy travelers! We aim to please your palate. These examples may not be the exact fare of the day and may change from day to day, but following are a few examples of our daily meals:
Breakfast: Breakfasts are typically eggs, toast, meat, and fruit along with a selection of hot drinks.
Lunch: Lunches will be some combination of bread, cheese, cucumbers and tomatoes, fried potatoes, fried bread, fruit, biscuits, and hot drinks.
"Tea" is served mid- to late a ernoon with peanuts, popcorn, and/or biscuits.
Dinner: Dinners will be served with soup and bread first, followed by pasta, potatoes, or rice with different sauces, which are o en tomato-based with meat, beans, and vegetables.
Vegetarian and other special diets can be accommodated.
Because of the exercise and high altitude, you should drink 3-4 liters of water a day. The porters will boil water along the route for you.

Accommodations
Our accommodations will vary based on our location. However, all hotels are among the highest rated in the country both for location and amenities. We strive to deliver high quality and unique experiences in the country we are visiting! The Springlands Hotel received the Award of Districts "Award for Cleanliness" and the Moshi Municipal Council awarded Springlands the 2004 CUP for being number one for maintaining cleanliness in the environment. The Springlands Hotel will be your home base for Kilimanjaro treks and Tanzanian safaris. It is located just over a mile from teh center of the town of Moshi (800m/2600 ). The rooms are very clean adn comfortable with twin beds, mosquito netting, and bathrooms with hot showers. This is a private hotel and is situated inside its own quiet and peaceful enclosure for security and privacy. The hotel staff are very friendly and helpful people who you will really enjoy getting to know. Their huge smiles and outgoing personalities will delight you! During the trek we will be staying in spacious 4-person tents. All accommodations are on a twin-sharing basis, unless otherwise arranged.
Amenities include:
Restaurant and garden bar
Massage, pedicure or manicure
Swimming pool and sauna
TV room
Fitness room
Guided jungle walks
Gi shop for sundries and souvenirs
Telephone services and Internet access
Locked storage facilities (while on trek or safari)
Laundry services
Bicycle rental (to town and back)
Rental equipment (for the trek)
Safe deposit box ($1/day)


Travel Insurance
It is strongly suggested that you have comprehensive travel protection insurance. Trip insurance can include coverage for medical emergencies, coverage for trip cancellation due to your own accident or illness, or all of the above. We recommend this insurance as Backwoods Adventures cannot be responsible for covering these types of individual situations. Should you choose to purchase this insurance, please carry your confirmation information with you on your trip. Please provide us with the name, policy number and emergency contact number of your chosen insurance company.

Health
Altitude - Our trip to Africa will take us to remote regions of high altitude. We always take our time to acclimatize properly by allowing for additional rest days. When gaining in altitude above 10,000 feet, we have included sufficient rest or "layover" days to ensure that you acclimatize properly. While many people may experience minor ill effects from high altitudes, there are some who have persistent symptoms that require returning to a lower altitude or, in extreme cases, emergency evacuation. We do our best to allow a pace for everyone to acclimatize. Listening to your guide will help a great deal. We cannot determine how you will do at altitude, but being in the best shape possible and having a lower body fat percentage will help greatly.

The ascent of Kilimanjaro is a strenuous adventure and should not be undertaken if you have any health conditions which may put you at risk. You are strongly advised to consult your physician for a thorough medical check-up and clearance before attempting the mountain. If you are over 50 years old, talk to your doctor about doing a "stress EKG". Should you require any medication whatsoever, you must provide your own and be able to administer it yourself. Medical supplies in Tanzania are not reliable or guaranteed though we will have a fully stocked medical kit on the trip. Talk to your doctor about the following vaccinations:
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Typhoid
Tetanus
Polio
MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
Malaria pills
Prescriptions you are currently taking, or should take in case you get sick.

Visa Requirements
U.S. Citizens need a visa for Tanzania. You can get the visa application from the Tanzania Embassy Web site or call them in Washington D.C. at 202-939-6125, and ask for a visa application. You will need to send:
- Valid Passport (must be valid for at least 6 months beyond entry)
- One application per traveler
- One passport-size photo
- $100 money order for each person (no checks)
- Prepaid return envelope to the embassy
Allow 30 days for processing. You might want to consider sending it certified mail or Federal Express both directions to ensure the safety of your passport. You can also get a visa at the Kilimanjaro International Airport once you arrive. You should carry a photocopy of your passport, insurance information and emergency contact numbers with you at all times. You should leave a copy of this information with a friend or relative at home.

Recommended Reading
Kilimanjaro & Mt Kenya: Climbing and Trekking Guide, Burns Info on dozens of routes on both Kilimangao and Kenya, raning from serious technical climbs to treks and walk-ups. Also covers pre-trip planning details, environmentally-sensitive climbing techniques. $18.95 Buy these books at your local Backwoods store. or call 1.877.779.0677

Routes
There are two main routes on the mountain: the Marangu and Machame, neither of these routes are technical and are therefore suitable for hikers. We will ascend via the Machame Route, also called the Whiskey Route. This route takes 7 days. There are no sleeping huts, so we sleep in tents. This route is more beautiful, and a higher percentage of climbers summit than the Marangu, or Coca-Cola route, which is the busiest route.