7 DAYS RONGAI ROUTE - AFRICAN BUSH TOURS

7 DAYS RONGAI KILIMANJARO TREKKING

The 7 days Mount Kilimanjaro Rongai route uses the sole route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the north, near the Kenyan border, is the Rongai Route. Rongai’s ascension path is extremely similar to Marangu’s. It is one of the less difficult routes on Kilimanjaro. The ascent to the top is slow and steady. Unlike Marangu, however, this road is less used and traverses through remote wilderness areas. It’s possibly the only path where you may view wildlife in the early days.

Because of its distant position, the path is less popular, providing hikers with a unique wilderness experience, including the opportunity to encounter huge species like as antelope, elephant, and buffalo. Because this side of the mountain has less moisture, you are less likely to experience rain and have clearer views of the peak. While it is flatter, it does not have the option of climbing high and sleeping low, hence it is recommended that additional days be set out for acclimatization.
One of the easiest routes up Kilimanjaro is the Rongai path. The Rongai Route is the only way to climb Kilimanjaro from the north, while the Marangu Route is the only way to descend.
The climb from Kibo Hut to the summit is hard and follows the same road as the Marangu route, which passes Gilman’s Point on its way to Uhuru Peak.

ITINERARY

Arrival Kilimanjaro - Arusha
Welcome to Tanzania! Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro airport, you will meet your guide who will transport you to your first hotel. The rest of the day is yours to get acquainted with Arusha as you wish!

DAY 1: START: NALEMORU GATE (1990M) FINISH: SIMBA CAMP (2625M)
Total distance: 7km
Hiking Time (approx.): 2 hours
Although many still call this starting point the Rongai gate it is now officially named after the nearby Nalemoru village, after the original path (starting from Rongai village) was closed. The starting point is about a 2 hour drive from Moshi town around the eastern side of the mountain. This is a beautiful drive giving you a good insight into local ‘Chagga’ life as you pass through villages, gazing out at the mud huts and banana plantations. After signing up at the gate you’ll start you walk along a track through fields of potato and maize, and the odd pine plantation. After about 1 hour you will pass through a small strip of forest- home to black and white colobus monkeys, before entering into heathland. Following a short uphill walk you will arrive at Simba Camp, where you will be welcomed with a hearty warm dinner.

DAY 2: START: SIMBA CAMP (2625M) FINISH: SECOND CAVE CAMP (3487M)
Total Distance: 5.7km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
With this shorter day today you can set off a little later from camp. Not the most scenic of days, but a great acclimatisation day as you hike along with views of heathers and the Erica of the moorland. It is a short but steep climb up to the Second Cave Camp, where you will reach early afternoon to rest up and explore around the campsite.
DAY 3: START: SECOND CAVE CAMP (3487M) FINISH: KIKELELWA CAMP (3675M)
Total distance: 6.1km
Hiking Time (approx.): 4 hours
Following breakfast at the camp, set off along the undulating path, enjoying views down and across to Kenya. Along the path today you will be hiking up with views towards the ragged peak of Mawenzi (Kilimanjaro’s second highest peak). Continue along the rocky path, stopping for lunch along the way before reaching Kikelelwa Camp in the afternoon. A nice easy day, with just a short gain in elevation you may have energy to check out the nearby caves and get great snaps of the beautiful groundsels and lobelia plants located around the campsite.
DAY 4: START: KIKELELWA CAMP (3675M) FINISH: MAWENZI TARN HUTS (4302M)
Total distance: 3.75km
Hiking Time (approx.): 2-3 hours
Yes, you read it right – only just under 4km today! Don’t be too fooled, you do gain over 600m in this shorter morning walk as you climb steadily to reach one of our favourite huts on the mountain. The Mawenzi Tarn Huts are in a spectacular location, situated just underneath Mawenzi peak. In the afternoon you can take an (optional but recommended!) acclimatization walk along the ridge where, provided it is a clear day, you will be rewarded with a wonderful view across to Kibo Peak. Today is a bit of a treat with both a hot lunch, and a delicious dinner cooked up at the huts!.

DAY 5: START: MAWENZI TARN HUTS (4302M) FINISH: KIBO HUTS (4715M)
Total distance: 9km
Hiking Time (approx.): 4-5 hrs
Start your morning descending down a ridge, to then walk across the Northern edge of the saddle which passes between Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. The landscape is lunar-like up here, although Eland (Africa’s largest antelope) have been spotted here. Have your camera handy to take some fantastic panoramas of the spectacular views off to the east and west. As you cross the saddle you will also be able to see your path for summit night laid out ahead of you up to Gillman’s point. Kibo Huts are nestled just under the peak for which they are named. You’ll arrive here for a late lunch and then rest up in preparation for your summit.

DAY 6: SUMMIT NIGHT: KIBO HUTS (4715M) TO UHURU PEAK (5895M) BACK TO KIBO HUTS
Total distance: 6.25km
Hiking Time (approx.) 6 hours
START: KIBO HUTS (4715M) TO HOROMBO HUTS (7720M)
Total distance: 9km
Hiking Time (approx.): 3-4 hours
Depending on how you have fared with the altitude in the days before, you will be woken at 11pm-12am to start your ascent up to Uhuru Peak. Have some tea and biscuits to warm you up before starting on the hardest part of your trek. You will make your way up to Gillman’s point by flashlight, zig-zagging your way along the soft ground. This is definitely one of the steeper and more challenging ascents, but there is no such thing as going too slowly – make sure to take your time. Upon reaching Gillman’s point you will stop for a well-deserved short rest. You will have earned your certificate here, but don’t let that stop you from going on up to Uhuru peak – the hard work is over. Now you can enjoy the magnificent views of glaciers to the left, and Reusch’s crater to the right. Most trekkers will make it to the peak after approx. 6 hours, in time to watch what will be one of (if not the) favourite sunrise(s) of your life. Heading back down to Kibo will be surprisingly quick, some like to use their walking poles to ‘ski’ down the soft scree! Have some warm food here, rest up, before continuing your descent down to Horombo Huts.

DAY 7: START: HOROMBO HUTS (3720M) TO MARANGU GATE (1905M)
Total distance: 20.75km
Hiking time: 7-8 hours
A long last day, which will no doubt feel like a walk in the park after yesterday’s efforts. Make sure to enjoy this final day of the mountain… that beer will still be cold, and the shower still hot when you get down! If you are not in a rush, your guide can take you down via the Marangu ‘Nature Trail’ – a much less used path (be prepared to hop over a few fallen trees) before reaching a beautiful water fall. Enjoy time monkey and bird-spotting in the forest before emerging out at Marangu Gate where you will sign out of the National Park. There is a great little souvenir spot here, with maps, books and postcards to buy (handy tools when bragging to all your friends back home!). From the gate, our car will pick you up and transfer you back to your hotel for a well-deserved rest (massages available on request)!

Price per Person in USD $:

GROUP SIZE

PRICE

1 person

$ 2100

2 - 4People

$ 2022

5 - 7 People

$ 1974

8 - 10 People

$ 1910

10++

$ 1840

PRICE INCLUDES

Private transport to & from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your accommodations in Moshi.
2 nights of accommodation in Moshi.
Transportation to & from the Kilimanjaro gate.
Park entry fees.
Camping fees.
Team Kilimanjaro Rescue fees.
18% VAT on tour fees & services.
4 Season mountain tents.
Double layered Sleeping Mats.
Friendly and professional mountain guides, cook and porters. 3 hot meals daily while on the mountain.
Enough treated & filtered drinking water throughout the trek.
Hot water for washing.
Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO).
Government taxes.
Portable oxygen tanks & ox meter. Emergency first-aid kit.

PRICE EXCLUDES

Lunches, dinners and drinks at your hotel before and after climb.
Travel insurance.
Portable flush toilet with a toilet tent is available for extra charges $ 70 for the entire trek.
Flights.
Laundry (Available at hotel).
Personal items and toiletries.
Tips for guides, porters and cook (this is a guide to tipping on the mountain).