7 DAYS RONGAI ROUTE ON KILIMANJARO ROUTE

Transcription

1 7 DAYS RONGAI ROUTE ON KILIMANJARO ROUTE Day 1: Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Rongai Gate (Nale Moru), Hike to Simba Camp Drive to the attractive wooden village of Nale Moru (about 2 hours including a stop to get permits at Marangu). After signing in and preparing the porters, you will begin the hike on a wide path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering pine forest. The track then starts to climb consistently but gently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife. 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. Elevation: 2000m/6560ft to 2650m/8700ft Hiking Time: 3-4 hours Habitat: Montane Forest Meals: LD Budget Lodging: Simba Camp Day 2: Hike Simba Camp to Second Cave The morning hike is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim. Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3450m/11,300ft Walking Time: 3-4 hours Habitat: Moorland Budget Lodging: Second Cave Camp Day 3: Hike Second Cave to Kikelewa Camp Head out across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. The campsite is in a sheltered valley with giant Senecios nearby. Elevation: 3450m/11,300ft to 3600m/11,800ft Distance: 9km/5mi Walking Time: 2-3 hours Habitat: Semi-desert

2 Budget Lodging: Kikelewa Camp Day 4: Hike Kikelewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn A short but steep climb up grassy slopes is rewarded by superb views. Leave the vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn, spectacularly situated in a cirque directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. The afternoon will be free to rest or explore the surrounding area as an aid to acclimatization. If you are spending an extra day on the mountain, you will camp for two nights here. You can hike up and around Mawenzi for your acclimatization hike. Elevation: 3600m/11,800ft to 4330m/14,200ft Walking Time: 3-4 hours Habitat: Semi-desert Budget Lodging: Mawenzi Tarn Camp Day 5: Hike Mawenzi Tarn to Kibo Hut Cross the lunar desert of the Saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo campsite at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent very early. Elevation: 4330m/14,200ft to 4750m/15,600ft Distance: 9km/5mi Hiking Time: 4-5 hours Budget Lodging: Kibo Hut Camp Day 6: Kibo Camp to Summit and Horombo Hut Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman s Point located on the crater rim (elev 5700m/18,700ft). Continuing, we now ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa. There are unbelievable views at every turn. Have your picture taken at the summit to show your friends and family. From here we descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment. The beginning of this climb is done in the dark and requires headlamps or flashlights. It will be very cold until you start descending, so you will need all of your warm layers. This is by far the most difficult part of the trek with many switchbacks. Going slowly pole pole and an optimistic attitude will get you there! Elevation: 4700m/15,500ft to 5895m/19,340ft Down to 3700m/12,200ft up / 15km/9mi down Hiking Time: 6-8 hours up / 15km/9mi down

3 Budget Lodging: Horombo Hut Camp Day 7: Hike Horombo Hut to trail head, drive to Moshi After breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through moorland to the Mandara Hut. Continue descending through lush forest path to the National Park gate at Marangu. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). Our vehicle will meet you at Marangu gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha. Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 1700m/5500ft Distance: 20km/12.5mi Hiking Time: 4-5 hours Habitat: Forest Meals: B Mount Kilimanjaro Includes Quality, waterproof, four-season private mountain sleeping tents 2 Nights accommodation Professional, experienced, mountain guides: All Park fees Rescue fees All meals while on the Mountain Arrival and Departure transfers Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees Quality Mess tents with table and chairs: Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food: Clean, purified drinking water: Crisis management and safety procedures: Fair and ethical treatment of porters: Sleeping Mattress: Emergency Evacuation by Flying Doctor Society of Africa: Excludes: Tanzania Visa: $50 per person on arrival Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.) Meals not listed above Optional Tours (short safari after your climb etc.) Tips and any items of personal nature.

4 6 DAYS RONGAI ROUTE ON KILIMANJARO Day 1: Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Rongai Gate (Nale Moru), Hike to Simba Camp Drive to the attractive wooden village of Nale Moru (about 2 hours including a stop to get permits at Marangu). After signing in and preparing the porters, you will begin the hike on a wide path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering pine forest. The track then starts to climb consistently but gently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife. 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. Elevation: 2000m/6560ft to 2650m/8700ft Hiking Time: 3-4 hours Habitat: Montane Forest Meals: LD Budget Lodging: Simba Camp Day 2: Hike Simba Camp to Second Cave The morning hike is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim. Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3450m/11,300ft Walking Time: 3-4 hours Habitat: Moorland Budget Lodging: Second Cave Camp Day 3: Hike Second Cave to Third Cave

5 Today we continue our hike from the Second Cave to the Third Cave. Elevation: 3450m/11,300ft to 3880m/12,700ft Distance: 9km/5mi Walking Time: 2-3 hours Habitat: Semi-desert Budget Lodging: Third Cave Camp Day 4: Hike Third Cave to Kibo Hut Hike to Kibo Hut at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent and a very early day! Elevation: 3880m/12,700ft to 4750m/15,600ft Distance: 5km/3mi Hiking Time: 3-4 hours Budget Lodging: Kibo Hut Camp Day 5: Hike Kibo Hut to Summit, and down to Horombo Hut Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman s Point located on the crater rim (elev 5700m/18,700ft). Continuing, we now ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa. There are unbelievable views at every turn. Have your picture taken at the summit to show your friends and family. From here we descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment. The beginning of this climb is done in the dark and requires headlamps or flashlights. It will be very cold until you start descending, so you will need all of your warm layers. This is by far the most difficult part of the trek with many switchbacks. Going slowly pole pole and an optimistic attitude will get you there! Elevation: 4700m/15,500ft to 5895m/19,340ft Down to 3700m/12,200ft up / 15km/9mi down Hiking Time: 6-8 hours up / 15km/9mi down Budget Lodging: Horombo Hut Camp Day 6: Hike Horombo Hut to trail head, drive to Moshi After breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through moorland to the Mandara Hut. Continue descending through lush forest path to the National Park gate at Marangu. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).

6 Our vehicle will meet you at Marangu gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 1 hour). Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 1700m/5500ft Distance: 20km/12.5mi Hiking Time: 4-5 hours Habitat: Forest Meals: B Mount Kilimanjaro Includes Quality, waterproof, four-season private mountain sleeping tents 2 Nights accommodation Professional, experienced, mountain guides: All Park fees Rescue fees All meals while on the Mountain Arrival and Departure transfers Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees Quality Mess tents with table and chairs: Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food: Clean, purified drinking water: Crisis management and safety procedures: Fair and ethical treatment of porters: Sleeping Mattress: Emergency Evacuation by Flying Doctor Society of Africa: Excludes: Tanzania Visa: $50 per person on arrival Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.) Meals not listed above Optional Tours (short safari after your climb etc.) Tips and any items of personal nature.