Celebrate Margo’s 60th Birthday on Kilimanjaro!
One of the reasons I climbed Kilimanjaro, my very first mountain, in 1988, was to celebrate my 40th birthday. Rather than being a completion, as I had planned, that climb began a passion for mountains and trekking and rivers that has been a foundation for me ever since. Skip Horner, premier adventure travel guide, has been my mentor and friend during these 18+ years, and we have done almost 20 trips together
In honor of my 60th birthday, and Skip’s as well. We will be returning to Africa to climb “Kili” once again in January of 2008. The vision is to put together a trip of folks who have been a part of my life in some way: folks who have read my book or the journals on this website; folks who have heard me speak; folks who are my friends and acquaintances; folks who are reading about me for the first time. Whether you have been a climber in the past, or not. I’d love to have you join us. We will hike/climb the remote Rongai Route, longer than the normal routes on the mountain which gives us more time to acclimatize. Game viewing in various game parks happen both before and after the climb. The itinerary and trip details follow.
Please consider joining us. Just call 831-462-6111 or send me an email, and I’ll get back to you with further information.
KILIMANJARO!
January 2008 Itinerary
The name Kilimanjaro has a mystical ring to it, and for good reason. It dominates the East African landscape for hundreds of miles around and is the most recognizable landmark on the continent. Clouds often obscure the lower reaches of the mountain, giving it the appearance of floating above the African plain. Its glacier-crowned summit sparkles in the sun, 19,340′ above sea level.
We will hike the remote Rongai Route, which starts in Kenya and crosses into Tanzania on the mountain. This is a longer and more scenic route than the normal routes on the mountain and allows us an extra day to acclimatize to the higher altitudes. Porters will carry our gear, so you need carry only a daypack. We will camp in tents along the way.
Before and after the climb we will drive out into the great-game country and spend several days on safari enjoying the African wildlife, overnighting in lush game lodges. This is the perfect complement to the classic African experience.
Day 1 Depart USA.
Day 2 En route.
Day 3 Arrive Nairobi in the morning. Drive to the foot of Kilimanjaro. Overnight in Amboseli Park at the gracious Amboseli Serena Lodge.
Day 4 Full day game-viewing drive through Amboseli Park, famous for it’s elephants. Overnight at Amboseli Serena.
Make preparations for our ascent of Kilimanjaro.
Day 5 Drive two hours to the Kilimanjaro trailhead and meet our porters. (We cross into Tanzania en route.) Hike 3-4 hours through the dense forest, camp at Rongai Cave
at 8,000′.
Day 6 Hike 4-5 hours up into the heather and camp at Kikelewa Cave at 10,500′.
Day 7 Hike 3-4 hours over volcanic ridges to camp at Mawenzi Tarn at 12,500′.
Day 8 Hike 5 hours across the Saddle to the Outward Bound Hut at 15,200′.
Day 9 Starting for the summit at midnight, we hope to top out soon after dawn. Descend to the Kibo Hut for lunch, and on to Horombo to camp.
Day 10 Descend to the park gate, and drive to Arusha, Tanzania.
Overnight at the Hotel Aishi.
Day 11 Drive out into the African bush to Lake Manyaro National Park, famous for its elephants and for its tree-climbing lions. Overnight at the Lake Manyara Serena Lodge.
Day 12 Full day Lake Manyara. Game-drives into the park, or mountain-biking into the bush outside the park.
Overnight at the Lake Manyara Serena Lodge.
Day 13 Drive to Tarangire National Park, famous for its wild bush habitat, full of wildlife. Overnight at the Tarangire Safari Lodge.
Day 14 Morning game drives into Tarangire Park. After lunch at the lodge, drive back to Arusha for dinner and transfer Kilimanjaro International Airport for flights home
KILIMANJARO!
January 2008 Details
TRIP SIZE: 5 – 16 members.
TRIP COST: $5250
TRIP INCLUDES: All land costs in Kenya and Tanzania according to this itinerary.
NOT INCLUDED: International airfare, airport taxes, tips, insurance, drinks at hotels, overweight baggage charges, additional charges accrued in transit or from any deviation from the published itinerary.
A DEPOSIT: $1500 should be sent immediately to secure your place. Non-refundable.
FINAL PAYMENT: $3750 will be due September 1, 2007.
VISAS: Visas are required for entry into both Kenya and Tanzania. Contact Zeirer Visa Service in Washington, DC. about September 1. 1-800-421-6706 Tell them you’re traveling with Skip Horner Worldwide.
AIRFARE: Please contact DeeDee at Big Sky Travel for the best rates. Her service and her airfares are the best in the business. 1-800-284-9809.
INSURANCE: We require Trip Cancellation Insurance, as no refunds
can be given. Contact DeeDee at Big Sky Travel for
this as well. She can explain all the options available.
QUALIFICATIONS: This trip is a strenuous trek at high altitudes.
All participants must be in top physical and mental