TYW - KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

Me too!!!!

Jenny

take only pictures. leave only footsteps

I just booked my vaccinations... ugh...

I think the only one left I need to get after going to nepal at easter is yellow fever - I stick needles into other people several times a day but when they try and put them in me.....

hey guys,

 Can i ask which vaccinations everyone is having? I've just had my HepA and Typhoid duel, still need yellow fever and am going to get Hep B too (incase for what ever reason i end up in hospital!) is anyone having meningitis?

 Also, just a random question. I wonder if anyone would like to spend a bit of time in one of the local orphanages on our "half day off"? I'm hoping to support one in the area for the climb, and would love to be able to visit one that i could help. Anyone else got similar ideas? charities etc?

Am having Yellow fever and probably the meningitis - also a hep B 5 year booster although this is being done by work. (I've had all the others already!)

 Is anybody getting the visa before they go - looking at the other forums it seems to be fine to get it on arrival but I don't want to hold everybody up if everyone else gets their visa beforehand?

 Jenny

think im getting visa when we get there aswell, seems to be the best way from what iv heard. Anyone thinking any different?  not long to go now :D iv decided to get sponsors to raise money for help for heroes if anyone wants to check out my page . . https://www.bmycharity.com/V2/kilimanjarobower

I'm getting my visa on arrival as long as I know someone else is!!!!

yeh i am going to get my visa on arrival aswell, dont want to risk sending my passport off to the embassy in london now!! anyone planning on taking any medication for the altitude sickness? and what about the safari on the last day? im up for that while im there!! also .  . . us dollars . . . how much shall i take?? :P im looking 4ward to getting my free exodus bag so i can start packing!! only 2 months to go!! haha! :D

I took diamox for altitude last year in nepal so will probably again for this trip. I was going to ask everyone else how much money they were taking? I'm not sure about the safari  - it does sound great but I know from past experience that all I am going to want to do the day after is sleep/chill by the pool and maybe get a few souvenirs (plus I get really motion sick on bumpy journeys...). 

I'm also very excited about the trip (but not excited enough to be worrying about packing yet!!!!!! ).

packing! already! i ran the london marathon last weekend so all my spare time has been spent training for a flat run...not a steep walk. still plenty of time to get hill-walking fit i guess! i would love to do a safari on the last day. i am getting my visa on arrival too - it seems the cheapest & easiest way. not sure on how much money to take - i think the visa costs about $50, then enough for tips, safari (if you are doing it) & a few well-deserved drinks at the end! didnt think i would get excited about paying the balance of the trip but less than 8 weeks to go...yeah!

 I done Kili in Feb. The Guides carry diamox and asprin ( most of group had headaches over 3500 ) dished out as required.

Get a visa on arrival, it's no hassle,

Yellow Fever is required, they check at immagration. ( it's the only one I had ). 

 Hope this helps.      Best Regards  Dave P..    

 

Don't take life too seriously, you'll never get out of it alive.

I'm getting mine on arrival! 

 I've been prescribed altitude sickness pills too... whether or not they will work is another matter!

 This is coming round sooo fast.  

hmmm i've just been told exodus don't carry diamox :(

What to doo... 

Hi

Exodus use 'The african Walking Company' for the trip, and the guides carry asprin and diamox. I belive diamox is available from 'Nomad Travel' if you wish to get your own, as it seems that supplies via a doctor are a bit hit and miss.

I found 2 asprin a day above 3500 mtrs kept the headaches bearable, and was told I would be given diamox if the asprin

was not  enough, ( it was not needed ).

I dont think you need to worry too much, the guides want to get you up there as much as you do. 

Hope this helps.

 

Dave P.. 

 

 

Don't take life too seriously, you'll never get out of it alive.

Hi guys,

I'm on the rongai route trio on 25th too! Been soooo busy, dont feel nearly as organised as you guys sound reading through everything. I got yellow fever vax when I went to tanzania 8 years ago (think it does for 10years) so should be ok. 

Do we need to take malaria tablets? I know we're gonna be high up most of the time! Also I'm not nearly as fit as wanted to be, recovering from virus which has really floored me the past month - think I will get some diamox though just in case.

Think on the last day I am definately gonna be chilling!!!

Cant wait, need to engage brain and think about whats needed

Looking forward to meeting you guys

cathx

 

 

PS getting visa on arrival as well

I am going to take malaria tablets - malarone recommended especially for the time at lower levels. Had the swine flu jab too...ouch!! Cannot believe we are off in 2 weeks!

Hey there,

So I'm not sure I could have realistically cut it any finer but I've only just today decided to join the Rongai 29 June departure (land only)... I'm still in my full time job until 25 June so it's going to be a bit of a mad rush to get to LHR but I look forward to meeting you all in Kili / Marangu!

See you soon,Lucie

Does anybody going on the group flight want to meet up at Heathrow?

Yep, well i'll probably be at Heathrow about 3.4/4 hours before departure.... it would be cool to meet someone before check in because we'll all have our massive exodus bags with us (hard to miss!)

 I picked up my diamox today... it was actually cheaper than a normal perscription charge (£5) and the man who served me was very confused because diamox is more commonly used for glaucoma LOL. It is widely available, i got my own JUST incase. Have actually been recommended AGAINST it as it can mask serious symptoms of AMS, but seriously, i will take anything to get me up that mountain!

Also, my boyfriends dad is a GP who worked in Tanz for 5 years and STRONGLY reccommended anti-malarials, i think it's just something you can't risk, it can REALLY mess you up if you get it.

I can't believe we leave in 5 days! Really looking forward to meeting you all, i find that the best trips are with people that you've never met before. So much excitement! (complete with moaning, blisters and nausea) GOOD TIMES!

 Thanks Dave, was really helpful :) I hope we can all be as succesful with the climb as you!

 Also, the offer is still there if any fancies coming to the orphanage with me. I have taxis arranged and everything, i just hope my legs work enough to help with the kids!!

Is anyone else getting Tsh when we get there?

yes, would be good to meet at heathrow. i am planning to get there quite early too as really dont want to risk cutting it fine on the m25 on a friday! i am taking US dollers but will probably also get some shillings on arrival too. soooo excited...and a bit scared!!!

I will probably be at heathrow fairly early - am getting the tube and really want to avoid the central line at rush hour with my exodus kit bag!

I'm taking $230 dollars in total. $50 for the visa, $40 kenyan lunches (don't think this will get spent), $60 porters tip, and $40 for taxi fair on my last day, $40 extra for pretty tanzanian things :) and BEER. I'll be converting most of this to Tsh.

i would like to meet ppl b4 we go too! should be at the airport at around 4.30 or 5pm, maybe have a few beers b4 the flight n then sleep as long as possible!! my gp climbed it last year and used diamox every day so iv got some but still not fully sure about taking it!

anyone know how we do private messages on this forum - I'll send people my mobile number and we can text to meet up at the airport? (Unless anyone knows Terminal 3 well enough to suggest a good time and place to meet?)

I was reading one of the other forums  someone said that the hotel only takes US dollars for beer and food, the porters tips are done in US dollars as is the visa so the only thing that you needed local currency for was souvenirs. Really confused now.... (and very excited too).

 Jenny

Jenny and anyone else who wants to meet before, here is my email address: xbecki_wilsonx@hotmail.com send me your numbers here and i'll text you all. Can't find PMs on here to send you my number :(

 And um.. arent we terminal 4?

And this is why I shouldn't be allowed to got to airports on my own - we are indeed terminal 4!