Kilimanjaro Trekking Rongai Route
The Rongai route is the only route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the north, close to the Kenyan border. Though gaining popularity amongst climbers, Rongai has low traffic. It is the preferred route for those looking for an alternative to the crowded Marangu route, for those who would like a more remote hike, and for those who are climbing during the rainy season The minimum number of days required for this route is 6 days, and seven days are recommended. Although the scenery is not as varied as the western routes, Rongai makes up for this by passing through true wilderness areas for days before joining the Marangu route at Kibo camp. This route descends down the Marangu route. Rongai is a moderately difficult route, and is highly recommended, especially for those with less backpacking experience.
ITINERARY, PRICE, INCLUDE & EXCLUDE :
Arrival:
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro international airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town, you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented on this day.
-
Day 01: Drive from Moshi town to Rongai gate, hike to Simba camp.
Long drive from Moshi town to Marangu gate for registration then to Rongai gate (1990amsl) starting point. Trek begins from Nale Moru village before entering mountain rain forest. First day hiking is very easy; on the way expect to see wild animals like Elephant and Buffalos.
Day 02: Hike from Simba Camp (2626m) – Kikelewa Camp (3679m)
Hiking from Simba camp toward Kibo till First Caves point (3482m), short break for lunch, then continue hiking to Kikelewa Camp (3679m.) The views start to open up and you begin to feel you are on a really big mountain! Enjoy dinner and overnight at Kikelewa Camp.
Day 03: Hike from Kikelewa Cave (3679m) – Mawenzi Tarn camp (4303m), acclimatization day.
A short but steep climb up grassy slopes offers superb views of this wilderness area. The vegetation zone ends shortly before you reach the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn. Spend the afternoon acclimatizing and exploring the area.
Day 04: Hike from Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4303m) – Kibo Hut (4730m), summit night.
From the camp, hike to the east side, crossing the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo taking a time of about 4 to 5 hours to reach Kibo Hut. At Kibo hut you will have hot lunch and spend the remaining time for rest, dinner, and early sleep. Around 01:00am, guide will awake you to get well prepared with the summit gears, warm clothes that can accommodate up to -10 degree Celsius. After all process is done, the guide will slowly lead you to hike up for the summit attempt, passing through Hans Meyer cave, (5150m) to Gilman’s point (5681m) to Uhuru Peak (5895m). Congratulation! You have made it to the top of Africa; you are now standing at the Africa’s highest point ‘Uhuru Peak’
Day 05: Hike from the summit back to Kibo hut to Horombo hut
Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long you will be able to stay, taking photos of your lifetime African adventure while sunrise. Slowly hike down to Kibo hut for breakfast and a short break, gather all your belongings, and hike down to Horombo hut for hot lunch, rest, dinner, and overnight.
Day 06: Hike from Horombo hut to Marangu gate via Mandara hut.
Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: 16.7 km
Habitat: Moorland and Montane forest.
At Marangu gate you will sign out the park. Successful climbers will be awarded their certificates according to the point they reach. Those who reach Gillman’s point (5685m) will be awarded with a green certificate, while those who reach Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. After all process is completed, you will drive back to Moshi town for a long overdue hot shower, celebrations and continue with other planned schedules.
6 days Rongai price per person(USD)
| 1 pax | 2-4 pax | 4-7 pax | 8++ pax |
|---|---|---|---|
| $ 2700 | $ 2500 | $ 2400 | $ 2300 |
DAY 1: SIMBA CAMP (MEALS FULL BOARD)
The day start with a ride to Marangu gate to finish all the necessary park registration formalities, then transfer to Rongai gate. The climbing begins from Nale Moru gate (6,400 ft) on a small path that winds through maize and potatoes fields then entering a pine forest. The track then starts to become more climb regularly, but slightly through a gorgeous forest that accommodates a range of wildlife, including the Colobus monkey. These monkeys are black with a long ‘cape’ of whitish hair and a flowing whitish tail. The forest begins to be thin out on the edge of the moorland zone. Before we take in the sprawling views of Kenyan plains as you arrive at your first campsite at Rongai One Camp (8,500 ft). [3-4 hours walking]
DAY 2: SECOND CAVE (MEALS FULL BOARD)
Today the morning walk is a solid ascent up to reach the Second Cave (11,300 ft) with terrific sights of Kibo and the Eastern Icefields on the crater rim. After lunch you leave the main trail and heading southeast through the moorland on a smaller path in the direction of the serrated peaks of Mawenzi. Our campsite is under a sheltered valley which is decorated with giant Seneca’s near Kikelewa Caves (11,800 ft). [6-7 hours walking]
DAY 3: KIKELELWA CAVE (MEALS FULL BOARD)
Will start with a short but very steep climb which is rewarded by superb views and a real sense of wilderness. You will be leavi vegetation behind shortly before getting to the next camp on Mawenzi Tarn (14,200 ft), outstandingly the camp situated in a valley directly beneath the towering spikes of Mawenzi. Then this afternoon will be spent free resting or explore the surrounding areas as an relief to acclimatization. [3-4 hours walking]
DAY 4: MAWENZI TURN (MEALS FULL BOARD)
Today you would have an additional day to acclimatize, Explore the area with a walk up to Saddle on the way to Camel’s Back. Then later return back to camp at Mawenzi Tarn (14,200 ft). [2-3 hours walking]
DAY 5: MAWENZI TURN TO KIBO HUT
After a well-deserved breakfast you will cross the lunar desert of saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo to arrive Kibo Hut (15,400 ft) on the bottom of the wall of the crater. The rest of the day is spent resting in prepare yourselves for the early morning final push ascending. [5-6 hours walking]
DAY 6: KIBO HUT TO SUMMIT TO HORROMBO HUT
You will start the final ascent which is generally is the most demanding part of the climb by flashlights around 1 a.m. We trudge very slowly in the darkness on a twist trail through unfastened volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point (18,600 ft). Here you will have a little rest to enjoy the remarkable sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling stronger would make the three-hour round trip to Uhuru Peak (19,345 ft), passing nearby to the almighty glaciers and ice cliffs which still occupy most of the summit area. Then descend to Kibo Hut (15,400 ft) which is surprisingly fast and, after some refreshments, you will proceed the descending to Horombo Huts (12,200 ft). [11-15 hours walking]
DAY 7: HORROMBO HUT
After breakfast continue with a solid descent takes us down over moorland to Mandara Huts (8,900 ft). We then lastly descending on a lovely lavish forest on a good path to Kilimanjaro National Park gate at Marangu (6,000 ft), where you will later be transferred back to Hotel. [5-6 hours walking]
7 days Rongai price per person(USD)
| 1 pax | 2-4 pax | 4-7 pax | 8++ pax |
|---|---|---|---|
| $ 2900 | $ 2800 | $ 2700 | $ 2600 |
PRICE INCLUDES
Private transport to & from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your accommodations in Moshi.
2 nights of accommodation in Moshi.
Transportation to & from the Kilimanjaro gate.
Park entry fees.
Camping fees.
Team Kilimanjaro Rescue fees.
18% VAT on tour fees & services.
4 Season mountain tents.
Double layered Sleeping Mats.
Friendly and professional mountain guides, cook and porters. 3 hot meals daily while on the mountain.
Enough treated & filtered drinking water throughout the trek.
Hot water for washing.
Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO).
Government taxes.
Portable oxygen tanks & ox meter. Emergency first-aid kit.
PRICE EXCLUDES
Lunches, dinners and drinks at your hotel before and after climb.
Travel insurance.
Portable flush toilet with a toilet tent is available for extra charges $ 70 for the entire trek. Flights.
Laundry (Available at hotel).
Personal items and toiletries.
Tips for guides, porters and cook (this is a guide to tipping on the mountain).