10-15-17

Inviting you to Kilimanjaro! - says random giraffe :-)

I've seen this photo often when searching Kilimanjaro information on-line (no photo credit listed). It's a gorgeous pic & it gets me even more excited for our adventure ahead. If you're interested in our trip itinerary see below...

10/17 Leave Phoenix. Fly. Arrive Philadelphia. Leave Phili. Fly...

10/18 Arrive Amsterdam, Netherlands. Check into our houseboat on a canal!

10/19: Tour Amsterdam (Anne Frank home, Van Gogh museum & more)

10/20: Bike around Amsterdam and sight-see.

10/21: Leave Amsterdam. Fly. Arrive Kilimanjaro, Africa. We'll be picked up by our tour company called Climb Kili. Stay at Summit Safari Lodge in Arusha.

10/22: Free day in Arusha. We will meet up with Climb Kili guides & 3 other hikers in our group to go over details about our trek. Finalize hiking packs.

10/23: BEGIN our hike to the top of Kilimanjaro!

Start at 7,742' elevation. Hike up. Camp @ 9,498'.

10/24 Hike up. Camp @ 11,500'

10/25 Hike up. Camp @ 13,800'

10/26 Hike up & down. Camp @ 13,000'

10/27 Hike up & down. Camp @ 13,100'

10/28 Hike up. Camp @ 15,300'

10/29 Begin hiking at MIDNIGHT. Approximately a 6 hour strenuous hike up to the summit. Mt. Kilimanjaro (aka Uhuru Peak) stands tall @ 19,341 ft. We'll take in the sunrise on the top of Africa! We'll say "Cheeeeeese" in front of the Kilimanjaro sign. :-) And hopefully we will be happy & warm with no altitude sickness. We'll take a few pics, absorb the moment and without delay the guide will get us hiking down fairly quickly. We'll trek a different trail to low camp at 5,895'. This will be ONE BIG DAY of hiking & effort. Please keep us in your prayers for 10/29!

10/30: Wake up and continue hiking down. This is an easier day with much celebrating at the finish line! :-) And much desire for a warm shower & soft bed!

Stay the night at Summit Safari Lodge in Arusha.

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10/31 Day 1 of Safari!!!

Fly to the Serengeti: Giraffes, lions & ?

11/1 Serengeti: Zebras, cheetahs & ?

11/2 Ngorongoro: Elephants, gazelles & ?

11/3 Ngorongoro: Hippos, warthogs & ?

Drive back to Arusha.

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11/4 Leave Arusha. Fly. Arrive Amsterdam.

11/5 Drive to Rotterdam, Holland. Stay on a canal in a cardboard house!

11/6 Sight-see Rotterdam & countryside. We'll be looking for the Dutch windmills.

11/7 Drive to Amsterdam. Leave Amsterdam. Fly...

11/8 Arrive in the USA

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11/9 Jet Lag.

Zzzzzzzzz.