Kilimanjaro via Rongai Track

• Climb Africa's highest peak from the remote Kenyan side of Kilimanjaro
• See rare equatorial glaciers 
• Feel the beautiful and friendly African culture 
• View one of the greatest animal kingdoms from 6km a.s.l 
• Encounter elephants, giraffe, lions, monkeys and more

“Kilimanjaro is a snow-covered mountain 19,710 feet high, and is said to be the highest mountain in Africa. Its western summit is called the Masai 'Ngaje Ngai', the House of God. Close to the western summit there is a dried and frozen carcas of a leopard. No one has explained what the leopard was seeking at that altitude.” Ernest Hemingway "The Snows of Kilimanjaro and Other Stories"

Standing astride the equator, yet permanently snow-capped at 5895m (19340ft), Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa's roof top and the world's highest free standing mountain. Surrounded by some of the world's greatest game reserves, Kilimanjaro towers above these hot, fertile plains like a massive sentinel, beckoning adventurers to climb her. Ernest Hemingway believed that the massif was as "wide as the world itself", and from Moshi or Arusha one cannot fault the great writters impression.

Many travelers are attracted to her highest point - Uhuru Peak on Kibo - which can be reached by several easy walking or scrambling tracks. The two main summits of Kilimanjaro: craggy Mawenzi, 5149m, and 'flat-topped', Kibo, 5896m are separated by The Saddle, a 5km wide, high-altitude, semi-desert. Kilimanjaro possesses a whole range of environments including the summit glaciers, scree, cliffs, afro-alpine moorland then forests which lead down to cultivated foothills.

No Roads Expeditions has been operating on Kilimanjaro for the last 12 years. We are an Australian Kilimanjaro operator who knows the mountain and its' surrounds better than anyone.

The main tracks to the summit are:

The Shira, Nanjara and Oloitokitok Tracks are more remote but can be organised by us. The remote Lemosho Glades Track, is particularly beautiful and goes through one of the few areas on Kilimanjaro that is rich in game. It is via this track that we offer a Crater Camp open only to experienced mountaineers.

The Rongai Track is also rarely used and enters the mountain from the Kenyan side so some game viewing is possible.

Note: We can organise trips up any track at any time of year for any size of group. Our team are based at our hotel near Moshi year round.

You can join one of our scheduled expeditions or join another group that is leaving on dates not listed. We have expeditions leaving daily especially in December, January, February, June, July, August, September and October. If you are alone there are no extra single costs involved.

Day 1: Transfer to our hotel.
Day 2: Relax around the hotel. There are local walks available.
Day 3: To Rongai Cave.
Day 4: To Kikelewa (Second) Cave.
Day 5: To Mawenzi Tarn.
Day 6: To School Camp.
Day 7: To Summit and Horombo Hut.
Day 8: To Moshi.
Day 9: Depart hotel after breakfast. Transfer to airport or continue on an extension.

We conduct expeditions up Kili all year round. So all you need to do is let us know when your ready to go and we will handle everything else. The optimal time to climb is when the moon is in her full cycle, so keep this in mind.

CLIMBING OTHER MOUNTAINS 
There are many game parks to be visited and mountains to be climbed in East Africa. In Tanzania Mount Meru is a high beautiful volcanic mountain perfect as training before the ascent of Kilimanjaro. The active volcano Lengai is a sacred mountain to the Masaii. For these you may consider organising the trip as a private group. Our guides are based permanently in Moshi throughout the year. In Kenya, Mount Kenya offers top quality rock and ice climbing in a superb setting. In Uganda, Elgon's caldera provides remote high altitude walking while the Rwenzori are a great, glaciated and mystical mountain range to be explored. Email us if you are interested in any of these options.

SAFARIS AND TRIP EXTENSIONS
Tanzania has some of the best game reserves in all of Africa. We can arrange a Safari for you before or after your climb so that you can appreciate what East Africa really has to offer. As distances are great in Africa, our suggestion is a minimum of 5 days 4 nights on Safari. 3 of these nights are spent out in the wilderness at either a budget campsite, a luxury lodge or something in between. 1 of these nights is then usually spent back at Arusha after the Safari as most flights out of Kili International occur during the morning or afternoon not allowing you time to reach there straight from a Safari.

We can arrange trips to the Serengeti, the Masai Mara, Ngorongoro Crater and more on any budget and any style. We can arrange Safaris from just 2 people to 20 people. All our Safaris are bespoke, so they are tailored to your needs and all are led by expert guides and drivers.

Vehicles
For smaller groups we use Toyota Landcruisers or Landrovers with opening roofs. These seat 4-5 persons. You will also have with you a driver/guide.

MOONLIGHT ASCENTS
Almost all nights in the East African mountains (excluding the Rwenzori) are clear and for many mountains such as Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya, Lengai and Mount Meru a pre-dawn start is crucial. To make the night ascents more pleasant and in some cases beautiful, getting up and walking up by moonlight is the optimal situation.

WHEN TO CLIMB
Even though one can climb throughout the year, January, February and September are the best months, with June, July, August, October and December also being good.

WEATHER CONDITIONS
Equatorial to Arctic conditions are present on Kilimanjaro and Meru. The range begins with the warm, dry plains with average temperatures of 30C, ascending through a wide belt of wet tropical forest, through zones with generally decreasing temperatures and rainfall, to the summit where there is permanent ice and below freezing temperatures. The temperature at the top of the mountain gets as low as minus 25 degrees Celsius.

The Rongai Track is easier and more scenic than the Marangu or Machame tracks, 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 track starts on the north side of the mountain just south of the Kenyan border, and is one of the least traveled tracks. The descent is down the Marangu Track on the south side of the mountain, so climbers see the mountain from many view points.

Day 1: Transfer to our hotel.

Day 2: Today is a rest day to recover from the flight and ready ourselves for the impending expedition.

Day 3: To Rongai Cave. After completing the necessary registration formalities at Marangu National Park gate, transfer by Land Rover to Rongai (about 1.5 hours). The climb begins from the attractive wooden village of Nale Moru (1,950 m.) on a small 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 (2,600 m.) with extensive views over the Kenyan plains.

Day 4: To Kikelewa (Second) Cave. The morning walk is a steady ascent up to the 'Second Cave' (3,450 m.) 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 Caves (3.600 m.)

Day 5: To Mawenzi Tarn. 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 (4,330 m.), 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.

Day 6: To School Camp. Cross the lunar desert of the 'Saddle' between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach School campsite (4,750 m.) 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 7: To Summit and Horombo Hut. 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 (5,685 m.) 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 (5,896 m.), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Kibo (4,700 m.) is surprisingly fast and, after some refreshment, continue the descent to reach the final campsite at Horombo (3,720 m.).

Day 8: To Moshi. After breakfast, A steady descent takes us down through moorland to Mandara Hut (2,700m.), the first stopping place at the Marangu track. Continue descending through lovely lush forest on a good path to the National Park gate at Marangu (1,830 m.). 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 Marangu Hotel.

Day 9: Depart hotel after breakfast. Transfer to airport or continue on an extension.

• Arrival and departure airport transfers from Kili International Airport, Tanzania.
• 3 nights accommodation at the hotel on half board.
• Enrollment in the Flying Doctor Service for emergency medical evacuation.
• Accommodation in mountain tents. We use the highest quality expedition tents.
• All meals while on the mountain.
• All park fees, including mountain rescue fees, and government taxes.
• Services of our own trained English-speaking mountain guide, and a skilled cook (serving as porter), and enough porters for your luggage, food, and
• water.
• Transport from your hotel to the mountain, and back to your hotel.
• Use of radios/phones to increase your safety.
• Average group size, 5 climbers.
• Toilet Tent

• International Airfares
• Travel Insurance