6 Days Rongai Route – Kilimanjaro Climb
Overview
The Rongai route is the only route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the north, close to the Kenyan border. Though gaining popularity amongst climbers, Rongai has low traffic. It is the preferred route for those looking for an alternative to the crowded Marangu route, for those who would like a more remote hike, and for those who are climbing during the rainy season
The minimum number of days required for this route is 6 days, and seven days are recommended. Although the scenery is not as varied as the western routes, Rongai makes up for this by passing through true wilderness areas for days before joining the Marangu route at Kibo camp. This route descends down the Marangu route. Rongai is a moderately difficult route, and is highly recommended, especially for those with less backpacking experience.
INCLUDE / EXCLUDE
- Private transport to and from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your accommodation in Moshi town.
- 2 nights of accommodation in Moshi.
- Park entry fees.
- Accommodation in wooden cabins on the mountain.
- Camping fees.
- 18% VAT on tour fees and services.
- 4 season mountain tents.
- Double layered sleeping mats.
- Friendly and professional mountain guides, cook and porter.
- 3 hot meals daily while on the mountain.
- Enough treated and filtered drinking water throughout the trek.
- Hot water for washing.
- Fair wages for mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro national park and Kilimanjaro association tour operator.
- Government taxes.
- Portable oxygen tanks and ox-meter.
- Emergence first aid kit.
- Lunches, dinners and drinks at your hotel before and after climb.
- Travel insurance.
- Flights.
- Laundry [available in hotel]
- Personal items at toiletries.
- Tips for guides, porters and cook.
- Portable flush toilet tents are available for extra charges $ 70 for entire trek.
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Reasons to Book with Uphill Treks
SAFETY FIRST
We use equipment of international standards & our guides are trained in First aid & personal protection equipment
CUSTOMER SATISFICATION
We reward our staff based on your feedback & that results in all of us working towards making your trip memorable
Personalized Service
Our guides are trained to pay attention to each clients requirements & situation & customize the program accordingly
Easy Booking
Book by paying advance by card on our website. Balance can be paid upon arrival, before the tour
FULL ITINERARY
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro international airport and transferred to your hotel in moshi town, you will meet your Kilimanjaro guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek (5 Days Marangu Route Hiking and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented on this day. Marangu Route is one of the Kilimanjaro Easy Route.
Meals: no lunch & dinner included.
This morning we will drive to the village of Nale Moru for the starting point of the Rongai route. The first stage of the trek is through farmland and pine forests. You may have chance to see the beautiful Colobus monkeys or if you’re lucky enough, elephants or buffalos en route. Our first camp will be the Simba Camp located at the edge of the moorland zone at 2625m.
- Distance covered: 8km / 5mi
- Approx. time taken: 4 – 5 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
We hike from Simba camp up towards Kibo till 3 482m for lunch at First Caves, a distance of 5.8km. After lunch we continue trekking until reaching Kikelewa Camp at about 3679 metres. The views start to open up and you begin to feel you’re on a really big mountain! Water can be found in a obvious stream below the cave, although you might have to wander downhill a way to find a pool or two. Enjoy dinner and overnight at Kikelewa camp.
- Approx. time taken: 6 – 7 hours
- Distance: Approximately 11.8 km
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Wake to breakfast as usual, but if you wake early you can get some great photos of the sunrise. The first part of the days hike climbs through the dwindling heath land that blends into a moonscape as you enter the sweeping saddle connecting Mawenzi and Kibo. When you stop for lunch, and later when you cross this surprisingly large saddle, you can examine the summit climb up Kibo that you will be starting in just a few hours. Be careful to notice any signs of altitude sickness. There is no running water at the Kibo Huts.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included.
After breakfast we head west and 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 hut.
- Distance covered: 8km / 5mi
- Approx. time taken: 5 – 6 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
You will rise around 23h20, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night, and 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. This is probably the most demanding section of the entire route. Do the Kili shuffle and move slowly. From Gillmans 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 will be able to spend, taking photographs, before the 3 hour descent back to Kibo hut. After a short rest at Kibo hot, you gather all your gear you left behind for the ascent and head down to Horombo hut (3 hours) for your 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 a well-earned sleep, filled with memories and stirring emotions.
- Approx. time taken: 7 to 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, 6 to 8 hours to descend to Horombo
- Distance: Approxim 12 – 15 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
After breakfast you continue your descent (6 hours), passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate. It is strongly recommended not to pay your porters any tips until you and all your gear have reached the gate safely.
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.
You now drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower, dinner descent bed and celebrations!!
- Hiking time: 6 hours
- Distance: Approximately 29 km
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
DEPARTURE DATES
The departure dates for all our African safaris and trekking packages are totally flexible according to your own personal needs. Please contact us for further and more detailed info, as well as information on photographic safaris and Kilimanjaro trekking packages.
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