Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro and see Tanzania

Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa, and the tallest volcano in the world (don't worry....it's dormant!). It is one of the tallest "walkable" mountains in the world. You do not need any special skills to climb it. It is a "full service" mountain; we will have guides, porters to carry our stuff and set up our tents, and cooks who will have our food waiting for us. You will see the climate change several times as you ascend, from jungle to grassland to glacier. The plan is to go on safari before climbing the mountain, and relax on the beautiful beach at Zanzibar after. GROUP SIZE: Limited to 14 people COST: Approximately $4319.31 for 6-9 people, $3920.03 for 10-12 people, $3807.98 for 13-14 people, includes lodging, land travel, domestic flight to Zanzibar, food on Kili climb, several other meals. Airfare not included. Single occupancy upcharge $495 plus $84/night at Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort. Single occupancy not available at KMR unless they have enough rooms when we are there and the difference in price will be charged at that time. Single occupancy tents are available for the climb. Tentative Itinerary: Fly into Kilimanjaro airport (not included) Sun 01-Feb-09 Arusha: Moivaro Lodge Mon 02-Feb-09 Southcentral Serengeti: Olduvai Tented Camp Tue 03-Feb-09 Southcentral Serengeti: Olduvai Tented Camp Wed 04-Feb-09 Marangu: Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort Thu 05-Feb-09 Kilimanjaro Rongai: Moorland Bivouac Fri 06-Feb-09 Kilimanjaro Rongai: Second Cave Bivouac Sat 07-Feb-09 Kilimanjaro Rongai: Kikelewa Caves Bivouac Sun 08-Feb-09 Kilimanjaro Rongai: Mawenzi Tarn Bivouac Mon 09-Feb-09 Kilimanjaro Rongai: Kibo Bivouac Tue 10-Feb-09 Kilimanjaro Rongai: Horombo Bivouac Wed 11-Feb-09 Marangu: Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort Flight to Zanzibar Thu 12-Feb-09 Zanzibar Island: Matemwe Beach Fri 13-Feb-09 Zanzibar Island: Matemwe Beach Sat 14-Feb-09 Zanzibar Stonetown: Dhow Palace Flight to Dar es Salaam Depart from Dar es Salaam airport (not included) All meals are included at Olduvai Tented Camp and on the Kili climb. Breakfast is included each morning. Dinner is included at Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort and Matemwe Beach. SAFARI: 2 nights lodging in Olduvai Tented Camp, transportation via Landcruisers, and local Maasai guide. We will see Ngorongoro Crater, Olduvai Valley, and more. This is a peak season for wildlife, with the wildebeest migration and calving season, and all of the predators that follow the herds. Giraffes, monkeys, lions, cheetahs, hippos, rhinos, wildebeest, and elephants are all in the area and may be seen. We will do a Landcruiser safari as well as walking. This is Maasai territory and we can see some local culture as well as wildlife. Olduvai is known as the ?birthplace of mankind? where the Leakey family studied human evolution. The Shifting Sands, 2 black sand dunes that travel, are also in the area. KILIMANJARO: We will climb Mt. Kilimanjaro via the Rongai route, which is one of the easiest routes but is more scenic, less crowded, and has a higher success rate than the more popular route, Marangu (we go down via the Marangu trail, but by then we will be too tired to care). The 6 night trek gives us an extra night on the trail for acclimatization. We start at 1950m and the summit is 5896m (19,340 ft). Rongai is very remote and scenic, with wildlife viewing possible. We approach Mawenzi Tarn, another peak to the East of the main summit, which allows extra time for acclimatization, before crossing the saddle to Kibo. We will pass Gilman's Point on the rim of the crater (you can get a certificate if you make it to here), and continue to Uhuru Peak, the summit. Most of the way on this route is a fairly gentle slope, and the only part that is steep for very long is the approach to the summit. We descend via Marangu trail (aka Coca-Cola trail, because you can buy beer or coke on this popular trail). ZANZIBAR: We will see some very different Tanzanian cultures here from the mainland, with a beach village and a historical town. We spend 2 nights at a guest house on the beach, relaxing, swimming, snorkeling, or visiting the village (1 km down the beach). Boating and diving are available for additional fees. The views are stunning here with the clear turquoise sea. Then we spend 1 night in a hotel in Stone Town, a historical area known for trade and transportation that has been held by the Portuguese and the Arabians. It has shops and bazaars, labyrinthine alleyways and fascinating architecture. Note: Mt. Kilimanjaro is very high and although we try to acclimatize as much as possible, there is a risk of altitude sickness as well as other medical problems or injuries. If our guide decides that you cannot continue the climb, what he says goes...no arguments! This is for your own safety. Depending on the situation, porters will evacuate you off the mountain as quickly as possible and get you to a hospital if necessary. Many more details to come!