7 Days Rongai Route

Tour Overview

Rongai is the only route on Kilimanjaro that approaches the mountain from the North. This route requires longer transport and it is less visited, so it can cost a bit higher than the others. You can finish Rongai route in 6 or 7 days, but note that shorter trek does not offer acclimatization day to accommodate high altitude conditions. This route might be not as attractive as Machame or Lemosho, but it offers amazing view of Mawenzi and Kibo Peak. The success rate is relatively high, with 70% – 80% chance to reach Uhuru Peak. Rongai has gradual and easy path, with a very steady rise, and its is much drier than any other route on the mountain, so you should not expect much rains on your climb. The sleeping is in tents, in a very well organized camps. Descend is at Marangu Gate.

How fit do you need to be to climb Kilimanjaro?

Taking on the challenge of climbing Kilimanjaro is no small feat, primarily due to the high altitude, the pace of ascent, and the varying temperatures you’ll encounter. On an average day of the trek, you can expect to hike for six to seven hours. However, if you maintain good health and fitness, reaching the summit is entirely achievable. There are several strategies you can employ to enhance your chances of success and ensure a rewarding experience throughout the journey.

First and foremost, patience is key. Avoid rushing your hike; allowing your body ample time to adapt and acclimatize is crucial for your well-being.
Preparation is essential. Being physically fit will significantly ease the climbing process. Engage in hiking several months prior to your expedition, focusing on multi-day hikes for optimal training.
Additionally, incorporating running and aerobic exercises into your routine will further prepare you for the ascent. Consider adding an extra day to your itinerary. It’s challenging to predict who might experience altitude sickness, but by extending your climb by an additional day, you can mitigate this risk. Spreading the trek over more days allows your body to acclimatize more effectively to the higher elevations. We strongly recommend this approach to maximize your chances of reaching the summit.

BOOK THIS TREK

Included

Professional, experienced, mountain guides
Transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle
All meals while on the Mountain
Arrival and Departure transfers
Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
Clean, purified drinking water
Crisis management and safety procedures
Rescue fees
All national park fees
Fair and ethical treatment of porters
Flying Doctors insurance (AMREF) during the safari

Excluded

Itinerary

Day 0: ARRIVAL - DRIVE TO MOSHI
Day 1: RONGAI GATE (1950M) TO SIMBA CAMP (2600M).
Day 2: SIMBA CAMP (2600M) TO SECOND CAVES (3450M)
Day 3: SECOND CAVES (3450M) TO KIKELEWA CAMP (3600M)
Day 4: KIKELEWA CAVE (3600) TO MAWENZI TARN CAMP (4330M)
Day 5: MAWENZI TARN CAMP (4330M) – KIBO HUT (4700M)
Day 6: SUMMIT ATTEMPT (FROM KIBO HUT (4700M) TO UHURU PEAK (5895M)) THEN DOWN TO HOROMBO HUT (3720M)
Day 7: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate

Day 0

ARRIVAL - DRIVE TO MOSHI

Welcome to Tanzania: Meet and greet at arrival point by our transferring driver who will escort you to the waiting vehicle for loading your luggage then drive you to the Hotel in Moshi town. After checking in the hotel you will get a briefing about your next day’s trek then your mountain guide will check your gears. The rest of the day can be spent relaxing at the pool or exploring the town of Moshi.

ACCOMMODATION

Sellinero Hotel

Day 1

RONGAI GATE (1950M) TO SIMBA CAMP (2600M).

After an early breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up from Moshi and driven to the Nale Moru gate. At the gate, the porters will organize and pack the belongings for the hike while you and your waiting lounge registering with the Tanzania National Park (TANAPA). You will then begin your ascent into the rainforest. During this section of the hike, you should expect rain, mud, and fog. Also, be on the lookout for wildlife, including Colobus monkeys! About halfway up the trail, you will have a lunch break and you will reach the First Caves Camp in the late afternoon or early evening. The porters and chefs who move very fast up the mountain will reach camp before you and set up your tents, boil drinking water, and prepare snacks for your arrival. After washing up, a hot dinner will be served followed by overnight. The Rongai Route 7 Day Treks stars here.

ACCOMMODATION

Sellinero Hotel

Day 2

SIMBA CAMP (2600M) TO SECOND CAVES (3450M)

Late Breakfast, enjoy the morning at Simba camp proceed with the hiking very slowly acclimatize your body until you reach Second cave (3450M ) for hot lunch. Afternoon relaxes at the second cave with dinner and overnight.

ACCOMMODATION

Second Caves Camp

Day 3

SECOND CAVES (3450M) TO KIKELEWA CAMP (3600M)

After breakfast then continues up towards Kibo, reaching Kikelewa Cave at about 3600 meters. The views start to open up and you begin to feel you’re on a really big mountain! Water is in the obvious stream below the caves, although you might have to wander downhill a way to find some. Overnight at 3rd Cave camp (Kikelewa Caves).

ACCOMMODATION

Kikelewa Caves Camp

Day 4

KIKELEWA CAVE (3600) TO MAWENZI TARN CAMP (4330M)

On this day, hikers will enjoy a short, yet steep trail to Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4330m). In the moorland, you will spot exotic plants, including giant lobelia and groundsel. At camp, hikers will enjoy spectacular views and allow their bodies to acclimate. Hot dinner and washing water will be prepared for hikers as they enjoy the magnificent sunset. Keep on Rongai Route 7 Day Treks.

ACCOMMODATION

Mawenzi Tarn Camp

Day 5

MAWENZI TARN CAMP (4330M) – KIBO HUT (4700M)

After breakfast, hikers will continue ascending east for a half-day hike to Kibo Hut. Kibo is located in the “Saddle,” which refers to the area located between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo in an alpine desert. There is no water at this camp, but hikers can buy mineral water and soft drinks at the camp office. An early dinner will be served so hikers can rest before attempting the summit the same night. Your guide will brief you in detail on how to prepare for summit night. Get to sleep by 19:00!

ACCOMMODATION

Kibo Huts

Day 6

SUMMIT ATTEMPT (FROM KIBO HUT (4700M) TO UHURU PEAK (5895M)) THEN DOWN TO HOROMBO HUT (3720M)

Your guide will wake you up around 23:30 for tea and biscuits. You will then begin your summit attempt. The trail is rocky up to Hans Meyer Cave (5150m). You continue your ascent to Gillman’s point (5681m). Reaching this section is an impressive achievement as the trail is steep, rocky, and at high altitudes. Gillman’s is located on the crater rim. From this point, you will usually experience a snow-covered trail until you reach the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). Reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro is a lifetime accomplishment! You will be able to spend a short time on the summit taking photographs and drinking tea before the descent to Barafu begins. The hike down to Kibo Hut takes about 3 hours. At Kibo Hut, you will rest and enjoy a hot lunch in the sun. After eating, you will continue descending down to Horombo Hut (3720m). You will have dinner, wash, and rest soundly at the hut after a strenuous day. Summit attempt Rongai Route 7 Day Treks

ACCOMMODATION

Horombo Huts

Day 7

HOROMBO HUT (3720M) TO MARANGU GATE (1980M), DRIVE TO MOSHI

Following a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. It is here on the mountain that you will present your tips to the guide, assistant guides, chef(s), and porters. After celebrating, you will descend for 6 hours back to Marangu Gate (1980m). The National Park requires all hikers to sign their names to receive certificates of completion. Hikers who reached Gillman’s Point (5681m) receive green certificates and hikers who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. After receiving certificates, you will drive back to Moshi for long overdue showers and more celebrations. End of Rongai Route 7 Day Treks.

ACCOMMODATION

Sellinero Hotel / Airport

prices

	1 Pax	2 Pax	3 Pax	4 Pax	5 Pax	6 Pax	7 Pax	8 Pax	9 Pax	10 Pax
Rongai 5 days	$2,104	$1,685	$1,575	$1,506	$1,505	$1,470	$1,479	$1,454	$1,435	$1,420
Rongai 6 days	$2,451	$2,025	$1,817	$1,738	$1,738	$1,697	$1,707	$1,679	$1,661	$1,647

+255 652 677 133

+36 30 500 7500

info@kalaitaadventures.com