Rongai Route starts on the Northern side of Mount Kilimanjaro just slightly south of the Kenyan border. Rongai Route is the least used on the mountain, it is flatter and relatively simpler giving it a very high success rate.
Overview
Tour Itinerary
Rongai Route starts on the Northern side of Mount Kilimanjaro just slightly south of the Kenyan border. Rongai Route is the least used on the mountain, it is flatter and relatively simpler giving it a very high success rate. This route is only used by a few climbers because of its relative remoteness.
Due to its remoteness, Rongai Route offers climbers a wilderness experience and here it is possible to see wild animals such as elephants and buffalos roaming freely. Rongai Route also experiences very little rain, hence giving hikers a perfect chance to experience clear views of the mountain. This route joins Marangu route at the summit stage; hikers also descend following the Marangu route.
This route is normally done in 6 days but some hikers choose to do it in 7 or 8 days. Those who opt for 7 or 8 days get extra days to acclimatize in order to increase their chances of reaching the summit.
Trekking Distance: ~ 6.5 km
Trekking Time: 3-4 hours
Zone: Rainforest
After breakfast and briefing in Arusha, you will be driven to Marangu Gate for registration before been driven another 70 km to the village of Nale Moru where the ascent up Rongai road begins.
After arriving at Nale Moru, you will follow a trail that first goes through farmlands before entering pine forests; the forest begins to thin as you approach Simba Camp(2626 m) where you will set camp. Simba Camp is located on the edges of the moorland.
Dinner and overnight accommodation at Simba Camp(2626m).
Distance: ~ 8 km
Time: 6-8 hours
Zone: Rainforest / Low Alpine
After breakfast at Simba Camp, you will start trekking towards Kikelewa Camp(3630m) which is about 8 km away. As you head towards Kikelewa Camp you will notice that the vegetation changes from Rainforest to moorland where grass and shrubs dominate. You will reach Second Cave(3450m) around lunchtime; lunch will be served and then you will continue trekking towards Kikelewa Camp(3630m) where dinner will be served.
Note: If you opt to do Rongai Route for 8 days you will stop at Rongai Second Cave(3450m) for the night and then proceed to Kikelewa the next day.
Dinner and overnight accommodation at Kikelewa Camp(3630m).
Distance: ~ 4 km
Time: 3-4 hours
Zone: Low Alpine / High Alpine
After breakfast at Kikelewa Camp, you will embark on a short but steep ascent up to Mawenzi Tarn(4310m), which sits below the towering cliffs of Mawenzi. Lunch will be served and the later in the afternoon you can opt to rest or go out to explore the surrounding areas in order to acclimatize.
Dinner and overnight accommodation at Mawenzi Tarn (4310m).
Distance: ~ 9 km
Time: 8-9 hours
Zone: High Alpine
After breakfast at Mawenzi Tarn, you will start trekking towards Kibo Hut(4700m); this trek will take you through the dry and barren saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo peaks before bringing you to Kibo Hut where you will enjoy spectacular views of Kibo Peak.
The trek from Mawenzi Tarn to Kibo Hut is long but gentle. After reaching Kibo Hut, the remainder of the day will be spent preparing for the final climb which will commence at midnight. Once at Kibo Hut, take some time to prepare you climbing equipment and clothing to keep you warm for the next climb later that night.
Dinner will be served early so you can get as much rest as possible before midnight. You should get to bed around 7 PM because you will be awoken just before midnight to commence the final ascent to Uhuru Peak (5895m).
Note: Once at Mawenzi Tarn, trekkers opting to do Rongai Route in 7 or 8 days normally get an extra day of acclimatization by trekking all the way to Kibo Hut and the trekking back down to Mawenzi Tarn. The next day they trek back up to Kibo Hut and then proceed with the final push to the summit around midnight.
Distance: ~ 5.5 km ascent and 15 km descent
Time: 6-8 hours to the summit and 5- 8 hours to Horombo Hut
Zone: Glacial, High Alpine & Low Alpine
Just before midnight, you will be awoken to a warm cup of team and light snacks after which you will start the final trek towards the summit. You will head out into the night and ascend along a steep strenuous terrain that is covered by heavy screen before reaching the first checkpoint at Hans Meyer Cave(5220m). After Hans Mayer Cave the part starts zig-zagging as the ascent becomes steeper until it reaches Gilman’s Point(5715m) which is in the crater rim of Mount Kilimanjaro. At Gilman’s Point, take some time to rest because you will most likely be very exhausted; after the short rest you will trek through spectacular glaciers, before reaching Uhuru Peak(5895m), where you will be standing on the “Roof of Africa”.
Due to the lack of enough oxygen, fatigue and the cold, you will not be able to stay too long at the peak. You should however spend a few minutes savoring the achievement and taking as many pictures as you can.
You will descend back to Kibo Hut where you will enjoy a warm meal and a short break before proceeding with the descent to Horombo Hut.
Dinner and overnight accommodation at Horombo Hut (3700m).
Distance: ~ 20 km
Time: 6-8 hours
Zone: Low Alpine & Rainforest
After breakfast at Horombo Hut, you will descend through the heath and moorlands before reaching Mandara Hut just in time for lunch. From Mandara Hut the descent takes you through rainforests before reaching Marangu Gate.
At Marangu Gate, you will be presented with certificates if you made it to Gilman’s point or Uhuru Peak.
Our drivers will be waiting for you at the gate ready to drive you to your hotel in Arusha where you will enjoy a much needed warm shower, after going many days without one. Later in the day, you will have enough time celebrate your success.
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