Overview
The Rongai Route is one of the easiest routes and the success rate is very high.
The route starts on the north side of the mountain just south of the Kenyan border, and is one of the least traveled routes. The descent is down the Marangu Route on the south side of the mountain, so climbers see the mountain from many view points.
The drive to the trail head takes about 3 hours from Moshi through many villages and coffee plantations, including a stop to register climbing permits at Marangu.
The Rongai Route can also be accessed from Amboseli National Park in Kenya. Allow 2 hours including border crossing. We will need copies of passports ahead of time.
Day 0Pre-trek Briefing
If you have opted for the optional airport transfers, we will pick you up from Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha airport and transfer you to your hotel in Arusha. Pre-trek briefing at your hotel. You should be planning to arrive atleast one day before the start of the trek. Today we will spend in having a pre-trek briefing. We will also review your equipment and rent any equipment which is needed.
Day 1Hotel to Simba Camp
Drive to the attractive wooden village of Nale Moru (about 3hours including a stop to get permits at Marangu). After signing in and preparing the porters, you will begin the hike on a wide path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering pine forest. The track then starts to climb consistently but gently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife. The forest begins to thin out and the first camp is at the edge of the moorland zone with extensive views over the Kenyan plains.
Elevation
2000m/6560ft to
2650m/8700ft
Distance
6km/4mi
Hiking
3 – 4 hours
Habitat
Montane Forest
Meals
Lunch & Dinner
Day 2Simba Camp to Second Cave
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nunc vitae metus eleifend, pharetra elit eu, dictum tortor. Vivamus accumsan vel magna vitae sagittis. Quisque blandit ligula nec lectus sollicitudin, et scelerisque lectus feugiat. Sed ac libero ac odio laoreet bibendum quis vitae justo. Vestibulum commodo nunc ex, sit amet mollis risus auctor eu.
Elevation
2650m/8700ft to
3450m/11,300ft
Distance
6km/4mi
Hiking
3 – 4 hours
Habitat
Moorland
Meals
Breakfast,
Lunch & Dinner
Day 3Second Cave to Kikelewa Camp
Head out across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. The campsite is in a sheltered valley with giant Senecios nearby.
Elevation
3450m/11,300ft to
3600m/11,800ft
Distance
9km/5mi
Hiking
2-3 hours
Habitat
Semi-desert
Meals
Breakfast,
Lunch & Dinner
Day 4Kikelewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn
A short but steep climb up grassy slopes is rewarded by superb views. Leave the vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn, spectacularly situated in a cirque directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. The afternoon will be free to rest or explore the surrounding area as an aid to acclimatization.
Elevation
3600m/11,800ft to
4330m/14,200ft
Distance
6km/4mi
Hiking
3 – 4 hours
Habitat
Semi-desert
Meals
Breakfast,
Lunch & Dinner
Day 5Mawenzi Tarn to Kibo Hut
Cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo campsite at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent very early.
Elevation
3090m/10,150ft to
1680m/5500ft
Distance
9km/5mi
Hiking
4-5 hours
Habitat
Alpine Desert
Meals
Breakfast,
Lunch & Dinner
Day 6Kibo Hut to Summit to Horombo Hut
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman’s Point located on the crater rim (elev 5700m/18,700ft). Continuing, we now ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa. There are unbelievable views at every turn. Have your picture taken at the summit to show your friends and family. From here we descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment. The beginning of this climb is done in the dark and requires headlamps or flashlights. It will be very cold until you start descending, so you will need all of your warm layers. This is by far the most difficult part of the trek with many switchbacks. Going slowly “pole pole” and an optimistic attitude will get you there!
Elevation
4700m/15,500ft to
5895m/19,340ft
Descending to
3700m/12,200ft
Distance
6km/4mi up &
15km/9mi down
Hiking
6-8 hours
Habitat
Alpine Desert
Meals
Breakfast,
Lunch & Dinner
Day 7Horombo Hut to Moshi
After breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through moorland to the Mandara Hut. Continue descending through lush forest path to the National Park gate at Marangu. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). A vehicle will be waiting for you at Marangu gate to drive you back to your hotel.
Elevation
3700m/12,200ft to
1700m/5500ft
Distance
20km/12.5mi
Hiking
4-5 hours
Habitat
Forest
Meals
Breakfast
Deposit policy
• Deposit is 20% of the total booking amount.
• Deposit can be paid either via a bank transfer or an online card payment.
• A 5% fee is applicable on all card payments (payment gateway charges), this is non-refundable.
• Once you make the advance payment you will receive a booking confirmation.
Balance Payment
• Balance can be paid via bank transfer, online card payment, or with cash.
• Bank payment can be done 15 days prior to the tour date (recommended 30 days prior).
• Card Payment can be done 1 day prior to the tour date (recommended 7 days prior).
• A 5% fee is applicable on all card payments (payment gateway charge), this is non-refundable.
• Cash can be paid on arrival (USD printed in or after the year 2009).
Cancellation Policy
8 days and above departure
• No cancellation fees.
0 to 7 days before departure
• 50% of the total tour price will be charged as cancellation fees.
• Trek can be postponed to any new date without any extra cost at any point in time.
• The 5% surcharge paid for either or both advance and balance payments is non-refundable in case of cancellation of the trek.
Supplements
• Off-season supplement = USD 90 Charged for solo trekkers to start a new departure in the month of March, April, May and November. Does not apply if you join an existing group. Does not apply if others trekkers also join your new group.
• Solo Supplement = USD 30 Charged for solo trekkers throughout the year.
Discounts
• Children between 5 years and 15 years old
Code: 5TO15 – USD 690 per person
• Expatriates/Residents living in Tanzania
Code: RESTAN – USD 245 per person
• East African Citizens
Code: EAC – USD 880 per person
Private trek itinerary prices
People
in
Group
Standard
package
1
$2120
Person
2
$1943
Person
3
$1921
Person
4
$1894
Person
5
$1880
Person
6
$1879
Person
7
$1871
Person
8
$1863
Person
9
$1857
Person
10+
$1814
Person
- All transfers to the mountain and back to your hotel
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides
- Guides, Porters, Cook salaries and park fees
- Sleeping Mattress
- Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
- VAT (18% charged by the Government)
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
- Conservation fees (part of park fees)
- Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees)
- Rescue fees (part of park fees)
- Kilimanjaro summit certificate
- Tanzania Visa
- International and domestic flights
- Hotel (available as an optional addon)
- Transfers (available as an optional addon)
- Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- Surcharge for online payment of advance and balance (5% on each payment)
- Personal trekking equipment such as sleepings bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting)
- Tips and gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Liquors, beers and bottled beverages