Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro & 2-Day Safari

This group is full! The trip is perfectly timed: dry season so there won't be much rain, off-peak season so it won't be too crowded, and the night we climb to the summit (to approach it at dawn) will have a full moon to light the way. We will climb 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. I found a guide company with an impressive attention to details. This group will climb the mountain together with http://hiking.meetup.com/162/calendar/6962242/?from=list&offset=10. At 19,340 ft. Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa, and one of the tallest "walkable" mountains in the world. You do not need any special skills to climb it. Don't be fooled--it is HARD WORK and the altitude makes it very challenging! Chances of success on this route with this guide company are 86% to Gilman's Point (you can get a certificate) and 68% to reach the summit, Uhuru Peak (about 20% higher than with other guide companies). Climbing during the dry season should increase our chances of success even more. TENTATIVE ITINERARY: Fly into Kilimanjaro airport (not included) Wed 04-Feb Marangu: Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort Thu 05-Feb Marangu: Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort Fri 06-Feb Kilimanjaro: Moorland Bivouac Sat 07-Feb Kilimanjaro: Kikelewa Caves Bivouac Sun 08-Feb Kilimanjaro: Mawenzi Tarn Bivouac Mon 09-Feb Kilimanjaro: Kibo Bivouac Tue 10-Feb Kilimanjaro: Horombo Bivouac Wed 11-Feb Marangu: Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort Thu 12-Feb Tarangire: Mawe Ninga Camp Depart from Kilimanjaro airport (not included) All meals are included on the Kili climb and the safari. Some other meals are included. KILIMANJARO MOUNTAIN RESORT: A simple inexpensive hotel at the base of the mountain, nothing fancy. I scheduled an extra day to relax before the climb. You will be very glad to have it, and the extra night will increase your chances of reaching the summit. The area around the hotel is very beautiful with some great local walks through the forest complete with Colobus monkey. KILIMANJARO: It is a "full service" mountain; we will have english-speaking guides, porters to carry our stuff and set up our tents, and cooks who will have our food waiting for us. We start at 1950m and the summit is 5896m (19,340 ft). 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. Wildlife viewing is possible. We descend via the Marangu Trail, also called "Coca-Cola Trail" because you can buy cokes and beers. 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. SAFARI: Two-day Landcruiser safari through Tarangire National Park with english-speaking Maasai guides, staying one night at Mawe Ninga tented camp. Tarangire best known for elephant in the dry season (Jun-Dec) but it is a fantastic park throughout the year with a high density of resident elephant along with some of the rarer antelopes, over 400 lion, and plenty of leopard, hyena, baboons, hippos etc. as well as a variety of flora and birds. COST: Approximately $3230 for double occupancy, includes lodging, land travel, most meals. Airfare not included. Payment details: $1100 deposit due immediately, 2nd deposit $900 due 9/1/08, final payment due by 11/1/08. All payments are non-refundable. Send payments directly to me by PayPal at meetupGuinevere@yahoo.com. Travel insurance is required and must include high-altitude trekking on Kilimanjaro, health coverage in Tanzania, and repatriation. You can either provide proof of your own or purchase it through ATR for $175 (add to 2nd deposit). FLIGHT: You can book whatever flight you want. Airfare is not included. You will probably find the best flights through Northwest/KLM Airline out of Dulles Airport (IAD) and into Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO). Expect to pay about $1800-$2000. If you have any questions, ask! Paid: 1. Crystal 2. Nancy