Day 1: DEPARTURE
We depart Dublin for London Heathrow on an afternoon flight, before boarding our overnight flight to Kilimanjaro. 

Day 2:  MOSHI
On arrival we transfer approximately one hour to our hotel in the town of Moshi. After freshening up we have a welcome lunch and meet our guides who will be leading the climb.  In the afternoon there is the chance to relax by the pool and prepare our kit bag for the climb. This evening we enjoy an evening meal together and have a final briefing on the challenge ahead.

Day 3:  MACHAME CAMP - 3000M                                    
After a good breakfast we make the 1 hour road transfer to the Machame Gate. On arrival we meet the rest of our team, including our guides, cooks and porters. We register for the trek and our bags are weighed to ensure each is within the 15 kg limit.  Finally it is here – the moment we have all been waiting for!  We begin our trek through lush vegetation of the humid rainforest with it’s fascinating range of bird life, wild flowers, endemic trees and insects. If we are lucky we might even spot a blue monkey or hear the shy Colobus monkey leaping through the trees above us!  We have some short breaks en route before reaching our camp in the afternoon.  There is some time to relax before dinner.  We then settle for our first night under canvas. 
5-6HRS TREKKING

Day 4:  SHIRA CAMP - 3840M                                   
This morning our route takes us through the ever changing scenery as we make the steep ascent up through heather and moorland to the Shira Plateau.  We continue across the plateau to our camp and this evening we can relax and enjoy the fabulous views.  
6-7 HRS TREKKING

Day 5:  BARRANCO CAMP - 3950M                                  
Today we trek east across beautiful barren moon like landscapes and around craters that scar the earth.  We trek in the shadow of mighty Kibo until reaching the Lava Tower where we stop for some lunch.  This afternoon we descend through the surrounding ravines, with their wonderful micro climates and beautiful birdlife.  We eventually reach our camp late in the afternoon.  This descent aids the acclimatisation process and allows our bodies to adjust to the ever changing altitude.
6-7 HRS TREKKING

Day 6:   BARAFU CAMP - 4600M                                  
We leave camp early and our first challenge today is a climb and scramble over the volcanic rock of the Barranco Wall.  On reaching the top we have a well earned snack break and enjoy fantastic views over to Barafu.  For the rest of the day we make the steady climb to our camp positioned on a ridge overlooking the south east valley.  We reach camp in the afternoon and after a good meal, we put on some extra layers to keep warm and try to relax and get some sleep in preparation for our early morning summit bid.
6-7HRS TREKKING

Day 7:  SUMMIT DAY - 5896M                                    
And so to summit day and our toughest challenge yet.  We awake just after midnight and after a hot drink and snack we begin our climb.  For the next 6 hours we trek the steepest and most demanding part of the route by torch light.  This is a long and gruelling trek through scree to reach Stella point at the crater rim.  After a short rest we make our final traverse to Uhuru Peak, the highest point on the African continent at 5896m.  The rising morning sunlight gives us spectacular views across the plains below and of Mount Meru in the distance and we feel on top of the world!  After some photos we have a tough descent to Barafu camp where we stop for a rest and some breakfast before continuing on to Millennium camp.  After a long but exhilarating day we can finally rest our tired legs and get a good night’s sleep. 
12 HRS TREKKING

Day 8:  MOSHI                                              
After breakfast we continue our descent back through the rainforest to Mweka Gate.  A short transfer by bus takes us to Moshi and our hotel.  Here we can finally take off our walking boots and enjoy our first hot shower in almost a week!  We have the afternoon to relax by the pool with a drink and this evening we enjoy a fantastic gala dinner to celebrate our remarkable achievements and for those who have the energy we can party in to the night!
3-4HRS TREKKING

Day 9:   MOSHI
We can enjoy a free day either by the pool or exploring the local area before transferring to the airport for our overnight flight back to the UK, and then onto Dublin.

Day 10:   ARRIVE HOME

This is a complicated itinerary and some elements may be subject to change.  Action Challenge is bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), holding its own ATOL license no: 6296.

How do I take part in an Overseas Challenge?
Step 1: Complete an application form and send it into Concern with a personal donation/deposit of €200/£200
Step 2: Minimum sponsorship is then €4900/£4300 which covers the full event cost and approximately 50% supporting Concern’s programmes in Tanzania.
On receipt of a completed form and deposit, Concern will provide you with a Trek Manual and Fundraising Pack.

Where will the fundraising be used?
All proceeds raised will help the Concern Tanzanian office to continue their on going work and efforts in country by supporting existing programmes like Food Security and Water and Environmental Health.

Are there any limitations for participants?
Anybody above the age of eighteen years at the date of departure can take part in a Concern Challenge. All you need is an enthusiastic approach to both your training plan and fundraising programmes, and if you follow our guidelines then there is no limit to what you can achieve.

Will I be able to raise the sponsorship money?
With a little planning and a lot of enthusiasm and effort, raising the minimum target should not be a problem.  You will receive the best support from our fundraising staff to help you reach your goal.

Included:
Action Challenge Representative
Expedition Doctor
All accommodation
All meals apart from those during ‘free time’
Camping equipment
All transfers
Experienced guides
Porters and support staff for personal equipment
All National Park entrance fees
International Flights to and from Tanzania

Excluded:
Visas
Local airport tax
Travel Insurance
Tips for staff
Sleeping bag and mat and items of a personal nature.

Rating and Fitness
This is a tough challenge and requires a good level of fitness to be able to complete the route. Participants must train to increase their strength and stamina.

Weather Tanzania / Kilimanjaro
The two main seasons for trekking Kilimanjaro are the dry periods in Tanzania, which are January to mid March and June to October. Weather on the mountain however can change at any time and so warm and wet weather gear is essential.