Mountain Climbing..................................................................................................
kilimanjaro Climbing
Rongai Route
The Rongai route begins on the northern side of the mountain
and is the least traveled route. It is a long drive to the
starting point but you are rewarded by fantastic views and
the likelihood that you will be the only climbers around.
If you take this route up the mountain you are obliged by
park rules to descend via the Marangu Route which is the most
popular and well used route.
Day 1:
Today we transfer to the start of the Rongai route, close
to the Kenyan border, where we begin the ascent of Kilimanjaro.
The first night will be camping at the first cave.
Day 2:
The climbing today is a gradual ascent and we get great views
of the plains of Kenya below and the spectacular Mawenzi Tarn
above. We get up to a height of 3800m today where we camp
for the night by the Third Cave.
Day 3:
We have an extra day for acclimatization. This is spent in
the vicinity of Third Cave taking gentle walks.
Day 4:
Our climb today takes us through the lunar desert of the Saddle,
the lava-covered expanse between the two peaks Mawenzi and
Kibo. By the end of the day we reach Kibo Hut at 4700m where
we camp overnight and rest, ready for the ascent the next
day.
Day 5:
We have a very early start for the final ascent, leaving the
hut in the middle of the night to arrive at Uhuru Peak just
after dawn. It is a 4 to 5 hour slow walk up increasingly
steep screed to Gillman's Point at 5690m followed by a further
1 to 2 hour walk around the crater rim to Uhuru Peak at 5896m.
You have incredible views of glaciers many storey high surrounding
you, and the plains of Africa stretched out below you. After
taking in this amazing view we return by the same path past
Kibo Hut and on down the Marangu Route all the way to Horombo
Hut.
Day 6:
It just takes us about half the day to descend back down to
the park gates at Marangu. Here we will be met and transferred
back to the Arusha hoteL It is now time to celebrate your
achievement. Overnight bed and breakfast basis.
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