Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro

(This report was written before the hike in 2006. Please return soon for an update with information on our 2010 adventure, or go to www.rideforafrica.org.)

The question foremost on everyone's mind is, "How doable is this for the average person?" Well, after much research we discovered that it is very doable. Our plan is to take the Machame Route up Mount Kilimanjaro. Apparently it is the most scenic route. It has the highest success rate for climbers reaching the top. The long, winding route that traverses the south side of the mountain slowly ascends. This provides hikers time to acclimatize. We will hike a total of about 100 kilometres, from an altitude of 1,830 metres to 5,895 metres (19,340 ft). Our plan is to do a seven- to eight-day hike, to increase our chances of everyone reaching the summit. Although we do not have the exact costs for the hike, we could guesstimate that it will be around $150 US per day (this includes the $30 daily park pass).  We will be booking through a local trekking company.

As you know, the cost of flights can vary, and with the price of fuel increasing almost daily we are faced with unpredictability. If we plan for $1,500, give or take a couple of hundred, we may be close to the ballpark figure. Remember, our hike is not until the beginning of October 2006. Many of us may be booking in October 2005 to ensure we have no problem securing the dates we want. We have guesstimated that the entire trip will cost roughly $6,000 Cdn. We need to remember that a large portion of the cost is getting to and from Africa, so many of us will be staying on to volunteer our time at the Amani Children's Home, some plan to experience a safari and some are hitting the lovely beaches of Zanzibar.

If you have general questions about hiking Mount Kilimanjaro, there is plenty of information on the Internet. For more information on our exciting journey to Mount Kilimanjaro, go to  "Contact Us".