Rongai route independent trek
| country: | Tanzania |
| location: | Kilimanjaro |
| trip type: | High altitude trekking |
| departures: | These guided independent treks can depart every Thursday from London or Friday from Nairobi, from 3 Jan to 21 Feb and 12 Jun to 23 Oct and 18 Dec to 19 Feb 2009 |
| price: | From £1399 (10 days) including flights from the UK or from £799 - £849 excluding flights, based on 2 people sharing. Kilimanjaro tax approx £330 (to be paid with final balance). Compulsory single supplement £70 |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Africa's highest mountain on the quiet and less-demanding Rongai Route.
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 attractive farmland and delightful forest, past Alpine moorland to the beautiful summit cone. There are magnificent views throughout, with genuine possibilities for wildlife viewing, and an extra day to aid acclimatisation as the trails climbs to the beautiful Mawenzi Tarn, 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 an evening to relax and recover before the flight home.
This trip is 6 days point-to-point walking with full porterage. Altitude maximum 5895m, average 3600m. Good fitness is required. Price includes escorted trek with leader and appropriate local staff, 5 nights camping, 2 nights hotel, all breakfasts, 5 lunches and 6 dinners.
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 attractive farmland and delightful forest, past Alpine moorland to the beautiful summit cone. There are magnificent views throughout, with genuine possibilities for wildlife viewing, and an extra day to aid acclimatisation as the trails climbs to the beautiful Mawenzi Tarn, 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 an evening to relax and recover before the flight home.
This trip is 6 days point-to-point walking with full porterage. Altitude maximum 5895m, average 3600m. Good fitness is required. Price includes escorted trek with leader and appropriate local staff, 5 nights camping, 2 nights hotel, all breakfasts, 5 lunches and 6 dinners.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Fly to Tanzania. |
| Day 2: | Start 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); afternoon acclimatisation. |
| 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 through forest to Mandara and Marangu. |
| Day 9: | End Marangu. |
| Day 10: | Arrive UK. |
independent adventure holidays
These trips have set itineraries and can operate either on set dates or flexible dates. They are suitable for small private groups or couples and operate with a minumum of two people. All independent trips are subject to availability. We do not have an unlimited supply of vehicles, accommodation or guides, there are also limits on entry permits or restrictions on visitors to some of our most popular destinations. It is therefore strongly recommended that you plan any independent adventure holidays as early as possible.how this holiday makes a difference
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For this trip our most obvious and visible responsible tourism action is the porter treatment;
We have worked with our Operator for several years and have build up a long standing relationship. The operator is very committed to RT issues. All leaders are local leaders, which has been extensively trained by us in several areas; language, briefing, client handling, flora and fauna, geology and first aid. In our briefing we include information in regards to porter treatment, the sensitive topic of tipping and behaviour on the mountain (no litter, careful with soap in the few streams, no use of firewood, etc) Although this is mostly a camping trip the hotels used are locally owned and run. All the staff are employed locally and local produce is used extensively. Group size of 12, small groups limit the strain on natural resources and on the porters and guides as well as reduce the level of erosion on the mountain.  We have at our offices worked to reduce our carbon footprint through a reduction of energy use and energy conservation measures. We also actively reduce the waste produced by having active reduction and recycling policies in place. We run annual staff workshops on Responsible Tourism. Global warming is a reality and to help you make a difference by reducing the carbon dioxide that is produced when you travel we offer a chance to carbon balance your flights. We encourage all our clients to do this and do so for all our staff travel. Go on do your bit! |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |