7 DAYS/6 NIGHTS RONGAI ROUTE ITINERARY

Rongai Route 7 Day Treks – Rongai route is the only one to approach 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.

Rongai Route 7 Day Treks

The gentle gradient and its gradual acclimatization bring one safely to the highest point of Africa – Kilimanjaro’s Uhuru peak, at 5,895 m. Rongai Route boasts high success rates of 84 and 94 percent 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.

DAY 1: ARRIVAL – DRIVE TO ARUSHA/MOSHI

1 HOUR DRIVE

Welcome to Tanzania: Meet and greet at arrival point by our transferring driver who will escort you to the waiting vehicle for loading your luggage then drive you to the Hotel in Moshi town. After checking in the hotel/Lodge you will get a briefing about your next day’s trek then your mountain guide will check your gears.

MEALS

Dinner

ACCOMMODATION

Lodge/Hotel

DAY 2:RONGAI GATE (1950M) TO SIMBA CAMP (2600M).

3 – 4 HOURS WALKING

After an early breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up from Moshi and driven to the Nale Moru gate. At the gate, the porters will organize and pack the belongings for the hike while you and your waiting lounge registering with the Tanzania National Park (TANAPA). You will then begin your ascent into the rainforest. During this section of the hike, you should expect rain, mud, and fog. Also, be on the lookout for wildlife, including Colobus monkeys! About halfway up the trail, you will have a lunch break and you will reach the First Caves Camp in the late afternoon or early evening. The porters and chefs who move very fast up the mountain will reach camp before you and set up your tents, boil drinking water, and prepare snacks for your arrival. After washing up, a hot dinner will be served followed by overnight.

The Rongai Route 7 Day Treks stars here.

MEALS

Full Board

ACCOMMODATION

Simba Camp

DAY 3: SIMBA CAMP (2600M) TO SECOND CAVES (3450M)

3 HOURS WALKING

Late Breakfast, enjoy the morning at Simba camp proceed with the hiking very slowly acclimatize your body until you reach Second cave (3450M ) for hot lunch. Afternoon relaxes at the second cave with dinner and overnight.

MEALS

Full Board

ACCOMMODATION

Second Caves Camp

DAY 4: SECOND CAVES (3450M) TO KIKELEWA CAMP (3600M)

3 – 4 HOURS WALKING

After breakfast then continues up towards Kibo, reaching Kikelewa Cave at about 3600 meters. The views start to open up and you begin to feel you’re on a really big mountain! Water is in the obvious stream below the caves, although you might have to wander downhill a way to find some. Overnight at 3rd Cave camp (Kikelewa Caves).

MEALS

Full Board

ACCOMMODATION

Kikelewa Caves Camp

DAY 5: KIKELEWA CAVE (3600) TO MAWENZI TARN CAMP (4330M).

3 – 4 HOURS WALKING

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

Keep on Rongai Route 7 Day Treks.

MEALS

Full Board

ACCOMMODATION

Mawenzi Tarn Camp

DAY 6:MAWENZI TARN CAMP (4330M) – KIBO HUT (4700M)

4 – 5 HOURS WALKING

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!

MEALS

Full Board

ACCOMMODATION

Kibo Huts

DAY 7: SUMMIT ATTEMPT (FROM KIBO HUT (4700M) TO UHURU PEAK (5895M)) THEN DOWN TO HOROMBO HUT (3720M).

14 HOURS WALKING

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

Summit attempt Rongai Route 7 Day Treks

MEALS

Full Board

ACCOMMODATION

Horombo Huts

DAY 8: HOROMBO HUT (3720M) TO MARANGU GATE (1980M), DRIVE TO MOSHI

6 HOURS WALKING

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). 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) receive gold certificates. After receiving certificates, you will drive back to Arusha/Moshi for long overdue showers and more celebrations.

End of Rongai Route 7 Day Treks.

MEALS

Full Board

ACCOMMODATION

Lodge/Hotel

Items included:

  • Transport from arrival point to Moshi
  • Transport from Moshi to the Departure point
  • Accommodation before climb
  • Accommodation after climb
  • All accommodation in huts on the mountain
  • Park fees on Kilimanjaro
  • Rescue fees on the mountain (by car)
  • 3 meals daily on the mountain
  • Sleeping and dining huts
  • Guide and porters
  • Cooks and waiters
  • First aid kit
  • Service of an English-speaking mountain guide
  • Transportation to the mountain
  • Transportation from the mountain
  • All government taxes
  • Oximeter on the mountain

Items not included:

  • Extras in the hotel
  • Drinks rather than water
  • Tips to mountain Crews
  • Meals in Moshi
  • Personal gears like sleeping bags, hiking poles, etc.
  • Flights
  • And all not listed above