Overview
Rongai route is the only route that approaches the mountain from the North side, close to the Kenyan border
7 Days Rongai Route (Total 8 Days)
The Rongai route begins on the northern side of the Mount Kilimanjaro and is the least traveled route up the mountain. It is a long drive to the starting point but you will be rewarded by fantastic views and the possibility that you will be the only climbers around. This is the best place in Tanzania to see black rhino as well as the pride of lion that include the magnificent black-maned males. There are also lots of colorful flamingo and a variety of water birds.
Trek Grade
Moderate (Summit Day Difficult)
Trail Access
Rongai gate via. Moshi Town
Highlights
Kilimanjaro Summit, Icefields, Mawenzi Peak, Unique Flora
Trek Duration Options
6, 7 or 8 Days Trekking and 2 Days Extra
Itinerary
Day 1: Kilimanjaro Airport - Arusha Town
Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, meet and great by your guide, then make a short transfer to Moshi Town (35 minute drive) to the hotel for an overnight. Briefing about the Kilimanjaro climb by your guide. Your Kilimanjaro guide will also check your equipment. Anything missing can be rented the next day.
Day 2: Arusha Town – Rongai Gate (Nalemoru Gate)
Sekimba Camp Nalemoru Gate (2.000m) – Sekimba Camp (2.700m)
Pick up from the hotel in Arusha Town, do some brief shopping around town before we leave the town and drive to Marangu Gate to get your permit. Meet your Kilimanjaro team: guide, assistant guide, cook and porters. We continue to Nalemoru Gate, where we start the trekking in Bale Moru Village. The small path crosses maize fields before entering pine forest. The climb starts gently through the forest. The trail is a rather gentle and beautiful. The main thing is to watch out for is elephants and cats covering portions of the trail. Other animals to be seen are buffaloes and monkeys. We have lunch on our way and a hot dinner is served in the camp.
Overnight: Sekimba Camp (First Cave Camp)
2.700m / 8,800ft – Trekking 5 hours
Day 3: Sekimba Camp – Kikelelwa Camp
Sekimba Camp (2.700m) – Kikelelwa Camp (3.650m)
The morning walk is a steady ascent up to the ‘Second Cave’ (3.450m) with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the Crater rim. After lunch, leave the main trail and strike out across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. The views start to open up and you begin to feel you’re on a really big mountain! We continue to walk to our campsite, in a sheltered valley with giant Seneciois near Kikelelwa Cave.
Overnight: Kikelelwa Camp
3.650m / 12,000ft – Trekking 6-7 hours
Day 4: Kikelelwa Camp – Mawenzi Tarn Camp
Kikelelwa Camp (3.650m) – Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4.300m)
A short but steep climb up grassy slopes in rewarded by superb all round views and a tangible sense of wilderness. Leave the vegetation behind shortly before reach the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn (4.300m / 14,100ft), spectacularly situated in a cirque directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. The afternoon will be free to rest or to explore the surrounding area as an aid to acclimatization. From here you have a good view of Hans Meyer Peak (Mawenzi Peak) 5.149m / 16,900ft.
Overnight: Mawenzi Tarn Camp
4.300m / 14,100ft – Trekking 4 hours
Day 5: Mawenzi Tarn Camp – Kibo Hut
Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4.300m) – Kibo Hut (4.700m) We continue to ascend on the east side of Kibo. We cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo Hut (4.700m / 15,400ft) at the bottom of the Kibo Crater wall. We enjoy the spectacular views of Kilimanjaro. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent at midnight.
Overnight: Kibo Hut
4.700m / 15,400ft – Trekking 4-5 hours
Day 6: Kibo Hut – Uhuru Peak – Horombo Hut
Kibo Hut (4.700m) – Uhuru Peak (5.895m) –Horombo Hut (3.700m) Your guide wakes you up before midnight and after a hot cup of tea and some biscuits you will start your trekking to the summit! When we reach Gillman’s Point (5.700m / 18,700ft) we see a spectacular sunrise with Mawenzi in the background. We take a short rest to enjoy the spectacular view of the sunrise and Kibo Crater. We continue to walk on a relatively flat path, surrounded by beautiful glaciers, to reach the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Uhuru Peak (5.895m / 19,340ft). Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your live! After taking photos we start to descend to our base camp, Kibo Hut (2 to 3 hours walk). We reach the camp, where we will have a rest and a good lunch. After lunch we descend the Marangu Route to Horombo Camp (about 3-4 hours). Exhausted, proud and excited we will have a well-deserved dinner and very good sleep.
Overnight: Horombo Hut
3.700m / 12,100ft
Trekking: 7-8 hours to summit – 6-7 hours to Horombo
Day 7: Horombo Hut – Marangu Gate – Arusha Town
Horombo Hut (3.700m) – Marangu Gate (1.850m)
After a good night sleep we start our final Descend to Marangu Gate. We go through the misty and beautiful forest again, all the way to Marangu Gate. The monkeys say goodbye and we realize we are about to end this great experience. After getting our certificates we will celebrate our Kilimanjaro adventure with our Guides, Cook and Porters. We all did a great job! Transfer to your hotel for your much-needed shower and very comfortable bed.
Overnight: in Arusha Town
Day 8: Arusha Town – Kilimanjaro Airport
After a good night sleep we wake up in our hotel where we will relax. Transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home, or proceed with the second part of your Tanzanian holiday.
End of Service
Important Note/s
*This route can also be done over a 7 or 8 day period. We will always endeavour to get you to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, however the longer the climb the more chances you have of a successful summit. Just let us know what your preference is and we’ll be happy to provide you with a specified itinerary.
info@kwamongoexpedition.co.tz
+255 672 168 926
+255 672 168 926
info@kwamongoexpedition.co.tz
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Day Trip
