Climb Kilimanjaro Rongai Or Marangu Route, Tanzania

The climbing Kilimanjaro to Africa's highest point Uhuru peak  is certainly a challenge, but achievable and for many, is one of the must do things in their lifetime.

Tour Highlights Sunrise over Africa through the cloud base. Summiting Africas highest mountain and a great sense of achievement serious bragging rights! The Rongai route ascents Kilimanjaro from the north eastern side of the mountain, along the border between Tanzania and Kenya. This route retains a sense of unspoilt wilderness and offers a different perspective on Kilimanjaro by approaching it from the north. Climbing Kilimanjaro is possibly one of the greatest gap year challenges available in Africa.

Starting in Moshi

On arrival in Moshi at Kilimanjaro international airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. We can suggest an pre-book a hotel for you if you require as pre and post accommodation is not included as standard. For many this is their first taste of Africa, and be prepared to see a whole new world open up before you.

Moshi is a small town located at the base of Kilimanjaro, firmly in Maasai country, don´t be surprised if you see plenty of red garbed nomadic tribes men, walking down the street tending a herd of goats. One of the distinguishing features of the Maasai is there huge extended earlobes stretched through years of hanging heavy objects off them! No joke, when Xtreme Gap went to Tanzania, we would see men with full bottles of beer stashed in their ears!

Which Route is right for you? The easiest routes, Marangu, Rongai can be climbed by a person of good health, and require no mountaineering experience. Many who climb employ altitude-sickness medication and find this to be helpful in preventing the pounding headaches that plague many trekkers. Those who travel on the Marangu route usually take 4-5 days to complete their climb. Huts with cooking facilities, bathrooms, and (sometimes) electricity are available at the end of each day's journey. The final part of the climb, from Kibo hut at 15,500 ft to the summit, is generally undertaken at night, because the scree is frozen together, making the climb significantly easier. The shorter and most popular route is the Marangu, this is also significantly cheaper. The more adventurous and longer route (and more expensive) is the Rongai. Please budget a little extra for tips for your porters to, we suggest $15 - $25 USD a day.

Get a copy of our free guide to Kilimanjaro

 Check out Xtreme Gapper Dave´s Trip up the mountain here

Please note that although we are a gap year company, people of all ages climb Kilimanjaro with us. One of the reasons being we are exceptionally good value, and the other reason being the majority of your fee stays in Tanzania, as we use local experienced guides, and being an internet company we have low overheads passing on significant discounts to you.

Get yourself ready for the Trek

It is important that you prepare yourself physically for the trip. These means getting a little fitter that normal. The trek is not difficult until you hit the top, when the air thins and the going gets a little tougher.

Mentally Prepare Yourself Too.

Many people do summit Kilimanjaro, but not all succeed. Mental preparation is as important as being physically prepared for the trip. Remember when the going gets tough, you need a positive mental attitude at altitude to get you through.

Drink enough water

Make sure that you drink at least 3 - 4 liters of liquid a day. This is very important as a healthy water balance helps prevent AMS. On the first day take plenty with you from the hotel, bottled water. Up the mountain there are streams you can fill up from (after the second day) but it is advisable to take Iodine tablets to purify the water.

Walk high - sleep low

Always try to walk to a slightly higher altitude on acclimatisation day (if taking one ($200 extra)), than the altitude you are sleeping at.

Climb with minimal equipment

The more weight, the more energy you spend, having said that do not go inadequately prepared for the trek. It is cold up on the summit, and really hot at the base of the mountain, so remember your layers.

On that note...Packing

Remember that you will be on the mountain for at least 5 or 6 days. Make sure you read the kit list included after booking and pack accordingly!

Clothing

We will prepare you completely for your trek, and advise what clothing should be taken pre-departure in a very detailed document, essentially through you want to prepare foe all eventualities, that includes rain, and hot sunshine, and freezing temperatures at the summit. Technical clothing, although not essential is certainly useful - brands like Helly Hansen, Lowe Alpine, North Face and Crag hoppers offer good clothing for the trip. On a budget head down to a local Sports store like Decathalon (in Europe) and purchase some fleeces and a base layer. It is good to have a polypropalyne top, something that is not made of cotton next to the skin, as this wicks sweat away from your body keeping you dry and cool, and warm at the top.

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)

AMS commonly affects people at high altitude. While Acute Mountain Sickness can be deadly if not treated immediately or if its symptoms are ignored, don´t let that concern you. Probably 70% of all people climbing Kilimanjaro will suffer to some extent from AMS. Most symptoms manifest with pounding headaches and loss of appetite. You should familiarise yourself with this condition and take preventative measures if you become aware of it setting in. It is advisable to purchase an extra day on the mountain ($200) to acclimatise as this greatly reduces the chance of AMS taking hold.

Malaria

Malaria occurs in Tanzania  below 1800 meters, and you should take anti Malarial medicine. please consult your GP or travel clinic well in advance of travelling and you should use the recommended prophylactics.