KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

10 days from GBP1,399 to GBP2,279 including flights+ Kili Park Fees US$635 paid UK
Tripcode: TYW

Countries Visited: Tanzania

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Our Clients’ Reviews

Average Review Rating: from 92 reviews.

Robert Bates

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

Written January 2012
This trip is a perfect way to maximise your chances of getting to the summit of Kilimanjaro.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Obviously getting to the summit, but also knowing that the work put in on the previous days had made it all possible.
What did you think of your group leader?
Joshua had taken up a famous baseball player on his last trip so we felt quite chuffed he was doing us 'normal' people! He was there for you and was the reason I got to the top. His experience meant that we were in good hands and he was also very approachable and you could have a good chat to him about pretty much most things. Overall though he had your best interests at heart which was what counted.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
You really don't need diamox if you follow the advice and structure of the trip. Just set off at the guide's pace, eat the food even if you don't feel like it and drink lots although not too much or you'll flush out all your salts! The summit night is hard because you have walked to the base in the morning, then you do the summit up and down, then walk to the next camp in the afternoon, with no sleep. It's fine though, just go at your pace, don't dress too warmly, if I did it again I'd have 3 layers on the bottom and 5 on top. Down jackets are not necessary if you layer correctly. Hire one of the sleeping mats as it doesn't count towards your allowance that the porters carry and it gives you a good nights sleep. Also there were a lot and I mean a lot of people whose luggage was mysteriously disappearing at the airport and then reappearing a couple of days later. In the meantime you had to hire all the gear that was missing and it's not cheap, some of the hire costs are higher then buying the kit in the UK! 2 out of the 3 people on my trip had their kit go missing. 10 out of 11 on another. It's an issue that needs addressing as the last thing you need is all your expensive kit going walkabouts when you're about to take on such a challenge.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Enjoy the trip as well as the challenge, it's unusual as you have to do all the walking to get to the actual day when I expect most of us are used to driving to the base of most things! The altitude really didn't affect any of us except for small headaches which paracetamol sorted out. The reason was we followed the guide's advice and each day walked high and camped low. It's a great challenge and from what I could see this trip from Exodus is one of the best both in terms of value and for success in getting there.
David Bishop

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

Written December 2011
A brilliant trip with a great bunch of people.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The midnight start of the summit day with the heart pounding and adrenaline flowing. I would say the summit photo but I was so knackered by then I can hardly remember it!
What did you think of your group leader?
An excellent guide and a great guy to chat to. Very knowledgable, very calm and a good laugh
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Prepare well, grit your teeth and you will get there!
terry stears

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

Written December 2011
The trip was exceptional. This was due to four reasons: Great people on trip with me, fantastic guides and support team, excellent organisation from exodus, and some of the best views in the world. I now know that Exodus can be trusted with everything which means that all we had to worry about was ourselves, we never missed any of the ararranged view points and times including sunrise at the summit of Africa, truely breathtaking. The food and camps were excellent as was the knowledge of our guides. A real fun group of people who enjoyed sharing their country and community with us.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Inspiration moment 1
Well, like so many before me and with the aid of Exodus, an item has gone from my to do list and I have summated Kili. We completed all three summit points and getting to the highest point of Africa (Uhuru) and looking out accross the plainsone side and the Glacier the other has to be the most inspirational view I have seen so far.
Inspirational moment 2
This has to be sunrise at Gilmans point, It was a clear and cold morning at 0530hrs and we had just had a very hard summit climb since midnight. After a short final climb up the rocks, we just had time to recover and Richard, my guide said, look.... it was an amzingly clear, full sky sunrise over the whole valley and Mawenzi. Awsome!!:-)

What did you think of your group leader?
Emmanual was our Group leader. His confidence and knowledge comes from the fact that he has been to the top more times than I have had hot dinners!
He knows what to do, what to look for and how to get it done.
He had great command of his whole team and was a genuiine nice guy who alwys had a smile and a laugh when you needed it.
Great guy, highly reccomended.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
1. Listen to all advice from exodus.
2. Talk to them after you have booked.
3. USE the departure lounge. Its a great place to talk to others in your group and also others in previous groups to get tips from.
4. Depending on the season, make sure you protect against the sun as well as the cold as this can catch you out.
5. Dont take too much, many changes of clothes are not needed, nearly allof our group toook too much.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Enjoy it, its well worth doing.
Everest next!!
Louise Elliott

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

Written November 2011
The 6 day trip culminating in ascending Kilimanjaro was the best thing i ve ever done in my life-the very hardest but the most special.The team looking after us just could not have been more generous in their time energy and spirit.They were proud of their country and wanted us to have the best time we possibly could- and we did!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
To be walking and constantly be shadowed by Kilimanjaro was exciting and nerve wracking.The whole group knew we were gearing up to the summit night but we all enjoyed every day leading upto that time.Walking slowly all day and coming into camp-the smell of deliciuos food and the thought of a cosy tent was a great feeling.I was inspired by the team looking after us- The African Walking co -the leaders were heavenly-caring for us all and helping in every way posssible to get us nearer to our goalThe whole trip was inspirational-all our individual efforts to overcome challenges-be they sickness,fatigue,worry or doubt-all the efforts from the team behind us-the wonderful scenery and amazing lanscapes.100% inspiring!!!!
What did you think of your group leader?
Henry Fernandez was a legend!!! A kind gentle responsible caring chap-who we learnt had trained to be a Priest-the church s loss was our gain!!!he headed a team of wonderful leaders-Davis-the most gorgeous kind funny and thoughtful man that I could have walked for days with,Jonath-dear and kind.John-interested and interesting considerate and gentle.Obote-my hero-without whom I would not have made it up that darn mountain!!!!-and many more-caspar and Trophid the chef-but really the whole team-from the all important toilet monitor-who carried it and serviced it the whole trip!-to ALL the cheery hardworking porters.What did I think of them all??? I LOVED THEM!!!!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Really dont fret or worry beforhand.As long as you are fairly fit and well you will be fine-unless altitude sickness picks you off-and that just random.A lot of the achieving is down to attitude-and there are times you must dig deep but its all possible.camping is a challenge-be organised-take as little as possible-you will wear pretty much the same every day! Wet wipes -always useful.Favourite snack and sweets -and I took Marmite-that got me through!!!Dont fixate on THE SUMMIT-enjoy EVERY bit of the trip-it flies by and you probably wont repeat the trip-so enjoy every day.Appreciate all the effort that is being made for you-and shoe that gratefulness to the team.Good boots,warm layers and positive mental attitude-thats all you need!!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
After having achieved Kili I almost feel i can take on any challenge!!! I may give altitude and feezing cold a wide berth for a while but when i next think something is difficult i ll think back to summit night and how hard I had to try to get to the top-but resisting the huge temtation to turn back-constantly thinking-I wont be here tomorrow or next week -this is my only chance!!I fell in love with Africa and long to return-and admired and felt so fortunate to be looked after by such a strong responsible caring team.it was all over too quickly !!
Would I do it all again??? YOU BET!!!!-and after summit night I vowed a million quid wouldnt get me to do that again!!!!funny how time deletes pain and hardship and leaves fond memories and highlights behind.
Christopher Stott

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

Written November 2011
Thanks to Exodus and the local company (African Walking Company) this trip far exceeded my expectations. An amazing experience, listen to your guides! Really glad we did the Rongai route as opposed to other busier routes.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Reaching the top, but also see the people who struggled (the altitude effected everyone differently) get to the top too. Hearing the stories and lives of the staff on the trip.
What did you think of your group leader?
Exceptional. It's rare I say that, but really I was (as were the others in my group) astounded by just how good these guys were.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Listen to the guides. Drink LOTs of water - don't be shy ladies, it's the best way to acclimatise. Each as much as you can. Talk to the people, they want to practice their English and have fascinating stories. Don't scrimp on warm socks and gloves for summit night.
Try and remember to be 'present' in your trip, especially when you get to the top. This is an amazing experience.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
If you're on the fence, don't be. Life is too short. This is an amazing challenge. It takes will power but the guides and group will pull you through. You are in incredibly safe hands with these people and you will have a life changing experience.
Philip Hope

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

Written October 2011
Not a holiday. A fantastic experience. A lot harder than I thought.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Reaching the summit first at 5:20am. The camaraderie you can achieve with what is effectively a stranger when you achieve your goal.
What did you think of your group leader?
Florence was very good, as were all the other guides, porters and cooks of which there are around 40. He kept his eye on us and tried to tailor the speed at which we walked to each individual. He spoke to each person individually every morning and every evening to make sure everything was ok.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Have enough dollars for the tip which adds a fair bit to the holiday.
Wear sufficient layers but don’t over do it, you will warm up when you walk.
I understand pole, pole but walk at the pace you are comfortable with. Listen to your body and what it’s telling you.
Your hands get filthy.
I personally didn’t wear or need to wear gaiters, but walking poles helped significantly, especially on the final push for the top.
Some took Diamox some did not. Again, know your own body and listen to it; if you have a headache take something, if you don’t then don’t take something.
On the day you climb to the top you will have breakfast at 23:30. You probably won’t feel like eating porridge. You will need a lot of energy so force yourself to eat.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
If you want beautiful scenery and slow acclimatisation go to Everest and Gokyo lakes. If you want a challenging walk in less beautiful scenery in a much shorter holiday then climb Kili.
Charlotte Gill

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

Written October 2011
I can see now why the trip notes refer to some people saying this is the hardest thing they have ever done. I'd agree - but the exhillaration and sense of acheivement made this one of the most rewarding things I have ever done too.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Reaching Uhuru Peak - the holy grail for all kili climbers!
What did you think of your group leader?
Henry Fernandes of African Walking Company was fantastic. A true gentleman with exceptional mountain knowledge and a sense of humour - a real gem! Henry we salute you!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Summit day is tough, making things comfortable on the way up really helps. Make sure you take serious sunscreen - proper high factor ski-type sunscreen. Even the standard factor 30s-50s were struggling at altitude. Take boiled sweets, they really help with energy and motivation. Take rehydration salts. Number one - listen to your guide!