Ascent of Kilimanjaro by the Rongaï route

Description

Climb the mythical summit of Africa, Kilimanjaro, by an original and uncrowded way: the Rongaï route.

There is no technical difficulty on this climb, and the acclimatation to the altitude is facilitated if one adopts from the first day of the ascent a slow and regular pace.

The route varies from 1550m to 5895m and the ascending evelations are consistent (about 1000m per day). The stages last from 4 to 6 hours per day on average until the last bivouac, allowing a person in good health to be in shape for the day of the summit, long (13h) and tiring because of the altitude (5895m) and the steepness of the last part (safe firings).

During the ascent, the luggage is transported to the bivouacs by porters, it is possible to store some of your travel effects at the Arusha Hotel.

Concerning altitude: we are equipped with a hyperbaric chamber during the ascent, but check that you have no contraindications to a stay at high altitude. Do not leave without consulting a doctor especially if your state of health requires regular treatment.

This trek can be easily coupled with a few days safari and / or climbing of Mount Meru if you wish to get used to altitude.

Program

D1: Arrival.
Transfer to your hotel in Arusha where you will be met. In the evening, you will be given a briefing to prepare for the climb and check your equipment.

D2: Trekking from Rongai Gate to Rongai Cave.
Distance: 8 km/5 miles.
Elevation: 6,398 ft to 9,300 ft.
Hiking time: 3 to 4 hours.
Habitat: rain forest.
Will start with less than an hour drive from Moshi to Marangu Gate for official registration, permits and briefings followed by a short transfer to the Rongai Gate trailhead.
The trail winds through potato and corn farms and then a gentle climbs through the forest which is home to a diversity of wildlife, including the famous white and black colobus monkey.

D3: Trekking from Rongai Cave to Second Cave.
Distance: 6 km/4 miles.
Elevation: 9,300 ft to 11,300 ft.
Hiking Time: 3 to 4 hours.
Habitat: heath.
Trekking from Second Cave to Kikelewa Cave.
Distance: 6 km/4 miles.
Elevation: 11,300 ft to 11,811 ft.
Hiking Time: 3 to 4 hours.
Habitat: heath.
You will start the trail early in the morning with a progressive incline up to Second Cave. You then continue trekking through moorland, divert from the main trail to a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi, then arriving at Kikelewa Cave and spend the night.

D4: Trekking from Kikelewa Cave to Mawenzi Tarn.
Distance: 5 km/3 miles.
Elevation: 11,811 ft to 14,160 ft.
Hiking time: 3 to 4 hours.
Habitat: alpine desert.
On this day the hike will be short and steep up a grassy slope. You will enjoy stunning views of wilderness. As we leave the heath zone and came to the alpine desert zone, the landscape changes dramatically.
Camp will be set beneath the jagged spires of Mawenzi, at Mawenzi Tarn. And the rest of the day remaining can be spent relaxing or exploring the surrounding area.
+ acclimatization trekking from Mawenzi Tarn to Mawenzi Ridge.
Distance: 2 km/1 mile.
Elevation (ft): 14,160 ft -14,400 ft.
Hiking Time: 1 to 2 hours.
Habitat: alpine desert.
Trekking from Mawenzi Ridge to Mawenzi Tarn.
Distance: 2 km/1 mile.
Elevation (ft): 14,400 ft -14,160 ft.
Hiking Time: 1 to 2 hours.
Habitat: alpine desert.
This is an extra trekking day specifically meant for acclimatization and can be spent by hiking on Mawenzi Ridge. The distinctive landscape offers motivating views of Kibo and Mawenzi. After spending a few moments navigating and exploring the area you head back to Mawenzi Tarn for camping.

D5: Trekking from Marwenzi Tarn to Kibo Hut.
Distance: 8 km/5 miles.
Elevation (ft): 14,160 ft to 15,430 ft.
Hiking Time: 5 to 6 hours.
Habitat: alpine desert.
We will gradually climb and cross the lunar desert of the “Saddle” between Mawenzi and Kibo. Kibo Hut sits at the foot of the Kibo crater wall. You will make camp, rest and enjoy an early dinner to organize for the summit day.

D6: Trekking from Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak.
Distance: 6 km/4 miles.
Elevation (ft): 15,430 ft to 19,341 ft.
Hiking Time: 6 to 8 hours.
Habitat: arctic.
Descend from Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut.
Distance: 16 km/10 miles.
Elevation (ft): 19,341 ft to 12,250 ft.
Hiking Time: 4 to 5 hours.
Habitat: heath.
Around midnight, you begin to progressively push to Uhuru Peak. This is the most mentally and physically demanding part of the trek. There will be extreme wind and cold at this elevation. You will ascend in the darkness luckily with the moonlight over our heads for several hours while taking short, breaks.
Coming to Stella Point (18,900 ft), you will be satisfied with the most magnificent sunrise coming over from Mawenzi Peak. And finally, you will arrive at Uhuru peak the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro, the rood of Africa and the crown of Tanzania.
After spending a few moments at Uhuru Peak taking all in from the plains of Africa and your triumph, you will descend to Horombo Hut.
Later in the evening, we will gather and enjoy our last dinner on the mountain, telling stories of the grater accomplishments and take a well-deserved sleep.

D7: Descend from Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate.
Distance: 20 km/12 miles.
Elevation (ft): 12,205 ft to 6,046 ft.
Hiking Time: 5 to 7 hours.
Habitat: rain forest.
On this last descending day, you have a long downhill trek through the tropical rainforest. Once at a park headquarters at Marangu Gate, we collect our summit certificates of success. Afterwards you will be transferred back to a hotel in Moshi.

D8: Arusha.
Transfer to airport.

The price includes

• Return transfers from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your hotel.
• Return transfers from the hotel to the park gate.
• 2 nights hotel.
• Meals from D1 dinner to D8 lunch.
• Local supervision: cooks, drivers, porters and guide.
• Collective camping equipment (tents for 2 people + foam mattress).
• Safety equipment: hyperbaric chamber, oxygen tanks and pulse oximeter.
• Entrance, accomodation and rescue fees in Kilimanjaro Park.

Number of people	1	from 2 to 3	from 4 to 7	8 or more
Price per person	2805US$	2135US$	1790US$	1660US$

The price does not include

• Tanzanian visa.
• Flights tickets.
• Airport transfers if you can not get to Kilimanjaro JRO.
• Tips on site.
• Drinks during meals at the restaurant.
• Personal expenses and equipment.
• Optional insurance.
• Bank charges for international tranfers.
• Anything not mentioned in "The price includes".

Accommodation

• Nights in undeveloped bivouac on the slopes of Kilimanjaro.
• Mobile toilet, installed on the camp at your arrival and reserved for your group. 
• All the necessary equipment is included (except sleeping bag): cutlery, comfortable foam mattress and igloo tents for 2 people.

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