KCB IV

KILIMANJARO CLIMB 6 DAYS 5 NIGHTS RONGAI ROUTE

DAY 1
Transfer to Marangu park gate first for registration. Proceed to Rongai at the Tanzania/Kenya boarder. The climb begins at the village of Rongai forest station (1950m) through cultivated land before entering the pine forest. Watch out for Kilimanjaro Colobus monkeys in the treetops with their white-fringed ‘capes’ and tail. Taking 3-4 hours the first camp is on the edge of the moorland zone where the forest begins to thin out at First Cave at 8500ft/2600m overnight 1st Cave Camp.

DAY 2
The morning walk is a steady ascent up to Second Cave at 11300ft/3450m with superb views of Kibo and the eastern ice fields on the crater rim. Pushing on to reach Third Cave taking 3 to 4 hours at 12800ft/3800m for overnight camp overnight 3rd Cave Camp.

DAY 3
Acclimatization by going up to Mawenzi Turn Hut.

DAY 4
Continue ascending on the east side of Kibo crossing the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo taking 4 to 5 hours to reach Kibo Hut at 15000ft 14700m. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent, which begins around midnight. Overnight Kibo Camp.

DAY 5
An early start for the summit on steep heavy scree to arrive at Gilman’s Point at 18640ft/15681m in time to see the sunrise. Those who want to reach the highest point in Africa can take the approximately three hours excursion to Uhuru Peak 19340ft/5896m passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Kibo is surprisingly fast and after some refreshment, continues the descent to reach the final campsite at Horombo at 12000ft/3700m taking 11 to 15 hours. Overnight Horombo Camp.

DAY 6
A steady descent down through the moorland to Mandara Hut and then downward through the lush forest on a good path tot he National Park gate at Marangu (1830m) taking 5 to 7 hours to be met and transferred to Moshi.