6 DAY RONGAI ROUTE KILIMANJARO CLIMBING
The Rongai Route is the only route on the northeastern part of the mountain. This route is gaining in popularity because it is the second easiest after Marangu and it has amazing wilderness conditions. The Rongai Route is recommended for climbers who want to avoid the huge numbers of climbers on other routes. This route can be started from the Tanzanian or the Kenyan side of the mountain and can be achieved in 6 days. The Rongai Route is only used to climb up the mountain and at the final stage it joins up with the Route, which is also the ascending route. This route has lots of caves, which are partly also used as overnight accommodations.
Day 1: Drive to Rongai Gate (Nale Moru), Hike to Simba Camp
Drive to the attractive wooden village of Nale Moru (about 2 hours 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 the 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 2635m/8645ft
- Distance: 7km
- Hiking time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Montane Forest
Day 2: 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: 2635m/8645ft to 3487m/11,440ft
- Distance: 6km
- Hiking time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
Day 3: Hike Second Cave to Third Cave
Today we continue our hike from the Second Cave to the Third Cave.
- Elevation: 3487m/11,440ft to 3939m/12,913ft
- Distance: 4km
- Walking Time: 2-3 hours
- Habitat: Semi-desert
Day 4: 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: 3939m/12,913ft to 4700m/15,466ft
- Distance: 5km
- Hiking time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Day 5: Hike Kibo Hut to Summit, and down to Horombo Hut
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), 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 having an optimistic attitude will get you there!
- Elevation: 4700m/15,500ft to 5895m/19,340ft Down to 3700m/12,200ft
- Distance: 6km up / 15km down
- Hiking time: 6-8 hours up / 15km/9mi down
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Day 6:Hike Horombo Hut to Marangu gate, drive to Arusha/Moshi
After breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through moorland to the Mandara Hut. Continue descending through a 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 meet you at Marangu gate to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha/Moshi (about 1 hour). It is time for celebration
INCLUDED
- All transfers to the mountain and back to your Moshi hotel
- Professional, experienced, and friendly mountain guides
- Medical evacuation with Kilimanjaro Search and Rescue> Flying Doctors.
- 2 nights and accommodations-one before and after the trek in good hotels.
- Guides, Porters, Cook salaries and park fees
- Pulse-oximeter – To measure the oxygen level, for each climber daily
- Portable Emergency Oxygen tanks
- Quality, waterproof, four-season private mountain sleeping tents
- Sleeping Mattress
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
- Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Crisis management and safety procedures
- Fair and ethical treatment of porters
- Conservation fees (part of park fees)
- Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees)
- Rescue fees (part of park fees)
- Arrival and Departure transfers
- All Government Tax and Park Entrance Fees
- VAT (18% charged by the Government)
EXCLUDED
- Tips for guides, cook and porters
- Track your trek by satellite device services
- Personal trekking equipment such as sleepings bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting)
- Tips and gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Tanzania Visa on arrival
- Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- Optional Tours (short safari after your climb etc)
