8 Days Rongai Route
Rongai route is truly one of the more remote and wild trails on the entire mountain. Because of its remote location, the route offers trekkers a relatively unspoilt wilderness experience where it is possible to see large wildlife like antelopes, elephants and buffaloes. Despite that however, this route offers trekkers plenty of advantages, making it a very appealing option for those looking for a unique experience on Africa’s tallest peak. Rongai route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro with a slow, steady climb, giving hikers a chance to acclimatize at a steady rate. This not only makes it one of the easier routes up the mountain, it also increases the success rate substantially. There are few major obstacles to overcome along this trail and the final day before summit day is a short one, giving trekkers a chance to rest, recuperate, and prepare for their climb to the top of Uhuru Peak. Because the Rongai Route starts on the north side of the mountain, not far from the border with Kenya, it is also the driest route on Kilimanjaro as well. Because the Rongai Route starts on the north side of the mountain, not far from the border with Kenya, it is also the driest route on Kilimanjaro as well.
This makes it a good choice for a trek all year round, but especially during the rainy season in April and May. Most of the rain storms tend to stay on the southern side of the mountain, allowing Rongai hikers to stay drier and warmer than those on some of the other, more popular, trails.
Details
Travel Duration: 45 Minutes
Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
Accommodation: Chanya Lodge
The first day on your amazing Kilimanjaro Rongai Route journey is filled with anticipation. After arriving at the airport, you’ll be greeted warmly by our driver who’ll transport you to the hotel in Moshi. You’ll then settle down then attend an orientation session. Our experienced team leaders will guide you through all the important details of your trip and offer advice for a successful journey. Your hiking gear will be carefully inspected and adjusted if necessary. The rest of the day is spent getting ready for your life-changing adventure. Dinner and stay overnight on bed and breakfast basis.
Trekking Distance: ~6.5km / 3.5 Miles
Trekking Time: 3 - 4 Hours
Zone: Rainforest
Accommodation: Ronga First Cave
On day one Rongai Route trekkers are driven from either Moshi or Arusha to Marangu Gate for registration before being shuttled a further 70 kilometres on poor roads to the Rongai Start Point at 1,950 meters. The trek begins from NaleMoru village and follows a gradual and winding trail that first crosses maize fields before entering the rainforest. The first day’s hiking is easy going and you will arrive at Rongai First Cave (2,620 meters) around mid-afternoon, where you can freshen up and have dinner.
Trekking Distance: ~12km / 6.5 Miles
Trekking Time: 6 - 8 Hours
Zone: Rainforest / Low Alpine Zone
Accommodation: Kikelewa Camp
On day two the hike continues from Rongai First Cave through the rainforest before transitioning into the low alpine moorland zone where you will notice the vegetation change to shrubs and grasses. You will stop for lunch at Rongai Second Cave (3,450 meters), 6km from the First Cave Camp, before turning east to Kikelewa Camp (3,600 meters) for your overnight stay. Depending on your tour operator, eight day trekkers might stop at Rongai Second Caves for the night before proceeding to Kikelewa Camp.
Trekking Distance: ~4km / 2.5 Miles
Trekking Time: 3-4 Hours
Zone: Low alpine zone / High alpine zone
Accommodation: Mawenzi Tarn
Day three on the Rongai Route is a short, but steep climb from Kikelewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn (4,300 meters) which sits in the shadow of the magnificent Mawenzi Peak. You will arrive at Mawenzi Tarn in time for lunch and then have the whole afternoon to explore the surrounding area and acclimatise.
Rrekking Distance: ~9km / 5.5 Miles
Trekking Time: 8-10 Hours
Zone: High alpine zone
Accommodation: Kibo Hut
Day four is a long but gradual hike from Mawenzi Tarn heading west through the Saddle which is formed between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi, and up to Kibo Hut (4,700 meters). The route is dry, barren and rather inhospitable, but provides spectacular views of Kibo. At Kibo Hut you will get served dinner and will go to bed early as you will be awoken around 23:30 to begin your summit attempt. Trekkers should remember to prepare their gear, including headlamp, camera, insulated water and warm weather clothes before they go to sleep. Please Note: Seven and Eight day trekkers typically hike from Mawenzi Tarn to Kibo Hut and back on day four. They then trek to Kibo Hut again on day five before continuing to Uhuru peak on day six / seven.
Trekking Distance: ~5.5km / 3 Miles ascent and then 15km / 8 mile descent
Trekking Time: 6 - 8 Hours to the summit and then 5 - 8 hours to Horombo Hut
Zone: Glacial zone, high alpine zone and low alpine zone
Accommodation: Horombo Hut
Day five begins at midnight, after being awoken with tea and biscuits you will begin your ascent in the dark across a rocky path to the first check point, Hans Meyer Cave at 5,150 meters. You should have a break here and refuel on an energy bar. The path then zigzags and increases in steepness as you approach Gilman’s Point 2-3 hours later at 5,681 meters. You are now on Kibo’s crater rim, a huge achievement! But you still have a 200 meter ascent to trek to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters). Dig deep to find the reserves and mental stamina to push yourself up the final slopes. At Uhuru Peak you will be able to stay briefly before descending back to Kibo Hut and on to Horombo Hut. In total you will be trekking upwards of 12-16 hours. It will be one of the longest days of your life but well worth it! Here’s the good news, beers can be bought at Horombo Hut!
Trekking Distance: ~20km / 13 Miles
Trekking Time: 6 - 8 Hours
Zone: Low alpine zone and rainforest
Accommodation: Chanya Lodge
The final day from Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate (1,870 meters) is a long one, nearly 20km! Your knees will be sore from the previous days hike so go slowly and make sure of your footing as you descend, using your trekking poles to limit the impact on your joints. At Marangu Gate, the place where you signed in 6 days ago, you will now sign-out. Those who got as far as Gilman’s Point but no further will be presented with a green certificate. Trekkers who made it all the way to Uhuru Peak will receive a gold certificate. Most trekkers present their trekking team with their hard earned tips at this stage before being driven back to your hotel for a well-deserved hot shower!
Travel Duration: 45 Minutes
Meal Plan: Breakfast Only
If you are flying back home, we mostly recommend to book an evening flight so that you can spend in the afternoon doing shopping in Moshi and off-course this is the reason why we booked your last night accommodation in here. Moshi is a Municipality, the capital of Kilimanjaro region, the nearest town to Mount Kilimanjaro, the cleanest town all over Tanzania, and above all Moshi is one of the tourist centers of the northern safari circuit and the second largest tourist hub of Tanzania. In the late evening, depending on your flight time we will come to pick you up and drop you at Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight back home.
| Destination |
Kilimanjaro |
| Included |
- Tanzania VAT on tourism activities and park fees
- Return transfers Kilimanjaro airport to Arusha and Arusha to Kilimanjaro airport
- Hotel Lodging the night before and the night after the climb, with dinner and breakfast included (double occupancy).
- with bed dinner and breakfast
- Transfer from your hotel to starting point for your climb, and return to your hotel after your climb
- Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
- All Kilimanjaro National Park gate fees and climbing permits.
- Kilimanjaro National Park rescue fees (Kilimanjaro Rescue Team)
- Basic first aid kit (for use in emergencies only)
- Qualified mountain guides
- Salaries for mountain crew as per guidelines set by Kilimanjaro National Park
- lunch and drinks on the mountain.
- Camping equipment
- A comprehensive Climbing Kilimanjaro travel info pack
- Flying Doctor Service.
|
| Excludes |
- Flights, passport and visa.
- Items of a personal nature
- Compulsory tips for guides and porters (average tip is anything from US $ 200 to US $ 250 per hiker – depending on number of days / how many hikers in the group and route chosen).
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