Kilimanjaro Rongai Route
(1 Review)
- 7 Days or 6 Days
- 1 January-31 Decmber
- 4x4 Luxury Safari
- Camps and Hotels
Tour Overview
The Rongai route ascents Kilimanjaro from the north-eastern side of the mountain, along the border between Tanzania and Kenya. This route retains a sense of unspoilt wilderness and offers a different perspective on Kilimanjaro by approaching it from the north.
The Rongai route’s premier advantage is that it is one of the quietest routes on the mountain. A disadvantage is the long travel time to the starting point of the route. The route also becomes busier when it connects with the Marangu route just before reaching Kibo hut.
The Rongai route descends along the Marangu route as well, however you still sleep in tents, and do not use the A-frame huts of the Marangu route.
Rongai Route
The Rongai route ascends Kilimanjaro from the north-eastern side of the mountain, along the border between Tanzania and Kenya. This route retains a sense of unspoilt wilderness and offers a different perspective on Kilimanjaro by approaching it from the north.
The topography of the route does not allow for the application of the climb high and sleep low principle and hikers generally suffer more from altitude sickness on the Rongai route compared to other routes (an additional acclimatization day is highly recommended on this route). The Rongai route use the scree summiting path from Kibo hut to Gilman’s point and descend via the Marangu route.
The main itinerary difference between the Rongai 6 day and 7 day routes is the additional acclimatization day at Mwenzi Tarn.
Itinearary
Our team transports to our hotel in Moshi, which is located approximately one hour from the park. All planned services are included, transport, dinner and hotel.
Today we will brief about the climb and review the gear you have brought to make sure nothing additional is needed and shopping and explore the town. Breakfast, Lunch and dinner included
Hiking time: 4 hours
Distance: Approximately 6.7 km
Habitat: Forest (Montane)
Depart from Moshi town and drive 45 minutes to the Marangu park gate for registration. From Marangu park gate we travel to Naro Moru, north east Kilimanjaro, a further 68km and approximately 2 ½ hours on bad roads to the Rongai start point (1996m). Meet your guide and porters before you begin your hike from the Nale Moru village. The small winding path crosses maize fields before entering pine forest, and then climbs gently through a forest. The trail is not at all steep, but is rather a gentle hike through a beautiful country side. The first night’s camp is at Simba Camp (2 626m). The camp facilities include a public toilet and a wooden table with benches, but no hut.
Hiking time: 6 – 7 hours
Distance: Approximately 11.8 km
Habitat: Moorlands
We hike from Simba camp up towards Kibo till 3 482m for lunch at First Caves, a distance of 5.8km. After lunch we continue trekking until reaching Kikelewa Camp at about 3679 metres.
The views start to open up and you begin to feel you’re on a really big mountain! Water can be found in a obvious stream below the cave, although you might have to wander downhill a way to find a pool or two. Enjoy dinner and overnight at Kikelewa camp.
Hiking time: 3 hours
Distance: Approximately 3.7 km
Habitat: Moorlands
A short but steep climb up grassy slopes offers superb views of this wilderness area. The vegetation zone ends shortly before you reach your next camp at Mawenzi Tarn spectacularly situated beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. Spend the afternoon acclimatizing and exploring the area.
Hiking time: 5 hours
Distance: Approximately 9 km
Habitat: Alpine desert
After breakfast we head west and continue ascending on the east side of Kibo crossing the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo taking 4 to 5 hours to reach Kibo Hut. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent, which begins around midnight. Overnight at Kibo hut.
Hiking time: 7 to 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, 6 to 8 hours to descend to Horombo
Distance: Approximately 5.4km ascent and 15 km descent
Habitat: Stone scree / ice-cap summit
You will rise around 23h20, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night, and this is where the going really gets tough. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), also a good resting spot.
The path then zigzags up to Gillman’s point (5 681m), which is located on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot of stone scree, requiring a great physical and mental effort. This is probably the most demanding section of the entire route. Do the Kili shuffle and move slowly. From Gillmans Point you will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa.
Total exhilaration and satisfaction – you made it
Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long you will be able to spend, taking photographs, before the 3 hour descent back to Kibo hut. After a short rest at Kibo hot, you gather all your gear you left behind for the ascent and head down to Horombo hut (3 hours) for your overnight. The return to Horombo hut will seem surprisingly fast compared to the ascent. The total time spent walking on this day is around 14 hours, so be prepared for a very tough day. Later in the evening you enjoy your last dinner (with soft drinks and beer for sale at the camp office) on the mountain and a well-earned sleep, filled with memories and stirring emotions.
Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: Approximately 19.7 km
Habitat: Moorland & Montane Forest
After breakfast you continue your descent (6 hours), passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate. It is strongly recommended not to pay your porters any tips until you and all your gear have reached the gate safely. Click here for more info on tips.
At Marangu gate you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Gillman’s Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m), receive gold certificates.
You now drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower, dinner descent bed and celebrations!!
After breakfast, according to your flight time we will drop you at the airport or assist you in catching the shuttle to Nairobi. End of our services.
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2023 Kilimanjaro Rongai Route Package
Please note: All of the Matukio Safaris packages are very flexible, and we will gladly schedule a new hike to suit your calendar preference. We could keep your booking private.
Prices Quoted in US Dollars
6 day / 5 night hike Rongai Route + 3 nights’ hotel accommodation
1 Climber |
2 People |
3 People |
|---|---|---|
|
US$ $ 4 288 per person |
US$ $ 3 679 per person |
US$ $ 3 472 per person |
Notes:
- Should a person prefer single room/tent accommodation a supplementary fee would apply – additional cost is available on request
- On the Marangu Route, all persons will share the A frame hut accommodation that provides 8 bunk beds
- Additional days on the mountain could be added to an extra cost of US$ 252 per day
All prices are subject to change without notice should Kilimanjaro National Park fees or government taxes / VAT change. Current park fees / taxes are valid till 30 June 2023 and subject to change from 1 July 2023 onwards.
Price includes:
- Tanzania VAT on tourism activities and park fees
- Complimentary meet and greet on arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport
- One arrival & one departure transfer between Kilimanjaro Airport and your hotel in a private vehicle with driver
- Breakfast and dinner is included on the first and last night at the hotel
- Accommodation and meals – 3 Nights in Arusha town or Moshi town
- Hotel accommodation includes storage facilities for excess luggage during hikes
- Return transfers between the hotel to the start / finish point of a climb
- All Kilimanjaro National Park gate fees, camping / hut fees and climbing permits
- Kilimanjaro National Park rescue fees (Kilimanjaro Rescue Team)
- Chief guide carries two-way handheld radios and mobile phone
- Chief guide carries a Pulse Oximeter, used to take blood-oxygen level readings of clients twice a day
- Emergency oxygen (for use in emergencies only – not as summiting aid)
- Complete First Aid kit (for use in emergencies only)
- Qualified mountain guide, assistant guides, porters and cook
- Salaries paid to the mountain support crew is much higher than the recommended KINAPA (Kilimanjaro National Park Authority) payment
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as hot drinks on the mountain
- Quality food and of a bigger variety on the mountain
- Lunch is prepared fresh at the lunch stop – except day 1 picnic lunch
- All meals including lunch will be served inside a mountain mess tent (Not applicable on the Marangu route as all meals is served at the camps in designated mess halls)
- Superior quality camping equipment (tents, sleeping mats, camp chairs, camp tables, mess tent & cutlery for meals) – not applicable on the Marangu route as all meals are served at the camps in designated dining halls
- Water for washing up daily
- Porter to carry your duffel bag, with maximum weight of 15kg / 32 lbs, from one camp to the next camp
- Private portable toilet for the group
- Kilimanjaro National Park certificate for your successful summit attempt
- Complimentary 3 liters of mineral water (per hiker) for the first day on your climb and 3 liters of purified water per person per day from night 1 onwards
- Our exclusive, printable ClimbingKilimanjaro15 page altitude sickness survival guide
- Complimentary Flying doctors membership (Emergency Helicopter evacuation to Nairobi)
- Porter to carry your daypack during the summit attempt
- Complimentary Climbing Kilimanjaro rain cover for your daypack
- Complimentary Climbing Kilimanjaro cap
Price Excludes:
- Flights and airport taxes
- Items of a personal nature
- Compulsory tips for guides, porters and cook (average tip is anything from US$250 to US$ 350 per hiker – depending on the number of days and number of hikers in the group, as well as the route chosen)
- Entry visa for Tanzania (US$50 per passport holder for most nationalities / US $ 100 per visa for USA passport holders)
- Health requirements (Yellow Fever – only compulsory if you travel to Tanzania via a Yellow Fever infected country, Meningitis & Hepatitis A remains optional, but comes recommended)
- Optional but highly recommended travel and medical insurance.
- Personal hiking/trekking gear – you could rent some of the gear in Tanzania
- Optional tracking service – subject to additional cost, depending availability and booking in advance
- Snacks, personal medicine and water purifying tablets
- Meals and drinks not specified
