On our way to Kili....Rongai (Nalemuru) route, 1875m, 28th June

We woke up at 6am; it was a rainy day in the Nakara lodge;the guides were already waiting for us with their big smile on their faces.



They are truly unbelivable. They always smile! I wish I could be as happy and positive as they are. I have so much to learn from them...
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We drove for about 3 hours towards Mt Kilimanjaro foothills and the scenery was incredible and the way people would wave us truly amazing; the road was a challenge too....
We had to register at the Marangu park gate with a transfer (approximately 2 ½ hours) to the Rongai trailhead.
Hiking time: 5 hours and distance: About 8 km's. The habitat is Montane forest














































































































By the time we got to the gate, lunch was ready!
It was also our first contact with the 62 porters that would help us carrying our stuff.
It was quite a shocking contrast; on one side, all the trekkers from different groups wearing nice gear and on the other side, a huge amount of porters, carrying huge bags on their backs and on their heads, some of them kids, and most of them without appropiate outfits. I was happy to fins out that among out group there were no such as kids.
Today we will only walk around 4 hours from 1875m to 3000m!











After that, we were ready to start the trek via the Nalemuru (or Rongai) Route the descent route would be the Marangu one..


Nalemuru (or Rongai) Route has a relatively gentle gradient and short daily stages as it winds its way from the starting point just south of the Kenya-Tanzania border. It passes through farmland and forest, past Alpine moorland to the beautiful summit cone. There are magnificent views throughout, and an extra day to aid acclimatisation as the trails climbs beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi.

























Resting



Luxurious toilets
Faisal always with either his ipod or his mobile....


















Faisal, Warren and Richard

At the camp


Lovely Nick & Mama Gill, my tent-mate























The smoking club: Clive, Faisal and Warren (and the one taking the pic...)



















Kili looked so close and at the same time so far away...


I have to confess that for me that day was the worse one not sure because it was quite hot or because we had just had lunch.