TREK DETAILS

Day 1-2: September 27-29 / Arrival and Transfer to Mount Meru National Park

Our team will be departing from 5 countries and ascending throughout the day of the 27th upon Kilimanjaro Airport in Tanzania . We will spend our first 2 nights in a private tented camp at 6,000 ft, helping us acclimatize in preparation for climbing Kili. From here we will be able to walk amongst the plains of uncharted Africa to elevations of over 8,000ft, excellent for acclimatization. We will be checking gear, having last minute briefings and even have time for game viewing and cultural exchange with indigenous people.

Day 3: September 29 / MONTANE FOREST (9,000′) (day 1 on the mountain)

We will drive approximately one hour to the Kilimanjaro National Park forest edge. From there we walk about 3 hours through the undisturbed forest to our camp for the night. With luck we will be able to see Colobus monkeys and signs of elephant and other forest wildlife on our walk to our first camp. Musical performances will start and end the day to keep us in the spirit!

Day 4: September 30 / SHIRA PLATEAU WEST SIDE (11,300′) (day 2 on the mountain)

Taking our time walking through the forest will help us spot some of the plentiful game and bird life. The day’s hike will take us up through the Montane Forest and the Hagenia forest zone. We will see the unique environmental differences that characterize these equatorial zones. The day should be lovely with plenty of time to take in the majestic surroundings.

Day 5: October 1 / SHIRA PLATEAU EAST SIDE - FISCHER’S CAMP (12,950′)(day 3 on mountain)
Our hike today will be about 4 hours across the Shira Plateau, a World Heritage Site, and one hour up the western slope of the Kibo Massif. Camp will be in the upper heath zone in full view of the Western Breach. This will be a day full of stunning views and, as always, music to lead the way.

Day 6: October 2 / LAVA TOWER (14,300′) (day 4 on mountain)

Today we will hike approximately 6 hours to camp just under Lava Tower, a 300 foot high volcanic lava plug that juts out of the side of the mountain. This will be our first introduction to the alpine zone, with the only plant life being the hardiest of grasses and lichens. We will have a spectacular view of our final ascent route up the Western Breach. Today is our first day at ‘real altitude’ and effects will be felt amongst the camp.

Day 7: October 3 / ARROW GLACIER (16,000′) (day 5 on mountain)

With the Western Breach ascent route in full view we will spend 2 hours climbing to the base of the route where we will camp near Arrow Glacier. An afternoon hike further up the route before relaxing in camp will help our acclimatization and improve our performance the following day.

Day 8: October 4 / SUMMIT CRATER CAMP (18,500′) (day 6 on mountain)

We will wind our way up the Western Breach non- technical climbing route for about six hours to the crater rim of the main Kilimanjaro summit massif. Those who still have the energy on top can explore the inner crater and the ash pit before moving to our highest camp on the crater floor. This spectacular high camp is next to the Furtwrangler Glacier with stunning views westward toward Mount Meru and the setting African sun. Almost there!! Let the music keep us moving!!!

Day 9: October 5 / SUMMIT DAY and MWEKA CAMP (10,500′) (day 7 on mountain)

We will start our ascent to the summit (19,341′) early enough in the morning to be on the summit by 10:00am. This final ascent is only 800 feet leaving us plenty of energy to symbolically perform a concert atop Kilimanjaro at Uhuru Peak, which means Freedom in Swahili. Here we will unveil the 6,000 names of the friends and family members of Love Hope Strength who have all been touched by cancer, the names we have been carrying on a backs throughout the climb and the names that carried us when we did not have the strength to take another step. We will symbolize another “Climb Back From Cancer” of those who have been victorious and have a moment of silence for those that we lost, including fellow teammate Kevin Carlberg who passed from cancer just before the climb. We will then begin the long descent to Barafu Hut and down to our final camp near Mweka Hut.

Day 10: October 6 / ARUSHA (day 8 on mountain & hike out)

It takes about 3 to 5 hours to make the 4,500 foot descent to the Park Gate where we will say goodbye to our mountain family before heading to the hotel near Arusha for much needed showers and sleep.

Day 11-12: October 7-8 / NGORONGORO CRATER CAMP

After a leisurely morning, we leave Arusha and head into the 3,200 square mile Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a tract of land that includes Maasai grazing land as well as a large portion of the Serengeti Plains. Peering into the giant Crater from the rim, we see below us one of the earth’s most picturesque Edens. Our private tented camp is away from the hustle and bustle of the main tourist area and located on the edge of a high ridge with awesome views in all directions. Camp is only a short distance from the “boma” of Ole Dorop, a well respected Maasai elder and long term friend of our guides. We will journey down the steep slope into the Ngorongoro crater. Inside these towering hillsides is a world of splendor, beauty and wildlife. Days will end with short hikes with some of the Maasai warriors to stretch our Kilimanjaro muscles. In the early evenings local members of the Maasai community will prepare a special goat roast, a traditional Maasai feast. The Maasai will join our musicians in camp for dancing, singing, and celebrating with the Kilimanjaro Rocks team. The journey will close with a final meal with Ole Dorop as our host as we sleep beneath the African skies one last time.

Day 13: October 9 / NAIROBI KENYA

Today we say “kwaheri” to the Maasai and drive the 4 hours back to the airport