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VSO Accenture Kilimanjaro Challenge 2008
Mt Kilimanjaro via The Rongai route - 7 days
Introduction
Kilimanjaro is one of Africa's most magnificent sights, and at 5985m it is her highest peak. It is the tallest freestanding volcano in the world and Kibo, which is the central crater, rests on its two sisters Mawenzi and Shira.
We will be ascending by the Rongai route, which approaches Kilimanjaro from the north and retains a sense of untouched wilderness lost on the crowded Marangu and Machame trails. The easiest of all the walking routes up Kilimanjaro, it has a relatively gentle gradient and short daily stages as it winds its way from the starting point just south of the Kenya-Tanzania border. It passes through attractive farmland and delightful forest to several other climatic zones, adding considerably to the interest of the trek. There are magnificent views over the Amboseli Plains and genuine possibilities for wildlife viewing.
Day 1 Dar es Salaam - 14th June / 26th June
Meet in the Peacock Hotel in Dar Es Salaam at 11am. In the afternoon
we will be visiting VSO partner, HDT, an organisation, which among
other things, supports small community-based organizations of HIV
positive people. This will be a rare opportunity to enter local communities
around Dar and meet some beneficiaries. An Accenture volunteer (and
Kilimanjaro trekker), Sandra, who is currently based at HDT will be
our guide. This evening we will have dinner and stay overnight in
the hotel.
Day 2 Dar - Marangu - 15th June / 27th
June
We will catch an internal flight up to Kilimanjaro:
PW420 - DAR/JARO - 0730/0845
Upon arrival at the hotel, we will meet our guides, have our trek briefing and prepare for the challenge ahead.
Day 3 Naremoru Gate 1950m - Simba Camp 2650m - 16th June / 28th June
Early start, and drive round the mountain to Rongai - 3 to 4 hour drive part of the way on a bumpy track. Upon arrival we will meet our guides and porters, and complete the park formalities. Our ascent begins from Naremoru Gate (1950m), and after a short while we will stop for lunch. We trek through farmer's fields and into the forest zone. It is a 3-4 hour trek and 700m climb through the forest. We camp overnight at 2650m, near the end of the forest line. There is a good chance to see the colourful Colobus monkeys on route; and if the weather is clear, we should get our good late afternoon views across Tsavo in Kenya. Overnight camp.
Day 4 Simba Camp 2650m - Kikelewa Camp 3678m - 17th June / 29th June
After an early breakfast, we leave Simba Camp and climb mostly on a narrow path through the moorland, with some fine views over Kenya to the north. As we climb, the trees become sparser and later disappear; even the Heather starts to shrink at higher altitudes. However, there are still plenty of wild flowers such as the elegant Scarlet and Prickly Thistle. We trek up approx 3hrs to second cave (a lava tube) where we break for lunch. After lunch a 3 hour traverse to Kikelewa Cave - a pretty campsite just over 3600m on the edge of the lobelia zone. Approx 6 hours trekking, 1000m+ climb.
Day 5 Kikelewa Camp 3678m - Mawenzi Tarn 4295m - 18th June / 30th June
A steeper trek to Mawenzi Tarn at 4295m, 4-5 hours, 600m climb arriving for lunch. It's a pretty campsite, set in moraines in a glaciated valley with good views of the jagged peaks of Mawenzi above us. In the afternoon we will have a short acclimatisation walk to a higher altitude and then back down to camp.
Day 6 Mawenzi Tarn acclimatisation day - 19th June / 1st July
Today is a rest day for acclimatisation purposes. A short trek to ascend 200 or 300m will be organised, before returning to camp for rest.
Day 7 Mawenzi Tarn 4295m - Kibo 4700m - 20th June / 2nd July
Early start and a slow 5-6 hour trek across "the Saddle" - an alpine desert between the volcanic peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo. Upon arrival at 4700m, we will rest and prepare for the summit day.
Day 8 Kibo 4700m - Gilman's Point 5680m - Uhuru Peak 5985m - Kibo 4700m - Horombo Camp 3700m - 21st June / 3rd July
This is an extremely long and challenging day, walking up to 16 hrs. We get up shortly after midnight and climb Kibo for about 6 hrs to Gilman's point (5680m) on the rim of the volcanic crater for sunrise. If the day is clear there are spectacular views over the savannah plains with the possibility of seeing Mt Kenya some 360km away.
We then continue across the snow around the rim for a further 2 hrs for the final push to Uhuru Peak (5895m) - Africa's highest point. It is a hard hike, but is well worth it to see the glaciers and have your photo taken with a sign confirming your achievement. If you reach Uhuru you will have walked about 4 km for about 7 - 8 1/2 hours and ascended 1200m.
We go down the way we came back to Gillman's then onto Kibo and then continue our descent on the Marangu route all the way back to Horombo, where we will camp at 3700m. This will be another 4km, which will take 4 1/2 to 7 hrs and will have descended 2200m.
Day 9 Horombo 3700m - Marangu Park Gates 1900m - 22nd June / 4th July
We descend from Horombo through the moorland and forest to the gate at Marangu, arriving at around 3pm. From here we will transfer to the hotel in Moshi for a celebration dinner.
Day 10 - Marangu to Dar - 23rd June / 5th July
We will catch an internal flight to Dar Es Salaam:
PW420 - JRO/DAR - 1100/1230
The trip will end here in Dar Es Salaam and you may wish to travel on or return home that evening.
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