BecomingX - Kilimanjaro Climbs

Overview
Dates & Bookings
Routes and Itinerary
Cost
Photos
Extras

Overview

Everyone has the capacity to achieve extraordinary things. This unique climb of Kilimanjaro will be the culmination of a personal development journey that will help you challenge your perceived limits and build critical skills. The journey to the roof of Africa will be supporting BecomingX – an organisation focused on helping people around the world to build the confidence and skills to realise their full potential.

Overview

Summit the world’s highest freestanding mountain (5895m, 19,341 ft)
Trek through multiple eco-systems on a number of stunning routes like the Machame, Lemosho and Rongai
Benefit from a unique personal development opportunity, developed by BecomingX and led by two leading experts on adventure and personal challenges
Option to Fundraise for BecomingX Foundation, BecomingX’s charitable arm focused on helping people in developing countries to realise their full potential
Extend your trip to go on a safari, or relax in nearby Zanzibar

Kilimanjaro climb

At 5,895m (19,341ft), Kilimanjaro stands as the highest freestanding mountain in the world and the tallest peak in Africa (one of the famous ‘seven summits’). Our 10 day itinerary includes 7 days climbing Kilimanjaro via one of three classic routes, providing wonderful views through the forest as we ascend up to the planets highest plateau and the iconic Uhuru Peak. The summit is reached after climbing through the night, and we'll watch the sun rise over the African plains from the highest point on the continent. This is a tough challenge, but also an achievable and enjoyable one.

The experience will be enhanced by an opportunity to visit a local school, set up and built by Moving Mountains Trust and supported by the BecomingX Foundation. You will witness first-hand how your support can help build a future for people in developing countries.

Adventure Alternative has been running expeditions to Kilimanjaro for over two decades, and with its own company in Tanzania, they have a reputation for integrity and safe, successful trips. The summit success rate is 95%.

Personal development and preparation

Unique to this climb of Kilimanjaro is the focus on helping you realise your potential. Through sharing the experiences of some of the highest profile adventurers in the world and by passing on our own experiences, we will prepare you mentally and physically, not just for Kilimanjaro, but for all of the challenges in life you take on. Before you leave, BecomingX founder Paul Gurney and our expedition lead Gavin Bate, will talk you through the expedition and start helping you to build the knowledge, determination and resilience you will need on the mountain. The sessions will be delivered over Skype (and in person from London) and are open to all participants around the world.

"Just wanted to drop you an email to say a HUGE thank you for the best week I’ve ever had. The entire trip was incredibly well organised from start to finish, and I always felt in such safe, experienced hands. The thought of summit night is still somewhat traumatic, but when I reflect on the week as whole, I feel incredibly proud and SO pleased I took the plunge and booked the trip all those months ago."
(Kilimanjaro summitter, March 2018)

Paul Gurney - BecomingX founder

Paul Gurney becoming X.png

Paul is the founder of BecomingX and works with some of the world’s most iconic and inspiring people to help understand what it really takes to succeed. He has

Completed the Fire and Ice Challenge - the two ‘toughest races on earth’ in the same year – a 600km race to the North Pole (see photo) and a 270km race through the Sahara
Run 100 miles in 24 hours, climbed 3 of the 7 summits (including Kilimanjaro three times), driven across 3 continents and independently travelled to ~130 countries
Raised $5m for charity through extreme challenge events to date
Presented to audiences around the world to help people realise their potential

Gavin Bate - Expedition lead

Gavin is the founder and MD of Adventure Alternative and an:

International mountain leader with over 25 years of expedition experience and business coaching
Summited the highest mountains on every continent (including 6 ascents of Everest, some alone and without oxygen)
Led an expedition to walked to the magnetic North Pole
Completed a 6-month solo and unsupported walk across the Sahara
Summited Kilimanjaro over 50 times
Founded and runs ‘Moving Mountains’ charity, focused on education, health and social welfare in east Africa and Nepal

Sign up

You can sign up using the ‘book now’ button on the Dates and Booking tab. We ask for a £100 deposit to secure your place and balances 6 weeks prior to departure.

We will sign you up to our trip app with trip info pack plus there will be regular emails keeping you in touch with trip preparation. When you call the office you won't reach a 'sales agent' but a real person who is experienced in the outdoors, and most importantly, has climbed Kilimanjaro several times!

If you would like to fundraise for BecomingX Foundation, you will receive additional support to help make this as easy as possible for you.

Adventure Alternative – office@adventurealternative.com
BecomingX – paul.gurney@becomingx.org

Dates & Bookings

Routes and Itinerary

Please scroll down to find details of the route you have chosen.

Machame route and itinerary

Arrival on day one
Briefing and rest on day two
Climb period on days three to nine (arriving back in hotel by mid afternoon)
Depart for home / onward travel or start a four day/three night safari (Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Manyara - lodge or camping or local hotel)

The entire climb and descent covers about 70 km and the route traverse the mountain. Generally speaking each day will take about 6 hours of walking, and the distance reduces as you go higher. This chart below shows the the altitude profile of the trip which allows for excellent acclimatisation.

Day           Start Level   Daily High Point   Sleep Level
Day One 1830m 2580m 2580m
Day Two 2580m       3840m 3840m
Day Three 3840m       4560m 3950m
Day Four 3950m       4200m 3950m
Day Five 3950m       4600m 4600m
Day Six 4600m       5985m 3800m
Day Seven 3800m       3800m 1830m

Kilimanjaro Machame Route map

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day	Elevation	Travel Time	Info
1	900m	n/a	Arrive in to Kilimanjaro airport or if travelling overland arrive into Moshi. This is the start date for the Kilimanjaro climb advertised above. Relax and overnight stay in hotel.
2	900m	n/a	Briefing day in Moshi Hotel, meet the AA Tanzania staff and have time for hiring equipment or relaxing by the pool or visit town.
3	900m - 1790m - 2580m	5-7 hours, 10 kms	Transport to Machame Gate (1 hour 1790m). Registration. Trek to Machame Camp through beautiful montane forest on good path. Camp overnight at the edge of the forest.
4	2980m - 3840m	5-7 hours, 7 kms	Machame Camp to Shira Plateau uphill through thinning forest and onto a huge volcanic plateau. Camping is more exposed here with great views of the summit massif.
5	3840m - 3950m	5-7 hours, 10 kms	Shira Camp to Barranco Camp traversing the mountain over two valleys and skirting the base of the summit massif. High desert environment with amazing rock formations, quite exposed to the weather, dropping into the Barranco Valley right beneath the Western Breach. This day ascends a maximum of 700 metres to Lava Tower where we have lunch and then drops to camp at a similar height as the previous night giving excellent altitude acclimatisation benefits so the net gain is only about 100 metres.
6	3950m	5hrs, 6km	Barranco Camp to Karanga Valley, starting with a scramble over the Barranco Wall and over a further two valleys to get to this open campsite with great views of the Heim Glacier. Another up and down day reaching to 4200m but no net gain in height, which again is good for acclimatisation..
7	4550m	4hrs, 7km	Karanga Valley to Barafu Camp, now heading more directly upwards towards the open rock and colder temperatures. This is the average freezing level on the mountain and Barafu means 'ice'. Camping in amongst the rocks and an early night.
8	5985m - 2800m	7hrs up, 4 hrs down, 18km	Night-time ascent on rock and scree, occasional snow, to the crater rim and the summit. Cold temperatures with windchill. Final slope to the crater rim is steeper and has loose scree. Descend in sunlight to Barafu for early lunch, and then walk to Millennium Camp, normally arriving mid-afternoon.
9	900m	4-6hrs, 13km	Descending through the lush forest to Mweka Gate where you sign out and pick up the summit certificate. Legs will be tired! Meet Castro at the gate for transport back to the hotel, arriving normally at about 2pm. The gate is where tips are handed out and you say goodbye to the mountain staff. A hot shower and an afternoon relaxing before an overnight in the hotel
10	n/a		Either start our 4 day / 3 night safari or depart home.

Lemosho route and itinerary

Arrival on day one
Briefing and rest on day two
Climb period on days three to nine (arriving back in hotel by mid afternoon)
Depart for home / onward travel or start a four day/three night safari (Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Manyara - lodge or camping or local hotel)

Day           Start Level   Daily High Point   Sleep Level
Day One 1830m 2700m 2700m
Day Two 2700m       3840m 3840m
Day Three 3840m       4560m 3950m
Day Four 3950m       4200m 3950m
Day Five 3950m       4600m 4600m
Day Six 4600m       5985m 3800m
Day Seven 3800m       3800m 1830m

Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route map

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day	Elevation	Travel Time	Info
1	900m	n/a	Arrive in to Kilimanjaro or if travelling overland arrive into Moshi. This is the start date for the Kilimanjaro climb advertised above. Relax and overnight stay in hotel.
2	900m	n/a	Briefing day in Moshi Town, meet the AA Tanzania staff and have time for hiring equipment or relaxing by the pool or in the hotel.
3	900m - 2385m - 2780m	3hrs	We leave the Hotel and drive to the Londorossi Gate (2385m), which can take 3 hrs and if there has been a lot of rain the last section is on foot due to poor roads. Meet the team of porters, guides etc and upward to Big Tree Camp (2700m), 3 hours through forest
4	2780m - 3500m - 3840m	7hrs	Today we make our way further through the forest and out onto the heath land and open expanse of the Shira Plateau. After about 4 hours we reach Shira Camp 1 at 3500m, where we have lunch and then onward to reach Shira Camp 2 mid afternoon at 3840m.
5	3840m - 4600m - 3950m	7hrs, 15km	Shira Camp to Barranco Camp traversing the mountain over two valleys and skirting the base of the summit massif. High desert environment with amazing rock formations, quite exposed to the weather, dropping into the Barranco Valley right beneath the Western Breach. This day ascends a maximum of 700 metres but the net gain is only about 100 metres.
6	3950m - 4200m - 3950m	5hrs, 6km	Barranco Camp to Karanga Valley, starting with a scramble over the Barranco Wall and over a further two valleys to get to this open campsite with great views of the Heim Glacier. Another up and down day but no net gain in height, which is all good for acclimatisation..
7	4550m	4hrs, 7km	Karanga Valley to Barafu Camp, now heading more directly upwards towards the open rock and colder temperatures. This is the average freezing level on the mountain and Barafu means 'ice'. Camping in amongst the rocks and an early night.
8	4550m - 5985m - 2800m	7hrs up, 4 hrs down, 18km	Night-time ascent on rock and scree, occasional snow, to the crater rim and the summit. Cold temperatures with windchill. Final slope to the crater rim is steeper and has loose scree. Descend in sunlight to Barafu for early lunch, and then walk to Millennium Camp, normally arriving mid-afternoon.
9	900m	4-6hrs, 13km	Descending through the lush forest to Mweka Gate where you sign out and pick up the summit certificate. Legs will be tired! Meet Castro at the gate for transport back to the hotel, arriving normally at about 2pm. The gate is where tips are handed out and you say goodbye to the mountain staff. A hot shower and an afternoon relaxing before an overnight in the hotel
10	n/a		Either start our 4 day / 3 night safari or depart home.

Rongai route and itinerary

Arrival on day one
Briefing and rest on day two
Climb period on days three to nine (arriving back in hotel by mid afternoon)
Depart on day ten or go on four day/three night safari (Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Manyara - lodge or camping or local hotel

The entire climb and descent covers just over 50 miles.

Height gains on the Rongai route

Day        Start Level   Daily High Point Sleep Level
Day One      1830m       2800m           2800m
Day Two      2800m       3600m           3600m
Day Three   3600m       4330m           4330m
Day Four      4330m       4730m           4330m
Day Five      4330m       4730m           4730m
Day Six       4730m       5895m           3800m
Day Seven   3800m       3800m           1830m

Kilimanjaro Rongai Route map

Day	Elevation	Travel Time	Info
1	1830m	n/a	This is our advertised date for the start of the trip and is the day which you should arrive into Tanzania. Most people fly into Kilimanjaro airport either directly or via Kenya. Others travel overland from Kenya. The advertised date is the date you should arrive and we can collect you from Kilimanjaro airport or assist you to travel from Kenya. Overnight in Keys Annexe Hotel in Moshi Town.
2	1830m	n/a	Briefing day in Moshi Town, meet the AA Tanzania staff and have time for hiring equipment or relaxing in the hotel.
3	2800m	3hr drive, 4hrs walking	We depart early in the morning and drive around Kilimanjaro to the North side where the Rongai Gate is. It takes about 3hrs but offers some great views. After registering at the gate and sorting gear for the porters we then walk through the forest for 4hrs to reach Camp 1 at 2800m. This is a great day for seeing wildlife.
4	3600m	6hrs	Today we move out on to the moorland of Kilimanjaro and have a longish day at 6hrs up to Camp 2 which is near Kikelewa Cave at 3600m.
5	4330m	5hrs	Today we are on open ground which at times can be steep as we make our way up to camp at the Mawenzi Tarn (4330m).
6	4330	varies	Today is a rest and acclimatisation day at the tarn. You can relax at camp or go on some walks in area. This part of the mountain is beautiful and the views are stunning.
7	4730m	4hrs	4hrs open ground walking today with amazing views via the Saddle to reach camp near Kibo Hut at 4730m
8	5985m then 3800m	12hrs	Night-time ascent on rock and scree, occasional snow, to the crater rim and the summit. Cold temperatures with windchill. We summit via Gilmans Point (5680m), which is 5 hrs up scree and a further 2 hrs to summit (5985m) and descend to Horombo Hutb at 3800m (total 12 hrs).
9	1830m	4hrs	We then descend to Marangu Gate, along an easy path back into and through the forest for 4 hours. We then transfer by road back to the hotel where a hot shower awaits!
10	n/a	n/a	Either start your safari or depart for home.

Cost

Trip cost: £1995.00 per person

INCLUDES

A high quality BecomingX fleece and buff
A certificate signed by BecomingX Founder Bear Grylls
20% discount from Cotswolds Outdoors and Snow & Rock
Hotel accommodation in Moshi for 3 nights (twin, B&B)
Jeep or coach transport to and from the mountain gates
National Park fees, camping fees and park rescue fees
Park certified guides (ratio of 1:2 or 1:3 depending on number of climbers) and company representatives
High altitude Guide and Adventure Alternative founder / MD Gavin Bate
Porters and cooks, plus equipment and tents for them
All camping equipment including sleeping tents with mattresses
Expedition administrator, translator and Manager (Castro Capelo)
Meals on the mountain - fresh food, 3 meals per day

EXCLUDES

International airfare to Kilimanjaro Airport
Airport transfers - $40 per vehicle one way (you can share with others on the team if you arrive together)
Tanzanian Visa - $50 for most passports & $100 for USA citizens, purchased on arrival
Vaccinations and anti-malarial tablets
Travel insurance
Lunches and dinners in Moshi
Tips ~ £100 paid in local currency for distribution on the last day at exit gate

Travel Insurance

We advise you to take out travel insurance as soon as possible to cover potential events that might cause you to cancel your trip.

You need to ensure that you have a policy which covers trekking to 5895m, but it does not need to cover technical climbing. You should bring with you a copy of your policy and ensure your tent mate knows where you keep it. It is also worth bringing a photocopy of your passport and to keep it separate to your own documents just in case you lose your passport.

Local Providers

Local provider for this trip is our own local registered outfit Adventure Alternative Tanzania. We provide full employment for our subsidiary company alongside excellent rates of pay, equipment, training and career development.

BecomingX Foundation – optional charity fundraising

BecomingX Foundation exists to achieve BecomingX’s mission in developing countries and under served communities. It is a charity founded on the belief that anyone, regardless of background or societal barriers, can achieve truly extraordinary things. It is focused on equipping people in disadvantaged communities with the skills and confidence to realise their full potential. Leveraging BecomingX’s education content, BecomingX Foundation aims to demystify what it takes to succeed and help people build practical, life changing skills such as confidence, determination, resilience and leadership. Fundraising is entirely optional, but we would be hugely grateful if you can support our efforts to create a better world. Any money you raise will:

Help us customise and deliver education content in developing countries around the world – with the aim of helping millions of people to realise their potential
Provide funding for the development of the school you will visit in Tanzania and their education programmes (with Moving Mountains)
Help us support partner organisations who share our vision of a world where everyone can realise their potential

You will be given encouragement and support throughout and benefit from the experience of a team that has helped over 1,000 people fundraise for international challenge events. Your efforts will directly improve the skills, confidence and opportunities of others.

Photos

Extras

Equipment Rental

Duffle bag

These duffles are waterproof with a top zip, side handles and rucksack straps. They come in two sizes: 90 or 120 litres.

from £30.00 per person

Trekking poles

A pair of adjustable trekking poles.

£10.00 per person

Mountain gloves

Mountain glove with outer shell and fleece lining. Windproof and waterproof. Available in medium and large.

£10.00 per person

Fleece Gloves

Polar fleece gloves made of thermal fleece with a grip palm and elasticated wrist.

£5.00 per person

Gaiters

Waterproof nylon gaiters with velcro closure, elasticated top rear drawcord and adjustable underboot strap.

£5.00 per person

Flask

500ml stainless steel flask for hot drinks. Screw lid doubles as a drinking cup.

£5.00 per person

Rucksack cover

Protect your rucksack during extreme weather or travel with this tough lightweight protective cover. Two sizes.

£5.00 per person

Poncho

Hooded poncho covers you and your day pack, useful for rain showers.

£5.00 per person

Dry bag

Lightweight and waterproof with a rolltop design and ideal for storing kit that needs to be kept separate and dry. Two sizes.

from £2.50 per person

Accommodation in Moshi

Extra nights in Keys Annexe Hotel - Twin room

Price is per person per night, based on twin or double occupancy, bed and breakfast.

from £35.00 per person

Single room supplement

This is for all three nights that are included as standard in our climb itinerary at the Keys Annexe Hotel.

£50.00 per person

Choose a scheduled date or contact us to set up private dates or a bespoke itinerary. The minimum deposit is £100.00 and the balance is due four weeks before travel.

Dates & Bookings

Tours from only pp Dates & Bookings

Review Testimonial

"It was a fantastic experience. Very hard but it leaves you knowing what you are capable of and seeing challenges in a n…