MT. KILIMANJARO

KILIMANJARO HIKING - RONGAI ROUTE ITINERARY

INFO
The Rongai Route is one of the easiest routes and the success rate is very high. The route starts on the north side of the mountain just south of the Kenyan border, and is one of the least traveled and known routes. The descent is through Marangu Route on the south side of the mountain, the participants see the view of the mountain from many different points. The drive to the trailhead takes 5 hours through many villages; you will see many plantations on the way e.g. coffee plantations etc.

PRE DEPARTURE: (ARRIVAL) Moshi is at 815m
2670ft above sea level.
Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, meet and great then transfer to your hotel in Moshi, briefing about your hiking trip by our guide.
TRANSFER: AIRPORT TO HOTEL
MEAL PLAN: BB
ACCOMMODATION: STANDARD HOTEL

DAY 1 Nale Muru Village To Simba Camp (First Cave)
< 1,950 To 2,880
6,400ft To 9,450ft
Hiking Time: 4 Hours
Distance: 4.3 Miles / 6.5 km's
Habitat: Montane Forest
Transfer by Jeep (about 4-5 hours) to the attractive wooden African village of Nale Muru. After finalizing with official formalities at the park gate, you will begin the hike on a wide path that winds through fields of cash crops e.g. maize and potatoes before entering pine forest. The track then starts to climb consistently, but gently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife. The forest begins to thin out and the first camp is at the edge of the moorland zone with extensive views over the Kenyan plains the other side.

DAY 2 Simba Camp (First Cave) To Second Cave
2,880m To 3,450m
9,450ft To 11,320ft
Hiking Time: 4 Hours
Distance: 4.3 Miles / 6.5 km's
Habitat: Moorland
After an early and well-deserved breakfast, start hiking, steadily ascent up to second cave with beautiful view of Kibo and Eastern Ice field on the crater rim.

DAY 3 Second Cave To Third Cave
3,450m To 3,870m
11,320ft To 12,700ft
Hiking Time: 4 Hours
Distance: 6.2 Miles / 10 km's
Habitat: Semi desert
After an early and well-deserved breakfast, start hiking, steadily ascent up to third cave with Eastern Ice field on the crater rim become close by.

DAY 4 Thrid Cave To Kibo Camp (Huts)
3,870m To 4,750m
12,713ft To 15,600ft
Hiking time: 5 hours
Distance: 5 miles / 8 km's
Habitat: Alpine desert
After an early and well-deserved breakfast, start hiking to Kibo Huts at the bottom of the Kibo Crater wall. From this point it's where the Routes joined ie Marangu & Rongai Route. It's highly advisable to start hiking in really morning so at have time to relax and get prepared for a great day-Summiting to Uhuru Peak.

Day 5 SUMMIT ATTEMPT
Kibo Huts To Uhuru Peak
4,695m To 5,895m
15,400ft To 19,340ft
Hiking time: 13 hours
Distance Up: 3 miles / 4 km's
Uhuru Peak To Kibo Huts To Horombo Huts
5,895m To 3,690m
19,340ft To 12,100ft
Distance Down: 9 miles / 14 km's

Start the final leg and by far the steepest and most demanding part of the climb by torchlight around 1 a.m. proceed very slowly in the darkness on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman's Point (5,685m/18,650ft). Rest there for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. The participants who are still strong can make the three hour round trip to Uhuru Peak, passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Kibo is always surprisingly fast and, after some refreshment the collects your belongings and continue the descent to reach the final campsite at Horombo Huts.

DAY 6 Horombo Huts-Mandar Huts-Marangu Gate
3,690m To 1830m
12,100ft To 5,600ft
Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: 11 miles / 18 km's

After breakfast, pack and descend to Mandara Huts. Take lunch there and continue on to the park gate where you will be met by your transport back to your Hotel. You should reach the park gate around 12.00hours then drive to Moshi to your hotel dinner and overnight.
MEAL PLAN: BB
CCOMODATION: STANDARD HOTEL

Don't forget to tip your guides and porters. It's time for celebration

Departure Day: After breakfast check out from the Hotel then transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport

TRANSFER: HOTEL TO AIRPORT

Price includes:
All park entry fees, All camping/hut fees, Guide and porters fees, Transport to and from the mountain gates, Meals 3 times daily, cook and all kitchen facilities

Prices does not include items: International Flights, Hard and soft drinks and Tips, and all mountain Gears. (We can arrange to hire this)

Note: We recommend that you leave your valuables and your tip money in a safe deposit box at the hotel in Moshi