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Teddy Bear Crawl: Kilimanjaro Charity Climb 2026

7 Days | Lemosho Route | Sept 5–13, 2026
Teddy Bear Crawl: Kilimanjaro Charity Climb 2026 image

In partnership with Teddy Bear Crawl Foundation, Dealers of Hope USA & Winrica Adventures

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September 5–13, 2026

Lemosho Route 7 Days (Trip 9 days Total including arrival & departure day)

  • Arrival Date: September 5, 2026

  • Departure Date: September 13, 2026

  • Price: $2,562 per person (includes $2,100 base + 18% VAT + 3% International Fees)

  • Deposit: $500 to secure spot

  • Balance Due: 60 days before departure (July 8, 2026) Payment plans are available!!

  • Add-on Adventures (i.e. safaris, cultural experiences & Zanzibar Island) are available for before or after the climb for those interested

Join us for a life-changing adventure to the summit of Africa’s tallest mountain — and help carry hope to children who feel the weight of the world. The Teddy Bear Crawl: Kilimanjaro 2026 unites climbers from around the globe to shine a light on the rising crisis of childhood suicide, spark important conversations, and raise funds for programs that protect and nurture young lives. Along the way, we’ll carry our symbolic teddy bears — reminders that every child deserves comfort, connection, and the belief that tomorrow can be brighter.

What’s Included

  • Airport transfers (Kilimanjaro International – JRO) - via scheduled shuttle service.

  • 2 nights at one of our Host Lodges, Moshi (before & after trek)

  • All park fees and permits

  • Professional mountain crew (guides, cooks, porters)

  • All meals during trek (breakfast, lunch, dinner)

  • Purified drinking water during trek

  • Group gear (tents, dining tent, tables, chairs)

What’s Not Included

  • International flights

  • Tanzania entry visa ($100 for U.S. passport holders)

  • Private Transportation

  • Personal gear: Recommended Packing List

  • Gear Rental Upon Arrival - We do have gear to rent, for those looking to travel light or save on investment: Rental Gear & Pricing

  • Tips for guides and porters: Tipping Policy

  • Travel insurance (Highly Recommended) - Our recommendation: Allianz Travel Insurance

  • Optional excursions before/after trek

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Chanya Lodge

Plot 298, Kiboriloni (off Arusha-Himo Road Moshi, 8176
Check inSaturday, Sep 5, 2026
Check outSunday, Sep 13, 2026
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Kilemakyaro Mountain Lodge

6611 Uru Kifumbu Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Check inSaturday, Sep 5, 2026
Check outSunday, Sep 13, 2026
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Overview

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Overview

Day 1 – Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)

September 5, 2026
Day 1 – Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) image

From the airport to Moshi

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Day 1 – September 5, 2026: Arrival in Moshi

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and transfer to your hotel in Moshi. Meet your guides and fellow climbers for a pre-climb briefing and gear check. Enjoy a welcome dinner and rest before the adventure begins.

Overnight at lodge in Moshi (included)

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Day 2 - Trekking Day 1 – Moshi to Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp

September 6, 2026
Day 2 - Trekking Day 1 – Moshi to Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp image

September 6, 2026: Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp

Begin Your Adventure in the Rainforest

After registration at Londorossi Gate, we start trekking through lush rainforest alive with monkeys and birds. Tonight we camp at Mti Mkubwa (“Big Tree”) Camp, surrounded by thick jungle.

  • Starting Elevation: 7,742 ft (2,360 m)

  • Ending Elevation: 9,498 ft (2,895 m)

  • Elevation Gain: ~1,756 ft (535 m)

  • Distance: ~4 miles (6 km)

  • Trekking Time: 3–4 hours

  • Overnight: Mti Mkubwa Camp

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Day 3 – Trekking Day 2 – Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 2 Camp

September 7, 2026
Day 3 – Trekking Day 2 – Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 2 Camp image

September 7, 2026: Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 2 Camp

Day 2: Into the Clouds – Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 2 Camp

Distance: ~10 km
Elevation Gain: +1,200 m / +3,937 ft
Time on Trail: 6–7 hours
Camp Elevation: 3,850 m / 12,631 ft

You’ll wake to the sounds of the forest — colobus monkeys rustling in the canopy, birdsong weaving through the mist. After a nourishing breakfast, we begin a steady climb out of the rainforest and into a new world.

As the trees thin, the landscape opens into rolling heather and volcanic moorland. The air is cooler now, and the views stretch wide across the Shira Plateau. We’ll pause often — not just to catch our breath, but to take it all in.

This is a longer trekking day with rewarding elevation gain. The sense of space and solitude deepens as you approach Shira 2 Camp, nestled high on the plateau. By late afternoon, we reach camp. From here, you might see the sun sink behind Mount Meru, painting the sky in streaks of gold and ash. Tonight, you’ll sleep under a wide sky, far above the forest, wrapped in a blanket of stars.

Note: Take this day slowly. Hydration and mindfulness are your best allies as you adjust to the altitude.

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Day 4 – Trekking Day 3 - Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

September 8, 2026
Day 4 – Trekking Day 3 - Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp image

September 8, 2026: Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

Day 3: Crossing Worlds – Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp

Distance: ~10 km
Elevation Gain: +150 m ascent / –700 m descent
Highest Point: Lava Tower – 4,600 m / 15,092 ft
Camp Elevation: 3,950 m / 12,959 ft
Time on Trail: 6–8 hours

This day is all about acclimatization through elevation change — a challenging, awe-inspiring hike that brings you up into the alpine desert, and then back down into a lush valley beneath the looming Barranco Wall.

We begin with a gradual ascent toward Lava Tower, a striking volcanic formation at 4,600 meters. The landscape here feels almost lunar — dry, vast, and wind-swept. This is the highest elevation you’ll reach so far, and it's normal to feel the altitude. We’ll take a long break here for lunch and allow your body to adjust.

From Lava Tower, the trail descends sharply into the Barranco Valley, a green pocket of life nestled beneath towering cliffs and strange, otherworldly plants like the giant groundsels. This descent is where the magic of “climb high, sleep low” really supports your acclimatization.

By late afternoon, we arrive at Barranco Camp, one of the most scenic spots on the mountain. The sun sets behind the Barranco Wall, and a sense of stillness settles over the valley. It’s a moment that feels both earned and humbling.

Day 5 - Trekking Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

September 9, 2026
Day 5 - Trekking Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp image

September 9, 2026: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Distance: ~6 km
Elevation Gain: +250 m / +820 ft
Camp Elevation: 4,000 m / 13,123 ft
Time on Trail: 4–5 hours

We start the day with the iconic Barranco Wall — a steep, rocky scramble that looks tougher than it feels. With steady guidance from your crew, you’ll climb hand-over-foot at times, but no ropes or gear needed. At the top, catch your breath and take in the views stretching all the way back to the Shira Plateau.

From there, the trail weaves through high desert terrain. The air grows thinner and the path quieter as we cross streams and valleys carved by glaciers.

By early afternoon, we reach Karanga Camp, resting on a windswept ridge. This shorter day is perfect for recovery and acclimatization before the final push to base camp.

Tip: Pace yourself today — this is where slow and steady really starts to pay off.

Day 6 - Trekking Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Base Camp

September 10, 2026
Day 6 - Trekking Day 5:  Karanga Camp to Barafu Base Camp image

September 10, 2026 - Final Approach – Karanga Camp to Barafu Base Camp

Distance: ~4 km
Elevation Gain: +600 m / +1,969 ft
Camp Elevation: 4,600 m / 15,091 ft
Time on Trail: 3–4 hours

This is a short but important day. We leave Karanga in the morning and make a slow, steady climb through loose volcanic gravel toward Barafu Base Camp. The landscape is stark and lunar — a reminder that you’re now walking above the clouds.

We’ll arrive at camp by early afternoon to rest, hydrate, and prepare for the final push. You’ll eat an early dinner and settle in for a few hours of rest. Around midnight, the summit bid begins.

Everything you’ve done so far has led to this moment.

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Day 7 - Trekking Day 6: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Millennium Camp

September 11, 2026
Day 7 - Trekking Day 6:  Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Millennium Camp image

September 11, 2026: Summit Night - Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Millennium Camp

Distance: ~13 km total

  • Ascent: Barafu to Uhuru Peak – ~5 km

  • Descent: Uhuru to Millennium Camp – ~8 km
    Elevation Gain: +1,295 m / +4,248 ft
    Elevation Loss: –1,895 m / –6,217 ft
    Camp Elevation: 3,950 m / 12,959 ft
    Time on Trail: 10–13 hours

Your summit push begins just after midnight under a canopy of stars. Step by step, switchback by switchback, you’ll make your way up to Stella Point (5,756 m) — the edge of the crater rim — in time for sunrise. From there, it’s one more hour to the top of Africa: Uhuru Peak (5,895 m).

After celebrating your achievement, the descent begins. The trail down to Millennium Camp is gentler than the one to Mweka and gives your knees a bit of a break. You'll pass Barafu on the way, take a short rest, then continue lower into moorland and eventually back into the upper forest.

You’ll arrive at Millennium Camp by late afternoon — tired, proud, and probably hungry. This is your last night on the mountain.

Day 8 - Trekking Day 7: – Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate

September 12, 2026
Day 8 - Trekking Day 7: – Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate image

September 12, 2026: Day 8 - Trekking Day 7 - The Final Descent – Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate

Distance: ~11 km
Elevation Loss: –1,310 m / –4,298 ft
Ending Elevation: 1,640 m / 5,380 ft
Time on Trail: 3–4 hours

Your last day begins in the soft light of morning. After breakfast, we make a steady descent through the forest trail, where everything feels brighter, louder, and more alive.

The path can be muddy depending on recent weather, but the energy is light — laughter, stories, and a growing sense of accomplishment as the finish line nears.

At Mweka Gate, you’ll sign out of the park, receive your summit certificate, and meet the team waiting to welcome you back. From there, it's a drive to your lodge, a real bed, and the beginning of the reflection that often follows this kind of journey.

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Day 9: Departure Day

September 13, 2026
Day 9: Departure Day image

September 13, 2026: Departure Day

After breakfast at the lodge, we’ll transfer you to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your flight home. If you're extending your trip with us, our team will be ready to guide you into your next adventure — whether it’s a cultural immersion, safari, Zanzibar Island or time to rest and reflect.

Whichever path you take, we hope this journey stays with you long after your boots are off.

Our Why

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Why This Climb Matters

This climb is more than reaching a summit. It’s a stand for every child who has ever felt unseen, unheard, or alone. Childhood suicide is a silent and growing crisis, both in the United States and around the world. We believe every step we take can help turn the tide.

Through this journey, we’re raising awareness, opening hearts, and funding life-saving programs that bring hope, connection, and support to children in crisis. The Teddy Bear Crawl Foundation, Dealers of Hope USA, and Dealers of Hope Tanzania are working together so that no child’s life is cut short by despair.

Our teddy bears will still be with us — not just as gifts, but as symbols of love, comfort, and the message that every child matters. When we reach the roof of Africa, we’ll carry these bears high as a promise: you are not alone, and we will keep climbing for you.

Extend Your Adventure

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The summit doesn’t have to be the end of your journey. Before or after your climb, add extra days to explore Tanzania’s wildlife, culture, and coastline.

The summit doesn’t have to be the end of your journey. Before or after your climb, add extra days to explore Tanzania’s wildlife, culture, and coastline.

How it works:

  1. In the Add-Ons section after adding your participant information, choose the safari, Zanzibar trip, or cultural tour(s) you’d like to join.

  2. In your booking notes, let us know if each activity will be Pre-Climb (before Sept 5) or Post-Climb (after Sept 13).

  3. We’ll confirm availability and update your itinerary and invoice.

Add-on Options include:

  • Safaris Adventure Options (1–5 days) including Mkomazi, Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti, and Lake Manyara

  • Mount Meru Trek (2 days/ 1 Night)- Spend one night on Mount Meru, Tanzania's second largest mountain. This is a good option for people who want to acclimatize before Kilimanjaro.

  • Zanzibar Island Escape – 3 Days of sand, sea, and Swahili culture

  • Cultural Tours such as a day trip to Serval Wildlife Sanctuary, Maasai Village & Hot Springs, Marangu Village & Coffee Tour, and Moshi Town Tour

Tip: Extended activities require extra days beyond the main climb dates. Space is limited, so we recommend booking at least 60 days in advance.


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