Rongai Route
Rongai, being the only way to approach Kilimanjaro from the north, goes through the picturesque views of the rainforest and the second highest point of Tanzania
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Day 1-8 | Tanzania
Day 2
Start: Nalemoru Gate (1,990 m)
Finish: Simba Camp (2,625 m)
Altitude:↑ 635 m
Walking time: 3-4h
Day 3
Start: Simba Camp (2,625 m)
Finish: Kikelewa Camp (3,630 m)
Altitude:↑ 1005 m
Walking time: 5-6h
Day 4
Start: Kikelewa Camp (3,630 m)
Finish: Mawenzi Tarn Hut (4,310 m)
Altitude:↑ 680 m
Walking time: 3-4h
Day 5
Start: Mawenzi Tarn Hut (4,310 m)
Finish: Kibo Hut (4,700 m)
Altitude:↑ 390 m
Walking time: 4-6h
Day 6
Start: Kibo Hut (4,700 m)
Finish:
Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) – Horombo Hut (3,700 m)
Altitude:↑ 1,195 m ↓ 2,195 m
Walking time: 12-14h
Day 7
Start: Horombo Hut (3,700 m)
Finish: Marangu Gate (1,860 m)
Altitude:↓ 1,840 m
Walking time: 5-6h
- You will overnight in two-man mountain tents equipped with sleeping mats. Single travellers often share a tent with another group member of the same gender, but single tents can be requested at extra cost.
This is a private tour and hence there won’t be any other climbers joining you. Your group will only consist of the people you chose to travel with and your mountain crew.
- Meals are included as mentioned in the itinerary.
- For breakfast there will be a choice of fruit, scrambled eggs, porridge, toast, jam, hot chocolate, coffee or tea. Lunch will be provided in form of a lunch box containing sandwiches, boiled eggs, chicken etc.
- For dinner you will enjoy soup and bread followed by meat or poultry along with starch (i.e. chips, mashed potatoes, pasta or rice) as well as vegetables.
- While breakfast and dinner are served in a mess tent equipped with a table and chairs, lunch is enjoyed en-route.
- Please let us know if you have any special dietary requirements or food allergies and we will do our outmost to cater for them (only possible with advanced notification).
- There are a few things you should pack for a Kilimanjaro climb and as the list is quite extensive, you will receive a detailed packing list from us once you have confirmed the booking.
- For your convenience we also rent out all essential clothing items and other gear.
- The Lemosho Route starts off on the remote western side but meets up with the Machame Route on day 3. Although this route is comparable to the Machame Route when it comes to the changes in altitude, it offers an extra acclimatization day at Karranga Camp to recover from the strains of the first three days. After a hopefully successful summit night, you will descend on the Mweka Route.
- Almost everybody climbing Kilimanjaro will be affected by the altitude in some or other way. Top athletes are just as much at risk of suffering from it as are people who are out of shape. Headaches, extreme fatigue, loss of appetite and nausea are all signs of possible mountain sickness. Symptoms are mostly mild, enabling you to continue your hike and only in very few instances are symptoms more acute, making an immediate descent unavoidable. Severe altitude sickness is a serious matter and you should bear in mind that it can be life threatening and at worst lead to death. It is also important to replace lost body fluids due to physical activity by drinking enough water. We suggest two to four litres per day along with magnesium to prevent muscle cramps.
Kilimanjaro Trek
6 days Rongai route
The scenically attractive Rongai route approaches Kibo from the unfrequented and drier north-eastern side of Kilimanjaro. The tour departs close to the Kenyan border and offers stunning and impressive views over the African savannah and rugged Mawenzi. Just after Mawenzi Tarn Camp, climbers will pass the only mountain lake in Kilimanjaro National Park. The trails are well developed and pass through fir forest, rain forest and alpine desert. Although the Rongai route can generally be thought of as an easy route, the rockier stages in the summit area are sometimes a little more demanding. The decent follows the Marangu route and traverses the lush and green rainforest on good paths. Climbers will overnight in mountain tents during the entire climb.
Day 1 Kilimanjaro Airport – Moshi
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, you will be greeted and transferred to Moshi. The rest of the day will be yours to enjoy at leisure. In the evening, you will attend a briefing in preparation of your upcoming trekking adventure. You will spend the night at the Park view inn Hotel.
Dinner
Day 2 Moshi – Nalemoru Gate (1,990 m) – Simba Camp (2,625 m)
After breakfast you will be driven around Mt Kilimanjaro to its north-western side and after 3 to 4 hours, you will arrive at the Nalemoru Gate. After the registration process has been completed and your luggage has been divided between the porters, your adventure begins. The path runs alongside mountain farmers’ fields and pine forests before it enters the sparse mountain forest zone, where black and white colobus monkeys can often be seen. After an approximate 3 to 4 hour hike, you will reach the Simba Camp where you will spend the night.
Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 3 Simba Camp (2,625 m) – Kikelewa Camp (3,630 m)
Today’s trek passes through the heather and moorland zones and the views of Mawenzi and the vast Kenyan steppes are nothing short of grand. You will have lunch at the Second Cave (3,450 m) and after a short break, you will cross the undulating terrain to Kikelewa Camp. This camp boasts with incredible views and after a strenuous day’s climb, you can relax and take in its peaceful ambience.
Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 4 Kikelewa Camp (3,630 m) – Mawenzi Tarn Hut (4,310 m)
The typical senecien vegetation will soon disappear and the scenery will become more barren with the occasional rock formations. In good weather you can enjoy the breath-taking views of the Kibo and Mawenzi summits as well as Kenya’s savannah grasslands. After passing a few more rock formations, you will arrive at the Mawenzi Hut. For many mountain climbers, it is the most atmospheric camp on the mountain.
Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 5 Mawenzi Tarn Hut (4,310 m) – Kibo Hut (4,700 m)
On a relatively easy path, today’s leg takes you over the Kibo Saddle. A lack of vegetation is characteristic for the landscape here as only a few types of grass and other plant species can survive in this dry area and thin air. Just before today’s destination is reached, one last rock passage has to be conquered. Finally you will arrive at the Kibo Hut, where you can relax and mentally prepare yourself for tomorrow’s summit stage.Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 6 Kibo Hut (4,700 m) – Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) – Horombo Hut (3,700 m)
The climb begins at around 00:00 h and after a 5 to 7 hour walk on frozen volcanic ash, you will reach Gillman’s Point (5,715 m) on the crater’s edge. The sun rays will warm you while you trek for another 1 to 2 hours until you reach Uhuru Peak and finally stand on “Africa’s Roof”. The descent on the now thawed lava ash runs almost along the same route and you will arrive at the Kibo Hut in the late morning. A warm meal will be served and after a well-deserved break, the descent continues to the Horombo Hut.
Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 7 Horombo Hut (3,700 m) – Marangu Gate (1,860 m) – Moshi
After trekking for approximately 5 to 6 hours, you will have managed the easy descent and you will return to the Marangu Gate during the early afternoon. You will say goodbye to your mountain crew and a short transfer will take you back to the Sal Salinero Hotel. Here you can take a warm and relaxing shower and celebrate your achievement.
Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 8 Moshi – Kilimanjaro Airport
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro Airport or alternatively you can go on safari or extend your stay at the beach.
Items included:
- Kilimanjaro trekking according to the itinerary
- Professional, English-speaking guide
- Mountain crew (cook & porters)
- Overnight stays in hotels and mountain huts
- Meals according to the itinerary
- Drinking water
- All national park fees
- All mentioned transfers
Items excluded:
- Sleeping bag
- Flights
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Visa fees
- Tips
- Personal spending money for souvenirs etc.
- Travel insurance