This 12-day/11-night trip will take place January 16-27, 2025.

— January 16: Arrive in Nairobi, Kenya

— January 17: Visit students in schools around Nairobi and meet with EFAC Kenya team

— January 18: Acclimatization hike in the Ngong Hills lead by EFAC Scholars 

— January 19: Drive from Nairobi, Kenya to Arusha, Tanzania, about a 5-hour scenic drive 

-- Kilimanjaro Expedition, Days 4-10 --

— January 20: Climb Day 1: Start the Machame Route, a 6 night and 7 day climb up Kilimanjaro. Depart from the Machame Gate (5,900’) and walk through the forest to Machame Camp (9,800’).

— January 21: Climb Day 2: Leave the forest behind as we trek across the Shira Plateau arriving at Shira Camp (12,600’). 

— January 22: Climb Day 3: An acclimatization day with an ascent up and over Lava Tower (15,000’) and then descend to Barranco Camp (12,950’): “climb high and sleep low.”

— January 23: Climb Day 4: A short acclimatization day with the option to rest or do walks from camp at the Karanga Valley (13,000’).

— January 24: Climb Day 5: A short steep day with time to rest at Barafu Camp (15,100’) before the final climb.

— January 25: Climb Day 6: A midnight-wakeup starts summit day! A slow ascent through the dark and into sunrise brings you to Uhuru Peak (19,341’) and you’ve summited Kilimanjaro! Then begins the long descent to just above tree line and camp Mweka (10,200’).
Fun Fact: Uhuru means ‘Freedom’ in Swahili.

— January 26: Climb Day 7: Another long descent ending at the Mweka Gate (5,400’) with transportation to hot showers and a nice dinner to celebrate the journey!

— January 27: Departure day

This trip is being run by Lisa Van Sciver, who is the daughter of EFAC’s founders and has been mountain guiding for 15 years. For the Kilimanjaro expedition portion of the trip, she will be using a local Tanzanian base guide service. The trip expenses and fundraising will be run through the organization Education For All Children.

ABOUT THE TRIP LEADER: LISA VAN SCIVER

The daughter of EFAC’s founders, Lisa Van Sciver was raised to follow her passions. She began climbing in high school, and once she completed college Lisa moved to the Tetons, where she still calls home. In the late 2000s, she started guiding mountains such as the Grand Teton and Denali, the highest mountain in North America. Lisa then spent the next 15 years developing her technical and risk management skills as a mountain guide and avalanche forecaster. 

In the winter, Lisa worked at the Jackson Hole ski area as a ski patroller and avalanche forecaster before moving into a position with the Grand Teton National Park as the first GTNP snow ranger. In the snow ranger position, she wrote public avalanche forecasts for the Bridger Teton Avalanche Center. The other half of the year, she guides mountains and technical rock climbs across the western U.S. She has pursued certification with the American Mountain Guide Association completing both the Ski and Rock disciplines and continues on the Alpine track. Beyond all the experiences and credentials, Lisa treats every trip with respect and always strives to make the journey fun, safe, and adventurous.   

While Kilimanjaro is a non-technical climb, and climbers will only be carrying a daypack, there are still many advanced skills needed for this mountain. The skill of pacing one’s self is essential when climbing and acclimatizing at altitude.

Trip participants should be comfortable hiking 3,000+ feet for 4-8 hours several days in a row.

Individuals will also need good self-care, such as a way to maintain healthy feet, a plan for exposure to the elements, and the ability to stay well hydrated and fueled. Expeditions, especially at altitude, wear on the climbers both mentally and physically, so everyone is expected to show up fit and psyched!

For further questions, a fitness plan, or prep climbs, contact Lisa Van Sciver: climb@efac.org

Fundraising Commitment:
To join this trip, there is a commitment to sponsor at least one student for their entire high school education at $4,000 for each participant. Although 1 student is the commitment, 2 students is the goal, and 3 students is the increased challenge. How impactful can you make your climb? Let’s Elevate Education and make the sky the limit - literally!

Trip Cost:
The cost of the trip is $5,300 per person. This includes transportation, lodging, meals during the climb, and the Kilimanjaro expedition.

*Excludes: Airfare to and from Africa, meals, travel insurance, and visas.

Sign up below for more information or questions regarding the trip!

With limited spots, don’t miss your chance for this trip of a lifetime!