Overview
The Rongai route is one of the easiest-the success rates is very high, as the main Marangu trail and more attractive as it travels from the northern side of the mountain right across it to the southern slopes. The route has extensive views and spends one night at the Mawenzi turn, the Mountain’s most beautiful campsite.
Tour Highlight
- Spend a night on one of the best campsites in the mountain
- Enjoy your drive by passing through the coffee plantation and village life to your trekking starting point.
- Camp on the roof of Africa.
- Spot colobus monkey on your trekking.
Included
- Transportation to and from starting/finishing point on the mountain
- First aid kit
- Pulse ox meter
- Quality, waterproof, four-season private mountain sleeping tents
- Professional, experienced, mountain guide
- Rescue fees
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
- Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
- Large portions of fresh, healthy nutritious food
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Crisis management and safety procedures
- Fair and ethical treatment of porters
- Park fees for the duration of trekking
Excluded
- Additional Flights
- Optional activities
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Visa fees
- Tips
- Personal spending money for
- Souvenirs etc.
- Travel insurance
Day 1: Rongai Gate - Rongai Camp; Elevation (ft.): 6,398 ft. to 9,300 ft.
After an early breakfast at your hotel in Moshi, you will drive to Marangu National park gate for necessary registration formalities, then we transfer to rongai (Nalemoru) Gate (1,800m/5,900ft) near the Kenya border. We begin our climb on this UN spoilt wilderness route. The walk then starts to climb consistently, but gently through an attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife. The forest begins to thin out and the first camp is at the edge of the moorland zone (2600 m.) with extensive views over the Kenyan plains. The first day is only a half-day walk. Nalemoru Gate to Simba Camp is 3-4 hours walking.
Main destination: Kilimanjaro
Meal plan: Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Rongai camp
Day 2: Rongai Camp - Kikelewa Camp; Elevation (ft.): 9,300 ft. to 11,811 ft.
The morning walk is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave, (3,450m) with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim. After hot lunch we have a free time to rest at the camp or in the afternoon we can explore the surrounding area for an acclimatization walk to Third Cave. Simba Camp to Second Cave is 3-4 hours walking.
Main destination: Kilimanjaro
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Kikelewa camp
Day 3 : Kikelewa Camp - Mawenzi Tarn; Elevation (ft.): 11,811 ft. to 14,160 ft.
Gradual rise through beautiful open moorland towards jagged pinnacles of Mawenzi to Kikelewa Camp (3679m) we reach in late afternoon at Kikelewa Caves for dinner and overnight at the camp. Second Cave to Kikelelwa Camp is 3-4 hours walking.
Main destination: Kilimanjaro
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Kikelewa camp
Day 4: Mawenzi Tarn - Kibo Hut; Elevation (ft.): 14,160 ft. to 15,430 ft.
Today we cross the lunar desert of the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo Hut (4700m), at the bottom of the Kibo Crater wall by early afternoon. There is no running water at Kibo Hut. The remainder of the day is spent relaxing in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night. Mawenzi Turn hut to Kibo Hut is 5-6 hours walking.
Main destination: Kilimanjaro
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Kibo hut
Day 5: Kibo Hut - Uhuru Point - Horombo Hut; Elevation (ft.): 15,430 ft. to 19,341 ft. to 12,205 ft.
Wake up before midnight in the cover of darkness. We begin a steep climb over loose volcanic scree that has some well-graded zig-zag and a slow but steady pace will take us to the rim of the main crater, Gillman’s 5,685 m. We will rest there for a few minutes to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling good can continue slowly to make the three-hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru peak 5,895 m. which is the highest point in Africa. After a few minutes to appreciate your accomplishment we descend to Kiko Hut is amazingly fast, and we stop at Kibo Hut for some refreshment, we continue to descend to reach Horrombo Hut. Kibo Hut to Summit to Horombo Hut is 13-15 hours walking.
Main destination: Kilimanjaro
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Horombo hut
Day 6: Horombo Hut - Marangu Gate; Elevation (ft.): 12,205 ft. to 6,046 ft
Today we will descend past Mandara hut to Marangu Gate, successful climbers will receive their summit certificates. From here you will be transferred to Moshi in your hotel for dinner and overnight. (Alternative transferred to JRO for departure). Horombo hut to Marangu Gate. (6-7 hours walking)
Main destination: Moshi
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Alteza Lodge
