The 6-day Rongai Route for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is a great choice! The Rongai Route is one of the quieter routes on the mountain, as it starts from the northern side near the Kenya-Tanzania border. It is considered to be one of the easier routes, though it still offers a challenging adventure. The route is known for its scenic beauty, less crowded paths, and the opportunity to view the mountain from different perspectives.
Things to Keep in Mind:
- Acclimatization: The Rongai Route offers good acclimatization, which helps with the success rate for summiting. However, altitude sickness can still be an issue, so it's important to stay hydrated and ascend slowly.
- Fitness: While the route is considered one of the easier options, it's still important to be in good physical shape. Hiking at high altitudes can be strenuous.
- Packing: Be prepared for all weather conditions – the weather can change quickly, and you may experience rain, snow, or extreme temperatures.
- Guides and Porters: You'll be required to have a guide and porters as part of the national park rules. They will help with your gear, cooking, and navigating.
If you're ready for an incredible adventure with stunning views and relatively lower crowds, the Rongai Route is a great choice! Let me know if you need more details or tips for your trip.
Day 1 : Kilimanjaro Airport – Arusha
Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, our representative will be waiting for you. He will take you to the hotel in Arusha, where the rest of the day is at leisure. In the evening you will be briefed by our team on site in preparation of the upcoming trekking tour.
Day 2: Rongai Gate (Nale Moru) to Simba Camp
Drive to the attractive wooden village of Nale Moru where you going to start your trekking. 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 Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals: LD
Day 3:Hike Simba Camp to Second Cave
The morning hike is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim.
Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3450m/11,300ft
Distance: 6km/4mi
Walking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: BLD
Day 4: Hike Second Cave to Third Cave
Today we continue our hike from the Second Cave to the Third Cave.
Elevation: 3450m/11,300ft to 3880m/12,700ft
Distance: 9km/5mi
Walking Time: 2-3 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert
Meals: BLD
Day 5:Hike Third Cave to Kibo Hut
Hike to Kibo Hut at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent and a very early day!
Elevation: 3880m/12,700ft to 4750m/15,600ft
Distance: 5km/3mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: BLD
Day 6:Kibo Hut to Summit, and down 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
Down to 3700m/12,200ft
Distance: 6km/4mi up / 15km/9mi down
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours up / 15km/9mi down
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: BLD
Day 7:Hike Horombo Hut to Marangu gate
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).
Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 1700m/5500ft
Distance: 20km/12.5mi
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Forest
Meals: B
Day 8: Departure day
The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Arusha town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport.
| Number of Pax | 1pax | 2 -3pax | 4-5pax | 6-7pax | 8-10pax |
| Price per person | $2,150 | $1,700 | $1,570 | $1,480 | $1,450 |
