7 Days Rongai Route though RongaiThe dry Route throughout the year

7 Days Rongai Route though RongaiThe dry Route throughout the year

The Rongai route is the only route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the north, close to the Kenyan border. Though gaining popularity among st climbers, Rongai has low traffic. It is the preferred route for those looking for an alternative to the crowded 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).

The minimum number of days required for this route is six days, and seven days are recommended. Although the scenery is not as varied as the western routes, Rongai makes up for this by passing through true wilderness areas for days before joining the Marangu route at Kibo camp. This route descends down the Marangu route. Rongai is a moderately difficult route, and is highly recommended, especially for those with less backpacking experience.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Tanzania

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town; you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented on this day.

Meals: No Dinner Included
Duration: 1 hour

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Public camping.

Day 2: Nalemoru Gate (1990m) to Simba Camp (2625m)

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
This morning we will drive to the village of Nale Moru for the starting point of the Rongai route. The first stage of the trek is through farmland and pine forests. You may have 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.

Distance covered: 8km / 5mi

Approx. time taken: 4 – 5 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Duration: 5 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: public camping.

Day 3: Simba Camp (2625m) to 2nd Cave Camp (3480m)

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
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.

Distance covered: 5km / 3.1mi

Approx. time taken: 3 – 4 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Duration: 4 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

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

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
Leaving the pine forest behind us 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

Distance covered: 5km / 3.1mi

Approx. time taken: 3 – 4 hrs

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Duration: 4 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: public camping.

Day 5: Kikelewa Camp (3630m) to Mawenzi Tarn Hut (4310m)

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
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 chance to rest or explore the surrounding area to aid acclimatization.

Distance covered: 8km / 5mi

Approx. time taken: 4 – 5 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Duration: 5 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: public camping.

Day 6: Mawenzi Tarn Hut (4310m) to Kibo Hut (4700m)

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
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 of the final ascent after a very early night!

Distance covered: 8km / 5mi

Approx. time taken: 5 – 6 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Duration: 6 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Public camping

Day 7: Kibo Hut (4700m) to UHURU PEAK (5895m) & down to Horombo Hut (3700m)

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
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.

Distance covered: 22km / 13.7mi

Approx. time taken: 12 – 15 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Duration: 15 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Public camping.

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

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
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.

Distance covered: 20.8km / 12.9mi

Approx. time taken: 8 hours

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch included
Duration: 8 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Public camping.

Day 9: Depart Tanzania

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some gift shops before heading to the airport.
*Safari, Zanzibar and other add-ons are available if you wish to continue exploring Tanzania

Meals: Breakfast Included

Included in price package
• Private transport to & from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your accommodations in Moshi.
• 2 nights of accommodation in Moshi.
• Transportation to & from the Kilimanjaro gate
• Park entry fees,
• Camping fees
• Team Kilimanjaro Rescue fees
• 18% VAT on tour fees & services
• 4 Season mountain tents
• Double layered Sleeping Mats
• Friendly and professional mountain guides, cook and porters
• 3 hot meals daily while on the mountain
• Enough treated & filtered drinking water throughout the trek
• Hot water for washing
• Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
• Government taxes
• Portable oxygen tanks & ox meter
• Emergency first-aid kit

Not Included

– Lunches, dinners and drinks at your hotel before and after climb.

– Travel insurance

– Portable flush toilet with a toilet tent is available for extra charges for the entire trek.

– Flights

– Laundry (Available at hotel)

– Personal items and toiletries

– Tips for guides, porters and cook (this is a guide to tipping on the mountain
Duration: 1 hour

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: public camping.