Kilimanjaro Climb – Rongai Route
7 Days
Kilimanjaro - Rongai Route
Full Board Camping
Safari Overview
Rongai Route
The Rongai route is a very different experience when compared to the routes on the southwest side of the mountain. It is drier, it is covered with tall grass, and there are no huts. The best thing about the Rongai route is that it offers spectacular views out over the broad, flat Maasai lands north of the Tanzania-Kenya border. These sweeping views really give one a feel for what being on a high mountain in East Africa is really all about.
The Rongai route is currently the standard route on the north side of Kilimanjaro. The route joins the Marangu route at the Kibo hut, on the east side of Kibo. From there, the Normal route is followed to the summit. The hiking is easy and very straightforward. It is probably the easiest route on the mountain.
Day 1
Transferred from Arusha or Kilimanjaro to Moshi
Overnight at the base hotel in Moshi HB
Day 2
Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Gate at Rongai. The climb begins from the attractive wooden village of Nale Moru (1950m) on a small path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering the pine forest. The track then starts to climb consistently, but gently, through an attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife, including the beautiful Kilimanjaro Colobus monkeys. These monkeys are black with long “capes” of white hair and a flowing white tail. The forest begins to thin out, and the first camp is at the edge of the moorland zone (2600m) with extensive views over the Kenyan plains of Tsavo and Amboseli, taking 3-4 hours.
Overnight Sikimba camp 1st Cave
Day 3
The morning walk is a steady ascent up the “Second Cave (3450m) with superb views of Kibo and Eastern ice fields on the crater rim. Passing the second cave, we reach the 3rd cave at 3800m for an overnight camp, taking 3-4 hours. Overnight Kikelelwa camp 2nd Cave.
Day 4
Overnight at Mawezi Turn camp Cave 3.
Day 5
Continue ascending on the east side of Kibo, crossing the lunar desert of the “Saddle” between Mawenzi and Kibo, taking 4-5 hours to reach Kibo hut at 15000ft/4700m.. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night! Overnight camp Kibo.
Day 6
A long day and an early start for the summit on steep and heavy screen up to Gilmans’s Point at 18640ft/5681m on the crater rim to arrive in time for sunrise. Those who are still feeling strong can make the three-hour round trip to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa at 19340ft/5896m, passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Kibo is surprisingly fast and, after some refreshment, continue the descent to reach the final campsite at Horombo, taking 11 hrs. Overnight camp Horombo.
Day 7
A steady descent down through moorland to Mandara Hut, the first stopping place on the Marangu route. Continue descending through lovely, lush forest on a good path to the Park gate at Marangu (1830m), taking 5-7 hours to be met and transferred to Keys Hotel for Overnight.
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