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Mt Kilimanjaro Rongai Route

Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania

Free

Tour Type: Daily Tour
Duration: 8
Maximum number of people: Unlimited
Location: Tanzania, Kilimanjaro
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Mt Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest freestanding mountain in the world; Uhuru peak is the highest point. This mountain has 3 distinct volcanic cones: Kibo at 19,340 ft (5895 m), Mawenzi at 16,869 ft. (5149 m) and Shira at 13,000 ft. (3962 m). Kibo is dormant while Mawenzi and Shira […]
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Tour’s Program

DAY 1

Board your shuttle bus from Nairobi at 0800 hrs and head to the Namanga Border for formalities then to Arusha to arrive by 1300hrs. We will depart for Moshi at 14:00hrs and arrive at 15:30hrs. Dinner and an overnight stay will be at a hotel in Moshi (or pick up from Kilimanjaro Airport and transfer to hotel in Moshi).

DAY 2

Rongai Gate (1950m) - 1st Caves camp (2600m)
Habitat: Montane forest
Hiking time: 5 hours
Distance: About 8 kms
Register at the Marangu park gate with a transfer (approximately 2 ½ hours) to the Rongai trailhead. You will meet your guide and porters before you begin your hike from the Nale Moru village. The small path crosses maize fields before entering a pine forest and then climbs gently through a forest. The trail is not steep at all and this is rather a gentle hike through beautiful countryside. The first night's camp is at First Cave, at about 2,600 metres. There is a toilet and a wooden table with benches, but no hut. Water can be found just down the trail below the First Cave.

DAY 3

1st Cave (2600m) - Kikelewa Cave (3600m)
Habitat: Moorlands
Hiking time: 6-7 hours
The trail continues up towards Kibo, passing Second Cave (3450m) en-route, and reaching Kikelwa Cave at about 3600 metres. The views start to open up and you begin to feel you're on a really big mountain! Water is in the obvious stream below the cave, although you might have to wander downhill a way to find some. Overnight at the 3rd Cave camp (Kikelewa Caves).

DAY 4

Hiking time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Moorlands Kikelewa Cave (3600) - Mawenzi Tarn camp (4330m)
A short but steep climb up grassy slopes offers superb views of this wilderness area. The vegetation zone ends shortly before you reach your next camp at Mawenzi Tarn spectacularly situated beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. Spend the afternoon acclimatizing and exploring the area.

DAY 5

Hiking time: 4 - 5 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert Mawenzi Tarn camp (4330m) - Kibo hut (4700m)
Continue ascending on the east side of Kibo and cross the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo taking 4 to 5 hours to reach Kibo Hut. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent, which begins around midnight. Overnight at the Kibo Camp.

DAY 6

SUMMIT ATTEMPT Kibo hut (4700m) - Uhuru Peak (5895m) - Horombo hut (3720m)
Hiking time: 8 hours to reach Uhuru - 6 hours to descend to Horombo
Distance: 6 km's ascent - 21 km's descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
You will rise around 23h30, and after some tea and snacks you embark on your hike. This is where the going really gets tough. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), which is a good resting spot. The path then ascends up to Gillman's point (5 681m), which is located on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot of stones and requires great physical and mental effort; this is probably the most demanding section of the entire route. From Gillman's Point you will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa. Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long you can spend taking photographs before the 3-hour descent back to Kibo hut. After a short rest, you will gather all your gear for the descent to Horombo hut (3 hours), where you will stay overnight. The return to Horombo hut will seem surprisingly fast compared to the ascent. The total time spent walking on this day is around 14 hours, so be prepared for a very tough day. Later in the evening you will enjoy your last dinner (with soft drinks and beer for sale at the camp office) on the mountain and well-earned sleep.

DAY 7

Horombo hut (3720m) - Marangu Gate (1980m)
Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: About 27 km's
After breakfast, you continue your descent (6 hours). You will pass the Mandara hut and continue down to the Marangu gate. At the Marangu gate, you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Gillman's Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. You now drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!! Overnight in Springlands hotel or Similar.

DAY 8

Depart by shuttle bus to Nairobi or start a Tanzania safari.

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