6 Days Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Rongai Route – Day one
On arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, met and assisted. Transfer to the hotel for an overnight rest on bed and breakfast in readiness for the next day's hit to Kilimanjaro.
6 Days Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Rongai Route – Day two
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.
6 Days Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Rongai Route – Day three
1st Cave (2600m) - Kikelewa Cave (3600m) thirteen
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.
6 Days Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Rongai Route – Day four
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.
6 Days Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Rongai Route – Day five
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
6 Days Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Rongai Route – Day six
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 drink and beer for sale at the camp office) on the mountain and well-earned sleep, filled with memories and stirring emotions, B,L,D.
6 Days Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Rongai Route – Day seven
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 Moshi for a long overdue hot shower, and celebrations!! Overnight in the Hotel.
Price
US$ 1500 per person:
Any additional day is US$ 250
Price inclusive:
- 2 Transfers from Moshi to Rongai
park gate - return.
- 3 meals per day while trekking - Vegetarian/Non-Vegetarian.
- 6 days Kilimanjaro trek- Rongai.
- 5 nights accommodation in camps while trekking Rongai.
- All park entrance fees and government levies.
- English speaking mountains Guide and assistant guides.
- First Aid Kit including Oxygen Kit.
- Camping Equipments including sleeping tents, sleeping mats, dining
tent, chairs and table.
Kilimanjaro
Summit Gear List
.
Leather or thermal boots
.
Gore-Tex, Microtex or K-Tech Trilaminate jacket
.
Gore-Tex, Microtex or K-Tech pants
.
Fleece jacket
.
Fleece pants
.
Gore-Tex mittens or gloves
.
Fleece gloves (use as inner for Gore-Tex mittens)
.
Thermal glove liners (use as inner for Gore-Tex gloves)
.
Gaiters
.
Fleece balaclava
.
Thermal balaclava
.
Thermal top
.
Thermal long johns
.
Thermal socks
.
Sunglasses with UV protection
.
Day pack
.
Head torch
.
Thermal flask
Kilimanjaro
Trekking gear: (Wear between camps)
.
Rain suit or poncho (mainly used in the rain forest)
.
Hiking boots or cross trainers
. Day pack
. Short pants
. Tracksuit
pants
. T-shirts
. Sun hat
(peak caps do not offer enough protection)
. Woolen socks
. Fleece beanie
. Water bottle
Kilimanjaro
General gear & equipment
.
Duffel bag
. Walking
stick (adjustable)
. Sleeping
bag (-10 rating)
. Sleeping
mat
Kilimanjaro
Helpful hints
.
Drink at least three to four litres of water a day.
. Use water filters and purifying pills to minimize
stomach bugs.
. Take enough snacks like energy bars, drink mixes,
etc.
. Do not move too fast, walk at a slow steady pace.
. Move as lightly as possible, do not carry unnecessary
weight.
. All clothing in Duffel bags or backpacks must
be protected with sack-liners to avoid getting wet, especially through
the rainforest.
. High factor lip balm and sun block is essential.
. Nausea and headache pills should be kept handy
on summit night.
. Symptoms of altitude sickness can be reduced
by using medication (consult your doctor).
. New boots should be walked-in; this avoids blisters.
. Use a sleeping mat when camping.
. Use a thermal flask on summit night; other water
bottles will freeze.
. Allow camera or video camera to acclimatize;
do not wrap or place them in plastic bags.
. Thermal glove liners allow easier camera handling
on the summit.
. Use only new camera and headlamp batteries on
summit night.
. Guides and porters will expect tips; confirm
amounts with your tour operator.
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