Before the Climb

Who is actually running the climb?

The Adventure Travel Company and their African affiliate ZARA will be responsible for all logistics representing our charity climb.

The Adventure Travel Company was born out of Travel CUTS a little over ten years ago. A group of dedicated, adventurous employees wanted to promote and sell the type of travel that they loved to do themselves and were passionate about. Over the years our passion for this kind of travel has been contagious and it is the foundation for The Adventure Travel Company.

We believe in sharing our experiences, expertise and enthusiasm in adventure travel with as many people as we possibly can. We are committed to offering unbiased, experienced travel advice to people just like us. We are a culture of travellers who are passionate about the experience of travelling and the importance of immersing oneself in the country you are visiting to better learn to appreciate its people, cultures and wildlife.

We are constantly striving to be the best in customer service and to offer the widest selection of Adventure Trips in Canada. With offices from coast to coast and over 40 adventure travel suppliers under one roof, we ARE Canada’s home for Adventure Travel.

 

What costs are covered in the CLIMB fees?

Included in the climb cost of $2999 CAD:

• Arrival and departure transfers
• Three nights accommodation in Moshi with breakfast included
• Transport from Moshi to the starting point on the mountain and return to Moshi.
• National park gate fees
• Camping fees
• Rescue fees
• Guides and porters salaries
• All meals on the mountain-will have boiled water available daily for drinking and water for washing before meals
• Certified, experienced, English speaking guides
• 3 person dome style mountain Tents (2 guests per tent) these are set up and taken down each day by the porters, foam sleeping pads. Cooking equipment and eating utensils
• There will be dining tents set up. As well as “bathroom tents”
• We have arranged for 2 cylinders of oxygen for the group.

There will be an orientation meeting in Moshi at the hotel with the guides and Shawn Dawson the night before the trip starts.  They will have 1 main guide with 2 assistant guides, 1 cook, 1 waiter and 3-4 porters per traveler. The guides are trained in first aid and are trained to bring people down the mountain if need be with all the rescue equipment.

Not included in the $2999 CAD

• airfare, insurance, snacks while on trek (you should have a small supply with you)
• meals aside from breakfast at the hotel in Moshi.

What costs would I need to cover myself?

You need to cover your airfare and ATC?will be looking for group rates to help lower the price and keep the group together (TIP: you might be able to use travel points to help reduce this expense), travel and health insurance (some climbers have this covered through their employer), visa for entry into Tanzania, a tip to the crew (porters and guides), and other small incidentals such as drinks.

Mount Kilimanjaro climbing Tipping Guidelines:
Chief Guide: US$15 - US$20 PER DAY x number of days on Mountain,
Assistant Guide: US$10 - US$12 PER DAY x number of days on Mountain,
Cook: US$ 5 - US$8 PER DAY x number of days on Mountain,
Porters: 6 - 10 PER DAY x number of days on Mountain. 

Another option would be for each passenger to give 10% of the price that he/she paid for the trip.

**PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE GUIDELINES AND TIPS CAN BE GIVEN ACCORDING TO SERVICES GIVEN TO CLIENTS/CUSTOMERS BY STAFF.**

TIPPING GUIDELINES (Approx): $ 200USD per person. 

 

Are there any health restrictions on who can participate?

Anybody who is in reasonable shape can climb, however The Adventure Travel Company reserve the right to conduct in-depth inquiries to specific health issues that a potential climber may have. Note that these inquiries are to ensure the safety of everyone involved in the Kilimanjaro 2011 Dream Team Charity Climb.

Are there age restrictions on who can participate?

The National Park authorities have set a minimum age of 12. The Adventure Travel Company will review applications from climbers who are under 18 under certain conditions.

I have dietary restrictions (e.g. vegetarian/vegan, gluten-free, allergies). Can these be accommodated?

If you’re a vegetarian just let us know ahead of time, and we will prepare vegetarian meals for you. You should consider bringing along some “energy food” to supplement your meals.

“Specialty foods” are not available in East Africa, so if you are on a strict diet, such as gluten-free or if you have any food allergies, then you must bring your own specialty foods, which we will carry on the mountain and prepare for you. Be sure to plan carefully and bring enough for every meal.

Will I need a Visa to enter Tanzania?

Yes, you need to purchase an entrance visa for Tanzania.  The visa is easily obtained upon arrival at any major airport or border entrance in Tanzania.  You may also obtain a visa from the Tanzanian embassy by sending them your passport. You can get more info, including contacts, on the web site of Tanzania’s Canadian Embassy in Ottawa: http://www.tzrepottawa.ca/

What if I have to cancel before the Climb?

Deposit Requirement and Final Payment for Special Groups Departure To hold your space on this Special Groups departure (provided we have not reached our maximum number of participants) a nonrefundable deposit of $1,000 is required with your signed registration form. The final payment is due no later than Thursday, January 27th 2011. If this final payment is not received in time the Company reserves the right to treat the Client’s booking as cancelled.

Cancellation & Cancellation Penalties This special group departure is 100% nonrefundable once payments have been made.  ATC reserves the right to cancel any trip, at any time prior to departure due to terrorism, natural disasters, political instability or other external events which make it unviable for the agents to operate their planned schedule. If the Company cancels a trip on which you are holding a full-paid booking you may choose between an alternative trip and a full refund. ATC is not responsible for any incidental expenses that you may have incurred as a result of your booking such as visas, vaccinations, nonrefundable flights or loss of enjoyment. If the alternative trip chosen is of a lower value than that originally booked then you are entitled to a refund of the price difference. If the alternative tour is chosen is of a higher value then you will pay the difference in price.

Trip Cancellation Insurance: It is your responsibility to ensure that you are healthy enough to participate in our trips. Once ATC has confirmed your place on a trip, cancellation fees will apply if you cancel your trip for ANY reason - even for medical issues.  We strongly recommend that you buy trip cancellation insurance.

What Do I Need?

What do I need to bring with me?

All registered climbers will receive a pre-departure packing list.  However, in general, you’ll need hiking boots that have been broken in; water containers (you will need to drink 4L of water per day); wet-weather gear; layered cold weather gear; a good pair of waterproof boots; sleeping bag (or you can rent one); hiking poles & gaiters (also rentable); Diamox and personal meds; and a medium-sized daypack.

 

Zara will have the following for rent:

• Day Packs, Duffel bags
• Sleeping bags (several grades/types)
• Warm jackets, pants
• Rain Gear-raincoats and pants
• Long underwear
• Hiking poles
• Hiking boots
• Gaiters
• Gloves, hat, scarf, socks
• Sunglasses

 

What is the weather like – what kind of clothes should I bring?

On your climb you will experience humid and hot weather at the base in the rain forest, with temps around 26-32 degrees Celsius (C).  Temperatures on your first night may drop to freezing.  Days 2-3 can be dry and warm, with temps around 16 C to 21 C.  At night be prepared for freezing and snow.  As you climb the temperatures decrease. The top is considered Arctic weather, where you will find permanent ice.  Temperatures at the summit can get as low as minus 26 C.

 

Do I have to carry all my own equipment during the climb?

A porter to carry up to 30 lbs of your personal gear.  You will carry your daypack with personal items you require for the full day including your water, snacks and extra clothing.

 

Is there a weight limit on equipment?

You will be assigned a heavy duty waterproof bag for the climb. It’s big enough to hold all your gear, and then some. As we limit the weight each porter carries, we ask that you limit your bag weight to approximately 30 pounds. This will be plenty.

Do I need to do physical training before doing the climb?

Climbing mountains is a VERY physically intensive endeavor. Participants must train before the climb. Cardio and muscular training should become a part of your daily routine before leaving to climb Kilimanjaro. We have included a full section on “Fitness for your Climb” in this information kit

 

Do I need to learn special skills like rock-climbing?

You don’t need any climbing experience. Any person in good physical condition can make the climb.

 

What inoculations will I need?

You should consult with a travel medicine clinic a few months before departure. You can find a list of registered travel medicine clinics in your area on the Health Canada web site: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/travel/clinic-eng.php

Currently in Tanzania there are no requirements unless you travel from an endemic Yellow Fever zone.  We suggest you get Yellow Fever shots anyways, as you never know when the authorities in Taznania may change the rules.  We also suggest that you make sure your Tetanus is up to date.  You should also speak to your travel doctor about taking anti-malaria pills, and the use of Diamox to help your body acclimatize.

 

During the Climb

 

What route will the Climb take?

We will be climbing the Machame  route with extra days for acclimatization. This route does not require any technical skills or mountain climbing experience and there is no night climbing. 95-98% of the people climbing this longer route make it to the top. 

Machame AKA the “Whisky Route” has a very high success rate due to it’s gradual acclimatization. It is a beautiful route going up the South West side and coming down the South Side. All equipment is carried by the porters and all meals are prepared by the cook. The tents are set up and taken down by the porters.

We do not climb the Marangu Route. Over 25,000 people climb this route every year. It’s a 3 1/2 day climb to the summit. Not only is it too crowded, but climbing this fast can be very dangerous. Less than half the people climbing this route make it to the top, as the fast altitude gain can make them extremely ill.

 

What are the sleeping arrangements on the climb?

ZARA will be providing a 3-person tent, but we sleep 2 to a tent, trying to match climbers as best we can. Very often climbers find their tent partner before we even have to assign them to tents.

 

Will I be able to communicate with my family during the climb?

There are places where cellular communication is possible on the mountain. Please note that it is expensive to use cellular phones to call Canada. Dream Mountains is looking into organizing group communications which will be posted to the climb web site during the expedition so that your loved ones can follow your adventure (under the section “Follow the Climb”).

 

What are the risks?

There are always risks with adventure activities, especially with high-altitude mountain climbs such as this. The cold and thinner oxygen at high altitudes can cause serious, and even fatal, medical situations.  You will be escorted by a world class climber (Shawn Dawson) and experienced Kilimanjaro guides, however, it is your responsibility to come prepared and be aware of the risks at all times.

 

What safety measures will/should be taken on the Climb?

In the event of an emergency on the mountain The Rescue Team plus 1 assistant guide will descend to the park gate. All necessary arrangements will be made.

 Those who wear contact lenses should remove them at night as the eye needs to absorb oxygen from the atmosphere. The rare condition of altitude reduces the level of oxygen and in extreme cases can cause Corneal Oedema.

 

After the Climb

 

Can I do any tourist activities after the climb?

If you would like to do a wildlife safari following the climb, that can be arranged through ATC. From Kilimanjaro you are within a few hours drive from some of the finest wildlife reserves on the planet - Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara.  ATC specializes in running excellent wildlife safaris. You should spend a minimum of 3 days, but if you want to go to the Serengeti, you should plan on at least 6 days.