7 Days- Kilimanjaro climbing Rongai Route

7 Days of Trekking

Route description:

Rongai is the only northern route up Kilimanjaro. It will take you past the second-highest point in Tanzania – Mawenzi while offering bird’s-eye views of the mountain’s rain forest. The gentle gradient and its gradual acclimatization bring one safely to the highest point of Africa – Kilimanjaro’s Uhuru peak, at 5,895 m. Rongai Route boasts high success rates of 84 and 94 percent on 7-day climbs, respectively. Rongai is great for travelers with previous exposure to high altitude and offers an escape from fellow-climbers, as it requires the longest drive before reaching the park gate. Rongai Route will leave you with great impressions while testing your strength over the distance of 65 km (40 miles).

Day 0: Briefing

If you have opted for the optional airport transfers, we will pick you up from Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha airport and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi.

Pre-trek briefing at your Moshi hotel. You should be planning to arrive at least one day before the start of the trek. Today we will spend in having a pre-trek briefing. We will also review your equipment and rent any equipment which is needed.

Day 1: Hotel 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
    • Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
    • Habitat: Montane Forest
    • Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Day 2: Simba Camp to Second Cave Camp

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
  • Walking Time: 3-4 hours
  • Habitat: Moorland
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3: Second Cave to Kikilewa Camp

Head out across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. The campsite is in a sheltered valley with giant Senecas nearby.

  • Elevation: 3450m/11,300ft to 3600m/11,800ft
  • Walking Time: 2-3 hours
  • Habitat: Semi-desert
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4: Kikilewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn

A short but steep climb up grassy slopes is rewarded by superb views. Leave the vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn, 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.

  • Elevation: 3600m/11,800ft to 4330m/14,200ft
  • Walking Time: 3-4 hours
  • Habitat: Semi-desert
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5: Mawenzi Tarn Camp to Kibo Hut

Cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo campsite at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent very early.

  • Elevation: 4330m/14,200ft to 4750m/15,600ft
  • Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
  • Habitat: Alpine Desert
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6: Kibo Hut to Summit 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 we 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
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  • Hiking Time: 6-8 hours up / 6-8 hours down
  • Habitat: Alpine Desert
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7: Horombo Hut to Hotel

After breakfast, a steady descent takes us 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. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).

Our 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
  • Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
  • Habitat: Forest
  • Meals: Breakfast

Prices:

Solo Trekker USD 1867 per person
Group of 2 USD 1699 per person
Group of 3 USD 1636 per person
Group of 4 USD 1626 per person
Group of 5 USD 1618 per person

 

Prices includes:

  • All transfers to the mountain and back to your Moshi hotel
  • Professional, experienced, mountain guides
  • Guides, Porters, Cook salaries and park fees
  • Quality, waterproof, four-season mountain sleeping tents
  • All meals while on the Mountain
  • Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
  • Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
  • Clean  drinking water
  • Park fees

Prices excludes:

  • Tanzania Visa
  • Hotel (available as an optional add on)
  • Transfers (available as an optional add on)
  • Personal trekking equipment such as sleeping bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting)
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)