7 Days Rongai Route

from
$1,650.00
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  • Vacation Style Holiday Type
    Camping, Trekking
  • Activity Level
  • Group Size Medium Group
    10
All about the 7 Days Rongai Route.
About Rongai Route
The Rongai route is the only route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the north, close to the Kenyan border. Though gaining popularity amongst climbers, this route still experiences low crowds.Rongai has a more gradual slope than the mountain’s other routes. It is the preferred route for those looking for an alternative to the popular Marangu route, for those who would like a more remote hike, and for those who are climbing during the rainy season (the north side receives less precipitation).Rongai is a moderately difficult route, and is highly recommended, especially for those with less backpacking experience.Although the scenery is not as varied as the western routes, Rongai makes up for this by passing through true wilderness areas for nearly the entire way. Descent is made via the Marangu route.
The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance
What is included in this tour?Items that are included in the cost of tour price.
  • 2 Airport Transfers, from JRO Kilimanjaro Airport to Moshi when you arrive, then transfer back to the Airport for your flight home.
  • 2 nights Hotel Lodging on Bed and Breakfast basis, Double or Triple Occupancy (3 star hotel you will need to pay extra if you want to have a 4 or 5 star hotel)
  • 3 Delicious meals a days plud snacks if applicable, boiled and filtered drinking water while on the mountain.
  • Warm water for washing to be provided every morning and evening.
  • Oxygen Cylinder – only for emergency
  • English Speaking Guides (Wilderness First Responder certified), cook and porters
  • Staff salaries and fees.
  • All huts and camping fee
  • Transport to/from national park gates.
  • Emergency telephone between the guides and our office in Moshi town.
  • 3 litres of bottled drinking water to be provided on the first day your hike, on the mountain porters will fetch water from the streams to be boiled and filtered for you
  • Camping equipment on Machame/ Shira/ Lemosho/ Rongai & Umbwe routes (tents)
  • Portable oxygen for emergencies (returnable on completion of climb)
  • Certificate of successful completion
  • Tanzania government taxes.
What is not included in this tour?Items that are not included in the cost of tour price.
  • Prices do not include sleeping bags
  • Gratuities (tips for guides and porters)
  • Soda/alcohol unless otherwise noted (plenty of water will be provided for hydration)
  • Health insurance
  • International airfare
  • Laundry
  • All Meals and drinks in Moshi town
  • Round-trip airfare to and from Kilimanjaro (JRO airport)
  • Travel and visa documents
  • Optional travel insurance
  • Additional equipment rental (walking sticks, sleeping pads, etc.)
  • Personal items
  1. Day 1 Rongai Gate to Rongai Cave
    • Elevation: 6,398 ft to 9,300 ft
    • Distance: 8 km/5 miles
    • Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
    • Habitat: Rain Forest

    This day starts by drive from Moshi to Marangu Gate for necessary permits, followed by short journey to the Rongai Gate trailhead. The path twists through corn and potato fields and then ascend mildly through the forest that is a habitat to a variety of animals, including the black and white colobus monkey.

  2. Day 2 Rongai Cave to Second Cave / Second Cave to Kikelewa Cave
    • Elevation: 9,300 ft to 11,300 ft
    • Distance: 6 km/4 miles
    • Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
    • Habitat: Heath
    • Elevation: 11,300 ft to 11,811 ft
    • Distance: 6 km/4 miles
    • Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
    • Habitat: Heath

    This morning we’ll start by steady ascend to Second Cave. Our path resumes across the  moorland, as we trade the main trail for a lesser path towards the spiked peaks of Mawenzi, before arrival to Kikelewa Cave, where we will camp for the night.

  3. Day 3 Kikelewa Cave to Mawenzi Tarn
    • Elevation: 11,811 ft to 14,160 ft
    • Distance: 5 km/3 miles
    • Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
    • Habitat: Alpine Desert

    Today’s hike will be short and steep taking you up the grassy slope. The view of the sheer wilderness area ahead is breathtaking. By leaving the heath zone and entering the Alpine Desert zone, the landscape changes drastically. The camp is situated at the base of the spiked top of Mawenzi, at Mawenzi Tarn. The rest of the day can be spent relaxing or exploring the area.

  4. Day 4 Mawenzi Tarn to Mawenzi Ridge / Mawenzi Ridge to Mawenzi Tarn
    • Elevation (ft): 14,160 ft -14,400 ft
    • Distance: 2 km/1 mile
    • Hiking Time: 1-2 hours
    • Habitat: Alpine Desert
    • Elevation (ft): 14,400 ft -14,160 ft
    • Distance: 2 km/1 mile
    • Hiking Time: 1-2 hours
    • Habitat: Alpine Desert

    This day is intended for your acclimatization, and could be used for hiking on Mawenzi Ridge. This unforgettable landscape offers motivating views of Kibo and Mawenzi. After spending some time in exploring the area, we’ll return to Mawenzi Tarn for overnight.

  5. Day 5 Mawenzi Tarn to Kibo Hut
    • Elevation (ft): 14,160 ft to 15,430 ft
    • Distance: 8 km/5 miles
    • Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
    • Habitat: Alpine Desert

    Slowly but surely we will climb up and cross the lunar desert of the ”Saddle”, situated between Kibo and Mawenzi. Kibo Hut camp is located at the base of Kibo crater wall, and here we’ll rest and enjoy early dinner and prepare for the summit day.

  6. Day 6 Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak / Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut
    • Elevation (ft): 15,430 ft to 19,341 ft
    • Distance: 6 km/4 miles
    • Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
    • Habitat: Arctic
    • Elevation (ft): 19,341 ft to 12,250 ft
    • Distance: 16 km/10 miles
    • Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
    • Habitat: Heath

    Your day will begin very early, around midnight. This portion of the hike is the most mentally and physically challenging, and we will continue at slow and steady pace for several hours, but you will be taking short and frequent breaks. The trail will twist through heavy scree as you do a steep climb to the crater rim. From Gilman’s Point (18,600ft), signs of the summit are visible from a distance. The hike continues around the crater rim, until finally you get to Uhuru Peak – the Roof of Africa and the highest point on Kilimanjaro and all of Africa.

    After spending a few moments taking in the plains of Africa and the massive summit accomplishment, the descent to Horombo Hut will begin. Later in the evening, your last dinner on the mountain will be served before you get some well-deserved sleep.

    After a short time at the summit, you will begin descend on the steep scree trail to Horombo Hut. You will enjoy your last dinner on the mountain, followed by well deserved sleep.

  7. Day 7 Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate
    • Elevation (ft): 12,205 ft to 6,046 ft
    • Distance: 20 km/12 miles
    • Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
    • Habitat: Rain Forest

    The last day on the mountain will mostly be descend through tropical rainforest. In the park headquarters at Marangu gate you we collect your summit certificates, and vehicle will meet you here to take you back to your hotel in Moshi where you can shower and rest.