Trip Itinerary – July 1 - 11, 2024

Depart from the US airport of your choice for Nairobi, Kenya. You’re responsible to book and pay for your airfare to and from the US. Be sure to make your travel arrangements such that you arrive in Nairobi by no later than late afternoon on July 1, 2024. Ground transportation from the Kenyatta Airport to Grace House Resort will be provided by Missions of Hope International (MOHI).

Note: If you arrive prior to July 1, 2024 and need lodging, let us know and additional housing can be reserved for you at Grace House for an added charge.

July 1, 2024 You’ll gather in Nairobi with the other climbing team members for dinner. After dinner, we’ll meet for some team-building activities and an orientation for our trip. The group will spend the night at Grace House Resort (www.gracehousersort.com). Note: Grace House is a safe, secure hotel that CMF and MOHI regularly use to house guests visiting Nairobi. Wi-Fi access is available at the resort. Laundry services are available if needed.

July 2, 2024  After breakfast at the hotel, the group will travel by bus to the MOHI Pangani Center. Here you’ll see firsthand the MOHI ministry in action, have an opportunity to meet some of the children and staff and walk through the slum community. Plus, you can visit the Missions of Hope gift shop. Lunch will be at the Pangani Center and dinner at Grace House. 

July 3, 2024  After breakfast, the group will travel by bus from Nairobi to Moshi (approximately 8-9 hours). A box lunch will be included for your trip to Tanzania. We’ll make a stop along the way for a restroom break which will likely include a shopping opportunity at a local curio shop, so keep some money handy if you’re interested in shopping. We’ll also stop twice on each side of the border to go through exiting Kenya and entering Tanzania. We’ll get our Tanzania visas when we cross the border so be sure to have your passport and visa money with you and not packed in your luggage. The visa process can take about an hour or more depending on the lines.

We’ll go to the Springlands Hotel for dinner and an overnight stay. Springlands is a private property operated by our trekking company, Zara Tours (www.zaratours.com).  Note: Wi-Fi access is available at the hotel. Laundry services are available and items can be ready when you return from the climb.

After dinner, we’ll meet some members of the CMF Tanzania Church Planting team, who’ll give us an overview of how God is at work in Tanzania. And we’ll talk through the final details and pack and prepare for the start of our trek. Extra luggage can be stored in a locked storage room at the hotel at no charge. You can leave valuables in a safe deposit box at the Springlands Hotel for $1/day (These are large enough to share with a few other climbers, if desired).

July 4, 2024: Machame Gate to Machame Camp. (end at 9,908 ft)

Your day starts early with a briefing, followed by breakfast and a 45-minute drive from Moshi (910m) to the Machame village (1490m). The guides and porters prepare and pack the supplies and your equipment in the village. Depending on the condition of the road, it is possible to drive from the village to the Machame gate, but if not, the muddy 3 km walk will take about 1 hour to complete. After registering at the gate office, you start your ascent and enter the rain forest. You will receive a lunch pack at the gate and you can also drink bottled water you bought at Springlands Hotel in Moshi. There is possibility of rain in the forest, which will transform the trail into a very soggy, muddy and slippery experience. In the evening the porters will boil drinking and washing water and the cook will prepare dinner, before you retire to your tent for the night. Night temperatures can already drop to freezing point at Machame campsite.

July 5, 2024: Machame Camp to Shira Camp. (end at 11,800 ft)

You rise early at Machame camp and after breakfast you climb an hour or so to the top of the forest and then for 2 hours at a gentler gradient through the moorland zone. After a short lunch and rest, you continue up a rocky ridge onto the Shira plateau. By now you will be able to see in an easterly direction, the Western Breach with its stunning glaciers. You are now due west of Kibo and after a short hike you will reach the Shira campsite at 3 840m. The porters will boil drinking and washing water, before serving dinner. The night at this exposed camp will even be colder than the previous night, with temperatures dropping to well below freezing.

July 6, 2024: Shira Camp to Barranco Camp. (end at 12,795 ft)

The route now turns east into a semi desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower, where you reach an altitude of 4630m after about a 5 hours walk. Lunch is served in a designated area before ascending the rocky scree path to Lava Tower (4630m/15,190 ft). Definitely the toughest day so far. It is normally around this point, where for the first time, some climbers will start to feel symptoms of breathlessness, irritability and headaches. After lunch you descent again by almost 680m to the Barranco camping area and after reaching the high altitude of 4600m at Lava Tower, the true acclimatization benefit of this day becomes clear. This descent to Barranco camp takes about 2 hours and offers great opportunities to take some beautiful photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is situated in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while you wait for the preparation of your dinner and overnight at Barranco Camp site. (12,795 ft)

July 7, 2024: Barranco / Karanga Valley (12,959 ft to 13,400 ft)

Karanga Camp FOR ACCLIMATIZATION – Mild 2 mile hike, day is intended for rest

July 8, 2024: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp. (end at 15,331 ft)

Totally exposed to the ever-present gales the tents are pitched on a narrow, stony, and dangerous ridge. Make sure that you familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. The summit is now a further 1345m up and you will make the final ascent the same night. Prepare your equipment, ski stick and thermal clothing for your summit attempt. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and make sure you have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. Go to bed at round about 19h00 and try to get some precious rest and sleep for not more than 5 hours.

July 9, 2024: Barafu Camp/ To Summit and Descend. (up to 19,341 ft and descend to 15,331ft)

You will rise around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night. You will head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This 6-hours walk to Stella point is for many climbers, mentally and physically the most challenging on the route. At Stella Point (5685m/18,834f) you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point you will normally encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak (19,341 ft). The time you will spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue. Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your live. The walk back to Barafu from the summit, takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well-earned but short rest and collect the rest of your gear, before heading down to Mweka Camp (3100m/10170 ft)) for Dinner and Overnight.

July 10, 2024: Final descends from Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate (10,170ft)

After Breakfast, From the Mweka Gate you will continue down into the Mweka village, normally a muddy and long hour walk. In the Mweka village drive to Springlands Hotel and you will be served a delicious hot lunch!! You now drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower, Overnight in Springlands hotel, full board. It is recommended and tips are highly appreciated at the end of their trip. Tips can be given to the Guide at Springlands Hotel. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates.

Tips for guides/porters/cooks; suggested amount $160-175. We’ll pool our tips for one group tip. NOTE: If there are individual guides/porters that you personally want to thank, then you can give them a small, additional tip personally or gift him some of your gear to express your appreciation).

July 11, 2024: Check out at the hotel and transfer to Kenya and then airport for the flight back home.

Grace House/Safari option: Take the bus back to Grace House to stay for the night. Transportation to Kenyatta Airport will be provided regardless of your flight time. Those going on the safari will leave the next morning.

July 12, 2024:  Arrive back home in the US. Celebrate with family and friends as you share your pictures and stories.

This advice is of a general nature and evaluation is needed for each individual climber by a health professional or by the climbing guide.

HIGH ALTITUDE

Each climber should become knowledgeable about physiologic changes with exertion at high altitude or High Altitude Sickness, so that they are not surprised by some of the potential symptoms.

Potential symptoms of climbing at altitude may include (seek advice for each of these):

• Shortness of breath or fatigue

• Nausea

• Heartburn

• Excess gassiness (belching or flatus) (Seek advice if severe.)

• Headaches

• Dizziness

• Vomiting (Seek advice immediately.)

• Confusion/hallucinations (Seek advice immediately.)

• Staggering gait (Seek advice immediately.)

• Coughing up blood or gurgling breath (Seek advice immediately.)

Malaria prescription: See your family physician or a travel medicine doctor to receive a prescription.

Diamox (acetazolamide) can help to reduce or prevent the symptoms of High Altitude Sickness, but it cannot prevent High Altitude Sickness in all individuals. Nevertheless, we advise that each climber take as a minimum dose Diamox 125 mg twice daily. The only exception to this is if the climber's physician specifically advises against this or the climber has an allergic reaction to this drug. There are varying suggestions regarding when to start taking Diamox, but we suggest starting at least by the day of departure from the hotel in Moshi, Tanzania. We also suggest continuing the Diamox until return to the hotel in Moshi.

Each climber should personally bring the following and adhere to packaging instructions:

• Sunscreen (preferably greater than 50 SPF) — Have this readily available in your day pack while hiking.

• Lip balm with SPF — Have this readily available in your day pack while hiking.

Carry these medicines for possible use as needed in the daypack:

• Acid-reducer (such as omeprazole 20 mg, TUMS, Pepcid) — enough for 5 days

• Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) 200 mg —at least 30 pills (2 pills 3 times per day for 5 days)

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) 500 mg — at least 30 pills (2 pills 3 times per day for 5 days)

• Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto Bismol) — at least 30 pills (2 pills 3 times per day for 5 days). This can potentially help for diarrhea or upset stomach symptoms.

• Loperamide (Imodium) 2 mg (approximately 12 pills) — for diarrhea

• Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) 500 mg

DRINK WATER FREQUENTLY AND IN ABUNDANCE (2-3 liters while hiking and 1 liter with each meal).

Each climber should cut his or her toenails VERY SHORT a few days before starting the climb. The descent will place a lot of pressure on the tips of the toes.

(These medical considerations were created by Drs. Steve Burgert & Jeff Hallett, who both participated in our 2017 Kilimanjaro climb.)

IMMUNIZATIONS

Again, it’s advisable to talk with your family physician or a travel medicine doctor to determine which immunizations you need prior to the trip. Here are the immunizations recommended by the CDC.

Make sure you are up-to-date on routine vaccines before every trip. These vaccines include:

• Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine

• Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine

• Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine

• Polio vaccine

• Yearly flu shot

These immunizations are also recommended for our trip:

• Hepatitis A

• Hepatitis B

• Typhoid

• Meningitis (Meningococcal disease)

• Yellow fever (must have yellow fever card to enter Tanzania)

TRIP COST: $2,800

TRIP COSTS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

• National Park gate fees and daily use fees.

• All ground transportation (Includes: transportation in Nairobi, from Nairobi to Moshi and from Moshi to starting point on mountain and return to Moshi, and flight back to Nairobi).

• Tent lodging fees

• Certified, experienced, English-speaking guides and experienced trip leaders.

• Salaries for porters, cooks, and guides.

• Rescue fees (required by the national park).

• All meals in Nairobi, at hotel in Moshi, and on the mountain.

• Two nights’ lodging in Nairobi at Grace House (twin occupancy).

• Two nights’ accommodation at Springlands Hotel in Moshi (twin occupancy).

• Long-sleeve dri-fit team shirt.

ADDITIONAL COSTS ON YOUR OWN:

• Airfare to/from Africa (See suggested list of travel agents below).

• Visas (Kenya $50 — single entry and Tanzania, $100) You can get your Kenya visa at the airport when you arrive or online in advance. We’ll get our Tanzania visas when we cross the border.

• Passport (must be valid within 6 months after the date of our trip).

• Personal gear.

• Immunizations and malaria pills.

• Trip insurance (see suggested list).

• Tips for guides/porters/cooks; suggested amount $160-175. We’ll pool our tips for one group tip. NOTE: If there are individual guides/porters that you personally want to thank, then you can give them a small, additional tip personally or gift him some of your gear to express your appreciation).

• Meals to/from Africa.

TRIP REGISTRATION DEADLINE

Only 35 spots are available for this trip. We anticipate it filling up quickly, so don’t delay in reserving your spot. To secure your spot for this life-changing adventure, you must submit your $500 deposit by October 30, 2023.

Register

Note: Your deposit is non-refundable. All trip funds are due to CMF 75 days (April 16) prior to departure. A suggested trip payment schedule will be provided.

NEXT STEPS

Once you have made your deposit or expressed interest, our trip leaders will send you regular updates to help you train and prepare for the trek. We’ll help you every step of the way. Your excitement for this great adventure of a lifetime is going to build, so be sure to get your deposit in today!

YOUR TRIP LEADER:

Kristen Hodge: Kristen was a part of the very first CMF climb for Missions of Hope in 2017.   She has been to Africa seven times and is a full time mom to three almost grown daughters and also a nonprofit commercial banker in her day to day life.  Kristen will be your primary point of contact for the preparation and fundraising.  God has given her a passion for making and growing disciples for Jesus though hiking, sport and adventure.  She is a volunteer for the Mission of Hope Sports Ministry and long time CMF Board Member.

TRIP CANCELLATION POLICY

Important Note: The initial registration deposit is non-refundable. If a participant decides to withdraw from their CMF adventure trip, all additional trip fees can be fully reimbursed up to 75 days (April 16) prior to the trip's start date. However, within 75 days of the trip, all additional trip fees are non-refundable.

SUGGESTED TRAVEL AGENTS

CMF does not officially endorse or have any connection to these travel agents, but we have used them with good success in the past. This list is provided to simplify and speed your process of getting your trip tickets and to hopefully ensure you get the best price.

TRAVEL INSURANCE OPTIONS

CMF does not officially endorse or have any connection to these insurance companies, but we have used these companies with good success in the past. This list is provided to simplify and speed your process of getting your trip insurance.

• International Volunteer Card
• Good Neighbor Insurance
• IMG Patriot International Plan
• World Nomads

CMFI has created an easy, user-friendly fundraising tool to help you raise the $5,000 commitment support for this trip. You will be sent simple instructions to create your own unique fundraising page. These funds will be due by June 30.

If you need assistance at any time, please contact adventure@cmfi.org.

You can arrive early or stay longer to add some of these adventures to your trip to Kenya.

African safari — Following your successful climb of Kilimanjaro, you can choose to stay and enjoy a three-day safari adventure. This trip will cost approximately $750 per person, plus a suggested tip of $100/per person for your safari guide. This trip will be coordinated by CMF and MOHI. Additional details and pricing will be available later for those interested.

Nairobi National Park — A short drive out of Nairobi’s central business district is the Nairobi National Park. Wide open grass plains and a backdrop of the city scrapers and scattered acacia bush play host to a wide variety of wildlife, including the endangered black rhino, lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, buffaloes, giraffes and diverse bird life with over 400 species recorded. Visitors can enjoy the park’s picnic sites, three campsites and the walking trails for hikers. $150/per person including transportation. This trip will be coordinated by CMF and MOHI.

Nairobi Giraffe Center — Located 40 minutes from Nairobi’s City Center, you can meet and feed one of the 10 giraffes in this center. $15/per person.

Fairview Coffee Estate—You can tour this estate, which is a 25-minute drive outside of Nairobi, by foot on a two-hour guided walk, or rent a bike on the property and wheel yourself around the pristine gardens, waterfall and gently sloping dirt roads. You’ll also get a tasting of the house java, tasty Kenyan pastries and a bag of beans to take home. $30/per person.

European City Tour—On your way to or from Africa, it’s an ideal time to add an overnight or two to enjoy the culture, history and food of the European city of your choice. The only added cost for this is your hotel, ground transportation, and meals; pretty minimal for a great European city visit. 

MISCELLANEOUS TIPS + TRICKS TO MAKE YOUR EXPERIENCE EVEN BETTER

• For more detailed information on all things related to Mt. Kilimanjaro, visit climbmountkilimanjaro.com

• Bring the newest U.S. bills ($50s and $100s) that you can find for your visas. You will also want to bring $50-75 in small U.S. bills ($1s, 5s and 10s) to make souvenir shopping, tips, purchasing rental equipment, renting a safe deposit box, purchasing drinks/snacks, etc. at Springlands Hotel easier. Total cash suggested to bring: $250-350.

• Most places accept U.S. money. While we’re in Nairobi, MOHI can exchange any money you want to use while in Kenya or at the MOHI Gift Shop.

• Kilimanjaro weather forecast

• A great resource to find training hikes near you: alltrails.com

As you prepare for your climb, keep in mind that it may work well for you to buy certain items, borrow some things from a friend or to even rent some needed items from Zara Tours based on your budget and personal preference.

LARGE DUFFEL BAG/BACKPACK (PORTERS CARRY)

• The pack that the porters carry is limited to 15 kg (33 pounds).

• Overweight or extra luggage will require an extra porter.

• Store electronics in sealed water-proof bags (double-sealed if possible).

• Wrap clothing in plastic bags or dry sack.

• If you already have a backpack or a duffle bag, then you can use either one for your large pack that the porters carry. The maximum weight for this bag/backpack is 33 lbs. (15 kg). If you’re planning to buy something for the trip, a waterproof duffle bag is your best option as it’ll be easier for you to use and it’s also a little lighter than a backpack, which will allow you to pack more items and still stay within the weight limits. A cheaper option is to use any kind of duffle bag and to rent a garbage bag cover from Zara for a few dollars. FYI: The porters will carry whatever pack/bag you bring on their head/shoulders and won’t carry a backpack using the straps.

DAY PACK (YOU CARRY)

•Plan on packing the following items in your day pack:

• 2-3 liters of water (possibly up to 4 L on summit night/day)

• Sunglasses

• Sunscreen

• Rain jacket and maybe rain pants

• Waterproof rain cover for day pack or Dry-sack inside your pack

• Light jacket and/or another layer of clothing for your top half

• Headlamp

• Toilet paper, wet wipes, and plastic Ziploc bag to haul away your refuse

• Medicines (as needed)

• Hand sanitizer

• Lightweight gloves

• Hat and wool hat

• Bandana or handkerchief

• Save room for your lunch

• Optional items: snacks/candy, camera/batteries, umbrella, binoculars

ADD ANY OTHER ITEMS YOU MIGHT NEED DURING THE DAY, SINCE YOU MAY NOT SEE YOUR PORTERS UNTIL THE END OF THE DAY.

CLOTHING

• Your inner layer should be wicking – no cotton. Your next layer should be insulating and warm, and your top layer should be waterproof but breathable.

• You will need clothes for hiking during the day, lounging in the evening and for sleeping. Layers are important as temperatures vary greatly. Kilimanjaro may be near the equator, but it gets cold up there! Note: July is one of the coldest months on the mountain.

• Shorts, for first and last day only

• Pants, for hiking and for lounging in the evenings

• Short-sleeved or T-shirts

• Long-sleeved shirts, for hiking and for lounging in the evenings

• Long underwear

• Fleece jacket or wool sweater

• Fleece pants

• Down jacket or ski parka (for temperatures well below freezing plus wind)

• Rain jacket, needed in hot rainforest and cold snow

• Rain pants, needed in hot rainforest and cold snow

• Underwear

• Sport bras for women

COLD WEATHER ACCESSORIES

• Mittens and/or gloves (waterproof, one thin pair, one thick pair that can be layered)

• Wool hat

• Balaclava or neck gaitor

FOOTWEAR

• Be sure to break in your shoes before the hike!

• Trekking shoes for hiking during the day, preferably warm, waterproof, and with ankle-support—not too light and not too heavy. A boot with Vibram soles is recommended.

• Hiking socks for warmer conditions

• Wool socks for colder conditions

OTHER GEAR

• Sleeping pad

• Sleeping bag (rated in the range of 18 degrees to -10 degrees F is recommended).

• Water bottles and/or Camelback (2-4 liters of capacity)

• We’ll fill our water bottles in Nairobi and bring along extra bottles of water from MOHI’s Hope Springs for the ride to Tanzania and for the first day of the hike. Bottled water is also available at the Springlands Hotel for an additional cost. Your guides will boil water for you along the route.

• To prevent water from freezing on summit day, keep your water source inside your jacket. For Camelbacks, blow air back into the bladder after each sip and drink often.

• Gatorade or other drink mix helps with taste and minerals.

• Sun hat with brim

• Sunglasses

• Bandana

• Ski or trekking poles

• Headlamp

• Extra batteries for headlamp/flashlight and camera because cold weather shortens battery life.

• Electricity adapter

• Plastic bags

• Energy bars, hard candy, snacks, and comfort foods

• Plastic bags and zip-lock bags for waterproofing

TOILETRIES

• Toilet paper (and baggie to carry used paper while on trail)

• Small washcloth, small towel (The porters provide a small basin of hot water each morning and some evenings to wash with if you wish.)

• Soap

• Toothbrush and toothpaste

• Handi-wipes (moist towelettes for cleaning)

• Hand sanitizer

• 2-3 handkerchiefs and/or Kleenex

• Sunscreen (You’ll want to use it even if looks cloudy or like you don’t need it!)

• Lotion

• Glasses, contacts, solution; take contacts out each night to prevent blurred vision.

• Comb/brush

DOCUMENTS

• Passport

• Yellow fever certificate (required to enter Tanzania!)

• Medical insurance

• Vaccination records

• Make copies of passport, airline tickets/schedule, and travelers checks numbers. Leave a copy with someone at home and put a copy in a separate place in your luggage. It’s also a good idea to take a picture of your passport with your phone.

OPTIONAL ITEMS

• Medicines/prescriptions (including malaria and high-altitude meds)

• Camera, film, tripod

• Binoculars

• Notebook, journal, pencil, and pen

• Umbrella, particularly useful in the rainy season, can be rented from Zara for about $5

• Crampons

• Gaiters

• Hand and foot warmers (chemical activated)

• Insect repellant with DEET

• Tennis shoes or sandals for lounging in the evening

• Pocket knife

• Sewing kit

• Playing cards, games, books, Frisbee, football

• Salt, pepper, and spices for bland food

• Alarm clock

*For a full list of rental items available from Zara Tours, check the Zara website (zaratours.com).