7 Days - Rongai Route
The Rongai Route is one of the easiest routes and the success rate is very high.
The route starts on the north side of the mountain just south of the Kenyan border, and is one of the least traveled routes. The descent is down the Marangu Route on the south side of the mountain, so climbers see the mountain from many viewpoints.
The drive to the trail head takes about 2.5 hours from Moshi through many villages and coffee plantations, including a stop to register climbing permits at Marangu. The Rongai Route can also be accessed from Amboseli National Park in Kenya. Allow 2 hours including border crossing. We will need copies of passports ahead of time.
DAY 1
6,398ft to 9,300ft, 5 miles, approx. 4 hours
After breakfast in your hotel you will be given an overall briefing from your guide. At 9am you will be met by the rest of our guides and porters and then we will drive you to the Kilimanjaro National Park. While officially registering for your climb at Marangu Park Gate, our staff will do a final cross-check of equipment and supplies and pack the vehicles. After the registration you will be shuttled a further 70km on poor roads to the Rongai Start Point at 1,950 meters. The trek begins from Nale Moru village and follows a gradual and winding trail that first crosses maize and potato fields before entering the rainforest which is occupied by various wildlife. After 4-5 hours trekking, you will be welcomed with boiled washing water and some snacks before dinner is served in the mess-tent.
Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Camping
Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner
DAY 2
Simba Camp to 2nd Cave Camp
9,300ft to 11,300ft, 4miles, approx. 3-4 hours
You will be woken up after your first night on the mountain with a nice cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate at 06:30am in your tent. After breakfast you start your climb on a trail continuing up towards Kibo. For most of the day you will be walking up slopes flanked with heather and erica with a nice view on the twin peaks of Kilimanjaro – Mawenzi and Kibo and your first glimpse of the ice fields on the Eastern crater rim. Once we approach second cave our cook will welcome you in the camp with boiled drinking water and hot washing water. You can put your feet up with some snacks and a hot lunch. After lunch, there is plenty of time to relax and enjoy the spirit of the camp and to take pictures.
Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 3
2nd Camp to Kikelewa Camp
11,300ft to 11,811ft, 4 miles, approx. 3-4 hours
From second cave the path takes an abrupt south-easterly turn directly towards the jagged peak of Mawenzi. Traversing open moorland, you stumble into Kikelewa camp, situated by a couple of caves by the Kikelewa river with giant groundsels and lobelias flourishing nearby. The views start to open up and from Kikelewa camp and you will see for yourself how huge Mt. Kilimanjaro is.
Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 4
Kikelewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn Hut
11,811ft to 14,160ft, 3 miles, 4 hours
Though this stage to Mawenzi Tarn is relatively short at less than 4-5km and it is usually completed in the morning. The climb is also steep as you gain 660 meters, the path shedding the moorland vegetation as it climbs steadily. The Mawenzi Tarn Hut is situated in one of the most spectacular settings, in a cirque beneath the jagged teeth of Mawenzi. In the afternoon we offer you another walk up the ridge in the west for better acclimatization. If you are lucky and the sky is clear, you will enjoy fantastic views of Kibo.
Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 5
Mawenzi Tarn Hut to Kibo hut
14,160ft to 15,430ft, 5 miles, 5-6 hours
This lovely day begins with a slight retracing of your steps before you strike out west-wards, crossing the ridge and dropping down the slope to tiptoe along the beautiful barren Saddle’s northern edge. With views like screensavers to east and west, this day is the most favoured day on the mountain. Our destination for today will be Kibo Campsite, which offers you again a spectacular view on the Kibo.
We will arrive at the camp very early and you get served hot lunch. In the afternoon our guides will give you a final briefing to prepare you for the summit day. Time to relax, to cross check and prepare your equipment and clothing. Dinner will be served very early to give you ample time to rest and sleep. Good food, lots of water and sleep are the keys for a successful summit. We advise you to be to bed before 7pm to be rested for your wake-up hot drink at 11:30pm.
Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 6
Kibo Hut to Gilman’s Point to Uhuru Peak – Horombo Hutp
15,430ft to 19,341ft to 12,205ft, 4 miles ascent, 10 miles descent, 6-8 hours ascent, 4-5 hours descent
The wake-up tea will be served at 11:30pm with the departure at midnight. After a hot drink and some bites we will start the challenge for the summit. Our initial 6 hour climb begins in the dark with only our headlamps and guides to show us the way. Just remember the golden rule ‘pole, pole’, which means slowly, slowly. There are a number of landmarks on the way: William’s Point at 5,131 meters, Hans Meyer Cave at 5,259 meters that act as milestones break up the journey and provides you with some measure of your progress.
At Gilman’s Point (5,681 meters) you will see what might be the most magnify-cent sunrise in your life so far. After taking some pictures at the sign and enjoying a fantastic view of Mawenzi, we continue our climb on a part of the Marangu Route for 1-2 more hours to reach your ultimate goal – the summit – the highest peak of Africa – Uhuru Peak at 5,985 meters. Congratulations! You are now standing on ‘the roof of Africa’. Our guides will take pictures of you and post it on Facebook for your family and friends at home.
After a few minutes spent at the summit, due to the altitude and the cold, it is important to start our descent. After the descent the rest of our team will congratulate you and welcome you with a hot lunch at Kibo Camp. You will have the chance for a break before we start the next descent to Horombo Hut. After this long day, you can enjoy your dinner and your last night on the mountain.
Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 7
Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate to Arusha
12,205ft to 6,046ft, 12 miles, 5-7 hours
After breakfast, you will descend down to Marangu Gate where your adventure started! This will be an easy journey after the adventure you just had! Now it’s time to say kwaheri to your guides and porters.You will be taken to your hotel for dinner and for what will probably feel like the best shower you have ever had.
Meals Included: Breakfast and lunch
Accommodation at arrival and after trekking mountain Kilimanjaro can be arranged for special price.
- Quality, waterproof, four-season private mountain sleeping tents
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides and porters
- All Park fees, Airport transfers and rescue fees
- All meals while on the mountain
- Quality Mess tents
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Fair and ethical treatment of porters
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Laundry (available at hotel)
- Visa fees
- Tips for guides, porters and cooks.
- Medical kit
- Emergency oxygen
- Oximeter