Share the adventure of a lifetime and summit Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, while supporting YCI’s global youth livelihood solutions this March 5-12, 2020.
If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing the magnificent glaciers and challenging yourself to summit Mount Kilimanjaro, 1 of the 7 summits, here’s your chance to do just that and support YCI’s innovation solutions for global youth livelihoods. While the Machame route is challenging, it is also one of the most scenic routes to Africa’s highest peak. With an expert team of local guides and porters, we will spend 6 days trekking through majestic forests, alpine deserts and glistening ice fields, challenging our minds and bodies as we share this once in a lifetime journey to one of the world’s most famous peaks.
Whats included:
What’s not included:
Step-by-step process
Crowdfunding is leveraging the power of your networks to fundraise easily online. By setting up your personal crowdfunding campaign, your networks will be able to donate directly to your climb fees via VISA or MasterCard and we’ll handle the rest! All donations over $20 (CAD) will automatically receive a Canadian tax receipt. Unfortunately, international donations are not eligible for tax receipts.
Tips to Amplify Your Campaign:
Click below to go to the Kilimanjaro Challenge 2020 Campaign, where you can access fundraising, FAQs, and more info!
No, the deposits are not refundable. We are working with an excellent company in Tanzania to design and develop the best trip possible for our group. We have put the deposit schedule in place to help us better understand our group numbers so our local partners can secure transportation, hotel bookings, climb logistics and crew.
No, any funds that are raised are not refundable, as these go towards supporting YCI’s global youth livelihood solutions.
Your money will help support the development of new and existing programs for Youth Challenge International (YCI). YCI is a leading global youth development organization that promotes youth innovation to drive positive change. Building on over 30 years of experience, YCI’s creative, market-ready solutions help catapult youth around the world to succeed and prosper.
Once you have paid your deposit, you will receive an email with a participant information form and welcome package. This will provide you with an array of resources to help you fundraise and prepare for your challenge!
The fundraising balance is due February 15, 2020, at which point we will ask that you read and sign the terms and conditions and submit your flight details to us as soon as possible. About 2 weeks before departure, you will receive an email from us with the final trip details and airport pick up information.
This is 100% up to you! Once your deposit is paid, we will provide you a toolkit with ideas and tips to get started. We encourage you to be creative and are here to help and support you along the way. All fundraising will be done via Raisin – a secure online platform to easily collect funds.
All donations over $20 CAD are eligible for a tax receipt, with the exception of donations made by parents of the participant. Under CRA regulations, Youth Challenge International cannot issue an official donation receipt if a donor is contributing towards a program in which their child is participating.
Tanzania is in general a safe country. That said, you do need to take the usual precautions while travelling abroad.
Some safety tips
Please refer to the for additional Government of Canada website resources on travel abroad:
Yes to both. A visa is required for Canadians to enter Tanzania. Please apply and pay for your visa online using eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa. Be aware that this process can take 2 -3 weeks. Obtaining your visa and paying in cash upon arrival can be complicated and cause delays at the airport.
YCI will provide group travel insurance for medical and medical evacuation through AIG Insurance company. We will also provide additional coverage for emergency evacuation via stretcher and vehicle from the mountain. You are welcome to purchase any additional medical/trip cancellation insurance you require. More information will be provided upon registration.
Altitude sickness can catch many travellers off guard. Not everyone gets sick at high altitudes and it is difficult to predict who is likely affected by it. For most people, it is nothing more than a mild headache and a dizzy sensation that diminishes over a short period of time (1-2 days).
However, it is recommended that you visit your doctor, or a travel doctor, before departure as there are medications that can help with potential altitude sickness.
It is highly recommended that you speak with a travel doctor before your trip to advise on the best medication for altitude acclimatisation. Diamox (Acetazolamide) is probably the most popular option, but in case you are taking any other medication or have an allergy, please seek guidance from a doctor to ensure it (or something similar) is a suitable and viable option for you.
Diamox (Acetazolamide) is a prescription drug in the USA, Canada, Europe and most western countries. This will not be available to purchase once you are in Tanzania, so you are responsible to bring your own.
Here is a general guide as to what you should bring with you. It is also important to avoid cotton as once it gets wet it will not dry on the mountain and it does not wick sweat. Instead, choose polypro, merino wool, silk or fleece fabrics.
Absolutely! After you register, you will receive a welcome package which will include an equipment rental list. All essential equipment is available for rental and will be ready for you upon arrival in Tanzania. Please notify us of anything you wish to rent so we can reserve it for you.
It is recommended that you leave any valuables at your hotel in Moshi. Passport numbers are required to enter the park however you do not need to actually show your passport. Your main bag on the mountain will be carried by a porter. There is a weight limit in place in order to protect the porters, therefore your full bag must weigh no more than 18 kg (approximately 39 lbs). Please ensure that this is a soft holdall or rucksack as many of the porters carry the bags on their heads.
Each day, you will also carry your own day pack that may include things like sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, wet weather clothes, a sweater or an extra layer, any valuables and a small first aid kit.
There will be a hot breakfast (e.g. porridge, eggs, toast and tea or coffee) to start the day. Lunch will be packed or hot, depending on where we are on the mountain and the length of the walk that day. You will always be provided with a filling hot meal in the evening (e.g. soup followed by rice, potato or pasta and sauce, and usually fruit for dessert.)
There will be ample drinking water as the porters collect water each morning and evening from local water sources for drinking and cooking. All of the water is treated either using a Katadyn water filter or with chlorine treatment tablets to ensure it’s 100% safe for your consumption. If you decide to use water from the stream or from hotels it would be best to purify it first. You will need enough water bottles or hydration systems to be able to carry up to 4 litres of water. A combination of bottles and a hydration system is preferable.
You will be camping on the mountain and tents will be supplied and erected by the crew accompanying our group. The tents fit 3 people but we will have 2 people per tent.
During your Kilimanjaro climb, safety is our number one priority. The guides are fantastic at watching your symptoms and can help you assess whether it is altitude sickness, tiredness or a headache that you are suffering from. The head guides have Wilderness First Responder Medical Training, which is the highest available training specializing in emergency situations within remote settings.
Should you have any pre-existing medical conditions it is extremely important that you let us know, so that we can notify the guides well in advance. When on the mountain your head guide will keep track of all medication you are taking and how you are feeling hour by hour. Should your guide decide that it is necessary for you to descend due to altitude related illness, it is essential that you listen to and follow their advice for your health and safety. In this situation, any additional expenses, such as unplanned hotel accommodation, will need to be paid by you, but may be reclaimed on your travel insurance. Our guides will help to organize any accommodations required and support you with all further arrangements you may need to make.
A good level of fitness is definitely required due to the temperature extremes, high altitude, basic facilities, and rough terrain. Don’t forget that you will be trekking for several hours a day for many days in a row. Anyone who leads an active and moderately healthy lifestyle should be okay, but the more you exercise before the climb, the more you will enjoy it.
Warm bowls of washing water will be provided morning and night whilst on the mountain. Wet wipes, toilet roll and antibacterial gel are always useful for during the day. At the camps, our group will have a private, but basic, toilet facility.
Mountain weather can vary and you should come prepared to deal with varying conditions. Generally speaking, early mornings will warm-up as soon as the sun rises and the days will be warm and bright. You will be trekking in very clear air and will need strong UV protection. When the sun sets, the temperature drops to often well below zero degrees. Nights are usually clear and frosty so please remember this when considering your clothes for summit night and choosing your sleeping bag. Whenever you climb, expect convection to send warm air from the hot plains below across the rainforest to precipitate at higher altitudes as rain, sleet, and snow. This happens on some, but not all, afternoons.
There is intermittent mobile coverage on the mountain. Signals are limited, but as long as the weather is relatively clear, there are places each day where you will most likely be able to pick up coverage. The guides will be able to tell you the best rocks to stand on! In case of an emergency, the guides carry mobile phones and radios.
It is important to leave no rubbish behind on the mountain. We follow the local guidelines on cultural and environmental protection issued by the National Park leaving wilderness camps clean and carrying off glass and tin. Biodegradable personal soaps and toothpastes can also help minimize your footprint.
Tanzanian Shillings will be required in Moshi restaurants, markets & taxi services. For this you can change your USD at any of the money exchange bureaus in town. Please do not bring travellers cheques as these are difficult to exchange and will incur a 20-25% fee. However, for most tourism activities in Tanzania USD are accepted.
The time zone in Tanzania is East Africa Time (GMT+3).
Tipping is a way to express your gratitude for excellent service. Although it is a personal choice, here are some general guidelines: