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PERFECT HOLIDAY
Why climb Kilimanjaro with KE Adventure Travel?
Choose the right itinerary for you...
KE offers alternative routes to climb Kilimanjaro: the Rongai Route, the Machame Route and the Lemosho / Shira
Route.
Rongai Route
If you are looking to tackle Kilimanjaro in just a week, then the Rongai Route on the north side of the mountain should be just right. The Rongai Route is the only route that approaches from the north, near the Kenyan border. Transfering to the starting point at Rongai Gate (1950m) the route traverses the lower slopes towards Mawenzi Tarn and then crosses the Saddle to Kibo Hut. The summit attempt starts from here and climbs via Gillman's point to reach Uhuru Peak. The route takes a minimum of six days to complete, but crucially KE allow seven days to allow for better acclimatisation. Rongai is classed as one of the easier routes as the climb is gradual and steady. It is also one of the quietest routes with low traffic, unspoiled rainforest and remote wilderness areas.
The Lemosho / Shira Route
Approaching from the west you will transfer to the Londrossi Gate (2250m), the starting point for the Lemosho / Shira Route. The route crosses the quiet and spectacular Shira Plateau. It is possible to ascend to Uhuru Peak via the Western Breach or via the Barafu Hut. We have chosed to skirt beneath the Western Breach to join the Barafu trail for our summit attempt, which is made via Stella Point on the crater rim to reach Uhuru Peak. You can choose our Lemosho Route Trek over 8 days, which includes 2 vital acclimatisation nights at the camp in the Karanga valley. Alternatively you can combine the shorter 6 day Lemosho / Shira Route with a 4 day climb on Mount Meru on our Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro trek, providing you with the perfect acclimatisation for the climb on Kilimanjaro. The stunning views of Kilimanjaro from Meru's summit will whet your appetite for the big climb!
Machame Route
The Machame Route (also known as the 'Whiskey' route) is one of the more challenging routes on Kilimanjaro. The trek begins in the south-west area of the mountain at Machame Gate, with its lush, fertile rainforest. The route heads toward the Shira Plateau, before circling the southern circuit halfway around the mountain. Machame offers great vistas of Kibo Peak and its icefields and visits stunning places such as Barranco and Lava Tower. Machame is ideal for those who want a more challenging climb, and are confident in their ability to hike over extended periods of time on sometimes steep terrain. We have chosen to combine the Machame Route on Kilimajaro with Africa's second highest peak, Mount Kenya, on our Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro trek. Not only does this provide excellent acclimatisation for the climb ahead on Kilimanjaro but Mount Kenya is an excellent climb in it's own right.
A day on trek…
Your day begins with an early morning tea served in your tent at about 6 a.m. After a hot breakfast, during which camp will be struck and porters given their loads, we start the day’s walk. You will carry your daypack with essential items for the day (water, packed lunch, camera, waterproof and extra layers). Our guide will set an easy pace to aid acclimatisation and we will trek together, with a guide also bringing up the rear. Lunch, at about 11 a.m., usually takes an hour or so and we aim to reach our overnight camp by 3 or 4 pm. This leaves plenty of time for exploring around camp, chatting with fellow trekkers and for catching up on your diary or for reading. Dinner is served in the mess tent and is a three course meal. This is a great time of day for relaxing and for discussing the events of the trek so far. On some days we will only be walking for 3 to 5 hours, whilst on the longest day to the summit of Kilimanjaro we can expect to have a 12 hour day.
