Mountain Kilimanjaro
Zielreise Adventure offers treks up the Rongai Route, which is known for its scenic beauty, ease of trekking, and high success rate. Unlike the Marangu Route where you sleep in huts, on the Rongai Route you sleep in tents which are included in the package. The porters will pitch your tent for you and meals are served in a dinner tent or on a blanket outside. The Rongai Route starts on the north side of the mountain which is just south of the Kenyan border. It is one of the least traveled routes offering a unique trekking experience. The Rongai Route joins the Marangu Route for the summit climb and then you descend the mountain's southeast side through the Marangu Route, giving you spectacular views of Kilimanjaro from different angles.
Day 1
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met and transferred to the
Springlands Hotel in Moshi. Dinner and breakfast are included.
Day 2
Your day will start early with breakfast, and then I will transfer you to Rongai gate. We will pass through the wooden
village on a path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before reaching the entrance gate.
The climb begins from the Nale Moru gate (2,150 m), after signing in and preparing the porters.
The track then starts to climb consistently, but gently, through an attractive pine forest that
shelters a variety of wildlife, including the beautiful Kilimanjaro Colobus monkey.
These monkeys are black with a long 'cape' of white hair and a flowing white tail. As we continue,
the forest will begin to thin out, and we will reach the first camp at the edge of the moorland
zone (2,600 m.), which offers extensive views over the Kenyan plains. The walking duration will be around 1h30-2h30 hours.
Day 3MBO HUT
You ascend steadily to reach the Second Cave, where you take a break for lunch. Leaving the main trail,
you take a smaller path that leads to Mawenzi's sharp peaks across the moorland. After traveling for
another 10 km, you arrive at the Kikelewa Camp, a sheltered valley with enormous Senecios in close
proximity. The Kikelewa Cave is also situated nearby.
Day 4
After a brief, steep ascent up grassy slopes, you will be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views and a palpable
feeling of being in the wild. Once you leave the vegetation behind, you will soon arrive at Mawenzi Tarn,
a stunning cirque situated directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. Once you've completed this short
hike, you can spend the afternoon exploring this exciting area.
Day 5
Your itinerary includes an extra day at Mawenzi Tarn for acclimatization.
You can take a hike up to Mawenzi to enjoy the stunning views.
Day 6
You will cross the lunar desert between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach the Kibo Huts situated at the bottom of Kibo’s
crater wall. Spend the rest of the day resting and preparing for the summit climb.
Day 7
Wake up at midnight and have a light breakfast before preparing to ascend to the summit.
The aim is to climb before dawn so that you can reach Uhuru Peak shortly after sunrise.
Leave at 1 AM, and climb up steep scree or possibly snow using switchbacks.
You will reach Gilman’s Point on the crater rim at 5,861 m/18,640 ft between 5 and 7 AM.
From there, you will be able to see the fabled crater and its icecaps. It will take another
2 hours of hiking along the crater rim to reach 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! Don't forget to take a picture at the summit to show your friends.
After your summit stay, descend back to the Kibo Huts, have lunch, rest, collect your
things, and cross over to the Horombo Huts. Eat dinner and get some well-deserved sleep!
During the beginning of the climb, you will be using headlamps or flashlights as it will be dark.
It will be very cold until you start descending, so make sure you have all your warm layers with you.
This is the most challenging part of the trek. Remember to go slowly and keep an optimistic attitude,
and you will get there in the end!
Day 8
Wake up as usual, pack your belongings, and descend through the moorland to reach the Mandara Huts.
Have lunch there, and then continue your triumphant recessional down through the lush forest to reach
the park gate. You should reach the park gate at around 2 or 3 PM. Remember to tip your guides, cooks, and porters as you will be leaving them here.
A vehicle will take you back to the Springlands Hotel or a similar hotel in Moshi, where it is
definitely time for celebration! You can depart for the airport or other destinations in Tanzania
or Kenya. A trip to the beaches at Zanzibar is an excellent way to recuperate. We can arrange many
reasonably priced trips and safaris around Moshi and the Kilimanjaro region.
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