The Kilimanjaro & its people

KILIMANJARO RONGAI ROUTE 7 DAYS  (PLUS 2 DAYS MARANGU ACCLIMATIZATION) 

The Rongai route is the only route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the north, just at the Kenyan border. It will take you past the second-highest point in Tanzania – Mawenzi while offering bird’s-eye views of the mountain’s rainforest. The gentle gradient and its gradual acclimatization bring one safely to the highest point of Africa – Kilimanjaro’s Uhuru peak, at 5,895 m ( 19340ft). Rongai Route boasts 84 percent and 94 percent success rates on 6 and 7-day climbs, respectively. Rongai is great for travelers with previous exposure to high altitude and offers an escape from fellow climbers, as it requires the longest drive before reaching the park gate. The Rongai Route will leave you with great impressions while testing your strength over the distance of 65 km (40 miles).

Your trip will start at Kilimanjaro Airport, where you will be met by our guide and transferred to your comfortable accommodation in Marangu/The transit lodge near the airport. Here, you will receive your briefing on what to expect during your

Kilimanjaro climb.

Day 1 - Arrivals at Kilimanjaro International Airport and Transfer to the lodge/resort. This will take up 2 – 3 hours’ drive to Marangu. Overnight at Kilimanjaro Resort.HB

Day 2 - First breakfast in Tanzania around 8:00 am – 9:00 am. 

In this day will go for a water falls short hiking and visiting coffee and banana farm . after that you will go for a lunch  break until late afternoon around 3pm visiting Chagga caves and changga museum. After that you will go back to the lodge for the orientation and gears pack.

Dinner and overnight at Kilimanjaro Resort.

Day 3 - Rongai Gate 1950m (6398ft) – Simba Camp 2600m (8530ft)

• Hiking time: 4 hours

• Distance: Approximately 8 kilometres

• Habitat: Montane Forest

After an early breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up from Moshi and driven to the Marangu Gate at 1980m (6496ft). At the gate, the porters will organize and pack the belongings for the hike while you and your guide register with the Tanzania National Park (TANAPA). You will then be transferred by vehicle to the Rongai trailhead, which is 2.5 hours away from the Marangu Gate.  This trail has a gradual ascent and allows hikers to enjoy their surroundings. You will have a hot lunch on your arrival at Rongai gate. During hiking, you will experience some of the flora and fauna along the trail. Dinner and overnight at Simba camp. Mountain temperatures may drop to freezing.

Day 4 - Simba Camp 2600m (8530ft) – Kikelewa Cave 3600m (11811ft)

• Hiking time: 6-7 hours

• Habitat: Moorlands

Following a hot breakfast, hikers will continue their ascent to Kikelewa Cave at 3600m (11811ft). The trail passes Second Cave at 3450m (11319ft), and this is a good spot to take a lunch break. Similar to the first night, your tents will be set up before arriving at camp, and the porters will prepare drinking and washing water for you. You will enjoy evening snacks, then dinner prepared by our chef. Be prepared for a cold night as temperatures drop below freezing at this exposed camp.

Day 5 - Kikelewa Cave 3600 (11811ft) – Mawenzi Tarn Camp 4330m (14206ft)

• Hiking time: 3-4 hours

• Habitat: Moorlands

On this day, hikers will enjoy a short, yet steep trail to Mawenzi Tarn Camp 4330m (14206ft). 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.

Day 6 - Mawenzi Tarn Hut Camp layover. Mawenzi Tarn Camp 4330m (14206ft)

On this day, you will have enough time in bed before breakfast time, around  8:00 am.

Guests and the crews will have time to practice some easy game, including climb up and sleep low around evening time with practice of summit hiking tricks. After and before dinner our guides will also sharing true cultural stories that will make you hold your ribs for laughing.

Dinner and overnight 

Day 7 -  Mawenzi Tarn Hut Camp (4330m) – Kibo Hut 4700m (15420ft)

• Hiking time: 4-5 hours

• Habitat: Alpine desert

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!

Day 8 -  Summit Attempt

Kibo Hut 4700m (15420ft) – Uhuru Peak 5895m (19340ft) – Horombo Hut 3720m (12205ft)

• Hiking time: 8 hours to Uhuru and 6 hours to Horombo

• Habitat: Stone scree/ice-cap summit

Distance: Approximately 6 kilometers ascent and 21 kilometers descent

Your guide will wake you 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 (18432ft). Reaching this section is an impressive achievement as the trail is steep, rocky, and at a high altitude. 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 (19340ft). 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 to Horombo Hut 3720m (12205ft). You will have dinner, wash, and rest soundly at the hut after a strenuous day.

Day 9 -  Horombo Hut 3720m (12205ft) – Marangu Gate 1980m (6496ft)

• Hiking time: 6 hours

• Distance: Approximately 27 kilometres

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 (6496ft). 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 (19340ft) receive gold certificates. After receiving certificates, you will drive back to Moshi for long-overdue showers and more celebrations. The following day, transfer to the airport.

Prices start from (sharing )

*1 person $1995 per person sharing

*Group size starts from 1 guest to 15 

*1 abroad leader space is available

Items included:

• Quality, waterproof, four-season private mountain sleeping tents

• Professional, experienced, mountain guides

• All Park fees

• Rescue Fees

• Airport pick-up and drop-off

• All meals while on the Mountain

• 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

• Fair and ethical treatment of porters

• Transport from hotel to gate on day 1

• Transport from the gate to the hotel/airport on day 6

*We recommend that our guests bring their sleeping bags for hygienic reasons ( Sleeping bag, -30 Celsius)