Destination: Kilimanjaro Duration: 5 days The Rongai Route, which is a camping route, goes up the north slope of the mountain from where you can see the plains of Kenya to the north. To get to the start you drive anti-clockwise around the base of the mountain mainly on tarmac road with some rough road just before the gate. The Rongai Route is a steady climb up, which it is why it is important to monitor your body for signs of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness). If you have a headache or feel nauseous, tell your guide. You must be quite fit to do this route in 5 days, and be aware of the challenges of altitude. This is one of the most economical options to climb Kilimanjaro, but it is not for the unfit. Karibu (Welcome) You will be met by some of your team form Twende Africa Tours at the Airport and transferred to your hotel for dinner. After that your guide will brief you and you will have time to prepare your bags for tomorrows climb. Put all that you need for the summit, and the higher altitudes in a waterproof bag (max 16 kgs), which will be carried by the porters throughout the climb. Your personal belongings, camera, passport, anything you need while hiking will go into your small waterproof day pack. Anything you need for the rest of your holiday can be left with us and locked in our office lock up. Book 5 Days Rongai Route for Budget Kilimanjaro Climb.
You will be picked up from your hotel and driven to the start of the Rongai route, the Narumuru Gate, close to the Kenyan Border, where we begin the ascent of Kilimanjaro after meeting our porters and having lunch. We walk to the Rongai Forest past farmland, where you will see potatoes, maize and other vegetables, carefully tended by the men and women of the nearby villages. In the forest, the vegetation is lush and exotic. You may even see White and Black Colobus Monkeys, and the exotic Hartlaubs Turaco, a large bird with a violet blue tail, red wing tips, a blue- black head, and eyes surrounded by white. Even if you don’t see it, you may hear its loud raucous call. After leaving the forest, the lush vegetation thins to heather moorland with many flowers, including the unique Protea Kilimanjarica, which grows only on the slopes of Kilimanjaro. After a 3-4 hour walk today ends with dinner & overnight at Cave 1 sometimes called Simba Camp. (2830m.)Your cook will then prepare a delicious meal, and you can swap travellers’ tales around the table with your co-adventurers.
After a big breakfast, we continue to climb through moorland scenery. You will notice the growing altitude today in your legs and the rhythm of your breathing. Your guide will advise you to go “pole, pole” (“slowly, slowly”) if he thinks your pace is too fast for the altitude. You will see Kilimanjaro’s snowcapped summit, which seems quite near and the jagged peak of Mawenzi on the horizon. We stop for lunch at Second Cave, a natural cave formed by the cooling of the lava. The Rongai Route divides here and you take a right fork to Third Cave, whilst the climbers on the longer route go to Kikelewa Camp. We get up to a height of 3,900 metres today where we camp for the night at Third Cave. You will need to start wear warm clothing. It can get very cold at this stage.
Today is a steep climb across arid montane desert. By the end of the day we have reached Kibo Hut at 4,700 metres where we camp overnight, and rest ready for the ascent to the Summit at Midnight. Your guide will brief you about what to wear and how to approach the final leg to the summit. You will wake just before midnight, have a hot drink and a snack and begin your climb. Faint snakes of light shine out in the frosty night as other groups of climbers make the slow ascent to the summit.
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!
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).
A vehicle will meet you at Marangu gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 1 hour).It is time for celebration
Solo Trekker | 2-4 people | 5-7 People | 8-10 People | 11-Above People |
---|---|---|---|---|
$1780 | $1710 | $1550 | $1490 | $1440 |
Note that, this package can be booked as Kilimanjaro Private Group Climb or Kilimanjaro Solo Climber or Joining Group Kilimanjaro Climb. All prices quoted are per person in USD (US Dollars) and are negotiable according to the period of the year, includes and excludes and change of government policies. Please contact us for more information.
Peter was an excellent, friendly, and knowledgeable guide. I did the 6 day Machame tour with comfort and ease - thanks to Peter's reminders to go slow and his team's hard work to ensure camp was ready upon our arrival. Peter had great leadership qualities and clearly seems to know how to deal with diverse clients.
Peter Kinyaiya is an excellent guide. He lead our group of porters and trekkers up the Machame route. Every one of us made it to Uhuru Peak the summit of Kilimanjaro. Peter was always ready with a helping hand or encouraging words.
It was an awesome trekking trip. My friends and I took Machame Route. I was very impressed with the beauty of various vegetation and flora as well as the breathtaking scenes over the whole mountain massif. Although I could not summit the Uhuru Peak because of my stomach problem but all of my friends accomplished with their big smiles. Thank...
My friends and I were on the week of Kilimanjaro Marathon, some of our group run full marthon and myself half. This race is a great race. We started our jorney on that afternoon when we have finshed the run. With the excellent care and support from Twende Group, my friend and I reached the Uhuru Peak exactly the time of sunrise. What amazing view, we experience. This would be one of our impressive our memory. Safari on the last day, we met closely with all Big Five.Thank You !!! Twede Africa Team.
Machame Route We enjoyed every meter of this tour. Only the summit night was very hard. But Peter and Richi motivated us again and again and pole pole we reached the Stella Point. Here we experienced the most beautiful sunrise of our life. The last part of way up to Uhuru Peak was just fantastic. Walk through the snow, gaze at the giant glaciers and see the destination in front. We were so happy! Thanks to Peter from Twende Africa Tours and his whole team. They have made it possible for us to realize our dream.
Peter was an excellent, friendly, and knowledgeable guide. I did the 6 day Machame tour with comfort.
VIEW MOREPeter Kinyaiya is an excellent guide. He lead our group of porters and trekkers up the Machame.
VIEW MOREIt was an awesome trekking trip. My friends and I took Machame Route. I was very impressed with the beauty.
VIEW MOREMy friends and I were on the week of Kilimanjaro Marathon, some of our group run full marthon.
VIEW MOREMachame Route We enjoyed every meter of this tour. Only the summit night was very hard.
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