7 DAYS RONGAI ROUTE MT.KILIMANJARO TREKKING
Overview
The Rongai Route is one of the easiest routes and the success rate is very high. The route starts on the north side of the mountain just south of the Kenyan border, and is one of the least traveled routes. The descent is down the Marangu Route on the south side of the mountain, so climbers see the mountain from many viewpoints.
The drive to the trail head takes about 3 hours from Moshi through many villages and coffee plantations, including a stop to register climbing permits at Marangu. Rongai Route can also be accessed from Amboseli National Park in Kenya. Allow 2 hours including border crossing. You will need to have copies of passports ahead of time.
Day 1 : Arrival and Pickup from Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA)
After arrival at the Airport our guide with a billboard written your name on it, he will brief you about Tanzania and then transfer you to the Hotel which is found on the foothill of Mt. Kilimanjaro, after check in you will have tour briefing and equipment check if you will miss some of them he will take you to rent the missing gears when everything clear you will take a rest for next day adventure.
Day 2 : Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Rongai Gate (Nale Moru), Hike to Simba Camp
Drive to the attractive wooden village of Nale Moru (about 2 hours including a stop to get permits at Marangu). After signing in and preparing the porters, you will begin the hike on a wide 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 with extensive views over the Kenyan plains.
- Elevation: 2000m/6560ft to 2650m/8700ft
- Distance: 6km/4mi
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Montane Forest
- Meals: FB
- Budget Lodging: Simba Camp
Day 3 : Hike Simba Camp to Second Cave
The morning hike is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim.
- Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3450m/11,300ft
- Distance: 6km/4mi
- Walking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
- Meals: FB
- Budget Lodging: Second Cave Camp
Day 4 : Hike Second Cave to Third Cave
Today you will continue our hike from the Second Cave to the Third Cave.
- Elevation: 3450m/11,300ft to 3880m/12,700ft
- Distance: 9km/5mi
- Walking Time: 2-3 hours
- Habitat: Semi-desert
- Meals: FB
- Budget Lodging: Third Cave Camp
Day 5 : Hike Third Cave to Kibo Hut
Hike to Kibo Hut at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent and a very early day!
- Elevation: 3880m/12,700ft to 4750m/15,600ft
- Distance: 5km/3mi
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
- Meals: FB
- Budget Lodging: Kibo Hut Camp
Day 6 : Hike Kibo Hut to Summit, and down to Horombo Hut
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman’s Point located on the crater rim (elev 5700m/18,700ft). Continuing, we now ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa. There are unbelievable views at every turn. Have your picture taken at the summit to show your friends and family. From here you will descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment.
The beginning of this climb is done in the dark and requires headlamps or flashlights. It will be very cold until you start descending, so you will need all of your warm layers. This is by far the most difficult part of the trek with many switchbacks. Going slowly “pole pole” and an optimistic attitude will get you there!
- Elevation: 4700m/15,500ft to 5895m/19,340ft
- Down to 3700m/12,200ft
- Distance: 6km/4mi up / 15km/9mi down
- Hiking Time: 6-8 hours up / 15km/9mi down
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
- Meals: FB
- Budget Lodging: Horombo Hut Camp
Day 7 : Hike Horombo Hut to trail head, drive to Moshi
After breakfast, a steady descent takes you down through moorland to the Mandara Hut. Continue descending through lush forest path to the National Park gate at Marangu. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Your vehicle will meet you at Marangu gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 1 hour).
- Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 1700m/5500ft
- Distance: 20km/12.5mi
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Forest
- Meals: FB
Day 8 : End of the Tour
Thank you very much for choosing us to make your life time adventure together, the driver will transfer you to the airport to take your flight, if you have more days don’t hesitate to contact us so we can plan something for you like wildlife in Serengeti, Ngorongoro crater, Tarangire, Manyara and Zanzibar beach holiday.
Mountain Kilimanjaro price includes:
- Quality, waterproof, four-season private mountain sleeping tents
- 2 Night accommodation in Hotel before and after the mountain
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides
- All Park fees
- Rescue fees
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Arrival and Departure transfers to and from the airport
- All transfers to and from the hotel to trekking starting point
- Cook who will be preparing your meals
- Porters who will carry your luggage minimum 3 porter per one client
- Quality Mess tents with table and chairs:
- Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food:
- Clean, purified drinking water:
- Crisis management and safety procedures:
- Sleeping Mattress:
Excludes:
- Tanzania Visa: $50 per person on arrival
- Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- Meals not listed above
- Optional Tours (short safari after your climb etc)
- Tips and any items of personal nature.