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The SOS Villages d'Enfants Kilimanjaro Challenge - March 2014

"The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it"   Michelangelo

Congratulations on aiming high for SOS Villages d'Enfants Monde - 5,895m high to be precise! By joining the team you are becoming part of an experience that you will never forget and making a lifetimes difference to children served by SOS in Arusha, Tanzania.

SOS Arusha

The 9-day adventure begins on the morning of Thursday 6th March 2014 departing from Luxembourg Airport and flying to Kilimanjaro Airport via Amsterdam. After a night's rest, you will spend the first day visiting the SOS Children's Village and School in Arusha and have an opportunity to see first hand how big a difference is being made to each child served by the project. Later that evening you will have your final expedition briefing prior to travelling to the mountain the following morning.

Our journey to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro will take place over the course of 6-days via the Rongai route. From the trek's starting point at 1,950m elevation, you will trek through savannah bushland, montane forest, heath and moorland, alpine desert and ice cap before finally arriving at Uhuru Summit at 5,895m. Having achieved the feat of trekking to the 'Roof of Africa' you will descend to Kilimanjaro Park Gate and return to the lodge in Arusha to freshen up and enjoy a celebratory meal before returning later that evening to Kilimanjaro Airport for the return journey home, again via Amsterdam, arriving back into Luxembourg Airport on the morning of Friday 14th March 2014.

Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest walkable mountain in the world and therefore requires no technical experience or equipment. It is however a considerable and, at times, gruelling challenge. The midnight ascent to the summit is the toughest test both physically and mentally but the effect of being at altitude will also play its part throughout. A good level of physical fitness and a strong will is therefore required, and advance training and preparation is advised to help you achieve your goal and enjoy the experience of doing so.

 


The cost of the trip is €3,170. This includes international flights from and to Luxembourg Airport, transfers and travel, accommodation, meals, Kilimanjaro National Park entrance fees and fully supported expedition costs. It does not include transport to and from Luxembourg Airport, personal clothing and equipment, visa processing fees, travel insurance, vaccines and medication, or personal expenses – including drinks. To confirm your place on the Challenge Team, please select ‘Book Your Place’ above and complete the booking form. Upon submitting the completed form, you will be given instructions for paying the non-refundable trip deposit of €600 by bank transfer or cheque. The remaining trip cost balance is due no later than two months in advance of departure.

In addition to trip costs, each member of the team is asked to fundraise €3,000 (or more where possible) in sponsorship money to support SOS Villages d’Enfants Monde.

To download the trip itinerary click here.

To download the full Terms & Conditions click here.

To book your place click here.

The Challenge Team

Find out more about the challengers or make a donation by clicking on a picture below:

Challenger Profile

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Fundraising Target:

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Total raised:£0.00
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Date of Trip: March 2014

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Edwin Mutuma

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Your questions answered...

Got a question? We hope you will find the answer in the information below. However, if you have any further queries, please complete the online enquiry form and we will answer your question as soon as possible.

Click a question below to expand the answer.


Who can apply to go?

Anyone over the age of 18 who wants to take on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to support those in need at the same time as trekking through and up a UNESCO World Heritage site. Interested participants over the age of 65 will need to provide a medical form or consent letter signed by a doctor. Anyone under the age of 18 will need to be accompanied by an adult and parental consent provided.

What about altitude sickness?

Altitude sickness is frequently experienced by those travelling to altitudes typically above 2,500m. Almost everyone will experience some form of altitude sickness but the vast majority will only experience the mild and commonly occurring symptoms such as loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, headache, fatigue, irritability, insomnia or dizziness.

Our practical experience shows that these milder symptoms can be managed and overcome through three key steps to achieving successful acclimatisation: drink plenty and eat well, walk slowly, and walk high / sleep low. Your guide team are trained to help you achieve just this and to enjoy the amazing experiences being offered.

What kit or equipment will I need?

It's important to remember that this is a trek and not a climb and, as a result, no technical equipment or expertise is needed. The most important item you’ll need is a good quality, comfortable, and worn-in pair of walking boots. Beyond that, the clothing you’ll need includes items that most people will likely already have: a down or multi-layered jacket, thermal underwear, shorts/trousers, t-shirts, a fleece, waterproofs, gloves, a sun-hat and beanie. You’ll also need a backpack to carry each day, and a larger bag for the rest of your belongings – which will be carried for you; a sleeping bag; a head-torch and water storage. Every team member will receive a full information pack upon signing up which includes more information on suggested kit for the challenge.

What is included in the total trip cost?

Trip costs include international flights, in-country travel, accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout, expedition costs and permit fees. It does not include, your mandatory insurance cover, transport to and from the airport of origin, visas, vaccinations, tips or other expenses of a personal nature - including drinks.

You will be provided with further information outlining all of the equipment you will need for the challenge. Most notably, this includes a comfortable and worn-in pair of walking boots, appropriate clothing, and a sleeping bag.

How many places are there? What if I don't know anyone else?

There are a maximum of 29 places available on each trip and a first-come, first-served policy will determine how spaces are filled. The majority of participants won’t initially know each other but this is an amazing team-building experience and by the end you will have made a number of close new friends – all bonded by the fantastic experience that you have shared. Whilst you may want to sign up with a friend or family member, there really is no problem if you sign up alone. The guide ratio for this trip is very high with one guide for every two challenge participants, so helping to ensure your safety throughout the experience. In the unlikely event that the minimum group size required is not met, participants will be notified no later than 12 weeks prior to departure and refunded in full.

If I've been accepted, what information will I receive?

You will receive a comprehensive information pack providing details of the challenge and those for whom fundraising is being undertaken, how to prepare - including training, fundraising and what to take, and the itinerary with additional details about what to expect on the trip. In addition, you will be able to contact a dedicated trip manager to discuss details of the trip and your preparations, and to discuss any outstanding questions or concerns that you might have.

What food and accommodation will be provided, and how much do I have to carry?

On the challenge itself you will stay in huts or tents at each day's designated camp – on a shared basis. Before and after the challenge you will be accommodated in a local hotel – sharing an en-suite room with one other person. You will be provided with breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout.

You will only need to take the clothing and equipment that you need on the trek itself as you will have an opportunity to leave other un-required items securely at the hotel whilst you’re away. During the trek, you will only carry a daypack yourself containing the items that you feel you will need between the day’s camps. Your remaining possessions will be carried by the expert guide team on your behalf.

Terms and Conditions

RightFoot works directly with trusted and highly-reputable local organisers on the ground to ensure a high quality experience throughout. RightFoot is a member of the IMEC Partnership for Responsible Travel. We take this responsibility very seriously & endeavour to ensure that the service provided is always ethical & of the highest standard.

The combination of travel services offered to you is a package within the meaning of the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018. Therefore, you will benefit from all EU rights applying to packages. We, RightFoot Adventures Limited with company registration number 07511407 and with registered address Unit 1, Burnt Oak Business Park, Waldron, East Sussex TN21 0NL will be fully responsible for the proper performance of the package as a whole. Additionally, as required by law, we have protection in place to refund your payments and, where transport is included in the package, to ensure your repatriation in the event that we become insolvent. More information on key rights under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 can be found here.

Your Financial Protection: The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 require that security is provided for the monies that you pay for the package holidays booked and for your repatriation in the unlikely event of insolvency. RightFoot provides this security by way of a bond held by the Civil Aviation Authority under ATOL number 10556.  Many of the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. But ATOL protection does not apply to all holiday and travel services listed on this website. Please ask us to confirm what protection may apply to your booking. If you do not receive an ATOL Certificate then the booking will not be ATOL protected. If you do receive an ATOL Certificate but all the parts of your trip are not listed on it, those parts will not be ATOL protected. Please see our booking conditions for information, or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate.

The full Challenge Terms & Conditions can be found here.

Who is organising the trip?

RightFoot works directly with trusted and highly-reputable local organisers on the ground to ensure a high quality experience throughout. RightFoot is a member of the IMEC Partnership for Responsible Travel. We take this responsibility very seriously & endeavour to ensure that the service provided is always ethical & of the highest standard.

The combination of travel services offered to you is a package within the meaning of the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018. Therefore, you will benefit from all EU rights applying to packages. We, RightFoot Adventures Limited with company registration number 07511407 and with registered address Unit 1, Burnt Oak Business Park, Waldron, East Sussex TN21 0NL will be fully responsible for the proper performance of the package as a whole. Additionally, as required by law, we have protection in place to refund your payments and, where transport is included in the package, to ensure your repatriation in the event that we become insolvent. More information on key rights under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 can be found here.

Your Financial Protection: The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 require that security is provided for the monies that you pay for the package holidays booked and for your repatriation in the unlikely event of insolvency. RightFoot provides this security by way of a bond held by the Civil Aviation Authority under ATOL number 10556.  Many of the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. But ATOL protection does not apply to all holiday and travel services listed on this website. Please ask us to confirm what protection may apply to your booking. If you do not receive an ATOL Certificate then the booking will not be ATOL protected. If you do receive an ATOL Certificate but all the parts of your trip are not listed on it, those parts will not be ATOL protected. Please see our booking conditions for information, or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate.

The full Challenge Terms & Conditions can be found here.