Just a final message from me before I leave Callander tomorrow morning. Thank you so much for all the words of encouragement I have received via cards, text and phone messages and by word of mouth. I have included my itinerary for the next 13 days below so you can follow my journey each day.

Kilimanjaro Itinerary

Friday & Saturday 21st - 22nd August:
Travelling – Leave Callander at 10am.
Callander - Glasgow, Glasgow- London Heathrow, London – Nairobi,
Nairobi – Arusha. Arrive in Moshi around 5pm
Sunday 23rd August:
Leave Moshi for 1-hour drive to the Machame Gate entry to the park. Meet our porters and start to climb!!
Involves real jungle bashing, often wet and muddy underfoot.
Camp at Machame Camp, 3100m. Walking for 5-7 hours.
Monday 24th:
Continue through the forest until steep ascent onto Shira Plateau.
Camp at Shira Caves, 3840m. Walking for 4-6 hours.
Tuesday 25th:
Walking on high moorland, underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach. Day spent at high altitude of 4600m (walk high, sleep low)
Camp at Barranco Hut, 3900m. Walking for 6-7 hours.
Wednesday 26th
Descend into the Great Barranco, a huge ravine, and then exit steeply up the Great Barranco Wall. A climb over rock – long and tiring!! Before heading for Karanga Valley, arid and desolate.
Camp at Barafu, 4600m. Walking for 7-9 hours.
Thursday 27th
Walk steeply up to summit glaciers very, very early!! Climbing scree for 4-5 hours. Crater rim at Stella Point (5750m) as the first rays of sun begin to rise. Spectacular ice cliffs. 1 more hour walking before reaching the summit – Uhuru (5896m)
Uhuru means Freedom in Swahili.
Breakfast at Barafu camp before heading down to the Millennium camp (3000m). Walking for 10-12 hours
Friday 28th:
Gentle trek down through the rain forest to Mweka Gate. Walking for 5 hours.
Celebration meal in the hotel at night.

Optional Safari Extension
Saturday 29th:
Set off in the early morning from Moshi across the Rift Valley towards Tarangiri National Park.
Camp just outside Karatu.
Sunday 30th:
Early start takes in the rim of Ngorongoro Crater.
Camp just outside Karatu
Monday 31st:
Very early start visiting Lake Manyara National Park for breakfast and watch the sun rise over the plains below!!
Drive back to Moshi via a snake park and Mto wa Mbu.
Tuesday 1st & Wednesday 2nd September:
Chill out in hotel in Moshi and visit Moshi markets and Light in Africa project.
Wednesday 3rd – Thursday 4th:
Travelling back the way I came and arrive back in Callander around 2.30pm.