7 days Kilimanjaro Hike Rongai Route
Overview
The Rongai route ascends Mount Kilimanjaro from the northeastern side of the mountain, along the border between Tanzania and Kenya. This route retains a sense of unspoiled wilderness and offers a different perspective of Kilimanjaro by approaching it from the north. The topography of the route does not allow for the application of the climb high and sleep low principle and hikers generally suffer more from altitude sickness on the Rongai route compared to other routes (an additional acclimatization day is highly recommended on this route). The Rongai route uses the scree summiting path from Kibo hut to Gilman’s point and descends via the Marangu route. The main itinerary difference between the Rongai 6-day and 7-day routes is the additional acclimatization day at Mwenzi Tarn.
Included/Exclude
- Airport transfers
- Park Entrance fees
- Game drive safari
- Full-time driver/guide
- En-route meals
- Water on board
- Lots of fun during the trip
- Optional activities
- International flights
- Visas
- Personal Insurances
- Staff tips
- Expenses of personal nature.
Tour Plan
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met and picked up by one of our staff and driven to your accommodation in Moshi. Participants will be given a short briefing for the climb the next day. Kits and the necessary equipment will be checked as well.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Keys Hotel Moshi
Hiking time: 4 hours •Distance: Approximately 6.7km •Habitat: Forest (Montane) We depart from Moshi town and drive 45 minutes to Marangu Park gate for registration. From there, we travel to Naro Moru, a further 68km and approximately 2 ½ hours on bad roads to the Rongai starting point (1996m). We begin our hike from the Nale Moru village. The small winding path crosses maize fields before entering the pine forest, and then we climb gently through a forest. The trail is not steep but is rather a gentle hike through beautiful countryside. The first night’s camp is at Simba Camp (2626m). The camp facilities include a public toilet and a wooden table with benches, but no hut.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Simba Hut
Hiking time: 6 – 7 hours •Distance: Approximately 11.8 km •Habitat: Moorlands We hike from Simba camp to Kibo (3482m). We arrive for lunch at First Caves. The distance is 5.8km. After lunch, we continue trekking until we reach Kikelewa Camp at about 3679m. Here you will have an amazing view including a stream of water below the cave.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Kikelewa Camp
Hiking time: 3 hours •Distance: Approximately 3.7km •Habitat: Moorlands A short but steep climb up grassy slopes offers superb views of this wilderness area. The vegetation zone ends shortly before you reach your next camp at Mawenzi Tarn situated beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. Here we spend the afternoon acclimatizing and exploring the area.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Mawenzi Tarn Camp
Hiking time: 5 hours •Distance: Approximately 9 km •Habitat: Alpine desert. After breakfast, we head west and continue ascending on the east side of Kibo. We then cross the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo taking 4 to 5 hours to reach Kibo Hut. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent, which begins around midnight. Overnight at Kibo hut.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Kibo Hut
Hiking time: 7 to 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak | 6 to 8 hours to descend to Horombo Distance: Approximately 5.4km ascent and 15 km descent •Habitat: Stone scree/ice-cap summit
The total time spent walking on this day is around 14 hours, so be prepared for a very tough day. You will rise around 23h20, and after some tea and biscuit, we begin our ascent. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), also a good resting spot. The path then zigzags up to Gillman’s point (5681m), which is located on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot of stone scree, requiring a great physical and mental effort. This is probably the most demanding section of the entire route. From Gillmans Point, you will normally encounter snow up to Uhuru Peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa!
Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long you can take photographs and enjoy the amazing scenery. Afterward, we begin our 3-hour descent back to Kibo hut. After a short rest at Kibo hut, we gather all our remaining gear and head down to Horombo hut (3 hours) for your overnight. The return to Horombo hut will seem surprisingly fast compared to the ascent. Later in the evening, you will have your last dinner on the mountain and have a well-earned sleep.
Hiking time: 6 hours •Distance: Approximately 19.7 km •Habitat: Moorland & Montane Forest. After breakfast, we continue our descent for around 6 hours passing the Mandara hut down to the Marangu Gate. At Marangu Gate, successful climbers receive their summit certificates.
Those climbers who reach Gillman’s Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates, and those who reach Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. Afterward, we drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower and celebration.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Keys Hotel Moshi
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