7 days Rongai route
Overview
Out of the several official Kilimanjaro trails, the Rongai Route is one of the less frequented. The upside is there are very few climbers on the same path as you, adding to the vast, open wilderness and the incredible scenery. The downside? Because of how the route is, it isn’t as easy to acclimatize as you can’t readily follow the “climb high, sleep low” principle. BUT, we take this into consideration on our tour by adding an acclimatization stage on the fourth day.
Included/Exclude
- Dedicated Customer Satisfaction Associate
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- Hotel lodging the night before and the night after the climb
- Breakfast before and after the climb
- All meals and water on the mountain
- All park fees and taxes
- Transportation to and from the hotel and trailhead
- Tents (3-person mountaineering tent)
- Sleeping mat
- Private toilet tent
- Support team (certified guides, porters, and cooks)
- Kilimanjaro SAR evacuation insurance
- Airfare to and from Tanzania
- Personal travel insurance
- Visa
- Tips for the support team
- Sleeping bags and other personal gear
- Rental gear
- Lunch and dinner at the hotel
- Drinks and snacks
Tour Amenities
Tour Plan
Hotel to Nale Moru Simba Camp
Elevation: 900m/2,900ft to 2,100m/6,890ft to 2,626m/8,610ft
Distance: 6km/3.5 miles
Hiking time: 3-4 hrs
Habitat: Mountain forest
Departing from Moshi, we’ll drive about 2 hours to Nale Moru village where registration will start. The trek from the village is a gradual trail through the lush rainforest. Keep your eyes open for colobus monkeys in the trees while taking in the beautiful surroundings. The first day’s hiking is easygoing and you will arrive at Rongai First Cave where you’ll have a chance to freshen up and have dinner.
Rongai/Simba Cave to Kikelelwa Camp 3
Elevation: 2,620m/8,600ft
Distance: 9km/5.5 miles
Hiking time: 6-7 hrs
Habitat: Moorland/alpine zone
After breakfast, our hike continues through the moorland zone where you will notice the vegetation changes to shrubs and grasses. You will stop for lunch at the second cave where we meet the junction to the third cave and the Kikelelwa Camp. We will then turn east towards Kikelelwa Camp and here we will stay overnight.
Kikelelwa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn
Elevation: 3,200m/10,500ft
Distance: 4km/2.5 miles
Hiking time: 4-5 hrs
Habitat: Alpine desert
This is a short day but with a steep climb/hike. Today, you will have a spectacular view of Lake Chala and the Kenyan border. When we arrive at Mawenzi Tarn, you will be able to see the Dendrosenecio plant (an endemic species of Mt Kilimanjaro) and experience the impressive shadow of the magnificent Mawenzi Peak. You will arrive in time for lunch and then have the whole afternoon to explore the surrounding area and acclimatize.
Acclimatization Day at Mawenzi Ridge
Elevation: 4,300m/14,100ft
Distance: 2km/1.2 miles
Hiking time: N/A
Habitat: Alpine desert
This is an important day for acclimatization. You can enjoy a short hiking excursion to explore the surrounding area and see the spectacular views over the Kibo Ridge.
Mawenzi Tarn Camp to Kibo Hut
Elevation: 4,300m/14,100ft
Distance: 9km/5.5 miles
Hiking time: 5-6 hrs
Habitat: Alpine desert
Day five is a long but gradual hike through the saddle area which is formed between the Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. The air is dry and the route is barren, but once you arrive at the Kibo Hut, the area provides spectacular views over the plains. You will then be served a hot dinner, prepare your gear for the following day’s summit push, and get some much-needed rest.
Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut
Elevation: 4,700m/15,400ft to 5,895m/19,340ft to 3,720m/12,200ft
Distance: 6km to 15km/3.7 miles to 9.3 miles
Hiking time: 6-8 hrs to the summit then 6 hrs to Horombo Hut
Habitat: Alpine desert/arctic/moorland
Day 6 begins at midnight. You’ll be woken up with a hot cup of tea and a biscuit before you begin your ascent in the dark. Once we reach Hans Meyer Cave, you’ll be able to have a break and refuel with an energy bar. We’ll then continue zigzagging our way as the terrain steepens coming onto Gilman’s Point. Standing on this crater rim, you’ll take a short break, take on some sugar/electrolytes and rest a little before you cross the crater to Stella Point. Our porters will have arrived ahead and heated up some ginger tea for us to drink and warm our insides before the final push.
We’ll then gradually make our way to Uhuru Peak, where you will be able to soak up the incredible views, stay for a picture, and enjoy your great achievement while standing on Africa’s highest point! We will then descend straight down the mountain towards the Kibo Hut where we will stop for a rest, lunch, and a celebration before heading back down towards Horombo Hut.
Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate
Elevation: 3,720m/12,000ft to 1,870m/6,100ft
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