7 Days Rongai Route
Climb Kilimanjaro on 7 Days Rongai Route.
The Rongai route is one one of the rarely used route, The Rongai route reaches Kilimanjaro’s little visited, rain-scarce northeast slope. The route begins near the Kenyan border and provides spectacular views of the Kenyan grasslands and the craggy Mawenzi. The path winds through fir forest and lighter rainforest until arriving to the Mawenzi Tarn Camp, which features Kilimanjaro’s sole mountain lake. This excursion ascends the mountain massif and descends through the Marangu path. The path is also good for ascents during the wet season due to the drier environment. The approach is reasonably straightforward, although several rock crossings towards the peak necessitate sure footing.
We recommend 7 days for those who wants to climb Kilimanjaro via Rongai route. The 6-day tour is also suited for exceptionally fit mountain hikers. The second day of the six-day tour walks directly from Simba Camp to Kikelewa Camp, skipping the intermediary route over the Second Cave Camp.
Day 0: Arrival
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and transferred to your hotel in Arusha City, 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.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: of your own choice
Day 1 Transfer from the hotel to Nalemoru Gate (1990m) – Simba Camp (2625m)
After breakfast and a general briefing for your upcoming ascent (including equipment check), we will drive around Kilimanjaro on its east side. After a 3 to 4 hour ride, which passes some small villages, we reach the park entrance. Once the formalities are completed and your luggage is distributed to the carriers, the tour can start. First you pass cultivated fields, then the way leads through the pine forest into the light rainforest. With some luck you will see the black and white colobus monkeys. After a 3-4-hour hike, you will arrive at the Simba Camp, which is surrounded by a beautiful landscape and offers a view of the Kibo. Here you spend your first night at Kilimanjaro.
Lunch; Dinner
Day 2 Simba Camp (2625m) – Second Cave Camp (3450m)
Today’s section of the route leads through both heath and moorland landscapes. In good weather you have a great view of the savannah. At noon you will reach Second Cave Camp where you will spend the night. After lunch, you can take a short hike towards the Third Cave – this supports your acclimatization.
Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 3 Second Cave Camp (3450m) – Kikelewa Camp (3650m)
Today we continue upwards through heath and moorland to Kikelewa Camp. The camp is located in a protected sink surrounded by senecios. You will arrive around noon and have plenty of time to explore the surrounding area and enjoy the views.
Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 4 Kikelewa Camp (3650m) – Mawenzi Tarn Hut (4330m)
Today’s stage continues through heath and moorland landscape, the senecios typical for the Kilimanjaro are your companion. The landscape soon becomes more barren and we move towards the Mawenzi. After crossing some rocky sections, the way leads over a moraine ridge to today‘s destination – the Mawenzi Tarn Hut. The camp is protected by the Mawenzi and is located at the only mountain lake on Kilimanjaro. It is one of the most beautiful camps on the mountain.
Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 5 Mawenzi Tarn Hut (4330m) – Kibo Hut (4700m)
After breakfast the trail leads steady uphill. Once you have reached the mountain ridge, you will
have a clear view of the Kibo saddle and your day’s destination. The trail continues over the saddle which connects the Mawenzi to the main summit Kibo. Here the landscape changes into an alpine desert, only a few plants can survive in the dry and low oxygen environment. The Kibo Hut is located at the foot of the main peak of the same name, and it is here that you will spend the last night before the ascent to the summit. Tonight is for gathering your strength and sleeping early, as the night will be short and tomorrow will be exhausting.
Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 6 Kibo Hut (4700m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo Hut (3700m)
At around 11pm it will be time to leave your sleeping bag, and after warming up with a cup of tea or coffee, you will start your ascent of the summit at around midnight. At an even tempo, using the light of your headlamp, the trail leads upwards. After about two hours you will reach the Hans Meyer Cave, the first milestone to the summit. The further climb is increasingly steep, and just before sunrise you will reach the crater rim at Gilman’s Point. From here you will walk along the
crater rim, pass the Stella Point ,and after 1-2 hours, reach the Uhuru Peak. You did it and are now
on the roof of Africa! But the long descent is still ahead of you. In the warm midday sun the trail leads back to Kibo Hut, where refreshments will be waiting for you. After a short rest, you will continue to your camp for the night, the Horombu Hut. On arrival here, and after further refreshments, you will probably fall quickly into deep but contented sleep.
Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 7 Horombo Hut (3700m) – Marangu Gate (1860m) – Transfer to the hotel
Your last day on Kilimanjaro takes you back through the heath and moorland to the Mandara Hut (2700m), where you will enjoy lunch with views of the rainforest. After your break, you will continue your walk through the tropical rainforest, where you can spot blue monkeys and the black and white colobus monkeys. After a total walking time of 6 hours, you will arrive back to
the entrance of the national park. Here it will be time to say goodbye to your mountain team. After enjoying a shower at the hotel and a little relaxation, your guide will present you with your summit certificate. During a communal drink, you can remember the adventures of the past few days and celebrate your summit success.
Breakfast; Lunch
The end of 7 Days Rongai Route
- Professional, English-speaking Wilderness First Responder & CPR certified Guide
- Proper Ration of Mountain crew (Cook & Porters)
- Pre and Post accommodations (2 nights Bed and Breakfast)
- Airport Transfers
- Meals according to the itinerary
- Drinking water and Full Board meals
- All National Park & Hut Fees, Crew Permits and VAT
- Rescue Fees
- Fair and Sustainable Salary Crew Wages
- Gate Transfers
- All Internal or International flights and taxes
- Travel and personal health insurance
- Laundry services
- All items of personal nature e.g. telephone call bills, fax/email bills etc
- All optional activities and any other extras not detailed in the above itinerary (e.g Maasai village tour, Olduvai Gorge Tour and Balloon excursion)
- Tips and gratuities to hotel, lodges, camp staff and driver- guide
- Alcoholic drinks and non-alcoholic drinks(beverages) and Meals not described in the itinerary.
- Visas
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