Augustino Expeditions
MT.Kilimanjaro RONGAI ROUTE
RONGAI ROUTE: 6 days/5 nights on the mountain
The Rongai route is the one of Kilimanjaro’s easiest camping route and it has very few people on it. It starts from the eastern side of Kilimanjaro near Kenyan boarder and join the Marangu route at the Kibo hut on the southern part of Kilimanjaro. You will climb through roungai route and descend by Marangu route. The typical duration this route is 6 days on the mountain but you can also add an extra day for acclimatization at Kibo or Mawenzi turn hut.
DAY 1. NAREMORU GATE to SIMABA CAMP 2600m – 3 to 4 hours walk
After the break drive from your hotel to Marangu National Park game to obtain the permit then drive to Naremoru park gate for registration formalities. Walking though vegetable and maize plantations then join the natural wide forest. Our first camp will be at Simba Camp at the edge of the rain forest belt.
DAY2. SIMBA CAMP to SECOND CAVE CAMP 3450m - 4hours walk
After the break fast start hiking to Kikelelwa second cave, starting with he gentle sleep while enjoying the panoramic views of Kibo and Mawenzi peak, depending on the weather you can enjoy the hot lunch on arrival at the camp or have pick nick on the way then diner and overnight at Second Cave Camp.
DAY3. SECOND CAVE to MAWENZI TARN HUT CAMP 4330m - 5 hours walk
Get up to steeper trail to admire the breathtaking panorama of Mawenzi admist a wild land. Arrival in the afternoon at Mawenzi Tarn Hut to have some rest and acclimatatize at alt. 4,330 m. Diner and overnight at Mawend turn Hut camp. Today's target is the Mawenzi Tarn Hut which is at an altitude of 4330m. Lunch will be taken on the way. From the Tarn Hut you will enjoy a magnificent view of Kibo, the destination of your trek. The scenic tarn at the foot of the Mawenzi peak is also your last water point before the summit
DAY 4 .MAWENZI TURN to KIBO HUT CAMP 4700m - 4 hours walk
Get towards Kibo Hut through the altitude desert on a path that winds up between Mawenzi and Kibo crater. Today's hike crossing the Kibo saddle is meant for acclimatization by descending to about 4000m and ascending again to 4700m at Kibo hut Camp.
DAY 5. SUMMIT 5895 – HOROMBO HUT 3720 - 13 hours walk
You leave the camp around midnight after a short night and a slight breakfast to climb the steepest and arduous part of the volcano. It will be a long day with slow progression to reach the rim of the crater at Gillman's point at alt. 5685 m. You will have some time to admire the sunset, rest, drink some hot tea and eat few bars. Then you will be headed to the real summit for approx. 2 hours walk along the rim of the crater to reach Uhuru Peak at alt. 5895m. Admire the 360° stunning view of Africa from its highest point and get closer to the imposing glaciers at the summit. After your summit photo, descend to Kibo Hut for lunch before another 3 hours descend to Horombo (3720m) where will be our last night on the mountain.
DAY6. HOROMBO HUT to MARANGU GATE 1800m - 6 hours walk/ Moshi Town 45 minutes drive.
After breakfast and one final glance at the Kibo summit that you have conquered it is time to start on the final leg. The 6 hours hike takes you from the moorland and into a beautiful natural forest characterized by giant ancient trees. After lunch at Mandara you will get to the Marangu gate (1800m). At 1.00 - 3.00 pm depending on your speed. Here you will sign out of the park and be awarded certificates for a successful climber. Our vehicle will meet you here and drive you to your hotel in Arusha.
End of the climb
RONGAI ROUTE
7 days/ 6nights on the mountain
The Rongai route is the one of Kilimanjaro’s easiest camping route and it has very few people on it. It starts from the eastern side of Kilimanjaro near Kenyan boarder and join the Marangu route at the Kibo hut on the southern part of Kilimanjaro. You will climb through roungai route and descend by Marangu route. The typical duration this route is 6 days on the mountain but you can also add an extra day for acclimatization at Kibo or Mawenzi turn hut.
DAY1. NAREMORU GATE to SIMABA CAMP 2700m – 3 to 4 hours walk
After the break drive from your hotel to Marangu National Park game to obtain the permit then drive to Naremoru park gate for registration formalities. Walking though vegetable and maize plantations then join the natural wide forest. Our first camp will be at Simba Camp at the edge of the rain forest belt.
Day2. SIMBA CAMP – KIKELELWA CAMP 3650m. 4hrs
Today is a short trek designed to help you acclimatize. A smaller track leads off the main trail through the moorland and towards Mawenzi’s steeply rising slopes. The trekking time is about 3 – 5 hours, arriving in camp for a hot lunch, and a chance to acclimatize while exploring the surrounding landscape of bizarre plants and rock formations and caves.
Day3. KIKELELWA CAVES – MAWENZI TURN HUT 4330m. 3-4hrs walk
Trek from the moorland and eventually into the stark highland desert towards Mawenzi, on trails not frequented by many tourists. From the Tarn Campsite you will enjoy a magnificent view across the saddle towards Kibo; your final target.
DAY4. MAWENZI TURN - MAWENZI HUT 4660m – 4-5 hours walk
This day is meant for acclimatization and it will help you get used of the mountain altitude. After the breakfast you will climb the mawenzi ridge from the north side and cross to the other side of the Mawenzi peak, you will then start the gentle steep to Mawenzi hut where you will have your lunch and rest the in afternoon. Diner and overnight at Mawenzi hut camp.
DAY 5.MAWENZI HUT - KIBO HUT CAMP 4700m - 4 hours walk
The trekking time today is 4 - 5 hours, though a relatively easy hike across the wide saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo. The trek takes you across the massive saddle- the crossing is impressive and the landscape spectacularly stark. Prepare all your gear for the night ahead, and turn in early to rest.
DAY6. SUMMIT 5895 – HOROMBO HUT 3720 - 13 hours walk
You are awoken at midnight, and depart the camp at about 1am. From your camp to the rim of the crater (Gillman’s Point 5,712 m) to Uhuru Peak, the trekking time is about 7 - 8 hours. The following descent to Horombo Camp is about 5 – 6 hours. Total trekking time is 12-13 hours. The slope is steep, with switchbacks, over loose rock and volcanic sand. You will stop at Hans Meyer cave on the way, the famous place where Kilimanjaro’s first western climber described in his journals. Once you arrive at Gilman’s Point (after about 5 - 6 hours) at the edge of the crater, the trail to the summit is less demanding, and is reached after a further 1½ hours along the snowy crater rim (depending on the season). After 3 hours of descending to Kibo hut, there is a pause for rest & food, then another 3 to 4 hours to reach Horombo Camp.
DAY 7. HOROMBO HUT to ARUSHA 1860m. 5-6 hours walk
Descend straight to the gate (5 - 6 hours), where you’ll have lunch and will be awarded climbing certificates. Transfer back to Arusha for a much-welcomed shower
End of the climb
Ilkiding'a - Arusha Region TCTP
The following is on offer:
A visit to a local traditionally built household to get
an idea of how an extended family lives together
Traditional dancing: We can bring the dance to you or
you can bring the people to the dance.
A walk through coffee plantations and open fields where
potatoes, cabbages, maize, beans and other cash crops
are cultivated by the villagers.
A visit to a traditional healer, who is ready to answer
all your questions and give advice if needed a visit to
the craftsmen prepared by the Mainyoito Women’s Group at
one of the households
A visit to the primary school where money generated from
tourism as Development Fees is used to rehabilitate the
school
The pleasure of impressive viewpoints overlooking Arusha
town, hiking along narrow footpaths, crossing a canyon
and climbing small hills. You can take a half day tour,
full day tour or a 3 day south-west Meru cultural hike.
A fourth option is an 8-hour walking trip from Arusha to
the starting point, where you connect with the full day
tour.
The following is on offer:
Mto Wa Mbu Cultural Tourism Programme
Mto wa Mbu is situated on the way from Arusha to the national parks in northern Tanzania, just at the foot of the Rift Valley. Located on the way to Ngorongoro and Serengeti, it is an ideal resting place for most safari travellers. A visit to Mto Wa Mbu includes: A walk thought the farms in the green oasis at the foot of the Rift Valley - A climb to Balaa Hill from where you can see the whole town - A view into the culture of the many different tribes living in the area - A trip to the Miwaleni Lake and waterfall - Visit to development projects that aim at improving agriculture and start income generating activities for the farmers - Explanation about the irrigation system
Mto wa Mbu is situated on the way from Arusha to the national parks in northern Tanzania, just at the foot of the Rift Valley. Located on the way to Ngorongoro and Serengeti, it is an ideal resting place for most safari travellers. A visit to Mto Wa Mbu includes: A walk thought the farms in the green oasis at the foot of the Rift Valley - A climb to Balaa Hill from where you can see the whole town - A view into the culture of the many different tribes living in the area - A trip to the Miwaleni Lake and waterfall - Visit to development projects that aim at improving agriculture and start income generating activities for the farmers - Explanation about the irrigation system
