Your Adventure

Adventure expeditions with the Walking Connection are geared toward your success and enjoying them from “Top To Bottom,” (Canyoneering), “Bottom To Top,” (Mountaineering) and “From One End To The Other,” on multi-day treks.

Key parts of that success are the preparation, physical training and extensive planning that goes into every journey before it ever begins. With the Walking Connection, you only have to do the first two; prepare yourself and physically train. We do the planning!

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We offer a goal-oriented program that describes where you should be with regard to your physical capabilities in order to have the best chance at accomplishing your goal. It is designed to help you over three months and includes benchmarks for walking, hiking and endurance preparation.

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We provide a comprehensive pre-trip planning guide that includes a guest orientation, gear list, recommendations for everything you will need and want on your adventure such as inoculations, what it is like to travel in Tanzania, personal safety information, etc. Our detailed “Know Before You Go,” covers all of the logistics, your personal itinerary, and more travel recommendations that will help you succeed and enjoy your adventure.

DAY 1

Arusha

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you are met and transferred to your lodge in Arusha.  The lodge is set among ancient trees on the slopes of Mount Meru right on the outskirts of town and offers spectacular views of Mt. Kilimanjaro.  There is a comprehensive briefing and equipment check with the Climb Manager and trip guide.

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Meals Included: Dinner

Accommodation: Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge

or similar

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DAY 2

Kilimanjaro - Lemosho - Forest Camp

From Arusha, set out in a vehicle to the starting point of the Lemosho Trail. Here you meet the rest of your crew and set off at a leisurely pace into the Afromontane forest. Lunch is taken on trail and camp is reached mid-afternoon.

Distance: 6 km / ~1700 ft net elevation gain

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Forest Camp

DAY 3

Kilimanjaro - Shira Plateau

From the forested slopes of Lemosho, ascend through Podocarpus and Juniper forest before breaking out onto the heath zone and the Shira Plateau. Lunch is taken on trail and camp is reached by mid-afternoon.

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Distance: 8 km / ~ 2000 ft net elevation gain

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Shira One Camp

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DAY 4

Kilimanjaro - Moir Hut Camp

Crossing the Shira plateau can be one of the most scenic parts of the trip and this is a full day on the trail.  After an on-trail lunch, ascend to Moir camp, arriving in the mid-afternoon. For those with energy to spare, an additional hike in the late afternoon is available.

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Distance: 14 km / ~ 2300 ft net elevation gain

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Moir Hut Camp

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DAY 5

Kilimanjaro - Barranco Camp

From Moir, traverse across the slopes of Kibo. Here relatively little flora or fauna can survive the extreme temperature ranges and conditions that typify this zone. Lunch is normally taken close to Lava Tower and for those that are feeling ambitious, there is an optional ascent of Lava Tower before descending down to Barranco camp in the afternoon.

Distance: 7 km / ~ 800 ft net elevation loss

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Barranco Camp

DAY 6

Kilimanjaro - Karanga Camp

You now have a relatively short day to Karanga Camp, after conquering the Barranco Wall. The selection of Karanga Camp is strategic – significant time at altitude is essential for safe acclimatization and in the late afternoon, you arrive in camp. Sunsets here are particularly spectacular with views of the southern glacial valleys and ice fields towering 1000 meters (over 3000 feet) above.

Distance: 5 km / ~ 100 ft net elevation gain

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Karanga Camp

DAY 7

Kilimanjaro - Barafu Camp

Spend a half day ascending to Barafu Camp, arriving before lunch.  Desolate alpine desert surrounds the camp and splendid views of Mawenzi peak are the norm.  High winds commonly sweep through the area.  Dinner is served relatively early, allowing for an evening of rest before the summit bid. 

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Distance: 4 km / ~ 2200 ft net elevation gain

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Barafu Camp

DAY 8

Kilimanjaro Summit - Mweka

A true summit bid begins with an Alpine Start!  Departing just before midnight for the final push.  Patience and persistence is the name of game to reach the summit and most arrive near the rim, in perfect time to view the sunrise. Ascending via Stella Point affords a relatively short final section to Uhuru peak, the Roof of Africa!

What goes up must come down and the goal is to return to Mweka camp before dusk.

Distance:

5 km ascent / ~ 4045 ft net elevation gain

12 km descent / ~ 9300 ft net elevation loss

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Mweka Camp

DAY 9

Kilimanjaro Descent Mweka - Arusha

After breakfast, descend once again through montane forest and return to the trailhead around mid-day.  Say farewell to the guide crew, before transferring back to the hotel for a well-deserved shower and celebratory dinner!

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Distance: 10 km / ~ 4600 ft net elevation loss

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge.

DAY 10

Kilimanjaro - Mweka - Arusha

Enjoy some relaxation time in the dayroom at the lodge, before transferring to Kilimanjaro International Airport for departure.

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Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

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Journey 30 >

Pre-adventure Training

WHAT DOES THE PRICE INCLUDE?

• Challenging and an exemplary itinerary designed for optimal acclimatization and maximum success rate.

• 9-nights lodge and camp accommodations, as indicated in the itinerary. • Walk-in tent (double occupancy), cot, mattress, and -30 degree sleeping bag with liner, prepared at each camp before your arrival. • Daily meals, as indicated in the itinerary, and treated drinking water, tea, coffee & hot chocolate. • Walk-in mess tent – table, backed chairs, and cutlery. • Toilet tent – cleaner and more private facilities. • Resident local guides with extensive safety and altitude training, camp managers, cooks, and porters. • Supplemental oxygen (if needed) and pulse oximeters. •Airport transfers. • National Park entry fees, taxes. •  Detailed Know Before You Go information, including recommended website, reading lists, packing list, and weather forecast.

WHAT DOES THE PRICE NOT INCLUDE?

• Local guide gratuities. All international and domestic airfares with tax (not listed in the above inclusions). 

• All items of a personal nature, including beverages and shopping. 

• All passport and visa application fees, vaccination, and medical consulting fees

• All international departure taxes collected at the airport of departure.

• Additional hotels stay pre- or post- scheduled itinerary.

• Early check-in or late check-out of rooms

• Optional tours.

• Photographs or phone calls.

• Discounts/Refunds on any unused portion of the tour.

• Travel Insurance.

• Hospital bills of international evacuation in case of emergency. 

• Anything that is not expressly stated in the itinerary or on the inclusion list above.

CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICIES.

Cancellation, Penalty & Refund Policies: Should you have to cancel your tour the following terms will apply: Due to the exclusive and small group nature of this adventure, for all cancellation requests the following applies.

Updated 5/2021 Covid-19 Policy: For this trip, your initial deposit of $750.00 USD will be fully refundable or transferable up until 61 days prior to departure. If your initial deposit was a credit from a previous trip postponement, it can only be used as a credit for a future trip, no cash refunds.

Due to the current unpredictability and volatile nature of today’s world due to the COVID pandemic, 65 days prior to departure we will evaluate whether the trip will be confirmed and or if in our sole discretion the group travel dates need to be adjusted; or if any policies need to be modified going forward. We will notify you at that time so you can adjust your scheduling accordingly.

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• 0-60-Day policy for trip cancellations for scheduled departures. On your behalf, the Walking Connection makes non-refundable deposits and payments to complete your reservation with our vendors and suppliers. That is why your deposit(s) and final payments are non-refundable during this period. 

• Due to COVID, travel restrictions are often enacted by governments, airlines, and agencies often with little or no notice. Should this occur during the time period of 0-60 days prior to your trip, we have made arrangements with our vendors and ground team on the Mt. Kilimanjaro Adventures to provide a credit equal to your payments and apply it to another date and similar trip in 2021 or 2022. Your reservation will be transferred on a space-available basis. This credit cannot be used for any other Walking Connection adventure or exchanged for a credit card or a cash refund.

​After that:

• For cancellations 60-31 days prior to the trip, 50% penalty of the total trip cost.

• For cancellations 30-15 days prior to the trip, 75% penalty of the total trip cost.

• For cancellations 0-14 days, and no shows, no refunds.

• No refunds will be made for any unused portion of the tour.

WHO'S GOING ON 

THIS TRIP?

Our adventures typically have between 4 and 12 guests. Walking Connection travel experiences are inclusive for a variety of abilities of positive and like-minded guests, happy to enjoy nature, culture, history and fantastic food along the way including solo travelers, couples and friends traveling together. This trip will be hosted by co-founders Jo Ann and Gene Taylor -- Come Walk With Us!