Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking – Rongai Route -7 Days
Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking – Rongai Route -7 Days
Overview
Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking – Rongai Route -7 Days with us, begins at the remote, northern side of Mount Kilimanjaro, near the Kenyan border. We hike through a true wilderness area towards the jagged Mawenzi Peak, then cross a barren desert saddle, before climbing up Kibo’s eastern crater wall.
The Rongai route is a more gradual ascent, and is therefore preferred by those with little or no backpacking experience, but is equally enjoyable for even the most hardened trekkers. As mentioned above, an additional acclimatization day on Day 5 is added.
During this day, we will do additional acclimatization hikes around and up to the saddle towards Camel’s Back.
At Lodge
Overnight at a beautiful lodge located on the outskirt of Arusha town.
Kilimanjaro airport/Arusha.
Our driver will pick on your arrival and drop you at the hotel booked for overnight. Dinner and overnight at lodge.
Rongai One Camp
- Campsite
Rongai One Camp
After breakfast, we transferred to Rongai gate. The climb begins from Nale Moru (6,400 ft) on a small path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering a pine forest. The track then starts to climb consistently, but gently through an attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife, including the Colobus monkey.
These monkeys are black with a long ‘cape’ of white hair and a flowing whitetail. The forest begins to thin out at the edge of the moorland zone. Then, we take in the expansive views over the Kenyan plains as we arrive at our first campsite at Rongai One Camp (8,500 ft). [3-4 hours walking]
Overnight Accommodation: | Rongai 2nd Cave
- Campsite
Simba Camp – Rongai 2nd Cave
The morning walk is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave (11,300 ft) with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern Icefields on the crater rim. After lunch, we leave the main trail and strike out and head southeast across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. Our campsite is in a sheltered valley, decorated with giant senecios near Kikelewa Caves (11,800 ft). [6-7 hours walking]
Overnight Accommodation: | Kikelewa Cave.
Inside the park
- Campsite
Second Cave – Kikelewa Cave.
A short but steep climb is rewarded by superb all-around views and a tangible sense of wilderness. We leave vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn (14,200 ft), 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. [3-4 hours walking]
Kikelewa Cave – Mawenzi Turn
Inside the park
- Campsite
Kikelewa Cave – Mawenzi Turn
We have an additional day to acclimatize. We explore the area with a walk up onto the Saddle towards Camel’s Back. We return back to camp at Mawenzi Tarn (14,200 ft). [2-3 hours walking]
Overnight Accommodation: | Kibo Hut
Inside the park
- Campsite.
Mawenzi Turn – Kibo Hut
We cross the lunar desert of the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo Hut (15,400 ft) at the bottom of the crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for an early morning final ascent. [5-6 hours walking]
Accommodation: Karanga Camp
Inside the park
- Campsite
Kibo Hut – Summit- Horrombo Hut.
We start the final and most demanding part of the climb by torchlight around 1 a.m. We plod very slowly in the darkness on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point (18,600 ft).
We rest here for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the three-hour round trip to Uhuru Peak (19,345 ft), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area.
The descent to Kibo Hut (15,400 ft) is surprisingly fast and, after some refreshments, we continue the descent to Horombo Huts (12,200 ft). [11-15 hours walking]
No Accommodation:
- lodge
Horrombo Hut.
A steady descent takes us down through moorland to Mandara Huts (8,900 ft). We then continue descending through lovely lush forest on a good path to the Marangu Gate (6,000 ft), where we are transferred back to Lodge or Similar for a hot shower and celebration. [5-6 hours walking]
Dinner and overnight at Lodge or similar: Bed, Dinner, and Breakfast included.
Included
- 2 nights’ hotel accommodation in Moshi/Arusha (before & after the climb)
- Group transport to and from Moshi to the trailhead
- Kilimanjaro National Park permits, camping/hut fees, rescue fees, and Value Added Tax (VAT)
- Expert guide, assistant guides, cook, and porters
- Bottled oxygen, for emergency rescue only
- mountain tents, double occupancy
- Sleeping pad, foam, sleeping bag & trekking poles
- Mess tents, tables, chairs, lanterns
- Fresh, nutritious meals on the mountain
- Pick up and drop off at Kilimanjaro or Arusha Airport
- All Ground Transfers
Excluded
- flights
- Lunch or dinner at the hotel
- Beverages at the hotel
- Personal gear and equipment (see rental prices)
- Tips (see recommended tipping guideline)
- Kilimanjaro search & rescue – air evacuation (Insurance that covers up to 6000m recommended.