This local travel specialist organized the perfect Kilimanjaro Adventure in Tanzania. The four of us had fun and enjoyed the hiking experience because Rongai is a beautiful route and the team of guides and porters was amazing.
We were treated well by the crew, taking care of our needs (food, health and safety) and also encouraged us not to give up but push for the summit.
We summitted successfully and owe it all to the excellent support from the agency.
Trekking and HikingClimbing
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Camping, Hut, Tent, Hotel, Guest House
Age Range
5-99 yrs
Operated in
english, spanish, tanzanian
Destinations
Kilimanjaro Rongai route, Kilima
Kilimanjaro Rongai route, Kilimanjaro, Moshi, Simba Camp, Second Cave, Third Cave Camp, Kibo Hut, Horombo Hut, Mandara Hut
This tour provider hits it out of the park on the big wins: safety, logistics, and expertise. Their guides conducted twice daily health checks, measuring blood oxygen to ensure we were acclimating appropriately and they had medication ready to cover any malady. On summit day they carried oxygen as a safety measure that I found necessary after experiencing altitude sickness and the team even provided it to another suffering climber whose guides were not carrying oxygen. Not all guide services have these safety measures!
The logistics flow was impressive from the get-go with airport and hotel shuttles. The camp logistics on-mountain was even more so. We’d depart camp after breakfast, they’d have tea and snacks set up along the trail, and we’d arrive at lunch to find the mess tent already set up with lunch ready, just to find it and our sleeping tents set up again at the end of the hike with tea and popcorn waiting and dinner shortly to follow. The consideration that the Porter team put into our comfort was overwhelming.
The expertise of the team was unquestionable. The company clearly takes hiring very seriously and recruits knowledgeable guides. Professionals across the board whom we greatly trusted.
With the big wins checked off in style, the company goes above and beyond with personal touches that make the trip truly memorable. I think the most memorable for us was the tradition and ceremony that the team brought to the experience - celebratory group singing and dancing especially, even cakes and champagne! Then small things like hot water bottles to keep sleeping bags warm really made us feel well cared for.
This is by far the best route for climbing Kilimanjaro. Days 3-6 go up & down to get you acclimatized before summitting on day 7. Don't do it any shorter than 8 days.
I read the google reviews and booked a Kilimanjaro climb. The operator and their team are rock solid. They took care of every person, including their own team. Highly recommend!
We had an unforgettable experience last week on this tour. We were a group of 4 women with limited to some hiking experience. Anna and Stasia from the tour company were very responsive leading up to our booking. They were very easy and transparent regarding all the booking details. During the trip, our guides Baraka and Gerald were highly professional throughout our trek. They made sure that we were as comfortable as possible. This included all the small things, such as making sure we got enough lights for dinner and bringing more if we needed, as well as the big things, such as making sure that we summited! Baraka and Gerald were highly experienced as guides, and made sure to adjust their walking speeds to the individual needs of our group. They were also very personable, friendly and extremely approachable if we ever had questions (and we had many!). In addition, the rest of the crew (there were 20 people in total), that helped us were all highly attentive and very competent- we could not have done this without them. The food from our chef Justin was delicious - weve never had soup as creamy and eggs cooked the way he makes them- it stood out as unparalleled hiking food! Our server Benson told us really funny stories about his many trips in the mountains while he prepared dinner. The rest of the crew who worked behind the scenes tirelessly made everything seamless! We couldnt have asked for more. Some tips in addition to the other ones you may find online:1. Bring Vaseline - it gets really dry in the mountains so that would really help.2. It also gets very dusty in the mountain, so if you have dust allergies, you might need some medication. Even if you are not allergic to dust, it may be good to bring a bandana or something equivalent to keep off the dust.3. Rent the portable toilet!!! It is much better than the public restrooms, and relatively clean. Much more convenient if you need to go at night.4. Bring an extra roll of toilet paper- you wont need it for the toile if you rent the portable toilet, but it is useful if your nose runs because it gets cold.5. Bring extra hand warmers if you can. In addition to using them on Summit Day, some mornings are also cold. The crew does give you heated rubber bottles for warmth as well- so this is just for extra comfort.6. Bring mouthwash! Some nights are somewhat cold, so you may choose to mouthwash rather than do the full floss/brush. Makes you feel cleaner for sure. Same goes for disposable baby wipes in addition to a camping towel (quick dry so you dont have to use a wet one the next day!)7. Bring extra snacks if you can- the crew never will ask you for food, but we think they really appreciate it when you share. Same goes for anything else you think you can spare. Sharing is caring!8. Ask questions! We learned quite a bit about the mountains and the lives of our entire crew when we did- it was very rewarding learning more about the local culture and language.
Rongai is the only route that approaches from the north. Due to its remote starting location, which requires a little extra effort to get to, it is one of the least frequented trails on Kilimanjaro, which is perfect for those looking for a more ‘wilderness’ experience. Technically speaking, ‘Rongai’ is not its true name, but is the one that it is best known by. The trail used to start right on the Kenyan border at Rongai Village, but now begins in the small town of Loitokitok, which is the official name of the trail. Rongai is by no means an ‘easier’ route, but it takes a slower pace, usually over 7 days, and has more of a gradual ascent than other routes. The route follows a trail through farmland and then up to a smaller forest section before continuing in the shadow of Mawenzi Peak, Kilimanjaro's second highest volcano, where trekkers have the chance experience arguably the most picturesque camp on the mountain at Mawenzi Tarn. From here the route crosses 'The Saddle' through desert terrain up to Kibo camp, and from here joins the Marangu Route on its approach to the summit via Gillman’s and Stella point.
Machame Route (also known to as the "Whiskey Route") is the most beautiful route up Kilimanjaro with high summit success rate. It rewards hikers with scenic splendors. From late afternoon sunsets at Shira to the misty revelations of Kibo at the great Barranco Wall, witness a scenic "slide show" as you trek to the top of the world's highest free-standing mountain.
There is an added benefit to taking the Machame Route, as you are afforded the most valuable commodity on the mountain: acclimatization. The route takes you high to Lava Tower (4,630m) on Day 3 and brings you down by nearly 700m for an overnight at Barranco camp (3,950m). This is the secret to successful acclimatization.
(Note: All your equipment and supplies are portered and a cook prepares all your meals. While the accommodation on the Marangu route is in huts, the Machame route offers strictly tents only accommodation.)
See the itinerary section for more details about this tour.
The Marangu route is one of the most popular routes to the summit of Kilimanjaro. This could partly be as a result of the fact that the Marangu is the least expensive route, but more so, perhaps the fact that it is possible to do the Marangu route in 5 days, thereby getting to the summit one day earlier compared to the Machame route. This is not always the best way, due to a shorter acclimatisation period.
The Marangu route does however offer you the option of spending an extra acclimatisation day on the mountain. This extends the route into a 6-day trek, greatly increasing your chances of success. This offer includes the 6 days trekking, and the trip will in total take 8 days including arrival and departure from Tanzania.
Shared hut accommodation on the Marangu route forms one of the main differences, compared to the other kilimanjaro routes. It offers you the relative luxury of being able to sleep in huts along the entire route. Mineral water, soft drinks, chocolates and beers are also sold at all the camps on this route. All your equipment and supplies are portered and a cook prepares all your meals.
This will be a climbing adventure of a lifetime. No previous mountaineering experience is needed. We will take care of your safety and make the utmost out of your trip to Mt. Kilimanjaro.
One the seven main routes used to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the Machame route is the most popular path. It is the route of choice for many people because it provides impressive views and a variety of habitats. About 50% of all climbers, and most seasoned climbers, choose the Machame route.
The Machame route is also known as the Whiskey route, given its reputation for being a tough climb, in contrast to the easier Marangu route, which is known as the Coca Cola route. Unlike the gradual incline and hut accommodations found on the Marangu Route, the climbers on Machame hike steeper trails, for longer distances, while sleeping in tents.
Despite it being a little more difficult it is highly recommended because it provides a fantastic trail and great views along the way. We are looking very to taking you on a trip of a lifetime.
The Lemosho route is one of the newer routes leading to Mount Kilimanjaro, and a superb choice for your climb. It is our preferred route due to its ideal balance of low traffic, beautiful scenery and a high summit success rate. The route approaches Kilimanjaro from the west, beginning with a long drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate. From there, the first two days are spent trekking through the rainforest to Shira Ridge.
Unlike the popular Machame route, which simply intersects the Shira Plateau, the Lemosho route crosses the entirety of the plain from west to east in a pleasant, relatively flat hike. An added bonus is that climbers will encounter low traffic until the route joins the Machame route. Afterwards, Lemosho follows the same route through Lava Tower, Barranco and Barafu, known as the southern circuit. Descent is made via the Mweka route.
Lemosho is considered the most scenic route on Kilimanjaro, and grants panoramic vistas on various sides of the mountain.
ClimbingTrekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Age Range
12-75 yrs
Operated in
english, french, german, spanish
Destinations
Kilimanjaro, Mount Kilimanjaro N
Kilimanjaro, Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, Mti Mkubwa, Shira, Shira Camp Two, Barranco Camp, Karanga Camp, Barafu Hut, Barafu Camp, Moshi
