Rongai Route - Africa Natural Tours ( africanaturaltours.com )

Rongai Route: Africa Natural Tours

AFRICA NATURAL TOURS (The best tour company in Tanzania)

Specialized in: Mountain climbing, Wildlife safaris, Cultural tourism and Beach holidays

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Rongai Route

Hiking hours: 7 Days/6 nights. This route comes all the way from northeastern side of Mount Kilimanjaro near the border of Tanzania and Kenya. The route gives you a different experience and perspective of the mountain as you conquer it from the north. Accommodation on the mountain is in tents.

. Day 1: Rongai Gate (1950m) to First Cave Camp (2600m)

Hiking time: Five (5) hours

Registration will be done at Marangu Gate three hour's drive from Marangu village to Rongai. Your ascent will begin from Nale Moru village where you will meet your guide and porters. You will cross maize farms on a meandering path before entering the cypress forest and then slowly start going up through the mountain forest. The first cave camp has a toilet and wooden table with benches but no hut. Water is fetched down before reaching the camp

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Day 2: First Cave (2650m) to Kikelelwa Cave (3600m)

Hiking time: Six (6) to seven (7) hours surroundings: Moorlands

In the morning, you will continue going up passing second cave (3450m) to Kikelelwa cave. After you leave second cave behind, the view starts to open up and you start feeling the massiveness of the mountain. Water is down below the cave in a stream but sometimes you may walk downhill to find it. You will spend the night at Kikelelwa cave. In the evening, you will be served dinner before going to bed.

Day 3: Kikelelwa Cave (3600m) to Mawenzi Tarn hut (4330m

) Hiking Time: Three (3) to Four (4) Hours surroundings: Moorlands

 You will carry on walking over a steep grassy slopes trail but you will be rewarded an excellent view of the wilderness. The vegetation zone ends shortly before reaching the Mawenzi Tarn Camp, which is spectacularly situated beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. You will spend the afternoon for acclimatizing here at Mawenzi Tarn Camp and overnight.

Day 4: Mawenzi Tarn hut (4330m) to Kibo Hut (4700m)

Hiking Time: Four (4) to Five (5) hours surroundings: Alpine desert

You will continue walking up on the eastern side of Kibo crossing the saddle area in between. The area is very much exposed and experiences frequent wind. After you have reached Kibo hut, the rest of the day is used for resting and acclimatizing in preparation for the final ascent to Uhuru peak that starts in the midnight.

Day 5: Hiking Time: Eight (8) hours to Uhurupeak and six (6) hours to Horombo hut

surroundings: Stone scree and Ice capped summit

Summit Attempt; Kibo hut (4700m) to Uhuru Peak (5895m) and down to Horombo Hut (3720m)
You will start in the midnight after you have taken biscuits and tea. This is the very hardest part of your adventure. This lower part of the path consists of rocks to Hans Meyer Cave (5150m). The Hans Meyer is a very good resting point on the way up. The path then starts to meander in a zigzag up to the Gilman's point (5681m) which is on the crater rim. It requires great physical and mental effort to make it to Gilman's, because the part is very steep with a lot of stone scree. Probably the most demanding part of the entire route I assume. From Gilman's point to Uhuru it is snow all the way.

 At Uhuru peak (5895m), you are now at the highest point in Africa. The weather conditions will determine your time to spend at the summit taking photographs and enjoy the view before a three (3) hours descent to Kibo hut where you take a short break and bunch your staffs. Then you will head down to Horombo hut for another three (3) hours walk and the night will be spent here. In the evening you will be served dinner and you can also have soft drinks and beers sold at the camp.

Day 6: Horombo Hut (3720m) to Marangu Gate (1970m)

Hiking Time: Six (6) hours surroundings: Moorlands and Forest

After breakfast, you continue going down passing the Mandara Hut, to Marangu gate. At Marangu gate, you will register your name and other details in the register book. For the successful climbers you will receive your certificates here. Climbers who reached the Gilman's point (5685m) are awarded green certificates and Gold for Uhuru peak. You will drive back to hotel for hot shower, dinner and celebration!!! And overnight.

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