Summit For Impact: Mt. Kilimanjaro
Join YCI for the adventure of a lifetime to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, while propelling African women-led social enterprises forward. March 1-8, 2026.
Climbers reaching the summit in March 2025
Challenge Yourself. Climb For Good.
If you’ve dreamed of travelling to Tanzania and summiting Mount Kilimanjaro - one of the Seven Summits of the world - here’s your chance to do it with an incredible support team while supporting young women globally!
Next March, we will spend 6 days hiking through 5 unique ecological climate zones. We do this with an expert local company who takes ethical and sustainable travel seriously. Together, we bring the supplies and support needed to complete this once in a lifetime experience from start to finish.
More interested in going to South America? Check out the Summit for Impact: Peru happening in April 2026.
Dates & Deadlines
Registration & Deposit Deadline
October 1, 2025
Fundraising Deadline
January 13, 2026
Climb Date
March 1-8, 2026 in Tanzania!
Climb Details
Important Dates & Deadlines
October 1, 2025: Registration deadline
Register online with a $500 CAD deposit to secure your spot.
January 13, 2026: Fundraising deadline
In total each individual will fundraise a minimum of $8,500 CAD to participate in this challenge, but we encourage you to set high goals! This amount includes the deposit.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival
You’ll be greeted upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport and go to a comfortable lodge in Moshi, where you will stay the night and be briefed on the itinerary alongside a welcome dinner!
Day 2: Machame route (Climb day 1)
- Machame Gate (1,800 m / 5,900 ft) to Machame Hut Camp (3,000 m / 9,800 ft)
- Elevation Gain: 1,200 m / 3,900 ft
- Approximately 6-7 hours of trekking
Day 3: Machame route (Climb day 2)
- Machame Camp (3,000 m / 9,800 ft) to Shira Camp (3,840 m / 12,600 ft)
- Elevation Gain: 840 m / 2,800 ft
- Approximately 5-6 hours of trekking
Day 4: Machame route (Climb day 3)
- Shira Camp (3,840 m / 12,600 ft) to Barranco Camp (3,850 m / 12,650 ft) via Lava Tower (4,550 m / 14,900 ft)
- Elevation Gain: 710 m / 2,300 ft
- Elevation Loss: 700 m/ 2,250 ft
- Approximately 5-6 hours of trekking
Day 5: Machame route (Climb day 4)
- Barranco Camp (3,850 m / 12,600 ft) to Barafu Camp (4,600 m / 15,100 ft)
- Elevation Gain: 750 m / 2,500 ft
- Approximately 6-7 hours of trekking
Day 6: Machame route (Climb day 5)
- Barafu Camp (4,600 m / 15,100 ft) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m / 19,300 ft) then descending to Mweka Camp (3,110 m / 10,200 ft)
- Elevation Gain: 1,295 m / 4,200 ft
- Elevation Loss: 2,785 m / 9,100 ft
- Approximately 12-14 hours of trekking
Day 7: Machame route (Climb day 6)
- Mweka Camp (3,110 m / 10,200 ft) to Mweka Gate (1,830 m / 6,000 ft)
- Elevation Loss: 1,280 m / 4,220 ft
- Approximately 2-3 hours of trekking
- Descend straight to the gate through lush forest (2-3 hours), looking for monkeys along the way. Return to Moshi from Mweka Village.
- Final group dinner and celebration!
Day 8: Departure
One final breakfast and then you’ll be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure or onward travel!
Costs & What's Included
To participate in the Summit for Impact event, each person is required to fundraise at least $8,500 CAD.
What’s included:
- 2 nights of accommodation at a comfortable lodge in Moshi (pre and post climb)
- Meals where indicated in itinerary (to be shared later; includes all meals on the mountain)
- Kilimanjaro Park fees, camping and rescue fees, head guide, assistant guides, cook, porters and crew salaries; food, drinking water, tents, portable toilet and oxygen
- Emergency health and evacuation insurance
- Big donation to the HerStart Catalyst Fund for women entrepreneurs!
What’s not included:
- International airfare to and from Kilimanjaro International Airport
- Entry visa and required/recommended vaccinations for Tanzania
- Any meals and drinks not listed
- Hiring of personal equipment for the climb including sleeping bags, walking poles etc.
- Personal travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Gratuities for the guides and cooks – Please see FAQs for tipping guidelines
Fundraising
Fundraising from the Summit for Impact event goes directly to accelerating youth innovation for good with YCI. This includes the HerStart Catalyst Fund, which provides seed funding for young women entrepreneurs.
YCI provides a user-friendly crowdfunding platform, templates and tips from our years of experience to ensure you can reach the goal of $8,500 CAD.
All donations over $20 will automatically receive a Canadian tax receipt. Unfortunately, international donations are not eligible for tax receipts.
Step-By-Step Process
1. Register HERE by October 1 and submit the $500 CAD deposit to secure your spot.
2. Within a week, you will receive a welcome package from YCI over email, outlining next steps and important information.
3. It’s now time to fundraise and start prepping for the adventure!
4. Participants will receive regular emails from YCI supporting your preparations! A Zoom call and WhatsApp group will also be set up to connect further.
5. See you in Tanzania!
A Glimpse into the Adventure
FAQ
Answers to common questions about the YCI Summit For Impact: Mt. Kilimanjaro event
Who is YCI and what is HerStart? How do I learn more?
About Youth Challenge International (YCI)
YCI is a non-profit organization accelerating youth innovation for good. Together with young leaders and innovators, we are creating a better future where people, planet and profit can thrive. We are going all in on the bold ideas, skills and ventures that will get us there.
In over 30 countries, YCI has teamed up with young people and partner organizations to transform complex challenges into sustainable solutions; collectively, we learn fast, fail smart and turn insights into action. We believe that a better world can – and will – be built by the next generation.
Learn more about:
About HerStart
HerStart is a YCI initiative advancing gender equality, innovation and economic empowerment on a global scale.
Through the HerStart: Innovate the Future program, YCI delivers dynamic entrepreneurship and leadership training, mentorship and seed funding for young women to build businesses with positive community impact in Ghana, Tanzania and Uganda. We co-design and co-implement HerStart with local partners in each country, who contribute their unique expertise and advance their own organizational learning.
Learn more about:
What do the Summit for Impact events support?
Summit for Impact events support YCI to accelerate youth innovation for good around the world. This includes funding grants within our HerStart Catalyst Fund to propel women-led social enterprises forward.
Women in Ghana, Tanzania and Uganda who have joined our HerStart program are eligible to apply for seed funding, coaching and business mentorship through the HerStart Catalyst Fund. The Fund helps to kickstart businesses as they scale up driving a more equal, climate-resilient and inclusive economy.
Read about YCI's impact here and explore stories from real people and partners involved in our work on The Feed.
Are there other Summit for Impact events?
Yes! YCI organizes Summit for Impact events almost every year.
We are currently also promoting an event to trek to iconic Machu Picchu in Peru. More interested in going to South America? Check out our upcoming Summit for Impact: Peru happening in April 2026.
What is included? What is not included?
Below is an overview of what is covered by the total fundraised amount, and what is separate from that in terms of costs to participate.
What’s included:
- 2 nights of accommodation at a comfortable lodge in Moshi (pre and post climb)
- Meals where indicated in itinerary (to be shared later; includes all meals on the mountain)
- Kilimanjaro Park fees, camping and rescue fees, head guide, assistant guides, cook, porters and crew salaries; food, drinking water, tents, portable toilet and oxygen
- Emergency health and evacuation insurance
- Big donation to the HerStart Catalyst Fund for women entrepreneurs!
What’s not included:
- International airfare to and from Kilimanjaro International Airport
- Entry visa and required/recommended vaccinations for Tanzania
- Any meals and drinks not listed
- Hiring of personal equipment for the climb including sleeping bags, walking poles etc.
- Personal travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Gratuities for the guides and cooks – Please see FAQs for tipping guidelines
How do I fundraise?
YCI will provide you with a user friendly platform and helpful toolkit to complete fundraising. We encourage you to be creative with your crowdfunding ideas and we are here to support you along the way.
All donations over $20 are eligible for a Canadian tax receipt.
Sign me up! How do I register?
Register here by October 1 to join the Kilimanjaro Summit for Impact event from March 1-8, 2026.
You will need to provide your basic information along with a deposit of $500 CAD to complete registration.
What steps come after registration?
Once you have registered, you will receive a few emails over the coming months with a detailed welcome package and forms to complete.
YCI will provide you with all the resources and information you need leading up to departure to help you fundraise and prepare for the travel and climb itself!
Is the deposit or fundraising refundable if my plans change?
No, the deposits or any funds raised are not refundable. We are working with an excellent company in Tanzania to design and develop the best trip possible for our group and early deposits are required for this process.
All additional funds that are raised are not refundable, as these are charitable donations that are tax receipted and go towards supporting YCI’s HerStart Catalyst Fund.
What fitness level does the climb require?
A good level of fitness is required due to long days of walking, high altitude and rough terrain. People of all ages and backgrounds have completed Kilimanjaro with us.
Anyone who leads an active and moderately healthy lifestyle has a good chance of summiting; we walk very slow to adjust to the altitude.
The more you exercise before the climb, the better, as it will give you that extra boost!
What should I pack?
YCI will provide a detailed packing list based on years of experience on what (and what not) to pack for the climb. This will be part of your welcome package.
We are also happy to answer any specific questions about packing as you prepare!
Can we rent equipment for the climb?
Yes! All essential equipment is available for rental and will be ready for you upon arrival in Tanzania. This includes popular items like walking poles, sleeping bags and overnight bags for your belongings (sized for the weight limit carried by porters).
Where will we sleep on the climb?
You will be camping on the mountain and tents will be carried and set up by the local team each night. There will typically be 2 people per tent. If you wish to have a single tent, this will be available for an additional cost.
At each of the camps, our group will have private tent toilets set up. There are some very basic squat toilets that also exist along the trail.
What will meals be like on the climb?
Full kitchen and meal tents will be set up by the local crew for our group at a new camp each night (its amazing to see the crew move location to location!). There will be a hot breakfast (e.g. porridge, eggs, toast and tea or coffee) to start each day. Lunch will be packed or hot. There will also be a hot meal in the evening (e.g. soup followed by pasta with chicken and fruit for dessert.)
There will be ample safe drinking water.
The team will accommodate allergies and food restrictions to the best of their ability. Reach out to YCI if you have concerns.
Do we need a visa to enter Tanzania?
Yes, a visa is required for most countries' citizens to obtain tourist entry into Tanzania. This includes Canada and America. More details will be sent on this process after registration.
How is safety managed? Is Tanzania safe?
During your climb, safety is our number one priority. The guides are highly experienced at monitoring your symptoms and can help you assess and respond to any issues. The head guides have Wilderness First Responder Medical Training, which is the highest available training specializing in emergency situations within remote settings.
YCI also provides emergency medical and evacuation insurance to cover each participant during the climb. More detailed information will be provided after registration.
Tanzania is in general a safe, hassle-free country. That said, you do need to take the usual precautions while travelling abroad.
What are the guidelines for tipping on the climb?
On Kilimanjaro Climbs tipping is expected for all the hard work porters and guides put into each climb (you will be amazed!). YCI will arrange an appropriate tipping amount from the group that each individual will contribute towards. A celebratory tipping ceremony is held at the end of the climb.
How can we be responsible tourists on the climb?
We have carefully selected an outstanding company to lead the climb that follows ethical and sustainable travel standards.
It is important to leave no rubbish behind on the mountain. We follow the local guidelines on cultural and environmental protection issued by the National Park leaving wilderness camps clean.
Are there other ways I can support or get involved with YCI?
YCI is always looking to grow and expand our network of talented and passionate individuals around the world who are committed to accelerating youth innovation.
You can check out current event and program opportunities with YCI here, or contact us directly if you are interested in exploring how to support in a different way. All job and board member opportunities are listed on our website here.
A huge way to support YCI is through fundraising and donations. So signing up for this event, donating or starting your own fundraising Circle of Impact (even without doing a trek) is a great way to contribute to youth innovation around the world!
Take The Next Step. Your Peak Awaits.
Photo: Climbers ascend towards the summit on Mt. Kilimanjaro with YCI.
