The Rongai route is the least well travelled route on Kilimanjaro mountain. It is on the northern side and whilst it is a long drive to starting point but you are rewarded by fantastic views and the like hood that you will be only climbers around. Our experienced team will prepare you delicious meals and be there to answer any of your queries as they arise.
Rongai Route MAP
Day 1 - Arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport
Pick up at Kilimanjaro airport and transfer to the hotel by private car.
Day 2 - RONGAI GATE (1.950M) to FIRST CAVES CAMP (2.620M)
HIKING TIME: APPROX 3-4 HOURS
DISTANCE: APPROXIMATELY 6.5 KILOMETRES
HABITAT: MONTAIN FOREST
After a hearty breakfast your guides will come to collect you and you will drive 45 minutes from the lodge to Marangu village/gate. After registering at the gate you will transfer (approximately 2 ½ hours) to the Rongai trailhead. Here you will begin your hike from the Nale Moru village. The small winding path crosses maize fields before entering pine forest, and then climbs gently through a forest. The trail is gentle and the countryside is beautiful. The first night's camp is at First Cave, at about 2,600 metres. There is a toilet and a wooden table with benches, but no hut. Water can be found just down the trail below First Cave.
Day 3 - FIRST CAVE (2.620M) to KIKELEWA (3.600M)
HIKING TIME: APPROXIMATELY 6-8 HOURS
DISTANCE: APPROXIMATELY 12 KILOMETERS
HABITAT: MOORLAND
The trail continues up towards Kibo, passing Second Cave (3450m) en-route, and reaching Kikelwa Cave at about 3600 metres. As the continues the views become more and more spectaculat. You will really begin to feel the awe of the mountain. You will overnight at 3rd Cave camp (Kikelewa Caves).
Day 4 - KIKELEWA CAVE (3.600M) to MAWENZI TARN CAMP (4.300M)
HIKING TIME: APPROXIMATLY 3-4 HOURS
DISTANCE: APPROXIMATELY 4 KILOMETERS
HABITAT: MOORLANDS
After breakfast you continue to trek, today the hike is short but steep as you climb up the grassy slopes. You are rewarded with splendid views of the wilderness. You will soon leave the vegetation behind as you move towards the Mawenzi Tarn. This is situated below the towering spokes of Mawenzi. Here you will relax and spend the afternoon acclimatising.
Day 5 - MAWENZI TARN CAMP (4.300M) to KIBO HUT (4.700M)
HIKING TIME: APPROXIMATLY 8-10 HOURS
DISTANCE: APPROXIMATELY 9 KILOMETERS
HABITAT: ALPINE DESERT
After breakfast you continue to trek, today you will cross the mighty saddle joining Mawenzi and Kibo. After about 4 hours you will reach the Kibo hut, where you will spend the rest of the day preparing for the final ascent. This will begin around midnight.
Day 6 - KIBO HUT (4.700M) to UHURU PEAK (5.895M) to HOROMBO HUT (3.720M)
HIKING TIME: APPROXIMATELY 6-8 HOURS TO REACH UHURU PEAK AND ANOTHER 5-8 TO DESCEND TO HOROMBO
DISTANCE: APPROXIMATELY 5.5 KILOMETRES ASCENT – AND A FURTHER 15 KILOMETRES DESCENT
HABITAT: STONE SCREE AND ICE-CAPPED SUMMIT
At about 23h30 you will be awoken to some tea and biscuits and will make a move into the night. You will head to Hans Meyer cave (5,150m). The path then zigzags up to Gillman’s point (5,681m) on the crater rim. Many climbers find this walk the most mentally and physically challenging aspect of the climb. From Stella Point you will normally encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa and an achievement you will remember for the rest of your life.
The walk back to Kibo hut from the summit, takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well earned but short rest and collect the rest of your gear, before heading down to Horombo hut. The route is not difficult and will take you down the rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest. Here you will rest and feel proud of your achievement.
Day 7 - HOROMBO HUT (3,720M) to MARANGU GATE (1,870M)
HIKING TIME: APPROXIMATELY 6-8 HOURS
DISTANCE: APPROXIMATELY 20 KILOMETRES
HABITAT: FOREST
After an early and well-deserved breakfast, you will continue a 6 hour descent passing Mandara hut, and down to the Marangu gate. Here you will receive your certificates; those climbers who reached Gillman’s point (5,681m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5,895m) receive gold certificates. You will be picked up and brought back to lodge for a warm welcome, a cold celebratory drink and a hearty meal.
Day 8 - Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport
After breakfast transfer to Kilimanjaro airport by private car.
PRICES
- Contat our office for a quotation