© Mountains and Marathons 2023. All rights reserved.
Contact: [email protected]

An Experiential Leadership Development Journey and Transformational Rite of Passage, centered around one of the world’s most iconic mountains.

THE most profound way to experience Mount Kilimanjaro!

INVESTMENT

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Leadership Retreat Facilitation by Jamin, Jordyn, Jen and other experienced leaders 

4 nights hotel accommodation in Moshi pre and post climb

7-day guided Mount Kilimanjaro climb including transportation to and from national park gates, park entrance fees, accommodation in a private tent, exceptional guides

All food and beverage (3 meals daily)

Airport Transfers to and from Kilimanjaro Airport 

Detailed Preparation Guide and support from the leaders 
(travel, gear, packing list, fitness and fueling guidance)

3 Group Connection Calls in May, June and July 2024

2 Group Integration Calls in August and September 2024

Leadership content with key themes to support your experience on the mountain (and in life!)

The following are not included:  Flights to and from Tanzania, hiking gear, travel visas and insurance, vaccinations, tips for guides and porters (recommended $300 to $350), additional travel experiences as well as snacks and beverages

DATES

GROUP CONNECTION AND PREPARATION CALLS

PRIOR TO THE RETREAT
May, June, July 2024

*Payment Plans for 3 and 8 months available (8 months only until 31 December)

Registrations close on 30 June 2024.

THE LEADERS

Jamin Heppell is a co-creator and leadership coach of Mountains and Marathons, which is a revolutionary leadership development company that facilitates holistic transformation and graduates all its programs with an epic physical challenge, like running a marathon or climbing a mountain in epic locations around the world. Jamin and his business partner, Jen, were acknowledged as one of the 20 leadership coaches to watch out for in 2021 by the Australian Business Journal.

JAMIN HEPPELL
Co-Founder Mountains and Marathons, Leadership Coach

Jamin’s clients have included senior executives of Fortune 500 companies, leaders of international non-profits, founders of multi-million dollar start-ups, leaders in Network Marketing companies, ex-military, industry leaders of real-estate, stay-at-home Mum’s and everyone in between.

Jamin has been traveling and living nomadically for the last 4 years, visiting and living in over 40 countries and spending most of his time in Asia, Africa and Central America. Jamin has ran a marathon in 6 continents, climbed Mt Everest Base Camp in Nepal, summited Mount Kilimanjaro 10 times, completed 2 ultramarathons (one being a 90km run across Bali from north to south raising $10,000 for a local charity during COVID) and is in the Guinness Book of World Records for being a participant in the world’s highest obstacle course race on Mt Kilimanjaro in September 2021.

Jamin is passionate about adventure, authentic relating, healing generational trauma, and exploring what it means to be a leader in this modern day.

JORDYN DAVIS
Leadership Coach

Jordyn Davis is a part of the Mountains and Marathons team, where she has been supporting life-transforming journeys as a Leadership Coach for three years. 

Jordyn is an adventurous world-traveler, lover of nature, and passionate explorer of life. She brings over a decade of experience in leadership coaching and development from her days in corporate America and is a certified Mindset Coach, Yoga Teacher, Vocal Sound Healing Practitioner, and is trained in somatic practices and  modalities working with the subconscious mind to support clients to experience more inner peace, freedom, and zest for life. 

Jordyn loves fostering connection and transformation through shared experiences in nature. She has served as a state ambassador for WomenWhoHike where she  led group hiking experiences for women in the USA and has co-led retreat experiences in 3 continents around the world, so she is no stranger to leading in the mountains. In fact, it’s one of her life’s greatest joys! 

Jordyn has trekked through the Himalayas to Everest Base Camp, backpacked in the Grand Canyon and Patagonia, climbed multiple 14,000+ ft peaks around the world, completed the Mont Blanc Marathon in Chamonix, and summited Mt. Kilimanjaro three times. Jordyn is a champion for seeing the potential and possibility in others and passionate about living her most inspired life, and supporting others to do the same. 

AFRIKABISA ETHICAL TOURS

Climbing Kilimanjaro will test, impress, and inspire you. It will awaken your spirit for adventure and immerse you in rich culture. Throughout this transformational journey, you will cultivate a global community of leaders and rich friendships, level up and grow as a leader, discover new limits of what your body is capable of, and leave with stories that will last a lifetime.

FAQ

HOW IS THE KILIMANJARO EXPERIENCE DIFFERENT FROM CLIMBING THE MOUNTAIN BY MYSELF?

The 11-Day Kilimanjaro Experience is a transformational retreat that goes beyond your standard Kilimanjaro climb. Our adventure on this mountain is part of a much broader context and experience, before, during, and after the trek. The intention of the Experience is that each individual returns home with a profound sense of accomplishment, a deep connection to Mother Nature, and even greater understanding of self and what they are truly capable of.  Jamin, Jordyn, and Jen with over 30 years of combined experience in team building and group facilitation, are there to guide and support the collective to get the most from the Experience and leave with stories and friendships to last a lifetime.

WHERE IS MOUNT KILIMANJARO LOCATED?
Mount Kilimanjaro is the largest mountain in Africa and located on the northern border of Tanzania, in eastern Africa. We will be staying in the town of Moshi, which is the closest town to Kilimanjaro National Park, before and after climbing the mountain.

HOW DO I GET TO MOSHI, TANZANIA?
You will fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). We will coordinate your airport transfers to and from the hotel in Moshi, where everyone will be staying together (45-60 minute drive).

WHEN SHOULD I ARRIVE AND DEPART?
The Experience starts on August 1, 2024, at 3:00pm and ends the evening of August 10, 2024 with hotel checkout at 10am on August 11th, 2024. Your flight can depart anytime on or after August 11th. We ask that you are prompt and present for the entire duration of the Experience and account for transit time to and from the airport.  If you choose to arrive early or stay later, you will be responsible for booking your own accommodation outside the retreat dates.

WHAT ROUTE WILL WE BE TAKING?
The 7-day Machame Route.

WHAT IS THE ELEVATION?
Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and the largest freestanding mountain in the world. Uhuru Peak is the highest point at 5,895 meters / 19,341 feet.

WHAT LEVEL OF FITNESS OR EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED?
While summiting Mount Kilimanjaro can be strenuous and challenging as we hike several hours each day, there is no technical mountaineering skills required.

We encourage you to stay active in your preparation and come ready for a challenge. At a baseline, you will need to be able to walk for 4-7 hours each day, aside from summit day which will be 12-15 hours.

If you have any injuries that might prevent you from being able to hike for several hours each day, send us a message and we can speak through your individual circumstances.

WILL I GET ALTITUDE SICKNESS?
Altitude affects everyone differently. It is completely normal to experience some symptoms of altitude sickness on the mountain. Throughout the trek, we encourage everyone to drink plenty of water, eat regularly, and keep a slow and steady pace. We will talk through the specifics of fluid intake and diet closer to the retreat start and before we get on the mountain.

We work with experienced guides who know exactly what to do in case of any emergencies.

WHAT IS THE CLIMATE LIKE?
August is one of the driest months of the year, which creates optimal conditions for the trek! That said, Kilimanjaro is known to be unpredictable, and weather can change quickly. Temperatures at the base of the mountain range from 15 – 25°C / 60 - 80°F in August. On the summit night, temperatures can range from -6 to -28°C / -20 to 20°F with windchill. We will provide you with a packing list to ensure you are prepared for all weather conditions - sunshine, rain, high winds, and perhaps even snow!

WHAT WILL WE EAT?
We have experienced chefs on the mountain who will prepare 3 vegetarian meals each day.  We will eat a variety of food, including potatoes, rice, pasta, vegetables, cheese, and eggs. Tea, coffee and hot chocolate (and Milo for the Australians) will be available as well.

If you have any specific dietary requirements or food allergies, please let us know upon registration and we will do our best to accommodate.

You are responsible for bringing snacks and additional food that you’d like to have on the mountain.

WHAT ABOUT HYGIENE ON THE MOUNTAIN?
You can expect to “rough it” on the mountain (aka no showers). There will be designated toilets at each campsite and you will receive a basin of warm water for washing first thing in the morning and at the end of each day. We highly recommend bringing plenty of biodegradable wipes for baby-wipe showers. ;)

WHAT GEAR DO I NEED TO BRING?
We have done the research for you! We will provide you with a detailed packing list to support you in your preparation. Many items you may find you already own, or you can easily find at a local sporting goods store or rent them in Moshi, Tanzania. You will not need any technical mountain climbing equipment.

WHERE DOES THE DRINKING WATER COME FROM?
Our porters collect water from streams on the mountain and boil before use. Your water bladders and bottles will be filled up each night and morning to ensure you have plenty of water throughout the day.

WHAT IS THE CURRENCY IN TANZANIA?
The Tanzanian Shilling is the official currency of Tanzania. You can easily get local currency at money exchange offices or bank ATMs.
1 USD = 2,331 Tanzanian Shilling
1 AUD = 1,594 Tanzanian Shilling
We recommend that you get local currency for local purchases, souvenirs and tipping.

HOW MUCH DO YOU TIP ON KILIMANJARO?
Tipping guides, cooks, and porters is an important custom and also at your own discretion. The total recommended amount is around US$ 300 per traveller.

WHAT IS THE ACCOMMODATION LIKE?
Before and after the trek, we will be staying at a beautiful hotel in downtown Moshi . On the mountain, we will provide tents and sleeping pads. There will be two people assigned to each tent. If you’d like to share accommodation with a specific other participant, let us know after registering and we will accommodate it.

DO I NEED INSURANCE?
We require that you obtain Medical Travellers Insurance that covers high elevation trekking, up 6,000 meters. There are several companies out there, though we often use and recommend WorldNomads.

WHAT VACCINATIONS ARE REQUIRED TO ENTER TANZANIA?
There are currently no required vaccinations to enter Tanzania, unless you are traveling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

WHAT ARE THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS IN TANZANIA?
You will require a Tourist Visa and Passport (valid for 6 months beyond travel date) to enter Tanzania. Please note that entry requirements vary depending on your country of origin and you are fully responsible to fulfil all requirements to travel to Tanzania.

WHERE AND WHEN WILL THE GROUP CALLS BE HOSTED?
We will host 3 x 90 min Group Connection Zoom Calls (May, June and July) leading up to the Experience. These calls will give you the opportunity to connect with the group and receive important information, support, and guidance from us prior to traveling to Tanzania. All calls will be recorded.

WHAT IF I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?
We are here for you! Please send any questions to [email protected].

THE JOURNEY

In the three months leading up to the Kilimanjaro Experience, you are invited to join monthly group calls on Zoom, so you have a chance to connect with us personally, meet your teammates, and receive guidance for preparing for the mountain. You also receive access to a group communication thread to receive important updates and connect to us and the team in the lead up to the Kilimanjaro Experience.

LEADING UP TO THE EXPERIENCE

Upon your arrival in Tanzania, you are greeted at the airport, and then taken to our hotel for a warm welcome and time to settle in. Once the Experience begins, we come together for introductions, where you meet your teammates and all the leaders of the Experience in person.

ARRIVAL & MEETING YOUR TEAM

PREPARING FOR THE MOUNTAIN

We spend the first day and a half of The Experience in Moshi at the base of Kilimanjaro. To ensure we have everything for a successful climb, we complete a comprehensive gear check, plus have an opportunity to buy last minute snacks and other necessities. Assuming everything is prepared, there will be time to explore the town of Moshi, and enjoy some of the local cafes, shops, and restaurants.

TREKKING MOUNT KILIMANJARO

Our journey to Kilimanjaro starts with loading the bus and driving to the gates of Kilimanjaro National Park, where we set off to start the 7-day trek along the Machame Route. This route is known for being the most scenic, taking us through rainforest, alpine desert, moorland, and arctic zones, and having a high summit success rate because it allows plenty of time for *acclimatization. After reaching the world-famous Uhuru Peak (the highest point of Mt. Kilimanjaro) on the morning of Day 6, we will begin our descent. Our final day takes us down the mountain to finish with a beautiful celebration of our journey.

CELEBRATING THE JOURNEY

The remainder of the Experience includes space for recovery and celebration. It’s time to enjoy a beautiful pool, delicious food and drink, and moments of reflection and storytelling. We facilitate activities to support the consolidation of life lessons from the mountain and create opportunities to acknowledge and thank individuals who made the journey truly remarkable. Our final evening is intentionally spent in celebration of our Experience together.

Watch the video from Jamin and Jordyn

Watch the video of Afrikabisa

THE EXPERIENCE

The Experience is a journey of connection and personal growth.

Centered around an 11-day Retreat in Tanzania where you will climb Mount Kilimanjaro. 

Enriched by group leadership and connection calls before and after the retreat.

Climbing Kilimanjaro will test, impress, and inspire you. 

It will awaken your spirit for adventure and immerse you in a rich culture unlike anywhere else in the world. 

You will level up and grow as a leader, cultivate a global community and friendships, discover what you are truly capable of, and leave with stories to tell for a lifetime.

Jamin, Jordyn, and Jen are committed to making this an incredible Experience for you, right from the moment you say YES!  With their combined experience and knowledge, you will receive plenty of guidance in your preparation, so you can rest assured that you are in good hands and will be supported every step of the way.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

JEN ZIEGNER
Co-Founder Mountains and Marathons, Leadership Coach

Jen is the co-founder and leadership coach of Mountains and Marathons. For the last six years, she has worked with leaders from Fortune 500 companies to national non-profit organizations across the US, Europe, Australia and the Middle East. She is certified in Strategic Intervention Coaching and Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy, and brings a mix of her diverse training and own life experience from living her most aligned life to her coaching and leadership.

Jen has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro five times, trekked to Everest Base Camp twice, ran eleven marathons within four years and has supported dozens of leaders from around the world towards their own marathon finishes and mountain summits. 

Jen has a degree in intercultural studies and an MSc in International Business. Before starting Mountains and Marathons, she worked with impact-driven businesses and social enterprises across Australia and Europe. Jen believes that we need leaders who do good, while being well to create sustainable change in the world. Originally born in Europe, she is home in the world and currently spends most of her time on Lake Atitlan in Guatemala.

CLIMBING PARTNER

Afrikabisa, owned and operated by local Hendry Teweli, has been a dear partner of Mountains and Marathons since 2019. Afrikabisa stand for the porter community of Mount Kilimanjaro being treated fairly and ethically, and deliver a first-class service threaded with magical surprises on the mountain.

Climbing Kilimanjaro with us, you can be assured that porters and guides are provided sufficient meals, have adequate gear, carry no more than the allowed amount and are paid fairly.

INTEGRATION CALLS

AFTER THE RETREAT 
AUGUST, SEPTEMBER 2024

Watch the After Movie of our 2023 Edition!

THE OUTCOMES

By joining us for THE KILIMANJARO EXPERIENCE, you can expect the following:

“I would recommend this to anyone who is ready to shake things up, looking for new adventure, community, and something that really pushes them in a unique and different way.” -Elyse

“I’m truly ready to take ownership of the changes that I want to make in my life and come on the other side of this retreat as a happy and vital person.” 
-Drew

“This experience has given me a renewed sense of confidence in myself, a renewed sense of adventure, and a belief in the power of community.” 
-Matt

“Lessons learned: Leadership is everywhere. There is no title necessary. When people have the proper support, they can achieve almost anything. There is power in vulnerability. Create a safe environment and watch the magic happen.” 
- Jen