Mt Kilimanjaro Climb - Rongai
Trek to the highest point in Africa – enjoy mountain scenery, sensational views and a great sense of achievement!
Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain in Africa. It lies close to the equator, yet snow, ice and glaciers are to be found on its highest slopes. Soaring to the impressive altitude of 5895 metres (19350 feet), it provides incredible views of hundreds of square kilometres of surrounding countryside - thousands of feet below - as well as of the mountain peaks, valleys and glaciers around you.
The walk to the summit begins in attractive farmland and delightful forest and passes through a number of distinctly different climatic and vegetation zones - from beautiful rainforest, alpine moorland, volcanic desert, to glaciers, ice and snow – adding interest to the trek. (Indeed, even if you do not make it to the top, the scenic interest and rewards of the lower sections are considerable.)
No mountaineering experience is required as you are able to walk all the way. As you gain altitude, however, the going will seem tough at times - the increasing effect of altitude and walking on scree slopes on the upper sections, mean that this is a far-from-easy undertaking. In addition, very cold conditions can be encountered on the higher slopes, and you must be adequately equipped with cold and wet weather clothing. However, if you walk slowly, even from the start at lower altitudes, have a good mental attitude and a reasonable degree of physical fitness, this will all help immeasurably. You will be accompanied by guides, and porters will help to carry your luggage. On the ascent of the Rongai route your nights are spent in tents; however on the descent you join the Marangu route, spending one night in this area (but still using our own tents). The thrill of reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro gives one an unsurpassed sense of achievement. The Rongai Route is a day longer than the standard trail, this provides important additional time for acclimatisation and may well increase your chances of making the summit.
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Tour Highlights
- Climb Mt Kilimanjaro - Africa's highest peak
Inclusions
A specialist local mountain guide, services of porters/cook on mountain climb, arrival transfer, accommodation, transport and entrance fees.
- On foot
- Private vehicle
- Trek
This trip includes 6 days in Kilimanjaro National Park.
- 8 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners
Mt Kilimanjaro Climb - Rongai
Day 1
Nairobi
Meals Privided:
On arrival in Nairobi, you will be met and transferred to your hotel by our driver. Upon arrival in our Nairobi hotel our local representative will meet you to ensure that all is well. Our representative will provide details of tomorrow's private transfer to Moshi as well as any additional tours or activities that you may wish to enjoy whilst in Nairobi. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Please note this is an arrival day and you may arrive at any time. Please note there are no credit card facilities at the Marangu hotel.
Day 2
Nairobi - Marangu
Meals Privided:
Breakfast
This morning you will depart on your private transfer from Nairobi through to Marangu. You will exit Kenya and enter Tanzania at the Namanga border post. The drive today covers approximately 480 kilometres and should take about seven to eight hours. The final stretch of travel from Arusha to Marangu should offer views of this magnificent snow-capped mountain, really whetting your appetite for the forthcoming ascent.
In the evening there is a briefing on the trek. At this time you will also receive your own personal trek pack. This trek pack will contain a kit bag that your porter will carry, a sleeping bag, sleep sheet, down jacket and sleeping mat. You will need to transfer your other possessions into this bag. You will be able to leave your normal travelling bag and any excess luggage at Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort in Marangu to be collected upon your return.
Day 3
Marangu - Moorland Camp
Meals Privided:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today you will meet up with your porters and guides after breakfast at the hotel, and transfer to the Rongai Gate where you will complete registration procedures. From here you travel by vehicle on to the village of Nale Moru at around 1950 metres.
Today’s walk is about three to four hours, beginning on a small path that winds its way through fields of maize and potatoes before entering pine forest. A gradual ascent through attractive forest to the edge of the moorland zone at around 2600 metres. Extensive views over the Kenyan plains will be a highlight of today's camp. Note that it can be wet in the rainforest. The night is spent camping at Moorland Camp.
Day 4
Kikelewa Cave
Meals Privided:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, you set off around 8am to head up to the Kikelewa Caves. Today your walking time will be about six to seven hours. From your overnight campsite a steady ascent is made up to ‘Second Cave’ at 3450 metres. Here you are rewarded with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern icefields of the crater rim. Leaving the main trail after lunch we travel across the Mooreland on smaller paths towards the jagged Mawenzi peaks. Tonight we camp near Kikelewa Caves at 3800 metres.
Day 5
Mawenzi Tarn Camp
Meals Privided:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today's walk is a shorter one at three to four hours but involves some steeper sections. Leaving camp a short but steep climb up grassy slopes is rewarded by a real sense of wilderness and stunning all-round views. The vegetation zone is left behind shortly before we reach our next campsite at Mawenzi Tarn at around 4330 metres.
Day 6
Kibo Campsite
Meals Privided:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we will walk for four to five hours as we cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo. Our camp tonight is Outward Bound campsite at about 4730 metres. This campsite is spectacularly located at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in final preparation for the final summit ascent.
Day 7
Summit - Horombo Camp
Meals Privided:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today is the big day with 11 to 15 hours of walking! We will start the final, and by far the steepest and most demanding, part of the climb by torchlight around 1am. We plod very slowly in the darkness on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point at 5685 metres. We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the three hour round trip to Uhuru Peak at 5895 metres, passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Kibo, at 4700 metres, is surprisingly fast and, after some rest we continue the descent to reach our final campsite at Horombo at 3720 metres.
Day 8
Marangu
Meals Privided:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A final day of five to seven hours walking precedes a well earned rest at Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort in Marangu. A steady descent takes us down through moorland to Mandara Hut at 2700 metres. The descent continues through lovely lush forest on a good path to the National Park gate at Marangu at 1700 metres. At the gate you can often buy beers (or from the villages on the way back), and there’s then a very short hike to the road head where you will be met by the vehicle and transferred back to the hotel for a swim, a beer, and a VERY welcome hot shower!! Celebrations at the hotel will, no doubt, continue into the evening.
Day 9
Marangu - Arusha / Nairobi
Meals Privided:
Breakfast
In the morning you will be picked up by your private transfer vehicle and driven from Marangu to Arusha. After a brief lunch stop (cost not included), those continuing back to Nairobi re-board the transfer vehicle to continue onto Nairobi. You will cross back into Kenya at Namanga, and should expect to arrive into Nairobi at about 6.00pm, where your tour ends on arrival. Any flights out of Nairobi should not be booked prior to 8.30pm. The private transfer service from Arusha to Nairobi can drop clients at Nairobi’s international airport on the way to our Nairobi hotel. If you wish to be dropped of at the airport prior notice must be provided to us.
The eight hour drive from Marangu to Nairobi can be replaced by a flight between Kilimanjaro Airport and Nairobi. The flight, and transfer between Marangu and Kilimanjaro Airport, needs to be pre-booked and is at additional cost.
