8 Days Rongai Route (6 Days on the mountain)

OVERVIEW

The Rongai Route is one of the easiest routes and the success rate is very high.

The route starts on the north side of the mountain just south of the Kenyan border, and is one of the least traveled routes. The descent is down the Marangu Route on the south side of the mountain, so climbers see the mountain from many viewpoints.

The drive to the trail head takes about 3 hours from Moshi through many villages and coffee plantations, including a stop to register climbing permits at Marangu.

The Rongai Route can also be accessed from Amboseli National Park in Kenya. Allow 2 hours including border crossing. We will need copies of passports ahead of time.

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

Overview

8 Days Rongai Route (6 Days on the mountain)

OVERVIEW

The Rongai Route is one of the easiest routes and the success rate is very high.

The drive to the trail head takes about 3 hours from Moshi through many villages and coffee plantations, including a stop to register climbing permits at Marangu.

The Rongai Route can also be accessed from Amboseli National Park in Kenya. Allow 2 hours including border crossing. We will need copies of passports ahead of time.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Trekking to the highest mountain in Africa
Two night hotel accommodation in Moshi

LOCATIONS: Tanzania/Kilimanjaro

ACTIVITIES: Mountain Trekking

Day 1 :

Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Rongai Gate (Nale Moru), Hike to Simba Camp

Drive to the attractive wooden village of Nale Moru (about 2 hours including a stop to get permits at Marangu). After signing in and preparing the porters, you will begin the hike on a wide path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering pine forest. The track then starts to climb consistently but gently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife. The forest begins to thin out and the first camp is at the edge of the moorland zone with extensive views over the Kenyan plains.

Elevation: 2000m/6560ft to 2635m/8645ft
Distance: 7km
Hiking time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest

Day 2 :

Hike Simba Camp to Second Cave

The morning hike is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim.

Elevation: 2635m/8645ft to 3487m/11,440ft
Distance: 6km
Hiking time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Moorland

Day 3 :

Hike Second Cave to Third Cave

Today we continue our hike from the Second Cave to the Third Cave.

Elevation: 3487m/11,440ft to 3939m/12,913ft
Distance: 4km
Walking Time: 2-3 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert

Day 4 :

Hike Third Cave to Kibo Hut

Hike to Kibo Hut at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent and a very early day!

Elevation: 3939m/12,913ft to 4700m/15,466ft
Distance: 5km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Day 5 :

Hike Kibo Hut to Summit, and down to Horombo Hut

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman’s Point located on the crater rim (elev 5700m/18,700ft). Continuing, we now ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa. There are unbelievable views at every turn. Have your picture taken at the summit to show your friends and family. From here we descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment.

The beginning of this climb is done in the dark and requires headlamps or flashlights. It will be very cold until you start descending, so you will need all of your warm layers. This is by far the most difficult part of the trek with many switchbacks. Going slowly “pole pole” and an optimistic attitude will get you there!

Elevation: 4700m/15,500ft to 5895m/19,340ft Down to 3700m/12,200ft
Distance: 6km up / 15km down
Hiking time: 6-8 hours up / 15km/9mi down
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Day 6 :

Hike Horombo Hut to Marangu gate , drive to Moshi

After breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through moorland to the Mandara Hut. Continue descending through lush forest path to the National Park gate at Marangu. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).

A vehicle will meet you at Marangu gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 1 hour).It is time for celebration.