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Kilimanjaro Challenge - Soulful Concepts
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Kilimanjaro Challenge: Rongai Route

Need to know

  • Best time to travel: Feb, June-Sept, Nov
  • Tour duration: 10 days (excluding travel time)
  • Group size: 10-20 travellers
  • Challenge grade: 5/5
  • Accommodation: Twin-share in 2-3 star hotels and alpine camping
  • Minimum age: 18 (younger ages considered on application)

Tour from AUD: Price available upon request

Contact us

    Get in touch with us

    Fill in your details and we’ll get back to you soon

    Trip at a glance

    Close your eyes for a moment and imagine what it would be like to spend time at a mountain lake carved by glaciers? Or gazing across one of the longest continually inhabited countries in this world? This is not just an adventure. It’s a life-changing experience. The snow-capped peak of Kilimanjaro is a breathtaking sight which rises from the rainforests of the East African plains and you will stand at its summit, literally on the top of the world.

     

    This is a personal challenge as you will be pushed to your limit as you climb through five different climatic zones. On this eight-day  adventure, you will trek from cultivated farmlands to lush rainforest, through alpine meadow and across the barren lunar-like landscape to the summit, where you will see the most amazing sight of the sun rising over the East African plains below.

     

    Give back

    We know travel is better when you can give back as much as you get. That’s why we have designed our trips around contributing, supporting and participating in local projects and community initiatives that have a positive social and environmental impact.

     

    Each of our tours provide a unique way to get up close and personal with the destination and incorporate a fundraising target or donation  into the travel costs, which enables travellers to connect, give back and travel with purpose.

     

    If you are a charity, corporate or a private group interested in a Kilimanjaro Challenge, please get in touch with amanda@soulfulconcepts.com.

    Itinerary

    Day 1: Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha
    Welcome to Tanzania! Upon arrival a private group pick up by our friendly local guide gets you to the nearby town of Arusha. Settle in to the hotel and take some time to relax before an evening rendezvous to meet the team. Your Soulful Concepts tour manager and head guide will brief you on what to expect as you prepare to climb the world's tallest freestanding mountain.

    Accommodation: Outpost Lodge, Arusha or similar 



    Day 2: Arusha to Simba Camp: The climbing adventure begins!
    Wake up to the start of an incredible adventure! This morning we meet our local porters and guides and after a hearty breakfast, it is finally time to make our way to Mount Kilimanjaro. Feel the excitement and anticipation build as we travel by vehicle to the Rongai Gates of Kilimanjaro National Park for registration. There is a quick stop for lunch along the way and then it is time to start walking! 

    Our climb begins from the quite wooden village of Nale Moru at 1,950 metres altitude, where the Rongai trailhead is located. Here, we begin trekking gently on a small path that winds through picturesque fields of maize and potatoes before entering a dense pine forest. The track then slowly climbs as we trek through the forest that shelters a variety of wildlife, including the Kilimanjaro Colobus monkey. Reaching the 2,600 metre mark, the forest begins to thin out as we reach our first campsite, Simba Camp, sitting at the edge of Kilimanjaro's moorland zone. From here we can gaze out over the magnificent Kenyan plains and spend the afternoon resting and acclimatising. We have an evening meal under the stars before turning in for a good night's sleep under an African sky full of stars. 

    Accommodation: Simba Camp

    Meals: B,L,D

    Trekking: 3-4 hours



    Day 3: Simba Camp to Kikelewa Camp: Kilimanjaro ascent and awe-inspiring landscapes
    After the first night of camping in the African wilderness, we wake early to enjoy a campsite breakfast together. Today’s trek is a steady ascent up to Kilimanjaro’s ‘Second Cave’ which sits at 3,450 metres altitude with splendid views of Kibo Crater and the awe-inspiring icefields on the crater’s eastern rim. 

    After an energising lunch, we leave the main trail and head out across the heather moorland on a small path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi and Kikelewa Caves. Our campsite for the night in a sheltered valley nearby is at 3,600 metres altitude. Unpack before a warm dinner is served and we retire for another evening under the stars. 

    Accommodation: Kikelewa Camp

    Meals: B, L, D

    Trekking: 6-7 hours

    Day 4: Kikelewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn: Through the wilderness!
    Start today's short but steep climb after an early camp breakfast. As we make our ascent we are rewarded with stunning panoramic views of the African wilderness. Take in the vistas of grassy fields and indigenous vegetation before we leave it behind and head towards Mawenzi Tarn and our campsite for the night. Sitting at 4,330 metres altitude in a valley directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi, Kilimanjaro’s second peak, this picturesque spot is three days away from reaching Kilimanjaro's summit! 

    Take the afternoon to rest or explore the surrounding areas as you let your body adjust to the higher altitudes. Join the team for dinner at camp and another night under the watchful eye of mother Africa. 


    Accommodation: Mawenzi Camp

    Meals: B L,D

    Trekking: 3-4 hours

    Day 5: Mawenzi Tarn Camp: Acclimatisation and anticipation
    Enjoy a day of mountainside rest and acclimatisation as you let your body adjust to life in the sky. At an altitude of 4,330 metres, this is an important time to maximise our chances of successfully summiting Kilimanjaro. Spend some time on gentle walks around the Mawenzi Camp to explore and help prepare yourself for continuing on tomorrow. 


    Accommodation: Mawenzi Camp

    Meals: B, L, D

    Acclimatisation trek: 1 hour

    Day 6: Mawenzi Camp to School Hut: Crossing the lunar desert from peak to peak
    Wake up for a day back on the trail as we work towards our summit goals. Today we head out to cross the ‘saddle’, a barren desert stretch between Mawenzi and Kibo Peaks. As we cross, notice the stark difference between the jagged edge of Mawenzi and the softer rolling rim of Kibo. We will trek up through moon-like grey dust and rock and grey dust to reach School Hut, located at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall at 4,800 metres altitude. 

    After arrival the rest of the day is free for relaxation in preparation for our bid for the summit! Turn in as the stars come out in anticipation of tomorrow’s early start to Kilimanjaro's peak. 


    Accommodation: School Hut 

    Meals: B,L,D

    Trekking: 5-6 hours



    Day 7: School Hut Camp to Uhuru Peak Summit: Standing on top of the world!
    Our summit day has finally arrived! We wake early, around four am, to complete the steepest and most demanding part of our trek under the African stars. Using the frozen ground to our advantage, we walk by torchlight slowly moving on a switchback train of loose volcanic scree. We reach the crater rim at Gilman’s Point to take a short rest at 5,685 metres up. Witness the spectacular sunset over Mawenzi peak that covers Kilimanjaro in light. Breathe in the colours as we head on towards Uhuru Peak and Mount Kilimanjaro's summit. At 5,895 metres altitude this is the highest point on the African continent. Our round trip passes close by the mountain’s inspiring glaciers and ice cliffs as we reach the summit and gaze out over the plains of Africa below. You have made it! Take a moment to look around and soak in your accomplishment! 

    After we have had our fill of these once-in-a-lifetime views, we will begin our descent back to School Camp for a well earned rest and meal. 


    Accommodation: School Hut 

    Meals: B,L D

    Trekking: 6-8 hours



    Day 8: School Hut to Horombo Camp: Last night on the mountain!
    Today we descend to Horombo Camp at 3720 metres altitude. Upon arrival, we have lunch and then spend the day here. Tonight we celebrate our  achievements as you spend a final starry night camping on the slopes of this mighty African mountain. 

    Accommodation: Horombo Camp

    Meals: B,L D

    Trekking: 3-4 hours



    Day 9: Horombo camp to Moshi: A final trek back to civilization
    Wake up with the African sun and the glow of success for a final breakfast in camp. This morning’s steady descent through alpine meadow takes us to Mandara Hut, which at 2,700 metres altitude is the first stop on the Mandara trail. We continue our way through lush forest as we head back to earth and the National Park Marangu Gate, at 1,830 metres altitude. Here we will solidify our accomplishments of the week by gathering our certificates of completion. 

    A private group transfer has us back in Arusha for a well deserved rest and hot shower to ease you gently back into civilization. After thanking our supportive guides and porters, we spend the evening with a celebratory group dinner for the perfect chance to toast your incredible adventure and achievement! 


    Accommodation: Outpost Lodge, Arusha or similar 

    Meals: B,L 

    Trekking: 5-6 hours



    Day 10: Arushai to Kilimanjaro Airport: Warm African goodbyes!
    Take your final morning in Africa for independent leisure time and soak up a last little bit of this beautiful land. Today, we bid Tanzania farewell as we say good goodbye to Kilimanjaro and end our extraordinary Soulful Concepts journey. A private group transfer has you back to Kilimanjaro Airport for our return flights home. 

    Meals: B



    • What's included:
    • Twin-share accommodation in 2-3 star hotels and alpine camping
    • Group Airport transfers
    • All transfers in private vehicles
    • English speaking guides throughout
    • Porters and support crew
    • Local Tanzanian doctor to accompany the entire trek
    • All meals as indicated in the itinerary
    • All park fees
    • Private toilet whilst camping
    • Hyperbaric chamber (as needed)
    • Oxygen cylinder (as needed)
    • What's not included:
    • Single Supplement
    • Tanzanian visa*
    • Individual Airport transfers
    • Optional tours and excursions
    • Tips and gratuities (please budget USD $250)
    • Personal travel insurance and vaccinations
    • Items of a personal nature
    • Other services not listed in the inclusions column

    * Travellers are responsible for valid visas throughout the duration of the trip

    View full itinerary  
    Contact us  

    Need to know

    • Best time to travel: Feb, June-Sept, Nov
    • Tour duration: 10 days (excluding travel time)
    • Group size: 10-20 travellers
    • Challenge grade: 5/5
    • Accommodation: Twin-share in 2-3 star hotels and alpine camping
    • Minimum age: 18 (younger ages considered on application)

    Tour from AUD: Price available upon request

    Contact us

      Get in touch with us

      Fill in your details and we’ll get back to you soon

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