Tanzania Trekking - Kilimanjaro Treks
Mount Kilimanjaro
Rongai Route
Tips for Kilimanjaro Climbers
This remote and less frequently used route is the second
easiest route to Kilimanjaro. The approach to the mountain is from the
less-forested north side and the descent is by the Marangu Route. There are
several variations, the one described below is a longer route taking in Mawenzi
Tarn. The second day on this variant is quite long and could be broken up into
two days walk allowing more time for acclimatisation. The ascent to Uhuru Peak
is almost the same as for the Marangu Route from the Kibo Hut.
Accommodation on the mountain is in tents (even on descent)
which the porters will pitch for you. You will need a sleeping bag, warm clothes
and walking poles. This is a steep, tough trek within the limits of a fit
individual used to walking in mountain areas.
We will pick you up at the airport and taking you to
Springlands Hotel where you can relax by the pool or go for an evening
monkey-viewing forest walk. You then go up your chosen route. We do not charge
you extra if you are on your own! You will have a guide, a cook and porters to
carry as much of your equipment as you want. We organise year round trips on any
route. On the last day you return to the hotel for a clean up, final meal and
overnight, this is a good time to have a sauna or maybe a massage. Everything is
included in our prices except for drinks, tips and the hotel is on a B&B basis.
For high seasons (Christmas - New Year and July - August) please book in advance
to avoid disappointment.
Now take a look at the routes available up the mountain
ranging from the least demanding Marangu to the rugged and spectacular Umbwe or
long and wild Lemosho. The Machame Route is a popular one as it combines the
beautiful and varied scenery with plenty of opportunities to acclimatise.
If you are not accustomed to camping and mountain walking you
could consider the Marangu Route as the most suitable. This follows easy angled
paths through magnificent rain forests to the Mandara Hut. Shortly beyond it
passes Maundi Crater, a fine view point located at the edge of the forest belt.
Above you enter the moorlands with their fine giant heathers stands, groundsels,
lobelia and other exotic tropical high altitude plants. The next hut is the
Horombo Hut, soon after this hut you reach the Saddle, a high altitude desert
separating the rugged Mawenzi summit from Kibo. The final ascent starts from the
Kibo Hut and involves steep paths on loose scree. There is fresh running water
at all the huts apart from Kibo where it will be carried by your porters. You
will be accommodated generally in 4 person clean huts with mattresses.
The other routes are all more demanding as regards steepness
and in places involve some scrambling. Accommodation is in tents and there is no
running water at the campsites though warm water for washing is provided. The
scenery more than compensates for these difficulties. Whichever route you choose
it is essential to allow enough time for acclimatisation to the altitude.
Although
Mt. Kilimanjaro can be climbed throughout the year it is worth avoiding the
two rainy seasons (late March to mid-June and October to the beginning of
December) when the route becomes slippery. Probably the best time to visit is
January to February and September to October when there is usually no cloud.
The Rongai route begins on the northern side of the
mountain and is the least travelled route. It is a long drive to the
starting point but you are rewarded by fantastic views and the likelihood
that you will be the only climbers around. If you take this route up the
mountain you are obliged to descend via the Marangu Route that is the most
popular and well-used route.
Option 1 without additional acclimatisation day
Day 1
Moshi (915 m/3,000 ft)
Arrive at the Kilimanjaro International Airport. You will be met at the
airport and transferred to the Springlands Hotel or similar hotel in Moshi
for your overnight.
Day 2
Moshi (915 m/3,000 ft) to Nale Moru (1,950 m/6,400 ft) to
Simba Camp (2,750 m/9,020 ft) 9 km, 4 hours Montane Forest
Your day starts early with breakfast and a briefing. Transfer
by Land Rover through many villages and coffee plantations for 4-5 hours to
the attractive wooden village of NaleMoru (1,950 m/6,398 ft). After signing
in and preparing the porters, you begin the hike on a wide path winding
through fields of maize and potatoes, and then enter pine forest. You then
start to climb gently but consistently through attractive forest that
shelters a variety of wildlife. The forest begins to thin and Simba Camp
(2,600 m/8,530 ft) is near the “First Cave” at the edge of the moorland zone
with extensive views over the Kenyan plains.
Day 3
Simba Camp (2,750 m/9,020 ft) to Second Cave (3,450
m/11,320 ft) 7 km, 3-4 hours Moorland
Your morning walk is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave. En route, you
will enjoy superb views of Kibo and the eastern ice fields on the crater
rim.
Day 4
Second Cave (3,450 m/11,320 ft) to Third Cave (3,870
m/12,700 ft) 10 km, 4 hours Semi-Desert
Your continuing steady ascent takes you up to the Third Cave.
Closer now, the eastern ice fields on the crater rim continue to draw you
upwards. On this day, be careful to notice any signs of altitude sickness.
Day 5
Third Cave (3,870 m/12,700 ft) to Kibo Huts (4,695
m/15,400 ft) 8 km, 5 hours Alpine Desert
Today, you hike up to the Kibo Huts at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall,
and this is where you join the popular Marangu Route. Plan on doing your
hike early in the day, then resting in preparation for your final ascent.
Prepare your equipment and warm clothing for your summit climb, then turn in
early.
Day 6
Summit Day! Kibo Huts (4,695 m/15,400 ft) to Uhuru Peak
(5,895 m/19,340 ft) to Horombo Huts (3,690 m/12,100 ft) 4 km up, 14 km down
10-15 hours Alpine Desert
Wake at midnight to a light breakfast, then prepare for your summit ascent.
The goal is to climb before dawn so that you can reach Uhuru Peak shortly
after sunrise. Leave at 1 AM, switchback up steep scree or possibly snow,
and reach Gilman’s Point on the crater rim at 5,861 m/18,640 ft between 5
and 7 AM. Here, views of the fabled crater and its icecaps greet you.
Another 2 hours of hiking along the crater rim near the celebrated snows
takes you to Kilimanjaro’s true summit, Uhuru Peak, by 9 AM. This is
Africa’s highest point, and you would have to travel more than 3,000 miles
toward the Himalayas to find a higher peak! Be sure to have your picture
taken at the summit to show your friends. After your summit stay, descend
back to the Kibo Huts, have lunch, rest, collect your things, and re cross
the saddle to the Horombo Huts. Eat dinner and get some well-deserved sleep!
You do the beginning of this climb in the dark with
headlamps or flashlights. It will be very cold until you start descending,
so you will need all of your warm layers. This is, by far, the most
difficult part of the trek. Slowly slowly, or, “pole pole,” and an
optimistic attitude will get you there!
Day 7
Horombo Huts (3,690 m/12,100 ft) to Marangu Gate (1,830
m/6,000 ft) to Moshi (890 m/2,920 ft) 18 km, 5-7 hours
Wake as usual, pack, and descend through the moorland to the Mandara Huts.
Have lunch there then continue your triumphant recessional down through lush
forest to the park gate, which you should reach around 2 or 3 PM. Remember
to tip your guides, cooks, and porters, since you will be leaving them here.
A vehicle will take you back to the Springlands Hotel or similar hotel in
Moshi, where it is definitely time for celebration!
Day 8
Moshi
Depart for the airport or other destinations in Tanzania or
Kenya. A trip to the beaches at Zanzibar is a good way to recuperate. We can
arrange many reasonably priced trips and safaris around Moshi and the
Kilimanjaro region.
Option 2 with extra acclimatisation day
Day 1
Moshi (915 m/3,000 ft)
Arrive at the Kilimanjaro International Airport. You will be met at the
airport and transferred to the Springlands Hotel or similar hotel in Moshi
for your overnight.
Day 2
Moshi (915 m/3,000 ft) to Nale Moru (1,950 m/6,400 ft) to
Simba Camp (2,750 m/9,020 ft) 9 km, 4 hours Montane Forest
Your day starts early with breakfast and a briefing. Transfer
by Land Rover through many villages and coffee plantations for 4-5 hours to
the attractive wooden village of NaleMoru (1,950 m/6,398 ft). After signing
in and preparing the porters, you begin the hike on a wide path winding
through fields of maize and potatoes, and then enter pine forest. You then
start to climb gently but consistently through attractive forest that
shelters a variety of wildlife. The forest begins to thin and Simba Camp
(2,600 m/8,530 ft) is near the “First Cave” at the edge of the moorland zone
with extensive views over the Kenyan plains.
Day 3
Simba Camp (2,750 m/9,020 ft) To Kikelewa Camp (3,600
m/11,810 ft) 17 km, 7 hours Moorland
You make a steady ascent to
the Second Cave where you have lunch. You leave the direct trail at the
Second Cave, and strike out across the moorland on a smaller path toward
Mawenzi jagged peaks. After another 10 km, you reach the Kikelewa Camp in a
sheltered valley with giant Scenarios nearby. The Kikelewa Cave is also
nearby.
Day 4
Kikelewa Camp (3,600 m/11,810 ft) To Mawenzi Tarn (4,330
m/14,205 ft) 7 km, 4 hours Semi-desert
You do a short, steep climb up
grassy slopes rewarded by superb all-round views and a tangible sense of
wilderness. Shortly after you leave the vegetation behind, you reach the
Mawenzi Tarn, which is situated in a spectacular cirque directly beneath the
towering spires of Mawenzi. After this short hike, you can spend the
afternoon exploring this exciting area.
Day 5
Rest at Mawenzi Tarn
Day 6
Mawenzi Tarn (4,330 m/14,200 ft) to Kibo Huts (4,695
m/15,400 ft) 8 km, 5 hours Alpine Desert
We are taking a longer route that swings east to the Mawenzi Tarn, and then
crosses the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo to rejoin the route at the Kibo
Huts
at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall, and this is where you
join the popular Marangu Route. Plan on doing your hike early in the day,
then resting in preparation for your final ascent. Prepare your equipment
and warm clothing for your summit climb, then turn in early.
Day 7
Summit Day! Kibo Huts (4,695 m/15,400 ft) to Uhuru Peak
(5,895 m/19,340 ft) to Horombo Huts (3,690 m/12,100 ft) 4 km up, 14 km down
10-15 hours Alpine Desert
Wake at midnight to a light breakfast, then prepare for your summit ascent.
The goal is to climb before dawn so that you can reach Uhuru Peak shortly
after sunrise. Leave at 1 AM, switchback up steep scree or possibly snow,
and reach Gilman’s Point on the crater rim at 5,861 m/18,640 ft between 5
and 7 AM. Here, views of the fabled crater and its icecaps greet you.
Another 2 hours of hiking along the crater rim near the celebrated snows
takes you to Kilimanjaro’s true summit, Uhuru Peak, by 9 AM. This is
Africa’s highest point, and you would have to travel more than 3,000 miles
toward the Himalayas to find a higher peak! Be sure to have your picture
taken at the summit to show your friends. After your summit stay, descend
back to the Kibo Huts, have lunch, rest, collect your things, and re cross
the saddle to the Horombo Huts. Eat dinner and get some well-deserved sleep!
You do the beginning of this climb in the dark with
headlamps or flashlights. It will be very cold until you start descending,
so you will need all of your warm layers. This is, by far, the most
difficult part of the trek. Slowly slowly, or, “pole pole,” and an
optimistic attitude will get you there!
Day 8
Horombo Huts (3,690 m/12,100 ft) to Marangu Gate (1,830
m/6,000 ft) to Moshi (890 m/2,920 ft) 18 km, 5-7 hours
Wake as usual, pack, and descend through the moorland to the Mandara Huts.
Have lunch there then continue your triumphant recessional down through lush
forest to the park gate, which you should reach around 2 or 3 PM. Remember
to tip your guides, cooks, and porters, since you will be leaving them here.
A vehicle will take you back to the Springlands Hotel or similar hotel in
Moshi, where it is definitely time for celebration!
Day 9
Moshi
Depart for the airport or other destinations in Tanzania or
Kenya. A trip to the beaches at Zanzibar is a good way to recuperate. We can
arrange many reasonably priced trips and safaris around Moshi and the
Kilimanjaro region.
Climbing
certificates are issued by the Kilimanjaro National Park for successful
climbers.
The
Various climbs include:
- Springlands Hotel on the first and last night on B&B
basis
- Transportation
from Moshi to the starting point and return to Moshi
- National
Park gate fees
- Hut
fees / Camping fees
- Rescue
fees / Park Commission
- Guides
& Porters salaries
- All
meals on mountain
- Government
tax
For
sodas and other drinks bring smaller Tanzanian
bank
notes with you, change is scarce on the mountain
