Climb Kilimanjaro
At 5,895 metres, Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the largest volcanoes ever to break through the Earth’s crust. Your challenge is to reach its summit!
Trek Mount Kilimanjaro
About
11–22 July 2012
29 August–9 September 2012
16–27 January 2013
Towering over the sandy plains of Tanzania, at 5,895 metres stands Mount Kilimanjaro – the world’s tallest free-standing mountain and one of the largest volcanoes ever to break through the Earth's crust. Reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro and raise money for Breast Cancer Care in this 12-day tough challenge.
Your trek starts in the rainforests of Lemosho Glades and heads upwards as you acclimatise on Shira Plateau. From here you will catch a glimpse of your goal, Kibo, Kilimanjaro’s main ice-capped peak. You continue via the beautiful Southern Flank, Barranco Wall and Barafu Route.
Temperatures drop at night, allowing you to enjoy the crisp cool air under the star-studded African skies. During the days you’ll rise higher; often looking down on a sea of clouds.
The expedition has been carefully planned to ensure that you acclimatise as much as possible to the altitude and your chances of making it to the summit are maximised. Our operations teams have one of the highest success rates of trekkers reaching the summit, but you should not underestimate the challenge ahead.
On the final night before the summit climb, you shall need to rise at around midnight to commence the final trek in the moonlight up the scree slopes to Stella Point. Your aim is to reach this point by dawn and continue around the rim to the highest point, Uhuru Peak. This is likely to be the toughest day that most trekkers will face.
Minimum sponsorship
Non-refundable registration fee: £695
Minimum sponsorship: £4,225
Self-funder
Non-refundable registration fee: £695
Balance: £2,001
Raise as much as possible for Breast Cancer Care.
How we will support you as part of Team Breast Cancer Care:
- a support pack full of fundraising and training advice
- a Breast Cancer Care T-shirt to wear on your challenge
- support and advice from a dedicated member of the Breast Cancer Care challenges team
- regular newsletters and emails to keep you updated
- fundraising materials to help you including balloons, banners and collection tins
- 20 per cent off your first purchase from Sweaty Betty – specialists in performance wear for women
- 15 per cent off at Cotswold Outdoor.
We hope to welcome you to Team Breast Cancer Care very soon!
Fundraisers taking part in this trek for Breast Cancer Care will be joined by trekkers raising money for other charities.
Itinerary
Day 1: depart from UK to Kenya
Our Charity Challenge representative will be there to assist you with check-in and any last minute questions.
Day 2: transfer to Arusha
Subject to availability, you will connect with an internal flight to Kilimanjaro airport or transfer overland across Kenya. If you transfer overland you will transfer by bus (approximately four hours) across Kenya to the Namanga border. Once through the border into Tanzania, you will continue your journey for approximately another two hours until you arrive at your hotel in Arusha where you will enjoy a welcome lunch. This evening you will have your briefing and kit check. Overnight and dinner in a hotel in Arusha.
Day 3: rainforest trek (2,800 metres)
This morning you will register at the main gate of the National Park before being driven to Lemosho Glades where you start the three to five hour trek at 1,981 metres through the rainforest to Big Tree Camp at around 2,800 metres. This is an unspoilt and exciting route, which takes the climb to true wilderness zones. Your trek today will be along a little used track known as Chamber’s Route. In places the vegetation is so undisturbed by humans that it grows right across the narrow track. Flora and fauna are richer here than on other more well-trodden routes through the rain forest. Dinner and overnight at Big Tree Camp (or nearby in the rain forest).
Day 4: acclimatisation trek (3,500 metres)
Today is a full days trek with a height gain of over 600 metres, taking you to a lunch stop at a beautiful valley just outside the Shira Crater (around 3,050 metres). After lunch you cross into the Shira Caldera, a high altitude desert plateau rarely visited by man. Shira is the third of Kilimanjaro’s volcanic cones. It is filled with the lava flow from Kibo and its rim has eroded and been blasted away by weather and volcanic action. You will camp and have dinner at Shira One (3,500 metres). Today you can expect the first close views of Kibo, the dramatic summit cone of Kilimanjaro. Approximate trekking time is seven to eight hours.
Day 5: Shira Plateau (3,800 metres)
Today consists of a five to six hour trek east across Shira Plateau to Shira Two via Shira Cathedral (3,880 metres). The views from the top of this ridge are spectacular. Those with vertigo should take care. Overnight dinner and camp at Shira Two which is located at around 3,800 metres.
Day 6: Southern Flank (3,900 metres)
Today you will be crossing the Southern Flank, passing down the Barranco Valley to the camp at Barranco Wall. Here you will camp and have dinner at 3,900 metres, only 210 metres higher than your previous night’s camp at Shira Two, but the walk will have taken you to 4,440 metres and over the ridge or to 4,550 metres and over Lava Tower, offering valuable altitude acclimatisation. The camp at Barranco is one of the most spectacular on Kilimanjaro, with views of Mount Meru and the valleys below. Today’s trek will take approximately seven to ten hours.
Day 7: Barranco Wall and the Karanga Valley (3,900 metres)
An early morning start will begin with a climb up Barranco Wall (4,170 metres), with an immediate height gain of 200 metres to admire the views of Mount Meru and the plains far below. You will continue across the ridges and valleys to Karanga Camp at 3,900 metres, where you will have lunch. This trek should take approx four to six hours. In the afternoon there will be an important optional trek up the scree slopes towards the southern ice fields. Again, this acclimatisation walk is highly recommended and will aid your chance of summit success. Overnight at the Karanga Camp.
Day 8: Barafu Ridge (4,600 metres)
After breakfast you will trek up to the Barafu Ridge Camp (4,600 metres). The three to five hour trek up to Barafu Ridge Camp is tough due to the altitude. You should reach the camp well ahead of most other climbers on this route because they will mainly be starting from further back at the Barranco Camp. Depending on your condition, either take an afternoon rest or a short acclimatisation walk to a higher point and then return. You will have an early dinner and rest until midnight, when you commence your push for the summit.
Day 9: summit day (5,895 metres)
You will need to rise at around midnight (if you’ve managed to get some sleep!) to commence the trek up the scree slopes to Stella Point, continuing around the rim to the highest place, Uhuru Point. It can seem mild at first but as you reach the exposed ridges, wind chill causes the temperature to plummet. First light is apparent around 5.30am and this really gives you hope to push on upwards. You should reach Stella Point (5,750 metres) - on the crater rim just after dawn; then after a short rest continue for another hour or so round to Uhuru Point. After reaching Kilimanjaro’s summit (5,895 metres) and enjoying the amazing views, you will continue via Stella Point. You descend the scree slopes via Barafu Ridge Camp for a few hours rest and then on to Millenium Camp (3,750 metres). This is to be the toughest day that most trekkers have ever experienced, involving 1,295 metres of ascent, 2,145 metres of descent, and 12-15 hours walking. It is, however, also victory day! You will have a final camp meal and stay overnight at Millennium Camp. There is the possibility of a celebratory coke or a beer at this camp.
Day 10: descend to Mweka Gate
Today you will start early and walk down through the beautiful rainforest to Mweka Gate. This is a long walk-off on a pretty, gently sloping track that takes you from the lower heath into the rainforest and finally down to the farms and plantations near Kidia. The path continues for five to seven hours until you reach the gate for a picnic lunch and a presentation of National Park certificates and triumphant photos. After lunch you will be driven to your hotel (approximately two hours) in Arusha for a well-appreciated shower and a large, celebratory dinner.
Day 11: depart Tanzania to UK
This afternoon you will transfer back to Nairobi airport (approximately four to six hours overland or via an internal flight from Kilimanjaro to Nairobi) for your flight to the UK.
Day 12: arrive home
Arrive in the UK.
Join our team
There are three funding options for this challenge. If you choose the minimum sponsorship option your tour costs will be included within your fundraising. Recognising that this can be a large amount of money to fundraise and that some people may prefer to pay more of their own tour costs there is also the flexi option. Finally, if you would like to pay the full costs for the trip to ensure that 100 per cent of your fundraising goes to support the vital work of Breast Cancer Care, please choose the self-funder option.
Minimum sponsorship
Non-refundable registration fee: £695
Minimum sponsorship: £4,225
The cost of the trek including flights from London is £1,991. These costs are paid from your sponsorship. 80 per cent of your sponsorship is required eight weeks before departure.
Flexi
Non-refundable registration fee: £695
Balance (contribution towards your trip costs eight weeks before departure): £695
Minimum sponsorship: £2,675
Self-funder
Non-refundable registration fee: £695
Balance: £2,001
Raise as much as possible for Breast Cancer Care.
Fundraising
Reaching your fundraising target can be a challenge, but don’t worry as we have some useful tips to help you plan and coordinate your fundraising.
Check out our seasonal fundraising ideas to ensure that your fundraising is fresh and on trend.
Social networks
Remember, it’s your network of friends, family, colleagues and contacts who will support you with your training and fundraising. Keep them updated every step of the way with your Facebook profile, blog or Twitter account.
Tell them how your training is going (with pictures for added impact) and let them know how you’re getting on with your fundraising target. You can even upload pictures on the day to show everyone your progress along the route! If you follow Breast Cancer Care on Facebook and Twitter, we’ll keep you up to date with the goings-on here, and keep you on track with support and tips.
Fundraising materials
Download your very own fundraising planner to follow to ensure that your fundraising activities run as smoothly as possible.
Use this downloadable poster to promote your fundraising events.
Online fundraising
Now you can raise sponsorship without all the hassle. No more dealing with cash and cheques, no more chasing friends after the event. Simply create a free, online fundraising page, personalise it with a photo and message, and email it to your friends, family and work colleagues. They can donate quickly and securely online with a credit or debit card. Online donations from UK taxpayers are worth almost a third more to us with Gift Aid, which can be claimed on online donations. Follow the instructions to set up your unique JustGiving page.
Once you’ve created your page, email the link to friends, family, colleagues and classmates. You can even add the JustGiving application to your Facebook page to make it even easier for your friends to donate.
For more information or help setting up your page, visit www.justgiving.com or call the Justgiving helpdesk on 0845 021 2110.
Please note: Justgiving money will only be attributed to the person who set up the Justgiving page, so please do not set up joint pages as we are unable to share the money between several people.
How do I pay in my sponsorship?
There are few ways in which your sponsorship money will reach us:
JustGiving
If you have decided to create a Justgiving fundraising page, then you do not need to do anything as all your sponsorship money will automatically be sent directly to our bank account. Please note that it can take up to four weeks to show up on your fundraising record at Breast Cancer Care.
Cheque
Please send all cheques to the address below:
Breast Cancer Care Events
5 – 13 Great Suffolk Street
London
SE1 0NS
Don’t forget to write your name, Breast Cancer Care number and event name on the back of your cheques.
Online
You can also pay money in directly on the Breast Cancer Care website. If you use our online paying in function then please remember to send us your sponsorship forms so that we can claim Gift Aid.
Enclosed in your event handbook pack, which you will receive when you register for your event, will be your pay-in forms. You can send them to us along with your sponsorship money and sponsorship forms. Please do not send cash in the post.
Once you join Team Breast Cancer Care we will provide you with further fundraising tips and ideas!
By phone
If you want to pay in sponsorship money over the phone you call 0845 092 0817 Monday to Friday 9am–5pm. You will need quote your Breast Cancer Care ID number which will be sent to you in your registration pack.
Training tips
Before you start remember that your body may need time to adjust to your new fitness regime. We recommend that you ideally start your training plan no less than six months before you start your challenge. Within your training programme, rest is as important as time spent on your feet. We strongly recommend that you rest on at least one day out of seven. When training, make sure your stick within the limits of speed and distance that are comfortable for you.
If you live near hills, use them for your training as much as possible to prepare your muscles for doing lots of upward walking. If you don’t have any hills near you, use the incline setting on a treadmill or visit hilly places for your weekend walks to practice.
Top tips for training
To ensure that you are comfortable when walking long distances, you must pay attention to your posture and gait. Walk correctly, and at the end of the day's walk you will have sturdy, albeit tired legs, ready for the following day.
- Stand tall and keep your head up.
- Take a natural stride length walk with poles.
- Keep your back straight when coming downhill.
- Shorten your stride when walking uphill.
- Keep your elbows close to your body.
- Integrate aerobic exercise – try spinning, swimming and jogging.
- Wear your walking boots and socks as much as possible, to ensure you are comfortable on the trek.
If you have not exercised for a long time we recommend your see your doctor before you start your new training plan. Don’t overdo it and make sure you keep your plan varied and fun!
The training plan includes information on diet and keeping hydrated both during your training and while on your trek. It also contains important information about trekking at high altitudes.
FAQs
Question
How do I register for this event?
Where do we stay?
What will the weather be like?
How fit do I have to be?
Will the altitude affect me?
How do I cancel my place?
Why do I need insurance?
Do I need inoculations?
Do I need a visa?
How much sponsorship money do I need to raise?
Further questions
Answers
How do I register for this event?
You can register online.
Hotels before and after the trek in Arusha. Seven nights camping during the trek.
What will the weather be like?
Early mornings will immediately warm-up as soon as the sun rises, and the days will be warm and bright. As soon as the sun sets, the temperature drops radically and is often well below zero degrees. On the mountain, you will be trekking in very clear air and will need strong UV protection. Normally January and February are the driest and clearest months to climb. June through to the end of October and December are also good but you should expect a little more cloud around the rainforest zone. Whenever you climb, expect convection to send warm air from the hot plains below across the rain forest to precipitate at higher altitudes as rain, sleet, and snow.
This is an extreme challenge and requires a very good level of fitness and a more focussed training programme to enable you to undertake the challenge. The terrain will be hard going, with steep climbs and descents.
This trek is tough and extremely challenging. Altitude can affect you from 2,500 metres and there is no telling if you will be affected by it or not. We will ensure all trekkers are thoroughly prepared for walking at altitude and the best procedures are in place for dealing with the effects.
If you need to cancel your place on your overseas challenge, please contact the challenges team immediately on 0845 092 0805 or email challenges@breastcancercare.org.uk. This is particularly important if you are cancelling within 10 weeks of departure as cancellation costs will be accrued during this period. It is essential that you advise us that you will not be taking part as soon as you can, otherwise the charity risks spending money on your place and we will ask you to reimburse us for any lost costs.
In the unfortunate event that you needed to cancel your place, depending on your reason for cancelling you will be able to claim the costs of your challenge back. If you did not have any travel insurance in place, but did have to withdraw you will be required to reimburse Breast Cancer Care any lost costs, as laid out in the terms and conditions you signed, which were on the reverse of your trek registration form. Please also note that you will not be able to travel the tour operator does not have a copy of your valid travel insurance policy.
We will send you a list of suggested vaccinations, but we recommend you check your own vaccination requirements with your GP or travel clinic.
It is your responsibility to apply for visa(s) if needed. Currently visas are required for those travelling to China, Vietnam, Cambodia and Cuba. We will send you details of how to apply when you register. Each visa is at a cost to yourself and cannot be paid for with sponsorship money.
How much sponsorship money do I need to raise?
For more information on the amount of sponsorship money you need to raise, see 'the Join our team' tab.
If you have any further questions then please get in touch with us. Call 0845 092 0805 or email challenges@breastcancercare.org.uk
Organised by Charity Challenge, ATOL 6546
