The Rongai Route climbs above the Amboseli plains and approaches Kilimanjaro’s summit west of the Mawenzi peak, beginning on the mountain’s northeastern flank near the Kenyan border. It is a less traveled route that also provides the most convenient camping access to Uhuru Peak. The Marangu Route is normally used for the descent. This path can be taken in two ways. Because of its location, the Rongai route is the best option during the rainy season. This route can be completed in 6 days, but 7 days is recommended for better acclimatization.
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your arranged hotel in Moshi/Arusha town, you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day.
Hotel: Bed & Breakfast
This morning, we’ll drive to Nale Moru, the starting point of the Rongai route. The first leg of the journey takes you through farmland and pine forests. You might see some beautiful Colobus monkeys or, if you’re lucky, elephants or buffalos en route. Our first camp will be the Simba Camp, which is located at 2625m on the outskirts of the moorland zone.
Distance covered: 8km / 5km
Approx. time taken: 4-5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
The morning hike is a steady ascent up to the moorland zone’s Second Cave Camp, which offers spectacular views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim.
Distance covered: 5km / 3.1mi
Approx. time taken: 3-4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
We leave the pine forest behind and continue our ascent through moorland. On the crater rim of Kibo, the highest of the mountain’s three volcanoes, there are spectacular views of the Eastern ice fields. We’ll leave the main trail and take a smaller path across moorland towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi, Kilimanjaro’s second volcano. Today, at 3630m, we will set up camp in a sheltered valley near the Kikelewa caves.
Distance covered: 5km / 3.1mi
Approx. time taken: 3-4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
We have a short but steep ascent up grassy slopes this morning, which is rewarded with a spectacular view of the Kenyan plains to the north. We leave the vegetation behind shortly before arriving at our next camp, Mawenzi Tarn Hut, which is located directly beneath the towering cliffs of Mawenzi. This afternoon, you can rest or explore the surrounding area to help with acclimatization.
Distance covered: 8km / 5mi
Approx. time taken: 4-5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
We leave our campsite and cross the lunar desert between Mawenzi and Kibo. After a few hours of trekking, we arrived at this breathtaking location, with Kilimanjaro’s summit in the background and our path to the high camp stretching out before us. After arriving at our camp, we’ll spend the rest of the day resting in preparation for the final ascent after a very early night!
Distance covered: 22km / 13.7mi
Approx. time taken: 12 – 15 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
“The Big Day” – the summit stage – is today. You’ll start your final ascent around midnight, which will be long and difficult. The climb gradually but steadily ascends after passing the Hans Meyer Cave at 5220m. At sunrise, you’ll arrive at Gillman’s Point (5681m), the crater rim of Kilimanjaro, where the sun will gradually begin to warm the land. You will quickly forget the cold of the night, and after another 1 – 2 hour hike, you will reach Uhuru Peak at 5895m. A warm meal awaits you upon your return to Kibo Hut, followed by a 1 – 2 hour break before returning to Horombo Hut.
Distance covered: 22km / 13.7mi
Approx. time taken: 12 – 15 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
The final stage takes you through the heath and moor zone to the Mandara Hut (2700m), where a hot lunch awaits you. Soon, you will pass through the tropical rainforest again, and after 6 hours of trekking, you will arrive at the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (1860m). Following your farewell to your mountain guides, a short transfer will take you back to your hotel in Moshi. Once there, you can take a warm and relaxing shower to commemorate your successful summit of Kilimanjaro.
Distance covered: 20.8km / 12.9mi
Approx. time taken: 8 hours
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Included
The day is free for you to relax after the journey before your flight home. Depending on your flight schedule, you could explore Moshi/Arusha town and pick up some souvenirs before heading to the airport.
On Kilimanjaro, temperatures can easily range from the high 20s (centigrade) during the day to -15c at night. To deal with such a wide temperature range, your clothing and equipment strategy should be based on combining many thin layers that you build up and take off as the weather dictates. Kilimanjaro National Park has a strict 15kg per porter limit for your main equipment bag, which includes your sleeping bag. This will be more than enough for your needs on the mountain. Before you leave the hotel to begin the climb, your bag will be weighed, and if it is overweight, you will be required to remove items and leave them at the hotel.
Head and Hands:
Upper body:
Lower body:
Other items:
Paper Work
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