Your challenge day by day
Day 1, Wed 07 Dec 2011
International departure from London
The big day is finally here and everyone’s feeling a mixture of nerves and excitement as they meet up at Heathrow Airport for the long-awaited flight to Tanzania.
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Day 2, Thu 08 Dec 2011
Flight to Kilimanjaro airport, transfer to hotel
We touch down in Ethiopia or Kenya for our internal flight to Kilimanajaro. Here we meet our local Charity Challenge representative who will transfer us to our hotel for a welcome lunch. Tonight we’ll have a team dinner, briefing and kit check before getting our heads down for our challenge tomorrow.
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Day 3, Fri 09 Dec 2011
Lemosho Glades, 1,981m, to Big Tree Camp, 2,800m (approximately 3-5 hours)
The day starts at the main gate of the national park for registration, before we drive on to Lemosho Glades at 1,981m. The trekking challenge begins on a little-used path through the rainforest wilderness called Chamber’s Route. At points, the terrain becomes quite tough where the vegetation completely invades the path. The first night of camping will be spent in or near the rainforest.
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Day 4, Sat 10 Dec 2011
Acclimatisation trek to Shira One, 3,500m (approximately 7-8 hours)
The morning is taken up with a climb of over 600m in altitude to an incredible valley just outside the Shira Crater at 3,050m. After stopping here for lunch, we cross into the Shira Caldera, a high altitude desert plateau. Our camp tonight is at Shira One (3,500m), one of Kilimanjaro’s three volcanic cones. From here we catch our first close look of Kibo, the dramatic summit.
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Day 5, Sun 11 Dec 2011
Shira Plateau to Shira Two, 3,800m (approximately 5-6 hours trek)
Rise and shine early to head east across the Shira Plateau. Along the way we pass the Shira Cathedral (3,880m) before reaching our final destination: Shira Two (3,800m). The views from the ridge are spectacular, though you will need a good head for heights! The night will be spent here above the clouds.
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Day 6, Mon 12 Dec 2011
Southern Flank, 3,900m, to Barranco, 3,900m (approximately 7-10 hours)
Today we tackle the Southern Flank, heading up to 4,500m over the Lava Tower. The route then passes down through the Barranco Valley, which is dotted with remarkable plant life including giant Dendrosenecios. We continue on to one of the mountain’s most spectacular beauty spots: the Barranco Wall. With views over Mount Meru and the expansive valleys below, this point at 3,900m will be our campsite.
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Day 7, Tue 13 Dec 2011
Barranco Wall and the Karanga Valley, 3,900m (approximately 4-6 hours)
Summon up all your energy for this morning’s climb up the Barranco Wall – an immediate height gain of more than 200m. Continuing over valleys and ridges we arrive triumphant at Karanga camp for lunch. This afternoon we have an optional but recommended trek to the scree slopes towards the southern ice fields. Tonight we return to Karanga Camp for dinner and another night under the African sky.
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Day 8, Wed 14 Dec 2011
Barafu Ridge, 4,600m, and summit preparation
After breakfast we’ll trek to Barafu Ridge Camp (4,600m) – a tough walk made all the more difficult by the altitude. Yet we have the advantage over other climbers, who mostly set off from Barranco. Take the afternoon to either rest or join a short acclimatisation walk to a higher point. Dinner will be followed by a very early night, ahead of the midnight departure.
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Day 9, Thu 15 Dec 2011
Summit day: Uhuru Point, 5,895m (approximately 12-15 hours)
We begin at midnight, climbing the scree slopes to Stella Point (5,750m). Temperatures plummet due to the wind chill. The sun begins to rise at 5:30am, providing the necessary inspiration. We aim to reach Stella Point just after dawn. Then, after a short rest, we head for Uhuru Point at 5,895m. Descend victorious via Barafu Ridge Camp towards Millennium camp at 3,750m, where the celebratory drinks await!
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Day 10, Fri 16 Dec 2011
Descend to Mweka Gate through Kidia (approximately 5-7 hours)
It’s an early start for our final day trekking to Mweka Gate. This is a long walk on a pretty, sloping track into the rainforest and down to the plantations near Kidia. The path continues for up to seven hours until the gate where we stop for lunch and team photos. After lunch you will be driven to see our Tanzanian community partners – Pamoja Tunaweza Boys & Girls Club where you will see first-hand where your donations are going to and you have a chance to purchase unique club-made souvenirs. Then it’s a two-hour drive back to our hotel for a celebratory dinner.
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Day 11, Sat 17 Dec 2011
Depart Tanzania to UK
We wave goodbye to Tanzania, having completed an incredible challenge and forged some strong friendships along the way. Feeling elated, the flight home is a great time to reflect on the achievement and swap details with our amazing teammates.
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Day 12, Sun 18 Dec 2011
Arrive home
Saying goodbye will not be easy, but the memories we’ve made together will stay with us forever.
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Day 11, Sat 17 Dec 2011
Day 11: Lake Manyara
After breakfast you will visit Lake Manyara Park, it offers a blend of woodland, open bush, and lake. The Mahogany and Sausage Trees are alive with blue monkeys and vervets. Elephants feed off fallen fruit while bushbuck, waterbuck, baboons, aardvark, civet, the shy pangolin and leopard, all make their home in the forest. Lake Manyara is a magnet for birdlife and a kaleidoscope of different species can be found around its shores, including huge flocks of flamingos. The large variety of mammals, reptiles, birds and the different types of vegetation, all within a small area make Lake Manyara a diverse and particularly memorable place to visit. Overnight at a luxury tented camp. (B, L, D)
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Day 12, Sun 18 Dec 2011
Day 12: Ngorongoro Crater
This morning you will take a drive to Ngorongoro Crater with a picnic lunch in the Crater, followed by an afternoon of top class game viewing. Ngorongoro Crater is the Eighth Wonder of the World. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is remarkable for the Ngorongoro Crater itself. Twelve miles wide, it is the world’s largest intact caldera. Before its collapse two million years ago, the volcano is believed to have been higher than Mount Kilimanjaro. Its grassland covered plains and forested rim is the habitat of herds of elephant. The grassy crater floor is home to buffalo, wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, and hartebeest as well as the endangered black rhino. Hippos wallow in the marshes and ponds. Lion, hyena, and jackal are common. Birdlife is prolific. Overnight at a luxury tented camp. (B, L, D)
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Day 13, Mon 19 Dec 2011
Day 13: Depart Tanzania to UK
After a leisurely breakfast you will take a flight from Kilimanjaro airport to connect with your international flight to London (B)
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Day 14, Tue 20 Dec 2011
Day 14: Arrive Home
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Important information about the Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and Tarangire Safari extension
Day 11: Lake Manyara
After breakfast you will visit Lake Manyara Park, it offers a blend of woodland, open bush, and lake. The Mahogany and Sausage Trees are alive with blue monkeys and vervets. Elephants feed off fallen fruit while bushbuck, waterbuck, baboons, aardvark, civet, the shy pangolin and leopard, all make their home in the forest. Lake Manyara is a magnet for birdlife and a kaleidoscope of different species can be found around its shores, including huge flocks of flamingos. The large variety of mammals, reptiles, birds and the different types of vegetation, all within a small area make Lake Manyara a diverse and particularly memorable place to visit. Overnight at a luxury tented camp. (B, L, D)
Day 12: Ngorongoro Crater
This morning you will take a drive to Ngorongoro Crater with a picnic lunch in the Crater, followed by an afternoon of top class game viewing. Ngorongoro Crater is the Eighth Wonder of the World. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is remarkable for the Ngorongoro Crater itself. Twelve miles wide, it is the world’s largest intact caldera. Before its collapse two million years ago, the volcano is believed to have been higher than Mount Kilimanjaro. Its grassland covered plains and forested rim is the habitat of herds of elephant. The grassy crater floor is home to buffalo, wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, and hartebeest as well as the endangered black rhino. Hippos wallow in the marshes and ponds. Lion, hyena, and jackal are common. Birdlife is prolific. Overnight at a luxury tented camp. (B, L, D)
Day 13: Safari in Tarangire
Today you will head west out of Arusha on a drive (approx 1.5hr) to Tarangire National Park. Tarangire boasts a vast number of baobabs that first capture the eye as you enter Tarangire National Park. The gently rolling countryside is dotted with these majestic trees, which seem to dwarf the animals that feed beneath them. Tarangire National Park covers approximately 2,600sq kms and, in the dry season, is second only to Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area in concentrations of wildlife. The park is spectacular in the dry season when many of the migratory wildlife species come back to the permanent waters of Tarangire River. Huge herds of elephants gather to stay in Tarangire until the onset of the rains when they migrate again to new grazing areas. In the afternoon you will be transferred to Arusha for your last night in Tanzania. Overnight and dinner at a hotel in Arusha. (B, L, D)
Day 14: Depart Tanzania to UK
After a leisurely breakfast you will get the shuttle bus transfer to Nairobi airport where you board your flight to London. (B)
Day 15: Arrive Home
Arrive in the UK.
Included:
- Park fees
- Services of qualified English-speaking driver/guide
- 4WD vehicle
- All meals on safari
- All accommodation on a twin share basis in Migunga Permanent Camp (www.moivaro.com/pages/migunga_forest_camp/lodge.htm) and Ilboru Safari Lodge (www.ilborusafarilodge.com)*
Excluded:
- Personal expenses (ie: gifts, extra soft drinks or alcohol, laundry etc)
- Tips for local team (We recommend you allow $15 per person for tipping your safari driver/ guide)
Please note that this extension is subject to minimum numbers and flight availability and should be booked no later than 10 weeks prior to departure. In some cases, a surcharge may need to be applied in which case we will inform you prior to confirming your booking. Full payment must be received no later than 8 weeks prior to departure or your place on the extension may be cancelled. All bookings will be confirmed no later than 6 weeks prior to departure.
The advertised costs for this extension are per person on twin sharing basis. If you are a solo passenger, We will accommodate you in a room with someone of the same sex.
*= Please note that we reserve the right to change accommodation. Where this is necessary, alternative accommodation will be of an equal or better standard.
Day 11, Sat 17 Dec 2011
Day 11: Flight to Zanzibar, Stone Town
After a short flight from Kilimanjaro to Zanzibar, you will be transferred to the UNESCO Heritage Site, Stone Town. Considered to be the cultural heart of Zanzibar, Stone Town is buzzing with busy bazaars, mosques, and a maze of winding alleys for you to explore. Little has changed here for 200 years and there is a wealth of cultural and historical treasures waiting to be discovered. Tonight you will stay in the heart of Stone Town, on the picturesque seafront, at the Tembo House Hotel. (B)
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Day 12, Sun 18 Dec 2011
Day 12: Transfer to Fumba Beach Lodge
After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the luxurious Fumba Beach Lodge, your home for the next 2 nights. Approximately 30 minutes drive from Stone Town, and set on forty acres of the Menai beach conservation area, Fumba beach peninsula is both a large marine haven and an eco-project, recognized since 1998 as an area of outstanding natural beauty by the World Wildlife Federation. The rest of the day is yours to relax in the tranquility of one of Zanzibar’s most secluded beaches. (B, D)
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Day 13, Mon 19 Dec 2011
Day 13: Fumba Beach Lodge
Today you are totally at your leisure to do as you wish – be it relaxing on the beach or joining one of the many fishing, diving, snorkelling or day trips, organized by the hotel (Please note these are not included as part of this extension, thus availability and costs at the discretion of the hotel). Watching the stunning sunset, the aches and pains of summit night will be a distant memory! (B, D)
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Day 14, Tue 20 Dec 2011
Day 14: Transfer to airport to travel back
You will be transferred to Zanzibar airport for your flight back to the UK, via Nairobi or Addis Ababa. Subject to availability flights will return directly to Nairobi or Addis Ababa (via Kilimanjaro if direct flights are not available) where you will connect with the longhaul flight to London. (B)
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Day 15, Wed 21 Dec 2011
Day 15: Arrive Home
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Important information about the Zanzibar extension
Day 11: Flight to Zanzibar, Stone Town
After a short flight from Kilimanjaro to Zanzibar, you will be transferred to the UNESCO Heritage Site, Stone Town. Considered to be the cultural heart of Zanzibar, Stone Town is buzzing with busy bazaars, mosques, and a maze of winding alleys for you to explore. Little has changed here for 200 years and there is a wealth of cultural and historical treasures waiting to be discovered. Tonight you will stay in the heart of Stone Town, on the picturesque seafront, at the Tembo House Hotel. (B)
Day 12: Transfer to Fumba Beach Lodge
After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the luxurious Fumba Beach Lodge, your home for the next 2 nights. Approximately 30 minutes drive from Stone Town, and set on forty acres of the Menai beach conservation area, Fumba beach peninsula is both a large marine haven and an eco-project, recognized since 1998 as an area of outstanding natural beauty by the World Wildlife Federation. The rest of the day is yours to relax in the tranquility of one of Zanzibar’s most secluded beaches. (B, D)
Day 13: Fumba Beach Lodge
Today you are totally at your leisure to do as you wish – be it relaxing on the beach or in the spa, or joining one of the many fishing, diving, snorkeling or day trips, organized by the hotel (Please note these are not included as part of this extension, thus availability and costs at the discretion of the hotel). Watching the stunning sunset, the aches and pains of summit night will be a distant memory! (B, D)
Day 14: Transfer to airport to travel back
You will be transferred to Zanzibar airport for your flight back to the UK, via Nairobi. Subject to availability flights will return directly to Nairobi (via Kilimanjaro if direct flights are not available) where you will connect with the longhall flight to London. (B)
Day 15: Arrive Home
Arrive in the UK.
Included:
- Return flights: Kilimanjaro Airport to Zanzibar, returning to Nairobi (via Kilimanjaro if limited availability)
- 1 night’s accommodation in Tembo House Hotel (www.tembohotel.com) and 2 night's at Fumba Beach Lodge (www.fumbabeachlodge.com).
- Meals as outlined above
- Transfers in Zanzibar between the airport and hotels
- Travel Insurance extension (if purchased through Charity Challenge)
Excluded:
- Personal expenses (i.e. gifts, soft drinks or alcohol, laundry etc)
- Meals not mentioned above
- Additional day trips & excursions not listed as part of the itinerary
- Transfer to Kilimanjaro airport
- Tips
Please note that this extension is subject to minimum numbers and flight availability and should be booked no later than 10 weeks prior to departure. In some cases, a surcharge may need to be applied in which case we will inform you prior to confirming your booking. Full payment must be received no later than 8 weeks prior to departure or your place on the extension may be cancelled. All bookings will be confirmed no later than 6 weeks prior to departure.
The advertised costs for this extension are per person on twin sharing basis. If you are a solo passenger, We will accommodate you in a room with someone of the same sex.
*= Please note that we reserve the right to change accommodation. Where this is necessary, alternative accommodation will be of an equal or better standard.
