Overview
8 Days Mount Kilimanjaro-Rongai Route is the only route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the north, close to the Kenyan border. Though gaining popularity amongst climbers, the Rongai route still experiences low traffic. Rongai is the preferred route for those looking for an alternative to the crowded 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.
Day 1: Arrival to Arusha
We will send a driver to the airport to pick you up and take you to the hotel in Moshi. Orientation will take place at the hotel. Our guides will emphasize all the important details regarding your trek and inspect your hiking gear. If you do not have, we do have equipment’s for hiring. Note that this route is a camping style, so we will provide all camping gears. We normally assign 4 porters per climber and 1 head guide and assistant depending on the group size.
Main Destination: Arusha (City)
Accommodation: Budget camping
- In or near Arusha
Meals & Drinks:
- Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
- Drinks not included
Day 2: Arusha – Rongai Gate Nalemoru – Rongai Camp (2, 600 m)
After an early breakfast in Arusha, you will drive to the Rongai (Nalemoru) Gate near the Kenyan border.
We begin our climb on this unspoiled wilderness route. The walk 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 (2600 m.) with extensive views over the Kenyan plains.
The first day is only a half-day walk.
Nalemoru Gate to Rongai Camp (2,600 m): 3-4 hours walking.
Main Destination: Rongai Gate (Mt Kilimanjaro)
Accommodation: Budget camping
- In or near Rongai Gate
Meals & Drinks:
- All meals included
- Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 3: Rongai camp – Second Cave Camp (3, 450 m)
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 hot lunch we have free time to rest at the camp or in the afternoon we can explore the surrounding area for acclimatization walk to Third Cave.
Rongai Camp to Second Cave (3,450 m): 3-4 hours walking.
Main Destination: Mount Kilimanjaro (Mountain)
Accommodation: Budget camping
- In or near Mt Kilimanjaro
Meals & Drinks:
- All meals also included
- Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 4: Second cave camp – Kikelewa cave camp
Gradual rise through beautiful open moorland towards jagged pinnacles of Mawenzi to Kikelewa Camp (3679m) we reach in late afternoon at Kikelewa Caves for dinner and overnight at the camp. You’ll really start to appreciate just how high you are up here, as the stars unfold overhead and the Tanzanian landscape unfurls below.
Second Cave to Kikelewa Caves (3,600 m): 3-4 hours walking.
Main Destination: Mount Kilimanjaro (Mountain)
Accommodation: Budget camping
- In or near Mt Kilimanjaro
Meals & Drinks:
- All meals also included
- Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 5: Kikelewa Cave Camp – Mawenzi Tarn Hut
A Short but steep ascent to Mawenzi Tarn (4330m). Leave the vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn. The afternoon is free to help your acclimatization. Your landscape today is one of scrubby alpine moorland dotted with plants you’ll have seen nowhere else in Tanzania.
Mawenzi Tarn boasts a spectacular view and ominous towers of stone, making for a unique camping experience.
Kikelelwa Cave to Mawenzi Tarn (4,330m): 3-4 hours walking.
Main Destination: Mount Kilimanjaro (Mountain)
Accommodation: Mawenzi Hut
- Budget mountain hut located in or near Mt Kilimanjaro
Meals & Drinks:
- All meals also included
- Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 6: Mawenzi Tarn – Kibo Hut
Today we cross the lunar desert of the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo Hut (4700m), at the bottom of the Kibo Crater wall by early afternoon. There is no running water at Kibo Hut. The remainder of the day is spent relaxing in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night. Today’s hiking takes you through true alpine desert – a place of stark beauty. You’ll overnight at Kibo Hut ahead of your summit attempt.
Mawenzi Turn to Kibo Hut (4,700m); 5-6 hours walking.
Main Destination: Mount Kilimanjaro (Mountain)
Accommodation: Kibo Hut
- Budget mountain hut located in or near Mt Kilimanjaro
Meals & Drinks:
- All meals also included
- Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 7: Kibo Hut – Uhuru Peak – Horombo Hut
Wake up before midnight in the cover of darkness. We begin a steep climb over loose volcanic scree and some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to rim of the main crater, Gillman’s 5,685 m. We will rest there for few minutes to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi.
Those who are still feeling good can continue slowly to make the three hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru peak 5,895 m. which is the highest point in Africa. After a few minutes to appreciate your accomplishment, we descend to Kiko Hut, which is amazingly fast. We stop at Kibo Hut for some refreshment, we continue to descend to also reach Horrombo Hut.
Kibo Hut to Summit to Horombo Hut (3100 m): 13-15 hours walking.
Main Destination: Mount Kilimanjaro (Mountain)
Accommodation: Horombo Hut
- Budget mountain hut located in or near Mt Kilimanjaro
Meals & Drinks:
- All meals also included
- Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 8: Horombo Hut – Marangu Gate – Arusha
It’s a day of celebration today, as you’ll enjoy one last breakfast on the mountain before descending to the Marangu Gate.
It’s an almost 20km walk today, but the steady downhill makes it a lot easier than the ascent.
Upon arrival at the gate, you’ll get to celebrate with your porters and also guides, provide them with their tips for their hard work, and collect your certificate of completion.
Tipping is an expected and highly appreciated component of your Mt. Kilimanjaro trek. Tipping is one of the most direct ways that you can have a positive economic impact within the African community. Although it may not be customary for you, it is also an important source of income for those in the tourism industry.
Main Destination: Arusha (City)
Accommodation:No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks:
- Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
- Non-alcoholic drinks
Included
- Porterage
- Rescue fee
- Park fees(For non-residents)
- All activities(Unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation(Unless listed as upgrade)
- Camping equipment
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation(Unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- Meals(As specified in the day-by-day section)
- Drinks(As specified in the day-by-day section)
- Sleeping bag
- Bath towels
Excluded
- Climbing gear
- International flights(From/to home)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips are also excluded(Tipping guideline US$20.00 pp per day)
- Personal items(Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and also park fees
- Some meals(As specified in the day-by-day section)
Also read:
