Kilimanjaro Climb - Rongai Route

Kilimanjaro Climb - Rongai Route (EDTYW)

Duration: 8 days (may vary)
Areas: Tanzania
Tour types: Walking & Trekking

Description

The Rongai Route approaches Kilimanjaro from the north and retains a sense of untouched wilderness lost on the crowded Marangu and Machame trails. The easiest of all the routes, it has a relatively gentle gradient and short daily stages as it winds its way from the starting point just south of the Kenya-Tanzania border. It passes through farmland and forest, past Alpine moorland to the beautiful summit cone. There are magnificent views throughout, with possibilities for wildlife viewing, and an extra day to aid acclimatisation as the trails climbs beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. The final ascent is arduous and made in darkness, but the reward is a spectacular dawn view of the glaciers and ice cliffs of the summit, and across the East African plains far below. Descending through lush forest, there is time to relax and recover before the flight home.Journalist, Liz Hunt of The Telegraph, writes about Mount Kilimanjaro: Climb and Punishment (January 2010).  'How did Kilimanjaro Climb do in our Battle of the Treks? (July 2009).  Real Travel - Natalie Amos writes about Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro (June 2009).  The Sun - recommends Kilimanjaro with Exodus (28 February 2009).

Tour itinerary

Day 1:

Start Marangu.

Day 2:

Begin ascent of Kilimanjaro through Rongai Forest (2600m).

Day 3:

Climb to Kikelewa moorland (3600m).

Day 4:

Steady ascent beneath jagged peaks of Mawenzi (4330m); afternoon acclimatisation.

Day 5:

Cross lunar desert of the 'Saddle' to Kibo, at the bottom of summit cone (4750m).

Day 6:

Early start to reach Gillman's Point in time for sunrise over the crater rim: on to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa (5895m). Descend to Horombo (3720m).

Day 7:

Continue descent through forest to Mandara and Marangu.

Day 8:

End Marangu.