TAKE ON KILIMANJARO AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Combining raising money for a cause close to your heart and conquering Kilimanjaro, it doesn’t get much more gratifying than that! This is an opportunity to make a real difference; you may find that people will be very generous and supportive of you taking on something as unique as climbing to the roof of Africa!

We guarantee that this will be an experience that you will be proud of and reminisce about for a very long time. Imagine how incredible it would be to conquer Kilimanjaro with a group who are ALL fighting the same battle! You will have each other for support as well as two members of our fundraising team who will be with you every step of the way.

ABOUT KILIMANJARO

Dominating the landscape like no other mountain, both iconic and instantly recognizable, Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is the highest peak in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain in the world. At 5895 metres, to climb Kilimanjaro is a great challenge, not to be underestimated, but entirely feasible for the hill walker looking to combine a high mountain adventure with going to Africa. Kilimanjaro translates to “mountain of the springs” and its unique position just below the equator offers an opportunity to experience five different habitats from bottom to top, which makes an ascent of the mountain undeniably special. In a matter of days you’ll climb Kilimanjaro from the equator to what feels like the Arctic, moving through grasslands, tropical rainforest, alpine meadows, moorlands and desert uplands to snow and ice.

10th – 19TH OCTOBER 2016
ADVENTURE ALTERNATIVE

We have teamed up with the highly respected Tour Operator ‘Adventure Alternative’ who have been running treks on Kilimanjaro for over two decades. They have their own company in Moshi and have a reputation for integrity and safe successful trips. Your itinerary is 7 days on the mountain, which gives you the chance to acclimatise properly to changing conditions, meaning 95% of Adventure Alternative clients summit.

From the start you will have experienced people to talk to in the Adventure Alternative office, who have all been to Kilimanjaro before and can give an honest appraisal of the climb. This personal service extends to Tanzania where their manager Castro will give a team briefing and be on hand all the time. He will introduce you to the guides who all speak good English, are professional, experienced, attentive and understand that this is a personal dream to summit the roof of Africa.

Adventure Alternative are a perfect partner to look after fundraisers as they are a multi award winning company and are passionate about responsible tourism and every aspect of your trip, from transport and accommodation to staff policies, and how they help you on the climb will reflect this. Adventure Alternative are also independently audited, assessed and holders of BS8848, which covers safe and proper practices overseas.

SUPPORT FROM ALZHEIMER’S AUSTRALIA

We are thrilled to be helping you every step of the way, from confirming your place on the trip to raising your first dollar, reaching the summit and returning home a new person! Our fundraising team is very excited about this new adventure and will take very good care of you. We will provide you with your own fundraising pack which includes hints and tips for fundraising. You will also be sent a pack list and a health checklist to go over with your doctor. Emma, our Community Fundraising Executive, will help you set up your own JustGiving fundraising page and share with you the many ways that you can let people know about what you are doing. We will have a member of our fundraising team taking part in the challenge too! We also have a very positive relationship with Adventure Alternative – a company with extremely experienced staff who are always happy to answer any questions that you may have both before and during your trip. It is our priority to ensure that this experience is a very positive one. We understand that there will be challenges along the way, but we see this as an unmissable opportunity to bring like-minded people together in the fight against dementia. Not only is this an opportunity to raise vital funds, we also believe that it will be tremendously helpful in promoting our cause and raising awareness, so the more you get from this incredible experience, the happier we will be!

STAFF

All of the guides have been employed by Adventure Alternative for over ten years and have been trained to their high standards personally by their Director and high altitude climber Gavin Bate, who has climbed Kilimanjaro over forty times and is a guide on Everest. They know how to deal with medical emergencies and speak good English. It’s worth knowing that although the staff speak English, the will be very happy to hear that you have taken the time to learn a little Swahili! Just a few pleasantries in the language will go a long way!

TREK ORGANISER

The trek is organised by Adventure Alternative and their own company in Moshi called Adventure Alternative Tanzania. They run multiple climbs every month and have a summit success rate of 95%, a 100% safety track record and a ratio of one guide to four climbers.

Experienced guides will work alongside porters who carry the bags and equipment, and cooks who provide fresh tasty food every day. Quality mountain tents are used at the camps, with comfortable mattresses and a dining tent with tables and chairs. Adventure Alternative payfull recommended wages to their staff and are a Responsible Partner for the International Mountain Explorers Connection. They provide clothing, food and tents for all of their staff and have proven policies for payment and tipping.

YOU CAN DO IT!

Climbing Kilimanjaro is a non-technical trek but it does offer a full mountaineering experience.

Experience in hill walking is a benefit but not absolutely necessary, since this is a supported climb. You will however be outdoors constantly and living in tents so experience of camping will be useful.

It is not necessary to have any experience of high altitude to climb Kilimanjaro, but the important factor will be to go slowly and allow your metabolism to adapt to the lower air pressure and the thinner air. This is the secret to success on Kilimanjaro.

The staff will carry your main bag up to a maximum weight of 15kgs plus all the tents, kitchen equipment, food, fuel, tables and chairs. They will cater for all the group needs, providing excellent meals and putting up the tents. The guides will also brief you daily on the climb.

THE MACHAME ROUTE

This route is seven days long and is camping only, this route is regarded as a challenging wilderness route but allows for excellent acclimatization. Five days ascending through the forest from Machame Gate on the southwest side of the mountain, circling the massif, and summiting from Barafu Camp on day 6. Exit through Mweka Gate on day 7. G

This really is a stunning route that offers excellent acclimatisation and a great opportunity to
see diverse vegetation and wide-eyed views.

ITINERARY:

Day One Machame Gate to Machame Camp (3000m), 4 hours through forest
Day Two To Shira Plateau (3850m'), 5 hours through forest and open heath
Day Three To Barranco Hut (3950m), 6 hours on open heath and over two valleys
Day Four To Karanga Valley (3930m), 3 hours on open heath and rock across one valley
Day Five To Barafu Hut (4600m), 3 hours ascent on open ground
Day Six To Summit (5895m) and down to Millennium Camp (3300m), 6-8 hours to crater rim at night, 45 minutes from rim to Uhuru Peak, 3 or 4 hours back to Barafu Hut, 1-2 hours down to Millennium Camp
Day SevenTo Mweka Gate (1500m) and Moshi, 4 hours in forest. Arrive at hotel at 3.00pm

HEIGHT GAIN:

Start Level Daily High Point Sleep Level
Day One 1830m 3000m 3000m
Day Two 3000m 3850m 3850m
Day Three 3850m 4560m 3950m
Day Four 3950m 4200m 3950m
Day Five 3950m 4600m 4600m
Day Six 4600m 5985m 3800m
Day Seven 3800m 3800m 1830m

TERRAIN

The terrain on Kilimanjaro varies throughout; in a period of seven days, traversing the mountain, ascending from 2000m to 5895m and back down, you will pass through cultivated farmland, equatorial forest and alpine heath, across a lunar-like volcanic desert and up to a glaciated summit. Climbing Kilimanjaro is not a technical climb and there are no precipitous drops along the way, no rock climbing or specialist equipment is needed.

The paths are in good condition and well-trodden; some are steeper than others and you will most likely meet people all along the way. On summit day the path is mostly screed, which can be loose and unrelenting, especially on the descent when your knees will feel it.

The entire climb and descent covers just over 120km and the routes traverse the mountain,giving spectacular scenery throughout. Generally speaking each day will take about 5 hours of walking, and the distance reduces as you go higher.

CAMPS USED

Machame and Millennium Camp are all on the tree line and have a number of campsites set in small clearings in the forest. You will see a central ranger station and a number of drop-hole latrines.

Shira Camps 1 and 2 are situated on the vast Shira plateau which is a volcanic spill-off from the last explosion some 100,000 years ago. Open and exposed and often dusty with smaller, more fragile plants amongst the rocks. Latrines and Ranger huts are around and the area is so huge it is easy to have some privacy.

Barranco Camp is in a big clearing at the head of the steep valley which drops down into the Umbwe route, with dramatic cliffs around and right below the ice fields of Kibo, a stunning location for a camp.

Karanga Camp is a very open camp on the side of a hillside with great views of the summit massif and the expanse of land beyond the mountain. Many people go direct from Barranco to Barafu, so Karanga is traditionally a bit of half-way stop, but there are still latrines and a Ranger hut here.

Barafu, meaning ‘ice’, is now no longer covered in permanent snow but it is cold and rocky and exposed. People definitely feel the altitude here and you can expect snow and sometimes high wind. The camp sites are dotted amongst nooks and crannies in the rocks, perched on a sort of rid

COSTS (AUD)

The cost of your trip is $2,490.00. Initially, we require a deposit of $300.00 to secure your place on the trip. Six weeks before the departure date, we will ask for the remaining balance payment of $2,190.00. The minimum fundraising target for Alzheimer’s Australia is $2,500.00 which you must have achieved on or before your return date.

THE COST OF YOUR TRIP - $2,490.00 - INCLUDES:

 Accommodation in Moshi for 3 nights in the Keys Annexe Hotel (twin, B&B)
 Jeep or coach transport to the mountain gate from and to Moshi
 Park fees, camping fees and park rescue fees
 Park certified guides (ratio of 1:4) and assistant guides/company reps
 Porters and cooks, plus equipment and tents for them
 All camping equipment including sleeping tents with mattresses
 Expedition administrator, translator and Manager (Castro Capelo)
 Meals on the mountain - fresh food, 3 meals per day
 UK administration and organisation of your trip
 Fundraising for Alzheimer’s Australia

THE COST OF YOUR TRIP - $2,490.00 - EXCLUDES:

× International airfare to Kilimanjaro Airport
× Fundraising Target for Alzheimer’s Australia NSW $3,000
× Airport transfers - $20.00 per person one way
× Tanzanian Visa - $95.00\
× Vaccinations and malaria tablets\
× Personal expenses
× Travel insurance
× Lunch and dinners in Moshi
× Tips - $120.00 paid in local currency to Castro for distribution at exit gate

GOOD TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!

TOILETS:

All the campsites have latrines which are wooden huts with a floor and a long drop, most are newly built and are clean and some have a Western sit down loo too. It is important to take a torch with you at night and have a responsibility to keep the huts clean. Going to the toilet behind a bush is strictly forbidden and the Ranger has the authority to send people off the mountain, and fine the company. If a group wish they can decide at the briefing whether they want to bring up a private loo for their use. There is a charge for this and can be split between everyone.

RUBBISH:

All rubbish is collected by the staff and carried down the mountain. Do not throw rubbish down the long drop (toilet paper is fine) and make a habit of picking up litter that you see on the trail. The responsibility for keeping Kilimanjaro clean is on the shoulders of every visitor.

FOOD:

All our food is fresh and the meals are tasty and well prepared and served in comfortable mess tents with tables and chairs. Three course meals with vegetables, fruit, salads, desserts, soups, popcorn, biscuits and a complete range of beverages including herbal teas.

We want you to enjoy your holiday on Kilimanjaro and that means good food! Our cooks are all well experienced in Western tastes so expect a lovely three course meal. If you have dietary preferences then do let us know, and also inform Castro after your briefing in Moshi.

The cooks can easily cater for most preferences, although celiacs should bring some snacks and pastas etc. from home.

WATER:

We do not bring bottled water on the mountain; we boil all water which comes from the
rivers and glacial streams and also treat it. The staff will fill your water bottles every evening.

CAMPING:

Camping is liberating and really makes you feel as if you are on an expedition! Nothing to worry about, it is enjoyable and hygienic and there is enough privacy and comfort. If you haven’t camped since childhood the word should not be associated with hardship or discomfort. Most worries are dispelled on the first day. The tents are two-person mountain tents and we provide comfortable foam mattresses with waterproof covers.

Contact

Alzheimer's Australia NSW
Macquarie Hospital, Building 21, Gibson-Denney Centre
Cnr 120 Coxs & Norton Roads m North Ryde NSW 2113
Tel: 02 9805 0100
Fax: 02 8875 4665
Email: nsw.admin@alzheimers.org.au(link sends e-mail)