Overview
The Rongai route is the only route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the north, close to the Kenyan border. Though gaining popularity amongst climbers, this route still experiences low crowds. Rongai has a more gradual slope than the mountain’s other routes. It is the preferred route for those looking for an alternative to the popular Marangu route, for those who would like a more remote hike, and for those who are climbing during the rainy season (the north side receives less precipitation). Rongai is a moderately difficult route and is highly recommended, especially for those with less backpacking experience.
Included/Exclude
- 2-night accommodation in Moshi town: before the first and the final hiking day
- Arrival and departure airport transfers
- High-quality 4-season camping equipment
- Experienced and professional mountain guides
- All park fees and rescue fees
- All large-portioned, nutritious food and purified drinking water on the mountain
- Guides, porters and cook salaries
- Pulse Oximeter for daily health check
- Crisis management and safety procedures
- Fair and ethical treatment of porters
- Beds (for luxury tours)
- International Flights & Visa & Insurance
- Tips to porters and guides (customary and much appreciated)
- Meals while in Moshi town
- Items considered to be non-essential, such as alcohol, beverages, cigarettes, snacks, etc.
- Optional Tours (for example, short safaris after your climb or Moshi day tour, etc.)
- Oxygen tanks (included in luxury tours – can be rented in budget and standard tour)
- Portable toilets (included in standard & luxury tours – can be rented in budget tours)
Tour Amenities
Tour Plan
This morning we will drive to the village of Nalemoru for the starting point of the Rongai route. The first stage of the trek is through farmland and pine forests. You may have a chance to see the beautiful Colobus monkeys or if you’re lucky enough, elephants or buffalos en route. Our first camp will be the Simba Camp located at the edge of the moorland zone at 2625m.
Elevation: 1990m to 2625m
Distance covered: 8km / 5mi
time taken: 4 – 5 hours
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
The morning hike is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave Camp located in the moorland zone with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim.
Elevation: 2625m to 3480m
Distance covered: 5km / 3.1mi
time taken: 3 – 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Leaving the pine forest behind, we carry on with a steady ascent walking though moorland. There are superb views of the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim of Kibo, the highest of the three volcanoes which form the mountain. We will leave the main trail and strike out across moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi, the second of Kilimanjaro’s volcanoes. We will set up camp today in the sheltered valley near Kikelewa caves at 3630m.
Elevation: 3480m to 3630m
Distance covered: 5km / 3.1mi
time taken: 3 – 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
This morning we have a short but steep ascent up grassy slopes which is rewarded by a superb view of the Kenyan plains to the north. We leave vegetation behind shortly before reaching our next camp at Mawenzi Tarn Hut directly below the towering cliffs of Mawenzi. This afternoon you have a chance to rest or explore the surrounding area to aid acclimatization.
Elevation: 3630m to 4310m
Distance covered: 8km / 5mi
time taken: 4 – 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
We leave our campsite and cross the lunar desert of the ‘saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo After a couple hours trekking, reach this spectacular place, with the summit of Kilimanjaro in the background and our trail to the high camp stretched out before our eyes. Upon reaching our camp the remainder of the day will be spent resting in preparation for the final ascent after a very early night!
Elevation: 4310m to 4700m
Distance covered: 8km / 5mi
time taken: 5 – 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today is “The Big Day” – the summit stage. You will begin your final ascent around midnight which will be long and strenuous. Passing the Hans Meyer Cave at 5220m, the climb slowly but surely goes upwards. At sunrise, you will reach Gillman’s Point (5681m) – the crater rim of Kilimanjaro – where the sun will slowly start to warm up the land. You will have soon forgotten the cold of the night and after a further hike of 1 – 2 hours, you will reach Uhuru Peak at 5895m. On your return to Kibo Hut, a warm meal awaits you followed by a 1 – 2 hour break before proceeding back down to Horombo Hut.
Elevation: 4700m to 5895m down to 3700m
Distance covered: 22km / 13.7mi
time taken: 12 – 15 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
The last stage passes through the heath and moor zone to the Mandara Hut (2700m) where a warm lunch is waiting for you. Soon, you will once again pass the tropical rainforest and after a total time of 6 hours trekking, you will be back at the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (1860m). After saying goodbye to your mountain guides, a short transfer follows to take you back to your hotel in Moshi. Once there, you can take a warm and relaxing shower and celebrate your success in reaching the summit of the Kilimanjaro.
Elevation: 3700m to 1860m
Distance covered: 20.8km / 12.9mi
time taken: 8 hours
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
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