Mount Kilimanjaro Expedition

After the death of a loved one, the entire landscape of life changes - routine becomes rigorous, familiar becomes foreign.

We are thrust out of our comfort zone and in a sense must learn to navigate the world anew.  Plans change – we change – and we are often left feeling powerless.  In these dark moments, the tiniest of flames can spark into a transformative fire.  Much like a Eucalyptus seed requires fire to germinate, beauty can come from the ashes of our loss.   

Perhaps you feel the pull to explore and unlock something new inside yourself by doing something bigger than you ever thought possible. 

We invite you to share a truly fearless journey with TAPS survivors as we climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa. Every step on this ascent will move us farther away from feelings of doubt and fear, and will inspire resilience. As guests of the mountain, we will be led to consider what we really can control. We will learn to trust our guides, our team, and our gear.

Together we will find new purpose, gain radical perspective, and remember what it feels like to live with determination.   

See more photos from 2019 Kilimanjaro expedition and 2017 Kilimanjaro expedition.

OVERVIEW

Join us as we trek to the roof of Africa. As we immerse ourselves in Tanzania and the local culture, TAPS survivors will climb to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, all the while honoring our loved ones, the land and the people who live upon it. 

The trip to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro is both exhilarating and exhausting, and we encourage you to learn more about the trek by reading the accounts of two survivors who stood atop Kilimanjaro, surviving spouse Jennifer and surviving sister Peggy. While unique and rewarding, this expedition is physically, mentally and emotionally challenging. We hope you'll complete an entry form to join us after you've taken some time to consider your current physical and emotional strength and resilience.

SCHEDULE

PRE-TRIP: There will be monthly team meetings via conference calls or video calls that are mandatory for participants in order to form a team bond and gain familiarity with each other. You will have access to our Facebook group, which will include participants from this expedition, as well as those who participated in previous expeditions so you can ask questions and learn from their experience. 

THE TRIP: The TAPS Expeditions team will depart the U.S. on February 21, and we return home on March 3. The trip is a seven-day hike, however, there is time built in for travel and a day on either side of the hike in Arusha for prep and rest.

Our trip includes an exciting and breathtaking itinerary that travels the Machame route through five distinct ecosystems in seven days with an optional two-day safari following. This is the classic climb of Kilimanjaro and does not require mountaineering experience.

POST-TRIP: We fully expect your team members to become your family and an ongoing support network long after the TAPS Expedition is complete. You'll be provided with a directory following the expedition to keep in touch with each other.

TRIP FEES

Expeditionary costs are NOT covered by TAPS. The cost of the trip is $4,440* per person for the trek and does not include your international airfare to/from Tanzania, visas, passport fees or optional safari. The optional two-day safari is at the end of our trek and will be an additional $875. Fees for the trip will be paid directly to our trekking guides at Alpine Ascents.

*This price is contingent on 10 participants signing up. If 10 participants are not secured, the price will increase. 

LODGING AND TRANSPORTATION

You will need to arrange airfare to/from Tanzania, but will not need to secure any sort of further transportation. You will also need to secure your Tanzanian visa as well as your United States passport.

SKILL LEVEL

This rigorous expedition requires no mountaineering experience but does necessitate that you be physically fit and healthy. This expedition is physically, mentally and emotionally challenging, and your current health should be taken into consideration before you complete the entry form. All climbers are asked to follow, at minimum, a two-month training regimen. This fitness program involves four workouts a week and prepares you for the physical demands and geographical and climate variations for the ascent. The participant roster always varies but has included those with no previous camping experience with a wide range of ages, and both males and females. Prior to the trip, we'll have conference calls and online video meetings to go over training regimens, gear lists and more.

For more detailed information, read the trip overview on the Alpine Ascents website. 

Entry Form Details

Entry form to attend is open from August 2 to 9, 2019. Entry forms will be reviewed every two weeks, so we encourage you to enter early. If more entries are received than we have slots available, we will do a random drawing from qualified entrants.

If you have any questions, please contact Rachel Hunsell at expeditions@taps.org or call 800-959-TAPS (8277).