7 Days Rongai Route Kilimanjaro Trekking

From

$2000.00

Duration

5 days

Tour Type

Quality4
Location4
Amenities4
Services4
Price4

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Overview

The Rongai Route is one of the easiest and most successful trekking routes on Mount Kilimanjaro. Starting from the northern side of the mountain, near the Kenyan border, it offers a quieter and less traveled path compared to other routes.

This route provides a unique perspective of Kilimanjaro, with the ascent from the north and the descent via the Marangu Route on the southern side, allowing climbers to experience a variety of landscapes and viewpoints.

The journey to the trailhead takes approximately 2.5 hours from Moshi, passing through charming villages and coffee plantations. For those coming from Kenya, the route can also be accessed via Amboseli National Park, with an estimated 2-hour transfer, including border crossing formalities. Advance copies of passports are required for smooth processing.

Tour Features

Scenic Experience: The Rongai Route offers a unique trekking experience, beginning on the northern side of Mount Kilimanjaro near the Kenyan border. The ascent provides stunning views of the mountain’s remote landscapes, while the descent via the Marangu Route offers a contrasting perspective from the southern side.

Private Tour: This trek is arranged exclusively for you, ensuring a personalized journey with flexibility in pacing and itinerary adjustments tailored to your preferences.

Flexible Start Dates: The trek can start on any day, subject to availability, allowing you to plan your adventure according to your schedule.

Customizable Itinerary: Minor adjustments can be made to the itinerary, such as adding acclimatization days, to enhance comfort and increase your chances of reaching the summit successfully.

Easy and Accessible Trek: The Rongai Route is considered one of the easiest routes on Kilimanjaro, with a high success rate, making it an excellent choice for beginners and those seeking a steady and gradual ascent.

Group Requirement: This trek accommodates private groups or individual travelers looking for an exclusive and guided climbing experience.

Age Restriction: The minimum age for the Rongai Route trek is 10 years old, ensuring a safe and enjoyable adventure for younger trekkers.

Convenient Access: The trailhead is a 2.5-hour drive from Moshi, passing through picturesque villages and coffee plantations. For climbers traveling from Kenya, the route can also be accessed via Amboseli National Park, with a 2-hour transfer, including border crossing formalities. Advance copies of passports are required for smooth processing.

Tour Plan

Day 1: Arusha to Simba Camp

Drive to the attractive wooden village of Nale Moru (about 2 hours including a stop to get permits at Marangu). After signing in and preparing the porters, you will begin the hike on a wide path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering pine forest. The track then starts to climb consistently but gently through 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 with extensive views over the Kenyan plains.
Elevation: 2000m/6560ft to 2650m/8700ft
Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Meals: Lunch and Dinner Day 2: Simba Camp to Second Cave

The morning hike is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim.
Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3450m/11,300ft
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Head out across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. The campsite is in a sheltered valley with giant Senecios nearby.
Elevation: 3450m/11,300ft to 3600m/11,800ft
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4: Kikelewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn

A short but steep climb up grassy slopes is rewarded by superb views. Leave the vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn, spectacularly situated in a cirque directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. The afternoon will be free to rest or explore the surrounding area as an aid to acclimatization.
Elevation: 3600m/11,800ft to 4330m/14,200ft
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5: Mawenzi Tarn to Kibo Hut

Cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo campsite at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent very early.
Elevation: 4330m/14,200ft to 4750m/15,600ft
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6: Kibo Hut to Summit to Horombo Hut

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman’s Point located on the crater rim (elev 5700m/18,700ft). Continuing, we now ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa. There are unbelievable views at every turn. Have your picture taken at the summit to show your friends and family. From here we descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment.
The beginning of this climb is done in the dark and requires headlamps or flashlights. It will be very cold until you start descending, so you will need all of your warm layers. This is by far the most difficult part of the trek with many switchbacks. Going slowly “pole pole” and an optimistic attitude will get you there!
Elevation: 4700m/15,500ft to 5895m/19,340ft
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7: Horombo Hut to trail head to Moshi hotel

After breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through moorland to the Mandara Hut. Continue descending through lush forest path to the National Park gate at Marangu. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
Monkey Adventures vehicle will meet you at Marangu gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 1 hour).
Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 1700m/5500ft

Included/Exclude

All transfers to the mountain and back to your Arusha hotel
Professional, experienced, mountain guides
Guides, Porters, Cook salaries and park fees
Quality, waterproof, four-season mountain sleeping tents (on twin sharing basis)
Sleeping Mattress
Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
All meals while on the Mountain
Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
Clean, purified drinking water
Conservation fees (part of park fees)
Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees)
Rescue fees (part of park fees)
VAT (18% charged by the Government)