Trek Kilimanjaro 2024 | Muscular Dystrophy UK

Safety

Your safety, and that of the rest of the group, is the highest priority. This challenge has been designed and planned with safety in mind. Your crew will be equipped with communication devices (eg phones, radios and/or emergency satellite phones), medical kit and other safety apparatus appropriate to the destination. Leaders always have access to 24-hour emergency UK back-up.

They are responsible for safety on the trip, and will make any changes to the itinerary they deem necessary, should local conditions dictate. Pre-trip administration - such as medical questionnaires and travel insurance as appropriate - is all done with your safety in mind.

Passenger portal

You'll get access to the Passenger Portal which will give you more details of the challenge itself. It also enables you to see any outstanding information needed by the organisers, the countdown to your challenge departure, see your outstanding balance, make payments and update your contact details.

Clothing and kit

This challenge has been planned around optimal weather conditions, but you could still be exposed to bad weather at any time. It is vital you are prepared for all conditions. You will be provided with a detailed packing kit-list on registration, with plenty of information, and the team is always available if you need advice.

Season

• Jan
• Feb
• Mar
• Apr
• May
• Jun
• Jul
• Aug
• Sep
• Oct
• Nov
• Dec

Meeting point

Kilimanjaro International Airport - KIA (JRO)
Kilimanjaro Airport Road
Makao Mapya
Tanzania

All transport is included from London to Moshi return.

Itinerary

• Day 1 | Depart London

  After months of excitement you're now on your way!

• Day 2 | Arrive Moshi

  Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport; transfer to Moshi town, where you can admire the views of Kibo, the crater at the summit and the youngest of Kilimanjaro’s three volcanic cones. Check in and relax, with time to sort out your kit for tomorrow before dinner and a briefing. Night hotel.

• Day 3 | Machame Gate to Machame Camp

  One hour’s drive from Moshi lies the gate to the Machame route, where the group completes park formalities, meets the crew of porters and start to climb! The first section of the route climbs steadily and passes through magnificent, dense rainforest. This path is less well-trodden so it can get somewhat overgrown in places and it is often wet and muddy underfoot. Night camp: Machame Camp (3100m).

• Day 4 | Machame Camp to Shira Caves

  The route continues on up through the forest until reaching the steep ascent onto the Shira Plateau, where there are rewarding views of the mountain. Looking back, you will be able to see Mt Meru rising high above Arusha town in the distance. Night camp: Shira Caves (3840m).

• Day 5 | Shira Caves to Barranco Hut

  Walking now on high moorland, the landscape changes the entire character of the trek. Traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach and finally reach camp at Barranco Hut (3900m), a tin shack where tents will be pitched. The day has been spent at altitude (up to 4600m), but this challenge follows the mountaineering code of ‘walk high, sleep low’ to aid your body’s acclimatisation to altitude. Night camp: Barranco Hut (3900m).

• Day 6 | Barranco Hut to Barafu Camp

  The day starts by descending into the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. Exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides the trek from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock, not technical, but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, head towards the Karanga valley, which is the last stop for fresh water before the summit. Scree now forms the terrain through arid and desolate land towards camp. Night camp: Barafu Camp (4600m).

• Day 7 | Barafu Camp to Summit to Millenium Camp

  To avoid walking too long in the heat of the sun today, start while it’s dark, and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. Climb scree for 4 to 5 hours but gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. The aim is to be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5739m) as the first rays of the sun hit us. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround the group and the views to jagged Mawenzi – Kilimanjaro’s secondary but more technical peak – and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour’s walking to the summit itself!
  
  Kilimanjaro is locally known as Uhuru Peak (5895m); Uhuru means freedom in Swahili. We begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to camp for a long well-earned rest. On the descent there are fabulous views of the plains and Mawenzi. Night camp: Millennium Camp (3720m).

• Day 8 | Millenium Camp to Mweka Gate to Moshi

  A gentle trek through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, to complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! The group is then met by transfer vehicles to return to the hotel in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a welcome shower (and a cold beer or two!) before the big celebration. Night hotel.

• Day 9 | Free time in Moshi, fly to London

  Moshi has some great markets and areas to explore, or just relax with your fellow achievers. Flight times vary, but re-group at the hotel in time to transfer to the airport for your flight home, arriving on Day 10.

• Day 10 | Arrive UK

  Return home with memories to last a lifetime.

Included

• All transport

  From London to Moshi return including airport transfers and in-country transfers.

• All meals

  Except where specified. A range of dietary requirements catered for and cooked up by the friendly crew including three-course dinners.

• Accommodation

  Carefully chosen basic but comfortable hotels plus camping on the mountain.

• Camping equipment

  Two-man expedition tents, dining tents, toilet tents all carried by the challenge porters.

• Leaders

  UK group leader and English-speaking local guides to ensure your safety and maximise your success.

• Crew

  Porters, cooks and a UK doctor for groups of 15 or more to help you focus on the trekking.

• Back-up equipment

  Transported and managed by the crew.

• National Park permit

  Challenge admin sorted so you can focus on your training and fundraising.

• Fuel supplement

  The cost of this can vary but is covered.

Not Included

• Some meals

  Mainly on the first and final days.

• Sleeping bag and mat

  You'll need your own.

• Travel insurance 

  This is mandatory for such challenges.

• Spending money

  Money, souvenirs, drinks etc.

• Tips

  For local guides and support crew.

• Visa

  Approx. £40.

• Optional fees

  For other sites, attractions or activities.

The training and fundraising form part of the challenge and you'll get plenty of help along the way!

Option 1: Fundraising

• Pay a registration fee of £500 
• Then raise £5,500 for Muscular Dystrophy UK by 3rd August 2024

Option 2: Full payment

• Pay a registration fee of £500
• Pay the balance of £3,500 by 17th August 2024
• Fundraise as much as you can for Muscular Dystrophy UK, or make a donation

Muscular Dystrophy UK

Your team's fundraising efforts help fund world-class research and life-changing support for people living with muscle-wasting conditions.

Muscular Dystrophy UK is the leading charity for over 60 rare muscle-wasting conditions. Connecting the Muscular Dystrophy community for over 60 years. Coming together to improve understanding.

Providing advice and support. Working with healthcare providers so everyone can get specialist care. Campaigning to break down barriers. Fundraising for breakthroughs in research.

Because everybody should have the best quality of life. Now.

The charity makes sure that expert advice, support and healthcare are available to more than 110,000 people living with muscle-wasting and weakening conditions, and the people around them. Helping us all feel good, mentally and physically.

With generous people like you, Muscular Dystrophy UK is also accelerating access to effective treatments. Working with pioneering researchers in labs. By combining willpower, the charity has made advances that would have been unthinkable just ten years ago.

Of the funds you raise, £36 could fund an hours research to bring us closer to these effective treatments.

Together we’re stronger.

Together we’re Muscular Dystrophy UK.

Take only photos, leave only footprints

This challenge believes in the familiar phrase of 'take only photos, leave only footprints', cares for the planet and makes sure that actions benefit future generations of all species for years to come - human, animal, plant or otherwise!

Costs

The trip was excellent from start to finish.. The local crew were also exceptional. Thank you.. for fulfilling a dream of mine. Andrew, 2023

Our leader, Simon, was spectacular and the in-country support was absolutely second to none, especially our head guide Julio. This was an incredibly hard experience but now that I’m home, I can appreciate what it gave me and what I gave to myself by completing it. Liana, 2023

Our overall experience of the culture and people of Tanzania has left a permanent impression on us. The challenge is hard, but the satisfaction and support we received was second to none. If you are thinking of taking it on, do not hesitate.. Steven, 2023

We wanted a challenge and.. we got it. The highs and lows have meant the success on completion was that much greater. The people on this trip were beyond amazing and the memories will stay for a lifetime. Anna, 2022