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Beyond the Summit - AFRICA July 17-31, 2026

Adventure. Impact. Transformation.

Climb Kilimanjaro. Serve in Kenya. Return Changed.


JH Event Collective, in collaboration with renowned adventurer and motivational speaker Sean Swarner, invites you to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime journey that will not only test your limits but also ignite a deeper sense of purpose. 


A two-week transformational journey combining the challenge of summiting Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, meaningful Seva service in Kibera Slum, Nairobi, Kenya, and deep personal reflection alongside a small group of purpose-driven leaders. Guided by expedition leader Sean Swarner, retreat facilitators Juli Rathke and Holli Owen, this experience blends physical challenge, cultural connection, and service into a journey that reaches far beyond the mountain.


  • Climb Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak.
     
  • Engage in meaningful service work with the Drug Fighters Center in Kibera.
     
  • Awaken the deeper purpose waiting beyond the summit.
  • Reconnect with the deeper purpose guiding your next chapter.
     
  • Connect deeply with a small cohort of fellow adventurers and leaders.
     
  • Return home with renewed clarity, perspective, and impact.
     

This is not just a climb.
It’s a journey beyond the summit.


The Climb

Picture yourself standing on the iconic summit of Kilimanjaro, the stunning panorama stretching endlessly before you. This is more than just a climb; it's an invitation to reflect on your life’s journey, especially the back half. As you ascend Africa’s highest peak over the course of a week, you’ll engage in powerful discussions and introspective activities designed to guide you through midlife transitions, fostering clarity on your personal mission and aspirations.

The Service Work

After the climb, we will immerse ourselves in Nairobi, taking part in uplifting community work. This segment of the journey is dedicated to the Drug Fighters Center, located in Kibera, the second-largest slum in the world. Here we will connect with the vibrant spirit of the local community by working directly with the center—an orphanage and school that provides education and shelter to hundreds of children. As we engage with the 300+ day students and offer support to the 80 children who call the center home, you will discover the true essence of giving back - shifting the focus from personal achievements to meaningful contributions.

Life's Impact

Over the course of two weeks, this retreat will blend action with introspection, comfort with challenge. Imagine waking up in welcoming accommodations, sharing meals filled with laughter and enlightenment, and returning home with stories of transformation—both your own and those of the children you’ve helped. With only 15 clients per trip, the intimate setting fosters deep connections, allowing for rich exchanges with fellow participants and Guides, whose personal journey of survival and triumph inspires and empowers.

ABOUT YOUR GUIDES

Holli Owen

Sean Swarner

Sean Swarner

Holli brings the operational heart and ethical backbone of the retreat. A former founder of Telluride Reset, a high-end destination trekking and wellness company, she is deeply experienced in designing and executing premium adventure-based experiences with care and precision.


Holli holds the overall retreat vision, manages participant comm

Holli brings the operational heart and ethical backbone of the retreat. A former founder of Telluride Reset, a high-end destination trekking and wellness company, she is deeply experienced in designing and executing premium adventure-based experiences with care and precision.


Holli holds the overall retreat vision, manages participant communications, and oversees logistics and scheduling throughout the journey. She also anchors the Seva (service) component through her long-standing, personal relationship with the Drug Fighters Center in Kibera. Having spent time in Kenya building schools, gardens, and personally supporting children through their education, Holli ensures the service work is authentic, respectful, and genuinely impactful—for both the community and participants.

Sean Swarner

Sean Swarner

Sean Swarner

Sean is a world-renowned adventurer, cancer survivor, and motivational speaker who has led more than 20 successful climbs of Mount Kilimanjaro. His life story and leadership at altitude embody resilience, perseverance, and what’s possible when the mind and body align.


Sean leads the Kilimanjaro expedition and integrates structured pre-retr

Sean is a world-renowned adventurer, cancer survivor, and motivational speaker who has led more than 20 successful climbs of Mount Kilimanjaro. His life story and leadership at altitude embody resilience, perseverance, and what’s possible when the mind and body align.


Sean leads the Kilimanjaro expedition and integrates structured pre-retreat preparation and post-retreat coaching, supporting participants before, during, and after the climb. His guidance helps guests build confidence, navigate challenge, and translate the experience into lasting growth—turning the ascent into a personal milestone rather than just a physical achievement.

Juli Rathke

Sean Swarner

Juli Rathke

Juli is a seasoned retreat leader, yoga veteran, and experiential designer who has led transformational retreats around the world. With a background that bridges wellness, leadership, and high-touch travel, she specializes in helping people pause, reflect, and step into their next chapter with clarity and intention.


Juli oversees the onlin

Juli is a seasoned retreat leader, yoga veteran, and experiential designer who has led transformational retreats around the world. With a background that bridges wellness, leadership, and high-touch travel, she specializes in helping people pause, reflect, and step into their next chapter with clarity and intention.


Juli oversees the online experience from first touch to arrival, including marketing, registration, and participant onboarding, while also co-leading reflective sessions that help guests integrate the physical and emotional depth of the journey. Her approach blends grounded presence with thoughtful inquiry—ensuring the experience is not only memorable, but meaningful long after participants return home.

Itinerary & Investment

This journey will have you experience something at your core that will change your life.

Your exciting Mount Kilimanjaro expedition starts its route from Machame taking you through breathtaking experiences both on the inside and out. You’ll truly experience and connect with your deep desire to grow effortlessly leading you to embrace, develop and embody the breakthroughs we all have within us. Followed by your life-changing service experience which provides Kibera’s children with the opportunity to learn, grow, and build a better future.


YOUR ITINERARY*:

ARRIVAL INTO TANZANIA

DAY 1 – Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport. Private transport from the airport to Moshi, Tanzania and hotel.


THE KILIMANJARO CLIMB

DAY 2 – Recovery day from the flight, pre-hike orientation/briefing, gear check, and local market/souvenir shop.

DAY 3 - Morning yoga and trip Intention setting, individual gear and trip check-ins.

DAY 4 – Hike Begins: Machame Gates to Machame Huts. 3,100 meters (~10,170 ft). Estimated time: 6 hours.

DAY 5 – Machame Huts to Shira Plateau Camp. 3,658 meters (~12,000 ft). Estimated time: 5 hours.

DAY 6 – Shira Plateau Camp to Lava Tower. 4,876 meters (~16,000 ft) to Barranco Huts. 3,860 meters (12,664 ft). Estimated time: 8 hours.

DAY 7– Baranco Huts to Karanga Valley Camp. 3,983 meters (13,066 ft). Estimated time: 4 hours.

DAY 8 – Karanga to Barafu Camp. 4,600 meters (~15,100 ft). Estimated time: 4 hours.

DAY 9 – Summit Day: Uhuru Peak. 5,895 meters (~19,341 ft). Summit to Mweka Hut campsite. 

DAY 10 – Drive back to Moshi, Visit Chagga Tribe - Tazanite Gems, Moshi Hotel for showers/ Lunch/ Downtime, Evening Celebration and Prep for next leg of the trip.


THE SERVICE WORK

DAY 11 – Charter flights to Nairobi, ground transfers, check into hotel in Nairobi, rest.

DAY 12 - Intention setting, drive into Kibera, Cheza Cheza Dance School, Drug Fighters Center Welcome.

DAY 13 - Drive to Kibera continue service project work.

DAY 14 - Whole group offsite with the Children of DFC - Elephant Orphanage OR safari day, evening celebration pre-departure ceremony.

DAY 15 - Breakfast, private transport for departures.


* Subject to change due to possible changes in logistics and the nature of weather conditions.


THE INVESTMENT

Your $15,000* retreat investment covers the full experience from arrival to departure. Every detail—from expedition logistics and vetted accommodations to guided preparation, daily meals, ground transportation, and curated programming—has been thoughtfully designed and expertly managed by our team. Our goal is simple: for you to arrive ready for the journey while we handle every element behind the scenes with seamless, flawless execution. This allows you to fully immerse yourself in the climb, the service experience, and the personal transformation that unfolds along the way.


*Airfare is NOT included.

*$5000 Deposit required at time of registration.

*Final payment due 60 days prior to trip departure date.

*Private group rates available and welcomed.

Join Us On This Unique Journey

Are you ready to step into a new chapter of your life filled with adventure, purpose, and meaningful connections? 


Join us for this extraordinary retreat to Africa, where we’ll climb, reflect, and make a lasting impact together. Embrace the chance to unlock your potential and create a legacy that resonates far beyond your own life.  


Together with Sean Swarner and JH Event Collective, your journey to personal significance begins here. Are you in? Let’s embark on this remarkable adventure towards purpose and fulfillment.

Inquire Now!

Copyright © 2026 JH Event Collective LLC - All Rights Reserved.

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