7 Days Rongai Route
This 7 Days Rongai Route ascends Mount Kilimanjaro from the northeastern side of the mountain along the border of Tanzania and Kenya, Rongai Route retains a sense of unspoilt wilderness and provides a different perspective of Kilimanjaro as you approach it from the North.
This route’s topography does not allow for the application of the climb high and sleep low principle and hikers generally suffer more from altitude sickness compared to other Mount Kilimanjaro climbing routes. That is why an additional acclimatization day is highly recommended on this route.
The Rongai Route use the scree summiting path from Kibo Hut to Gilman’s point and descend via the Marangu route, the main difference between the Rongai 6 day and 7-day route is the additional acclimatization day at Mwenzi Tarn.
OVERVIEW
Day 1: Kilimanjaro International Airport – Moshi
Day 2: Moshi – Rongai – Simba Camp
Day 3: Simba Camp – Kikelewa Camp
Day 4: Kikelewa Camp – Mawenzi Tarn Camp
Day 5: Mawenzi Tarn Camp – Kibo hut
Day 6: Kibo Hut – Uhuru Peak – Horombo Hut
Day 7: Horombo Hut – Marangu Gate – Moshi
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1: Airport pick-up- Drop off at Hotel in Arusha
On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be picked up the representatives of jewel safaris and transfer you to your accommodation in Moshi, you will be given a short briefing about the climbing adventure, also checkout the necessary equipment. Have dinner and stay overnight.
Meal: Dinner
Accommodation: Moshi Salsalinero Hotel
Day 2: Rongai Start Point (1996m) – Simba camp (2626m)
Hiking time: 4 hours •Distance: Approximately 6.7km •Habitat: Forest (Montane)
Depart from Moshi Town and drive 45minutes to Marangu Park Gate for registration, from this point you will head to the Rongai starting point at 1996 meters. Begin the hike from the Nale Moru Village, a small winding path crosses through maize fields before entering pine forest and then climb gently through a forest.
The trail is not steep but rather a gentle hike through a beautiful countryside, spend the first night at Simba Camp (2,626m). facilities at the camp include a public toilet and a wooden table with beaches but no hut.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Simba Hut
Day 3: Simba camp (2626m) – Kikelewa Camp (3679m)
Hiking time: 6 – 7 hours •Distance: Approximately 11.8 km •Habitat: Moorlands
Hike from Simba Camp to Kibo (3,482m), along the trek you will have lunch at first caves. The distance is 5.8 kilometers, after lunch you will continue trekking until you reach Kikelewa Camp at about 3,679 meter. Here you will have an amazing view of a stream of water below the cave.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Kikelewa Camp
Day 4: Kikelewa Cave (3679m) – Mawenzi Tarn camp (4303m)
Hiking time: 3 hours •Distance: Approximately 3.7km •Habitat: Moorlands
Have a short but steep club up grassy slopes with superb views of this wilderness area, the vegetation zone ends shortly before you reach Mawenzi Tarn (your next camp) situated beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi, you will spend the afternoon here acclimatizing and exploring the area.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Mawenzi Tarn Camp
Day 5: Mawenzi Tarn camp (4303m) – Kibo hut (4730m)
Hiking time: 5 hours •Distance: Approximately 9 km •Habitat: Alpine desert
After breakfast, you will hike west and continue ascending on the east side of Kibo. Then cross the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo taking 4 to 5 hours to reach Kibo Hut. You will spend the rest of the day in preparation for the final ascent which begins around midnight. Pend the night at Kibo Hut.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Kibo Hut
Day 6: Summit attempt
Kibo hut (4730m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo hut (3705m)
Hiking time: 7 to 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak | 6 to 8 hours to descend to Horombo
- Distance: Approximately 5.4km ascent and 15 km descent •Habitat: Stone scree / ice-cap summit
This is very tough that is why you should be prepared, you will have around 14 hours of hiking.
Rise around 23h20, have some tea and biscuit then begin the ascent. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), have a good resting at this same spot. The path then goes up to Gillman’s Point (5681m) located on the crater rim in a zigzag way. This section is very steep with a lot of stone scree, which requires climbers to have in a great physical and metal effort, this is the most demanding section of the entire route. From Gillmans Point, you will encounter snow as you head to Uhuru Peak (5895m) which is the highest point in Africa.
The time you will spend on the summit will be determined by the weather conditions on the summit, the time you will have at the summit you will be able to taking photographs and the amazing scenery. Afterwards, being a 3 hours descent back to Kibo hut. You will have a short rest at Kibu Hut, gather all the remaining gears and head down to Horombo Hut which is 3 hours away for your overnight. Returning to Horombo Hut will seem surprisingly fast compared to the ascent. Later in the evening, you will have your last dinner on Mount Kilimanjaro, have dinner and stay overnight.
Day 7: Horombo hut (3705m) – Marangu Gate (1860m)
Hiking time: 6 hours •Distance: Approximately 19.7 km •Habitat: Moorland & Montane Forest
After breakfast, continue with the descent for around 6 hours passing the Mandara hut down to the Marangu Gate, at the gate successful climbers will receive their summit certificates and those who reached Gillman’s Point (5685m) receive gold certificates. Afterwards, drive back to Moshi Town for a long overdue hot shower and celebration.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Moshi Salsalinero Hotel
End of 7 Days Rongai Route
INCLUSIONS
Park fees
All activities (unless labeled as optional)
All accommodation as stated in the itinerary
A professional driver/guide
All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
All Taxes/VAT
Roundtrip airport transfer
All Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
Drinking water on all days
Camping Equipment
Porterage
EXCLUSIONS
International flights (from/to home)
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Tips (tipping guideline US$20.00 pp per day)
Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Alcohol drinks
Rescue Fee
Climbing Gear
Sleeping Bag
