6 Days Rongai Route

Rongai Route 6 Days Trip

Overview

$1600 Per person

The Rongai route is the only route which climbs from the north, the climb is from south-east and you can see both the sides of mountain.

The extra cost makes this route a bit more expensive. The Rongoi route has easy climb profile as Marangu route and it rises steadily, there aren’t any steeps involved and also no ups and downs. With a good operator you have a 80% chance to make it to the crater rim and 70% to make it to the uhuru peak.

If you have trekking experience your chances are good to make it to the summit and some come down due to weather and altitude problems. The Rongai route has another advantage; the northern side of Kilimanjaro is a lot drier than the other side. Your chances not to get soaked on the first day are excellent.

The main advantage is, it is an easiest route and one of the quieter routes. It approaches the mountain from drier side and has best chances of good weather. The disadvantages are; higher cost due additional travel, considerably less scenic.

Accommodation on the trek is camping throughout in roomy mountain tents shared by two people. Guides leading the trek always walk along with the climbers and closely monitor the trekker’s adjustment to altitude. All your equipment will be carried by local porters on the mountain, you only carry a day-pack with personal gear. When camping on our trips you will not have to participate in camp chores. We buy fresh produce locally and to ensure good standards of hygiene all food is prepared by our own staff and can cater for special dietary requirements and there are no extra food-kitty payments.

Highlights

This route is located on the northern side of Mount Kilimanjaro with a variety of spectacular landscapes together with different plants and animals species.
The Rongai Route is more scenic than the Marangu Route and easier than other camping route in climbing Kilimanjaro and the success rate on the Rongai Route is very high.
On the Rongai Route you sleep in tents, the porter will have your tent pitched and waiting for you at the end of each days trek.

BACKPACKING TRIP

90% Success Rate

No Of People Climbing - 589 Per Year
Travellers Feedback - Good
Ascent distance - 37.65 Km
Descent distance - 36.75 Km (Marangu Rout)
total distance - 74.4 Km
total trek duretion - 6 Days
trek difficulty - Easy
Highlight - Less Crowd, Monsoon Route

Day 1Rongai Gate (1950m) - 1st Caves camp (2600m)

Rongai Gate (1950m) - 1st Caves camp (2600m) Hiking time: 5h Distance: Approximately 8 kms Habitat: Montane Forest Ascent: +650m

After morning clearance with the Kenyan customs, we transfer to the Rongai trail head (1950m) in NaleMoru village of Tanzania, where our mountain crew will be waiting. We commence our climb on a small winding path that crosses maize fields before entering pine forest, and then climbs gently through a virgin, natural rain forest where colobus monkeys are common, before emerging to the lower moorland zone. Overnight camp at 1st Caves (2600m). Water can be found just down the trail below First Cave.

Day 21st Cave (2600m) - Kikelewa Cave (3600m)

1st Cave (2600m) - Kikelewa Cave (3600m) Hiking time: 6 - 7h Distance: Approximately 10 kms Habitat: Moorlands Ascent: +1000m. The trail continues up towards Kibo, passing Second Cave (3450m) en-route, and reaching Kikelwa Cave at about 3600 metres. The views start to open up and you begin to feel you're on a really big mountain! Water is in the obvious stream below the cave, although you need to wander downhill to fetch some. Overnight at 3rd Cave camp (Kikelewa Caves).

Day 3Kikelewa Cave (3600) - Mawenzi Tarn camp

Kikelewa Cave (3600) - Mawenzi Tarn camp (4330m) Hiking time: 3 - 4h Distance: Approximately 8 kms Habitat: Moorlands Ascent: +730m. A short but steep climb up grassy slopes offers superb views of this wilderness area. The vegetation zone ends shortly before you reach your next camp at Mawenzi Tarn spectacularly situated beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. Spend the afternoon acclimatizing and exploring the area.

Day 4Mawenzi Tarn camp (4330m) - Kibo hut

Mawenzi Tarn camp (4330m) - Kibo hut (4700m) Hiking time: 4 - 5h Distance: Approximately 8 kms Habitat: Alpine desert Ascent: +370m. Continue ascending on the east side of Kibo crossing the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo taking 4 to 5 hours to reach Kibo Hut. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent, which begins around midnight. Overnight at Kibo Camp.

Day 5(Summit Attempt) Kibo hut (4700m)

(Summit Attempt) Kibo hut (4700m) - Uhuru Peak (5895m) - Horombo hut (3720m) Hiking time: 8h to Uhuru, 6h to Horombo Habitat: Stone scree / ice-cap summit Distance: Approximately 6 kms ascent, 21 kms descent Ascent: 1195m. Descent: 2175m We are rise around 2330, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night. This is where the going really gets tough. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), also a good resting spot. The path then zigzags up to Gillman's point (5 681m), which is located on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot of stone scree, requiring a great physical and mental effort. Probably the most demanding section of the entire route. Do the Kili shuffle and move slowly. From Gillman's Point you will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa. Total exhilaration and satisfaction - you made it. Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long you can spend, taking photographs, before the 3-hour descent back to Kibo hut. After a short rest you gather all your gear for the ascent and head down to Horombo hut (3 hours) where you will overnight. The return to Horombo hut will seem surprisingly fast compared to the ascent. The total time spent walking on this day is around 14 hours, so be prepared for a very tough day. Later in the evening you enjoy your last dinner (with soft drinks and beer for sale at the camp office) on the mountain and well-earned sleep, filled with memories and stirring emotions.

Day 6Horombo hut (at 3720m) to Marangu Gate

Horombo hut (at 3720m) to Marangu Gate (at 1980m) Hiking time: 6h Distance: Approximately 27 kms Descent: -1740m After breakfast you continue your descent (6 hours), passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate. At Marangu gate you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Gillman's Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. End of tour, we pick you and drive back to hotel in town.

Include

Private transport from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your accommodations in Moshi.
Kilimanjaro Park rescue team fees
Government taxes
3 freshly-prepared delicious meals daily on the mountain prepared by professional cooks who are happy to accommodate your dietary needs.
3-4 liters of mineral/treated water per person per day
Hot drinks on the mountain and hot water for washing
Private transport to and from the hotel to the Kilimanjaro Park Gate
National Park entry fees and hut fees
Portable oxygen tanks, ox meter and emergency first-aid kit
Porter’s Cook’s and Guide’s Salary.
2 nights of accommodation at Hotel Moshi.
Friendly and highly qualified mountain guides, assistant guides and professional cooks
Enough Porters to carry camping gear and additional baggage
Accommodation in Huts/camping

Exclude

Lunches, dinners and drinks at your hotel in Moshi before climb and after climb.
Personal items and toiletries
Tips for guides, porters and cook (this is a guide to tipping on the mountain.

Tipping on Kilimanjaro from the trekking group (not per climber):

Guides: $15/day/guide
Cook : $10/day
Porter: $8/day/porter

N/B: Our Guides, cooks and Porters are always satisfied with your thanks giving (tip) you have and not beyond your ability.

Full name*

Your Email

Adult*

Children*

Please tell us a bit more about your travel plan*

mount kilimanjaro hiking guide

Before, while and after

Best Time To Hike Kilimanjaro

So you have decided on hiking the great summit of Africa and are wondering which the Best Time to Hike Kilimanjaro is.We are here to solve all your...

Kilimanjaro Hiking Cost

What many tour operators don’t say to you is that Kilimanjaro Hiking Cost can be quite high and your Mount Kilimanjaro Hike is usually very expensive...

Kilimanjaro Gear List

Wondering why you need a gear list check before starting your Kilimanjaro hike? A Kilimanjaro Gear List helps you immensely in planning the items required for...

Mt Kilimanjaro Facts

Did you know Kilimanjaro is a giant stratumof volcanic formations that began shaping about a million years ago? We will tell you such amazing Mt Kilimanjaro Facts...

Kilimanjaro Faq’s

We are often asked - How hard is Kilimanjaro Hike? Mount Kilimanjaro Hike is not very hard and it does not require any technical skills. Any person with...

Kilimanjaro Visa

Did you know that all foreign nationals except those from some of the Asian or African countries require a Kilimanjaro Visa for entry into the country...

Kilimanjaro Porters

Why are the Kilimanjaro Porters so important you would ask? The exciting and adventurous Mount Kilimanjaro Hike that you are about to imbibe would become pointless...

Kilimanjaro Packing List

Firstly, Congratulations on making up your mind for hiking the highest free Standing Mountain in the world! Now the most important part of the hike is looking for...

Kilimanjaro Tipping

Have you ever wondered how much exactly the Kilimanjaro Tipping would cost you on your Mount Kilimanjaro Hike? It’s a tricky business and is mysterious at the same time...

Kilimanjaro Food

What you eat as your Kilimanjaro Food is what immensely impacts your hiking success rate on Mt Kilimanjaro. The process of Mount Kilimanjaro Hike is a long one...

Kilimanjaro Hiking Guide

Are you wondering what the right Kilimanjaro Hiking Guide is for you? We have all the right information for your Mount Kilimanjaro Hike that will help you enjoy a...

Kilimanjaro Success Rate

So what determines the Kilimanjaro Success Rate and how can you improve it on your Mount Kilimanjaro Hike? The answer lies in slow and gradual ascent. After hiking...

Kilimanjaro Safety

Hiking the gigantic mountain of Kilimanjaro can be daunting if you are not careful of your Kilimanjaro Safety. The numbers of people who are evacuated every year...

Preparing To Hike Kilimanjaro

The dream to hike Kilimanjaro is one that every trekking enthusiast has seen at some point in his/her lifetimes. Preparing to Hike Kilimanjaro and training...