Your own group trip up Kilimanjaro

country:	Tanzania
location:	Kilimanjaro
departures:	You can create your own group with 6 (min) - 12 (max) people. In addition there will be a leader and appropriate local staff. The minimum age for this holiday is 18. We can arrange for a member of our staff to meet your group to discuss the options
price:	From £695 (10 days) excluding flights, £1185 including flights from the UK. Plus Kilimanjaro tax US$ 640 per person, which is paid locally

Kilimanjaro treks

Your own group tours

Tanzania holidays

the amazing things you'll be doing

The Rongai Route approaches the highest mountain in Africa from the north and retains a sense of untouched wilderness lost on the crowded Marangu and Machame trails.

The easiest of all the routes, it has a relatively gentle gradient, and short daily stages as it winds its way from the starting point just south of the Kenya-Tanzania border.

It passes through farmland and forest, past Alpine moorland to the beautiful summit cone. There are magnificent views throughout, with possibilities for wildlife viewing, and an extra day to aid acclimatisation as the trails climbs beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi.

The final ascent is arduous and made in darkness, but the reward is a spectacular dawn view of the glaciers and ice cliffs of the summit, and across the East African plains far below. Descending through lush forest, there is time to relax and recover before the flight home.

day-by-day itinerary

Day 1:	Depart London
Day 2:	Arrive Kilimanjaro and transfer to Marangu
Day 3:	Begin ascent of Kilimanjaro through Rongai Forest (2600m).
Day 4:	Climb to Kikelewa moorland (3600m).
Day 5:	Steady ascent beneath jagged peaks of Mawenzi (4330m).
Day 6:	Cross the lunar desert of the 'Saddle' to Kibo, at the bottom of the crater wall (4750m)
Day 7:	Early start to reach Gillman's Point in time for sunrise over the crater rim: on to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa (5895m) Descend to Horombo (3720m).
Day 8:	Continue descent to the forest at Mandara and on to Marangu
Day 9:	Rest or explore the local village or possible day safari to Arusha N.P. Afternoon depart
Day 10:	Arrive London

travelling in your own group

To classify as a group, we usually require a minimum of 6-8 clients although we can often accommodate larger numbers up to 16. We are often limited by the size of our accommodation or transport, but we will endeavour to accommodate your group wherever possible. If our stated dates are not available we will do everything we can to arrange a similar trip to fulfil your requirements. All trips are competitively priced, but it should be noted that a number of circumstances, such as flight availability, can affect the cost. We therefore recommend, booking and planning your trip as early as possible.

how this holiday makes a difference

The Nale Moru (Rongai) route offers the advantage of attempting the climb in relative seclusion compared to the more crowded Marangu and Machame routes.

On Kilimanjaro, we have built a number of standards into our mountain services.
All cooking is on gas or kerosene stoves (rather than firewood) and all rubbish is carried off the mountain.
Hot washing water in bowls is provided to avoid polluting the streams.
Porter welfare is another important part of our staff policy.

You may be surprised to learn that, after the Kilimanjaro Park Fees, porterage is easily the largest single ground cost element on the climb and so the temptation for unscrupulous operators to reduce this cost always exists. Treatment of local staff is one of the major differences we have identified in the operational standards offered by tour operators in Tanzania.

We pay one of the highest salaries on Kilimanjaro, and we pay immediately after the trek.
We are one of the few companies who meet the National Park guidelines in this area.
We ensure that the porters have sufficient food and fuel for the trek.
We provide communal sleeping tents for all staff on all camping routes.
Sick porters have access to the same medical box as our clients and do not lose part of their salary because of illness.

These initiatives do not mean that we are 'soft' employers; indeed, we have found that it is easier to obtain high standards of service when staff are treated fairly.Our local coordinators, The African Walking Company, very much share these aims and are actively working with the management of Kilimanjaro National Park to improve visitor facilities, the treatment of local staff, and the training of local guides.

Additionally, we add an extra day to the standard five-day itinerary to ensure maximum acclimatisation and give ourselves the best possible chance of enjoying the magnificent scenery. Recent statistics indicate that the chance of reaching the summit increases by at least 20% if an extra day is spent acclimatising. During the years 2000-2001, almost 90% of the clients on this trip reached Gillmans Point and nearly 70% reached Uhuru Peak, the true summit of Kilimanjaro.

We also have an optional village walk that explores Marangu for half a day. This village is a fascinating mixture of small but fertile coffee and banana farms, friendly Chagga people, and some beautiful scenery with waterfalls and magnificent views. Part of the revenue from these walks goes directly to a locally managed project that aims to improve the poor facilities in local schools.

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'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left).

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