6 Days Kilimanjaro Climb Rongai Route
6 Days Kilimanjaro Climb Rongai Route Tour Overview
The only way to get to Mount Kilimanjaro from the north, close to the Kenyan border, is by taking the Rongai route. Even though Rongai is becoming more popular with climbers, there aren’t many people there. It is the best route for people who want to avoid the crowds on the Marangu route, who want to hike in a more remote area, or who want to climb during the rainy season.
This route needs at least 6 days, but 7 days is better. Even though the scenery isn’t as varied as on the western routes, Rongai makes up for it by going through real wilderness areas for days before joining the Marangu route at Kibo camp. The Marangu route is followed down by this route. Rongai is a moderately hard route, and those with less backpacking experience are especially encouraged to take it.
Detailed Itinerary
You’ll meet our Mangokili Adventures driver at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), and he’ll take you to your hotel in Moshi town. There, you’ll meet your guide, who will tell you about your upcoming hike and check your gear to make sure you have everything you need for the mountain. You can rent the gear you forgot on this day.
Spend the night at Lindrin lodge or Park view hotel. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all included.
This morning, we’ll take a car to the village of Nale Moru, which is where the Rongai route begins. In the first part of the hike, you’ll pass through farms and pine forests. You might see beautiful Colobus monkeys or, if you’re lucky, elephants or buffalos on the way. At 2625m, the Simba Camp will be our first stop. It is on the edge of the moorland zone.
5 miles (8 km) have been traveled.
It takes about 4 to 5 hours.
Included in the price are breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
We walk 5.8km from Simba camp up toward Kibo until 3482m, where we have lunch at First Caves. After lunch, we walk until we reach Kikelewa Camp, which is about 3679 meters away. The views start to get better, and you start to feel like you’re on a big mountain. There is a clear stream below the cave, but you might have to walk downhill for a while to find a few pools. At Kikelewa camp, you can eat dinner and stay the night.
Takes about 6 to 7 hours.
About 11.8 km separates the two places.
Included in the price are breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
This wilderness area has great views from a short, steep climb up grassy slopes. The zone of plants ends just before you get to your next camp, which is at Mawenzi Tarn, which is a beautiful spot under the tall spires of Mawenzi. Spend the afternoon getting used to the area and learning more about it.
5 miles (8 km) have been traveled.
It takes about 4 to 5 hours.
Included in the price are breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
After breakfast, we go west and keep going up on the east side of Kibo. We cross the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo, which takes 4 to 5 hours. Resting is done for the rest of the day to get ready for the final climb, which starts around midnight. Sleep at the Kibo hut.
5 miles (8 km) have been traveled.
5 to 6 hours, give or take.
Included in the price are breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
You’ll get up around 23:20, have some tea and biscuits, and then shuffle off into the night. This is when things get really hard. The first part of the trail is a rocky path that leads to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), which is also a good place to stop and rest.
The path then goes up in zigzags until it reaches Gillman’s point (5,681m), which is on the edge of the crater. This part is very steep and has a lot of loose rocks, so it takes a lot of physical and mental effort to get through it. This is most likely the hardest part of the whole route. Move slowly and do the Kili shuffle. From Gillmans Point, you will usually find snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5895m), which is the highest point in Africa.
You’re thrilled and happy that you did it.
Depending on the weather on the summit, you may only be able to take pictures for a short time before you have to start the three-hour trek back to Kibo hut. After a short break at Kibo hot, you pick up everything you left behind on the way up and head down to Horombo hut, where you’ll spend the night. This will take about three hours. Compared to the way up, the way down to the Horombo hut will seem very quick. This day’s total walking time is about 14 hours, so get ready for a very hard day. Later in the evening, you have your last dinner on the mountain, where you can buy soft drinks and beer at the camp office. You then get a good night’s sleep, full of memories and emotions.
It takes about 7–8 hours to get to Uhuru Peak and 6–8 hours to get down to Horombo.
Distance: It takes about 12 to 15 hours.
Included in the price are breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
After breakfast, you keep going down, passing the Mandara hut on your way to the Marangu gate, which takes about 6 hours. It is strongly suggested that you don’t give tips to your porters until you and all of your gear have safely reached the gate.
At the Marangu gate, you put your name and information in a book. This is also where climbers get their certificates when they reach the top. Climbers who made it to Gillman’s Point (5685m) get green certificates, and climbers who made it to Uhuru Peak (5895m) get gold certificates.
You now drive back to Moshi to take a long-overdue hot shower, eat a good meal, sleep in a comfortable bed, and celebrate!
Time to walk: 6 hours
About 29 km separates the two places.
Spend the night at Lindrin lodge or Park view hotel. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all included.
After the Kilimanjaro trek, you have the rest of the day to relax before your flight home. Depending on what time your flight leaves, you could go to Moshi town and buy some souvenirs before going to the airport. If you want to keep exploring Tanzania, you can add on safari, Zanzibar, and other things.
Breakfast is included
Pricing for 6 Days Kilimanjaro Climb Rongai Route
| 1 | 2 - 4 | 5 - 7 | 8 & above |
|---|---|---|---|
| $2450 | $2150 | $1950 | $1800 |
Price Includes:
- Private transport to & from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your accommodations in Moshi.
- 2 nights of accommodation in Moshi in FULL BOARD (FB).
- Transportation to & from the Kilimanjaro gate
- Park entry fees,
- Camping fees
- Crater fee (if any)
- Team Kilimanjaro Rescue fees
- 18% VAT on tour fees & services
- 4 Season mountain tents
- Double layered Sleeping Mats 4 inches (10cm) thick
- Friendly and professional mountain guides, cook and porters
- 3 meals daily while on the mountain
- Enough treated & filtered drinking water throughout the trek
- Hot water for washing
- Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
- Government taxes
- Portable oxygen tanks
- Ox meter
- Emergency first-aid kit
- Stethoscope
- Portable flush toilet with a toilet and tent
- Mountain climbing certificates
Price Excludes
- Drinks at your hotel before and after the climb.
- Travel Insurance
- Flights
- Laundry (Available at the hotel)
- Personal items and toiletries
- Tips for guides, porters and cook
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