Rongai Route
Safari Duration
7 Days | 6 Nights
overview
This is one of the easiest and least traveled routes and the success rate are very high. The route starts on the north side of the mountain just south of the Kenyan border.
The descent is down the Marangu route on the south side of the mountain, so climbers see the mountain from many view points. The drive to the trailhead takes about 2.5 hours from Moshi.
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Full Itinerary
Day 1: Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Rongai Gate (Nale Moru), Hike to Simba Camp
Elevation: 2000m/6560ft to 2650m/8700ft
Distance: 6km/4miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Budget Lodging: Simba Camp
Drive to the attractive wooden village of Nale Moru (about 2 hours including a stop to get permits at Marangu. After you will begin the hike on a wide path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering pine forest.
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.
Meals: LD
Day 2: Hike Simba Camp to Second Cave
Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3450m/11,300ft
Distance: 6km/4miles
Walking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Budget Lodging: 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.
Meals: BLD
Day 3: Hike Second Cave to Kikelewa Camp.
Elevation: 3450m/11,300ft to 3600m/11,800ft
Distance: 9km/5miles
Walking Time: 2-3 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert
Budget Lodging: Kikelewa Camp.
After breakfast then continues up towards Kibo, reaching Kikelwa Cave at about 3600 meters. The views start to open up and you begin to feel you’re on a really big mountain!
Water is in the obvious stream below the cave, although you might have to wander downhill a way to find some. Overnight at 3rd Cave camp (Kikelewa Caves)
Meals: BLD
Day 4: Hike Kikelewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn
Elevation: 3600m/11,800ft to 4330m/14,200ft
Distance: 6km/4miles
Walking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert
Budget Lodging: Mawenzi Tarn Camp.
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.If you are spending an extra day on the mountain, you will camp for two nights here. You can hike up and around Mawenzi for your acclimatization hike.
Meals: BLD
Day 5: Hike Mawenzi Tarn to Kibo Hut
Elevation: 4330m/14,200ft to 4750m/15,600ft
Distance: 9km/5miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Budget Lodging: Kibo Hut Camp.
Cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo campsite at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remained day will be spent resting in preparation for the final ascent early in the morning.
Meals: BLD
Day 6: Kibo Camp to Summit and Horombo Hut
Elevation: 4700m/15,500ft to 5895m/19,340ft
Down to 3700m/12,200ft
Distance: 6km/4miles up / 15km/9mi down
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours up / 15km/9mi down
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Budget Lodging: Horombo Hut Camp.
Very early in the morning, commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy stone scree or snow up to Gilman’s Point located on the crater rim (elevation 5700m/18,700ft). We will ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa. 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 far the most difficult part of the trek with many switchbacks. After we will descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment.
Meals: BLD
Day 7: Hike Horombo Hut to trailhead, drive to Moshi
Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 1700m/5500ft
Distance: 20km/12.5mi
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Forest
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).
Meals: B
TOUR INCLUDES
- Professional Guides and Porters
- Park Entry Fees
- Camping Equipment
- Meals and Drinking Water
- First Aid Kit
- Safety Measures
- Rescue Services and emergency evacuation services, where applicable, for high-altitude treks like Kilimanjaro.
TOUR EXCLUDES
- International or Local Flights
- Vaccinations/Medical Tests
- Meals Not Specified
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Visa fees
- Tips
- Personal spending money for souvenirs etc.
- Travel insurance
