|
HIKING THE MIGHTY KILIMANJARO - RONGAI
ROUTE
Itinerary
| Biomes
| Price
| Included
| Excluded
| Discounts
| Extra
Charges | Getting
to Moshi
Itinerary
When you arrive in Moshi, you will be transfered from the
Kilimanjaro Airport to the Keys Hotel ($10/person one-way).
If you are flying directly into the Kilimanjaro Airport, we
recommend at least one rest day before starting your trek.
If you are transferring from Nairobi, this can act as your
rest day.
A briefing will be held the evening before your trek, and
you must separate one bag for the trek from your other luggage.
Extra luggage can be stored in a locked storage room at the
Keys Hotel at no charge.
The next morning, enjoy a hearty breakfast before last-minute
trip preparations at our office. Land Rovers will drive you
to the mountain to begin the journey.  Depending
on the route you take, the drive to the trailhead can take
up to one hour and can be very bumpy.
Once you reach the park gate, climbers are requested to make
their final preparations for the climb. Porters will be seen
arranging their packs containing the food, water, firewood,
and other equipment. Make sure that you have all your day
pack items with you as the porters travel very quickly. The
guides will be pleased to assist with any additional information.
The average hiking day begins between 8-9am and is about
5 to 6 hours, walking very, very slowly. The distances you
will hike each day are very moderate so as to acclimate a
little at a time. Your guides will repeat over and over, "pole
pole" (po-ly, po-ly) , which means "go slowly"
in Swahili.
The terrain lower down is absolutely gorgeous and fascinating.
Higher up, the views are vast. There is little to do at the
camps themselves, so take advantage of the slow pace to absorb
the scenery and take every photo opportunity.
The hike to the summit starts around midnight depending on
your route and speed of your group. You will go as high as
you feel fit. Some people stop at the crater rim, and others
continue to the very highest point on the mountain. Your guides
will then take you down as quickly as possible to minimize
any altitude problems. You will continue past your last campsite
to the next one for overnight.
At the end of your trek, you will be picked up at the trail
head by Land Rover and taken back to the Keys Hotel
for a hot shower and warm bed.
Biomes
You will experience many different biomes as you climb Kilimanjaro.
The land is cultivated and inhabited up to about 1900 meters
(6234 ft) in elevation. You will begin the hike at the edge
of the forest. This starts in a dense rainforest with an extremely
high ceiling. The forest turns into a shorter forest with
moss and giant ferns until about 2800 meters (9186 ft).
Next comes the heather biome to 3300 meters (10,827 ft) when
Moorland appears with the unusual Senecio Kilimanjari trees.
From 4000 to 4800 meters (13,123 ft to 15,748 ft), you will
go through Alpine Desert where some mosses, lichens, and starchy
flowers are all that remain. The area around the summit is
Arctic conditions. It looks a bit like moonscape with only
rock and glacier.
RONGAI ROUTE
Duration: 6 days hiking
Price: $1305 /person
$1255/person for groups of 6 or more
+ $120 group transportation fee
Extra day on the mountain: $190/person
Low Season: $50/person off $50/person off April 1 - May 31 and November
 The
Rongai Route is easier and more scenic than the Marangu or
Machame routes, and the success rate is very high. All climbers
sleep in tents (tents are included) and meals are served in
a dinner tent or on a blanket outside.
The route starts on the north side of the mountain just south
of the Kenyan border, and is one of the least travelled routes.
The descent is down the Marangu Route on the south side of
the mountain, so climbers see the mountain from many view
points.
MOSHI
Book into the Keys Hotel in Moshi for overnight.
DAY 1 -- To Simba Camp
1950m to 2750m
6400ft to 9000ft
About 4 hours (9km)
Transfer by Land Rover (about 3 hours) to the attractive
wooden village of Nale Muru (1950 m / 6398 ft). 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 (2600 m / 8530
ft) with extensive views over the Kenyan plains.
DAY 2 -- To Kikelewa Camp
2600m to 3600m
8500ft to 11,800ft
About 7 hours 
The morning walk is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave
(3450 m / 11,319 ft) with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern
ice fields on the crater rim. After lunch, leave the main
trail and strike out across the moorland on a smaller path
towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. The campsite is in a
sheltered valley with giant Senecios near Kikelewa Camp (3600
m / 11,811 ft)
DAY 3 -- To Mawenzi Tarn
3600m to 4330m
11,800ft to 14,200ft
About 4 hours
A short but steep climb up grassy slopes is rewarded by superb
all-round views and a tangible sense of wilderness. Leave
the vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp
at Mawenzi Tarn (4330 m / 14,206 ft), 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.
DAY 4 -- To Kibo Camp
4330m to 4750m
14,200ft to 15,600ft
About 5 hours
Cross the lunar desert of the 'Saddle' between Mawenzi and
Kibo to reach Kibo campsite (4750 m / 15,584 ft) at the bottom
of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent
resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very
early night!
DAY 5 -- To Summit and Horombo Hut
 4750m
to 5895m
(and down to 3720m)
15,600ft to 19,300ft
(and down to 12,200ft)
About 11 hours
Begin the final, and by far the steepest and most demanding,
part of the climb by torchlight around 1 a.m. Proceed very
slowly in the darkness on a switchback trail through loose
volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman's Point
(5685 m / 18,652 ft) Rest there for a short time to enjoy
the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still
feeling strong can make the three hour round trip to Uhuru
Peak (5895 m / 19,341 ft), passing close to the spectacular
glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit
area. The descent to Kibo (4700 m / 15,419) is surprisingly
fast and, after some refreshment, continue the descent to
reach the final campsite at Horombo (3720 m / 12,205 ft).
DAY 6 -- To Moshi
Elevation (m): 3720m to 1700m Elevation (ft): 12,200ft
to 5500ft Hiking Time: 5-7 hours (18km)
After breakfast, A steady descent takes us down through moorland
to Mandara Hut (2700m / 8858 ft), the first stopping place
at the Marangu route. Continue descending through lovely lush
forest on a good path to the National Park gate at Marangu
(1830 m / 6004 ft). 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).
A vehicle will meet you at Marangu village to drive you back
to the Springlands Hotel in Moshi. Don't forget to tip your
guides and porters. It is time for celebration!
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN YOUR TRIP
• National Park gate fees
• Transport from Moshi to starting point on mountain
and return to Moshi
• Hut / camping fees and tents
• Qualified guides for all routes
• Porters' salaries
• Rescue fees
• All meals on the mountain
• Two nights accommodation in Moshi bed and breakfast,
double or triple occupancy
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED:
• Tips for guides and porters
• The typical tip is $20/guide/day, $10/porter/day, and
something in between for assistant guides. This is from the
whole group not per climber. If they did extra or special
work, it is nice to tip higher than this.
• Expect 2 porters per hiker, 1 guide per 8 hikers,
and 1 assistant guide per 4 hikers (assistant guides double
as porters).
• Budget $250 per hiker for tips for a 6-day trek.
• Tips should not be dependent on whether you summit
or not, but rather whether they were professional and had
your best interests in mind.
• Mountain equipment
• Some equipment is available for rent.
• Tents and foam sleeping pads are included on camping
routes.
DISCOUNTS:
Groups of 6 or more get a $50/person discount.
Low Season Discounts:
Low season is $50/person off April 1 - May 31 and November.
Kilimanjaro treks are offered at a $50/person discount on
all routes. This can be combined with the group discount.
EXTRA CHARGES:
Extra days on the mountain are available for $190/person/day.
Oxygen is available for $30.
Extra porters (for camera gear, etc.) are $15/day
Getting to Moshi
Ideally, you want to fly into the Kilimanjaro Airport. KLM
has direct flights from Amsterdam. These flights are more
expensive than flying into Nairobi, but you save yourself
two days of travel and expenses. We provide transportation
between the Kilimanjaro Airport and the Keys Hotel
for $10/person one-way.
From/To Arusha
The Davanu Shuttle (see below) goes between Arusha and Moshi
once a day for $15/person one-way. We can arrange for a private
car for $80 one-way for the car.
From/To Nairobi
The first option is to take any of the two shuttles that leaves
every morning at 8am from Nairobi, Kenya, which cost $35 per
person each way and takes approximately six hours. You can
also fly to the Kilimanjaro International Airport, which is
located halfway between Moshi and Arusha. This costs around
$200 per person one way from Nairobi, Kenya. The third option
is to take a private car from Nairobi to Moshi. The car fits
7-8 people and costs $400 total each way, or a mini-bus for
$500 total each way (20-25 people). You determine time and
place of pick-up.
Shuttle Buses
These are 25, 35, or 55 person shuttle buses that go from
the Nairobi, Kenya to Moshi. This is not the most comfortable
route (very bumpy and dusty), but it is a quintessential African
experience. Excitement builds as you see African wildlife,
Masai villagers, Mt. Meru, and finally Kilimanjaro emerge
in the countryside around you.
The shuttle stops at the Tanzanian border where all passengers
must disembark and go through immigration. A visa is required
to enter Tanzania. Luggage may also be removed and randomly
inspected by customs agents.
There is one bathroom stop on the Kenyan side of the border
where you can also purchase refreshments. There is also a
stop in Arusha to switch shuttles and get lunch. You will
probably want to bring your own snacks and drinks for the
trip.
The shuttles leave from Nairobi at 8:00am. They will also
pick up at various hotels in the city center. The shuttle
from Moshi leaves early in  the
morning, and also picks up at a few hotels in town. Arrive
at the shuttle 1/2 hour early to get your luggage loaded.
Travel times vary greatly, but allow at least 6 hours. The
shuttle operates every day of the year including holidays.
If you take the afternoon shuttle, it only goes as far as
Arusha. We can arrange for a private car to drive from Arusha
to Moshi for $70 one-way for the car.
Take a look at the Shuttle Buses we recommend:
The Riverside Shuttle
The Impala Shuttle
Flights
The flight from Amsterdam to Kilimanjaro is approximately
9 1/2 hours. Because of the long flight, we recommend a rest
day in Moshi before starting your trek.
The only airlines that fly into the Kilimanjaro Airport are
KLM, Ethiopia Airlines, Kenya Air, and Precision Air.
Flights between Nairobi and Kilimanjaro cost around $200/person
one-way. Flights from Kilimanjaro to Zanzibar are around $160/person
one-way. Flights form Arusha to Zanzibar are around $180/person
one-way. Flights from Zanzibar to Nairobi are about $200-260/person
one-way.
You can now book flights on-line:
Precision Air
Air Tanzania
Air Kenya
From/To Dodoma
Buses leave Moshi for Dodoma at 6:30am. They take 8-9 hours
and cost $20. These are public buses so not deluxe, they are
safe.
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