Climbing Kilimanjaro Rongai

8 day Mount Kilimanjaro climbing rongai Route, Climb Kilimanjaro Rongai route on mt. Kilimanjaro, Rongai route info, climbing

KILIMANJARO RONGAI ROUTE CLIMBING
Departs daily
Duration: 6 Days on the mountain
The Kilimanjaro Rongai route ascents Kilimanjaro from the northeastern side of the mountain, along the border between Tanzania and Kenya. This route retains a sense of unspoilt wilderness and offers a different perspective on Kilimanjaro by approaching it from the north.

Day 1: Arrival - Arusha
On arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, met and assisted. Transfer to SG Resort for an overnight rest on bed and breakfast in readiness for the next day's hit to Kilimanjaro.

Day 2: Kilimanjaro Rongai Gate (1950m) - 1st Caves camp (2600m)
Hiking time: 5 hours
Distance: About 8 km's
Habitat: Montane forest
Register at the Marangu park gate with a transfer (approximately 2 ½ hours) to the Rongai trailhead. Meet your guide and porters before you begin your hike from the Nale Moru village. The small winding path crosses maize fields before entering pine forest, and then climbs gently through a forest. The trail is not at all steep, but is rather a gentle hike through beautiful country. 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 First Cave, B,L,D.

Day 3: Kilimanjaro 1st Cave (2600m) - Kikelewa Cave (3600m)
Hiking time: 6-7 hours
Habitat: Moorlands
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 3rd Cave camp (Kikelewa Caves), B,L,D.

Day 4: Kilimanjaro Kikelewa Cave (3600) - Mawenzi Tarn camp (4330m)
Hiking time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Moorlands
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, B,L,D.

Day 5: Kilimanjaro Mawenzi Tarn camp (4330m) - Kibo hut (4700m)
Hiking time: 4 - 5 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert
Continue ascending on the east side of Kibo crossing 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 Kibo Camp, B,L,D.

Day 6: Kilimanjaro 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 biscuits you shuffle off into the night. 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), also a good resting spot. The path then zigzags up to Gillman's point (5 681m), which is located on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot of stone scree, requiring a great physical and mental effort. Probably the most demanding section of the entire route. Do the Kili shuffle and move slowly. From Gillman's Point you will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa. Total exhilaration and satisfaction - you made it. 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 gather all your gear for the ascent and head down to Horombo hut (3 hours) where you will 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 enjoy your last dinner (with soft drinks and beer for sale at the camp office) on the mountain and well-earned sleep, filled with memories and stirring emotions, B,L,D.

Day 7: Kilimanjaro Horombo hut (3720m) - Marangu Gate (1980m)
Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: About 27 km's
After breakfast you continue your descent (6 hours), passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate. At 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 Arusha for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!! Overnight at SG Resort, B,L.

Day 8: Departure
After breakfast, transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight back home or continue with your safari schedule. End of services. B

Tour cost: US$ 1,495 per person sharing. Single room supplement: US$ 65

Tour price includes:
-Transfer to and from the base of the mountain
-Rongai route trek as itinerary depicts
-Full board accommodation whilst on the trek.
-Meal plan as clearly detailed: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch and D=Dinner
-Accommodations at SG Resort for 2 nights on bed and breakfast
-Accommodations in huts on the mountain as per the itinerary
-All park entrance fees to include government taxes
-Service of an English speaking professional Mountain guide on the mountain, porters and skilled cook
-All services begin and end at Kilimanjaro Airport as per the itinerary
-Treated water on the trek
-Return airport transfers from/to Kilimanjaro Airport
-Chemical toilet/s on the mountain
-Kilimanjaro climb certificate (Those that reach Gillman's Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates & Uhuru Peak (5895m), receive gold certificates)
-Mountain rescue fees

Excluded:
-Any possible park fees entrance increments
-Tips, laundry, sleeping bags, drinks and climbing gears
-Travel, health, baggage loss and flight delay insurance
-Medical & hospitalisation bills
-International flights and taxes
-Visas & travel documents
-Items of a personal nature and any other extras not detailed in the above itinerary.

Reserve This Tour
Mountain Climbing FAQ's

| Kenya Lodge safaris | Kenya Camping Safaris | Tanzania lodge safaris | Beach Safaris | Nairobi Excursions | Mombasa Excursions | Mountain Climbing | Gorilla Safaris | Lodges & Hotels | Terms | Travel tips | Contact Us | Related Links |
African Sermon Safaris 2005 - 2008. All rights reserved © Copyright. Kenya House, Koinange Street,
P.O. Box 51322 - 00200, Nairobi, Kenya. Website: www.continentalsafaris.com tours@continentalsafaris.com Tel: +254 20 2244 068; Fax: +254 20 317 656; Mobile: +254 722 884 748

8 day Mount Kilimanjaro climbing Rongai Route, Climb Kilimanjaro Rongai route on mt. Kilimanjaro, Rongai route info, climbing

Mount Kilimanjaro:
Kilimanjaro with its three volcanic cones, Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira, is an inactive stratovolcano in north-eastern Tanzania. Depending on definition, Kilimanjaro may be considered as having anywhere from the tallest to the fourth tallest free-standing mountain rise in the world rising 4,600 m (15,100 ft) from its base, and includes the highest peak in Africa at 5,895 meters (19,340 ft), providing a dramatic view from the surrounding plains.

The highest point is Uhuru Peak on the volcano Kibo, 5,895 metres (19,341 ft). Kibo has a 1.5 mile wide crater on the top of it. As the highest point in Africa, Uhuru Peak is one of the Seven Summits. The summit was first reached by the Marangu army scout, Yohanas Kinyala Lauwo, German Hans Meyer and Austrian Ludwig Purtscheller, on October 6, 1889. Two other peaks are also extinct volcanoes: Mawenzi (5,149 m, 16,890 ft), the third highest peak in Africa (after Mount Kenya) and Shira (3,962 m, 13,000 ft). Yohanas' Notch is named after Lauwo.

Mount Kilimanjaro from the air. July 2007. An ascent of Mawenzi requires rock climbing and/or snow/ice climbing skills. The climb to Uhuru Peak is considered to be a relatively straightforward endeavour; however, ample time must still be provided for proper acclimatization to prevent altitude sickness. The three shortest routes, Marangu, Rongai and Machame can be climbed by a person of good health and limited mountaineering experience. Many who climb employ altitude-sickness medication and find this to be helpful in preventing the pounding headaches that plague many travellers. Those who travel on the Marangu route usually take four to five days to complete their climb. Huts with cooking facilities, bathrooms, and electricity are available at the end of each day's journey. The huts are Mandara, Horombo and Kibo, located at approximately 2700m.a.sl., 3700m.a.s.l. and 4,500m.a.s.l. respectively. All huts have rangers stationed at them with rescue facilities (modified wheelbarrows to transport climbers stricken with altitude sickness to lower altitudes).

The final part of the climb, from Kibo hut at 15,500 ft (4,720 m) to the summit, is generally undertaken at night, because the scree is frozen together, making the climb significantly easier. Gilman's Point, on the rim of the crater but about a 1½ hour hike from Uhuru, is attained at 5:00 - 6:00 am; those who have the strength to continue may then hike on to Uhuru in the growing sunlight and rising temperatures. Another route is the Western Breach, which is much more technical in nature. Annually, approximately 15,000 people attempt to climb the mountain, of whom 40% reach the summit.

The rapidly retreating Furtwängler Glacier is near the summit. At the summit, there is a sign posted by the Tanzanian government. The sign (printed in English only) reads "Congratulations! You are now at Uhuru Peak, Tanzania, 5,895 m. AMSL. Africa's Highest Point. World's Highest Free-Standing Mountain. One of World's Largest Volcanoes. Welcome." The sign is covered in travel stickers from past trekkers who have left their mark on the top of the peak. Near this famous sign is a box containing a log that many climbers have signed. As of January 2007 this box has either been removed or buried.

Due to the mountain's equatorial location as well as its high elevation, climbers can experience almost every climate type on earth during the journey to the top. It is also known to many for its year round snow-topped summit.

The summit of Kilimanjaro is covered by a GSM mobile phone network, provided by Vodacom. It lost its claim as the highest point in the world with mobile phone service, as China Mobile now provides coverage at the top of Mt. Everest, the highest point in the world.

Almost all nights on Kilimanjaro are clear. A pre-dawn start is very important to avoid the debilitating effects of the sun and uv radiation. To make the night ascents more pleasant and in some cases beautiful, getting up and walking up by moonlight is the optimal situation. As a rough guide a full moon rises at sunset and sets at sunrise. This combined with strength of the moonlight provide excellent conditions for walking at night. However as the moon sets about 1 hour later every day. the best conditions are probably about 2 to 3 days after the full moon as then at about 5am the moon is still big and quite high in the sky throughout the critical hours of the ascent. If you plan your ascent before the full moon you might get up by moonlight but it will set before first light.

Climbing Routes:
Lemosho: Long access drive, remote, less frequented, beautiful forests, scenic traverse to Barafu, camping. Excellent for acclimatisation. 8 (-1) 56km

Machame: Second most popular route. Beautiful forest, very good for acclimatisation, scenic traverse to Barafu. 7 (-1) 49km

Marangu: Very popular. Gentle gradients and long sections up to 4700m. Beautiful forests and moorlands, comfortable but basic huts. The 6 day variant provides good time for acclimatisation. 6 (-1) 64km

Rongai: Long access drive, remote, less frequented, some fine, wild, high-altitude mountain scenery, camping. Good for acclimatisation. 6 65km

Umbwe: Shortest and steepest route, tough. Beautiful forest, spectacular ridge, bad for acclimatisation, scenic traverse to Barafu, camping. Dangerous route.