7 DAYS RONGAI ROUTE

Overview

An approach form the dry northeast (Kenya side) up to the flanks of Mawenzi (the oldest of the three Kilimanjaro volcanoes)  into the great expanse of the barren saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo and finally up to the summit via the Marangu Route form 5+ days, but best done in 6 or 7 days. The descent route on Rongai is the Marangu Route which one day longer than other camping routes. This route is considered as one of the easiest routes with high success rate.

ITINERARIES

Day 1: Arrive in Tanzania

Meal: dinner and breakfast included

Pickup at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town, afterward your guide will come to brief you about the trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Then overnight and dinner in the hotel.

Day 2: Nalemoru Gate (1990 m) to Simba Camp (2570m)

Approx. hiking time: 4 hours

Distance covered: 8 km

Habitat: tropical Rain Forest

Meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner included

After breakfast, you will depart your hotel in Moshi and drive to Nalemoru Gate near the Kenyan boarder, where you start your Mount Kilimanjaro trek. Your first day walk is a gradual ascent through the rain forest. If you’re lucky zebras, elephants, buffalos, monkeys can be seen.

 Day 3: Simba Camp (2570m) to 2ndCave Camp (3450m)

Approx. hiking time: 3 hours

Distance covered: 5 km

Habitat: moorland zone

Meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Continue hiking up to second camp located in the moorland zone. On this day you will have a good view of Kibo and the eastern ice fields on the crater rim. Then overnight at 2nd Cave Camp (3450 m).

Day 4: 2nd Cave Camp (3480 m) to Kikelelwa Camp (3630 m)

Approx. hiking time: 3.5 hours

Distance covered: 5 km

Habitat: moorland

Meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Another beautiful day with super views of the eastern ice field on the crater rims of Kibo, the highest of the three volcanoes which form the mountain. it will take us 3 hours to cross the moorland zone on a smaller path towards the jugged peaks of Mawenzi (5140 m) to reach at Kikelelwa for lunch and overnight.

Day 5: Kikelelwa Camp (3630 m) to Mawenzi Tan Hut (4330 m)

Approx. hiking time: 4 hours

Distance covered: 8 km

Habitat: semi desert

Meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Today prepare yourself for a short day but steep climb that will take up grassy slopes where you will be rewarded by stunning all round views and a tangible sense of wilderness. The camp it is spectacularly located in a cirque directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. You have free time in the afternoon that you can either use to rest or explore the surrounding areas as an aid to acclimatization. Overnight at Mawenzi Tan Hut (4330 m)

Day 6: Mawenzi Tan Hut (4330 m) to Kibo Hut (4700 m)

Approx. hiking time: 5 hours

Distance covered: 8 km

Habitat: alpine desert

Meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Today you will cross the lunar desert of the saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi to reach Kibo Hut. You will spend your afternoon for lunch and resting at Kibo while waiting for final ascent to summit at midnight.

 Day 7: Kibo Hut (4700 m) to Uhuru Peak (5895 m) then down to Horombo Hut  (3700 m)

Approx. hiking time: max. 15 hours

Distance covered: 22 km

Meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner included

The final part you will start climbing around 00:00. The part is considered as the steepest and most demanding. Your guide will set a very standard pace to you (walk slowly). In the darkness it will take us 5 hours to reach the crater rim at Gilmans Point (5685 m) where you will have a short rest with a cup of tea while you enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. Afterwards you continue for almost 1 hour to UHURU Peak (5895 m). You will be passing close to the spectacular glacier and ice diffs that still occupy most of the summit area. After taking photos at the top of Africa you will start walking down to Kibo Hut for a short rest and hot lunch before descending down to Horombo Hut. Overnight at Horombo Hut (3700 m).

 Day 8: Horombo Hut (3700 m) to Marangu Gate ( 1860 m)

Approx. hiking time: 7 hours

Distance covered: 20 km

Meal: breakfast and lunch Included.

The last day you will pass through heath and moorland zone to Mandara Hut (2700 m) and have a hot lunch there. Then continue going down through a tropical rain forest up to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. You will collect your certificates and after completing other park formalities the car will be ready to take you to your hotel in Moshi where you will have warm shower. It’s definitely time to celebrate!

Day 9: Departure / other destination in Tanzania

Later in the evening or the next day you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport to board your home bound flight. Also Habari Adventure can organize an affordable safari trip to one of the best wildlife parks in Tanzania such as Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater or Serengeti National Park.

END OF TOUR

PRICING:

Prices (quoted in USD/per person)

7 DAYS RONGAI ROUTE

GROUP SIZE

PRICE PER PERSON

 

1 person

 

$ 1,900/person
2-4 people

$ 1,750/person

 

5-9 people

 

$ 1,600/person

10 + people

 

$ 1,500/person

 

Included in the price:

  • Two nights’ accommodation in the hotel; first night includes dinner &breakfast, last night includes dinner
  • Private transport to / from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your hotel in Moshi
  • Qualified guides with mountain crew
  • National park fees
  • 18% VAT on tour fees and services
  • All camping accommodations
  • Mountain tents
  • Transport
  • Rescue fees
  • All needs on the mountain (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
  • Guides and porters accommodations and their entry fees on the mountain
  • Pulse oximeter
  • First aid kit
  • Emergence oxygen
  • Sleeping bag and sleeping mats
  • Katady filtered water through the trek
  • Fair wages to guides and porters as approved by Kilimanjaro National Park authority

Not included

  • Flights
  • Visa
  • Tips to mountain crew
  • Items of personal nature
  • Laundry services
  • A doctor of a group
  • Portable flush toilet