Rongai route
| KILIMANJARO ROUTE GUIDE | |
| RONGAI ROUTE | |
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The Rongai route begins on the northern side of Kilimanjaro, on the Kenyan border, and is the least traveled route. It takes a long drive to get to the starting point that is filled with fantastic views. After summating you will decent on the Marangu route. This route can be completed in six or more days. Accommodation on this route will be in tents. |
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| ITINERARY DAY 01 | |
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After arriving at Kilimanjaro
International Airport you will be met by a representative and be transferred to
Hotel Springlands in Moshi. This hotel offers great views of mountain
Kilimanjaro on a clear day. You will overnight at Hotel Springlands. |
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ITINERARY DAY 02 Day 01 on Kilimanjaro |
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| Starting point | Rongai – Nale Moni village @ +/- 1950m |
| End point | First camp at +/- 2600m |
| Terrain | Rain forest |
| Distance to walk | +/- 10 Km |
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From hotel Springlands it will be a
+/- 2½ hour drive to Rongai, the starting point on the northern side of the
National park. Your will start from the Wooden Village of Nale Mori on a small
path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering a pine
forest. The track then starts to climb consistently,
but gently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife,
including the beautiful Kilimanjaro Colobus monkey. 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. This day will be around a four hike. |
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ITINERARY DAY 03 Day 02 on Kilimanjaro |
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| Starting point | First camp at +/- 2600m |
| End point | Kikelewa cave camp at +/- 3600m |
| Terrain | Heathland / Moorland |
| Distance to walk | +/- 14 Km |
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From here it is a
steady ascent up to the “Second Cave (3450m). Here you will have amazing views
of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim. Lunch will be served
here. No we leave the main trail with a smaller path across the moorland
towards Mawenzi. The campsite is situated near Kikelewa caves in a sheltered
valley with giant senecias. This day can be completed in around 7 hours. |
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ITINERARY DAY 04 Day 03 on Kilimanjaro |
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| Starting point | Kikelewa cave camp at +/- 3600m |
| Highest point | Mawenzi Tarn Hut at +/- 4330m |
| End point | Alpine Desert |
| Terrain | +/- 8 Km |
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A short but steep climb up grassy
slopes is rewarded by superb all around views and a tangible sense of
wilderness. All vegetation is left behind before reaching the next camp at the
Mawenzi Tarn hut situated behind Mawenzi. Explore the area to aid in
acclimatization. This day will be a short 4 hour hike. |
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ITINERARY DAY 05 Day 04 on Kilimanjaro |
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| Starting point | Mawenzi Tarn Hut at +/- 4330m |
| End point | The Kibo Huts at +/- 4720m |
| Terrain | Alpine Desert |
| Distance to walk | +/- 8 Km |
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We
cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach the
Kibo huts (4,720 m.). The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation
for the final ascent before a very early night! [4-5 hours walking] |
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ITINERARY DAY 06 Day 05 on Kilimanjaro |
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| Starting point | The Kibo Huts at +/- 4720m |
| First major landmark | Gilman’s Point at +/- 5150m |
| Second major landmark | Uhuru Peak at +/- 5895m |
| End point | The Horombo Huts at +/- 3720m |
| Terrain | Alpine Desert scree slope with ice/snow and Glaciers |
| Distance to summit | +/- 6 Km |
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Around midnight you will have to
start your final ascent to the summit. You will be woken with tea/coffee and
biscuits. This part of your hike will be done at night to be able to reach
Gilman’s Point around first light (+/- 6 hours from Kibo huts). This will be
by far the most difficult part of your hike, as you will not only be hiking on a
slope of lose gravel, but also be doing so at altitude. Remember to constantly
be on the move, and only take short breaks every 2 hours or so to avoid getting
cold. Your equipment that you have on should be able to assist your body to
warm itself, and to keep cold wind out, but when not moving this becomes more
difficult. Once arriving at Gilman’s Point, people tend to stay to long, and
subsequent to that will turn around at this point. Do not spend more than 10
minutes here as you still have the last leg of your trip to complete. Another
+/- 2 hours hike and you will have reach Uhuru Peak – the highest point in
Africa. After this amazing and emotional experience you will return back to
Kibo huts via the Gilman’s Point. This will go allot fasters than when you
summated. You should arrive back at Kibo Huts just before lunch time for a
light lunch and a short break. After that you will continue down back to the
Horombo huts for dinner and a well earned rest. |
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ITINERARY DAY 07 Day 06 on Kilimanjaro |
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| Starting point | The Horombo Huts at +/- 3720m |
| End point | The Marangu Park gate at +/- 1800m |
| Terrain | Heathland / Moorland & rains forest at end |
| Distance to walk | +/- 27 Km |
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No need for walking slow anymore, it
is also not necessary to run. Enjoy the scenery as you walk from the Horombo
Huts via the Mandara huts down to the Marangu gate. Lunch will be served
enroot, and you should be back at the Marangu gate late afternoon. From the
gate you will be collected and returned to Hotel Springlands for a celebration
dinner. All successful mountaineers that have reached Uhuru or Gilman’s point
will be presented with a unique certificate to commemorate your achievement. |
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| OTHER ROUTES: | |
| MARANGU ROUTE | |
| MACHAME ROUTE | |
| LEMOSHO ROUTE | |
| UMBWE ROUTE | |
DREAM WORLD ADVENTURES
TEL
: +27 12 331 6730 (South Africa)
FAX
: + 27 86 500 4293 (South
Africa)
E-MAIL :
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