Rongai Route Overview
One of the simplest ways to climb Kilimanjaro, this path has grown in popularity recently. The northern slope of Mount Kilimanjaro is home to this path, which offers a range of breathtaking scenery along with a variety of flora and fauna. species. This excursion usually takes six days to complete. But you can also include an acclimatization day and extend the climb to seven days.
In addition to being easier than other camping routes for climbing Kilimanjaro, the Rongai Route has a very high success rate and is more picturesque than the Marangu Route. On the Rongai Route, as opposed to the Marangu Route, where you sleep in huts, the porter will have your tent set up and ready for you when you get there.
One of the less-traveled paths begins on the mountain’s north flank, immediately south of the Kenyan border. For the summit climb, the route combines with the Marangu Route. The Marangu Route is followed on the descent along the southeast flank of the mountain, allowing you to observe Kilimanjaro from a variety of angles.
This trek comes in two forms: a straightforward 6-day plan and a 7-day itinerary that goes the extra mile. Below is a description of the 6-day schedule, and the longer variation is described in the section about the extra day.
The Rongai Route is more scenic than the Marangu Route and easier than other
camping route in climbing Kilimanjaro, and the success rate on the Rongai Route is very high. Unlike the Marangu Route, where you sleep in huts, on the Rongai Route you sleep in tents; the porter will have your tent pitched and waiting for you at the end of each day’s trek.
This route starts on the north side of the mountain, just south of the Kenyan border, and is one of the least traveled routes. The route merges with the Marangu Route for the summit climb. The descent follows the Marangu Route on the mountain’s southeast side, so you will be able to see Kilimanjaro from many view points. There are two versions of this trek: a direct 6-day itinerary and a 7-day itinerary that takes a longer route. The 6-day itinerary is described down below, and the longer variation is described in the extra day’s section.
Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to Moshi.
Elevation: 1,000 m to 1,200 m.
Distance: 36 km
Driving Time: 45Min
Habitat: Town
Elevation(m): 1,387/915 m to 1,950 m to 2,750 m
Distance: 9 km
Hiking Time: 4 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
You will have an early breakfast. Transfer by our vehicles through many villages and
coffee and plantations for 2-3 hour drive to Rongai gate (1,950 m/6,398 ft). After signing
in and preparing the porters, you will start hiking on a wide path winding through fields
of maize and potatoes, and then enter into montane forest. You will then start to climb
gently but consistently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife. The
forest begins to thin as you arrive at Simba Camp (2,600 m/8,530ft) with fantastic views
over the Kenyan plains.
Elevation: 2,750 m to 3,600 m
Distance: 17 km
Hiking Time: 7 hours
Habitat: Moorland
After an early breakfast you will have a steady ascent to the second cave where you will
stop for lunch. You leave the direct trail at this point and strike out across the moorland
on a smaller path toward Mawenzi side peak.to Kikelewa Camp in a sheltered valley. At
the Kikelewa Camp, you will settle for your dinner and overnight rest.
Elevation: 4,330 m to 4,695 m
Distance: 8km
Hiking Time: 5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
After an early breakfast, you will cross the lunar desert of the saddle between Kibo peak
and Mawenzi peak to Kibo Huts at the bottom of Kibo’s crater wall. You should spend
the remainder of the day resting and preparing for your summit climb.
Elevation: 4,695 m to 5,895 m to 3,690 m
Distance: 4 km up, 14 km down
Hiking Time: 10-15 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert.
Wake at midnight to a light breakfast and then prepare for your summit ascent. The goal
is to climb before dawn so that you can reach Uhuru Peak shortly before or after
sunrise. Leave to the peak at 12; 00AM, switchback up steep scree or possibly snow,
and reach Gilman’s Point on the crater rim at 5,861 m/18,640 ft between 4 and 6 AM. At
this point, you will have views of the fabled crater and its icecaps facing you. Then after
2 hours of hiking along the Kibo crater rim near the celebrated snows takes you to
Kilimanjaro’s true summit, Uhuru Peak here you will spend some times for taking
photo’s but it will depend on how you feel. After your summit activities done, descend
back to the Kibo Huts, have lunch, rest, collect your equipment, and continue on down,
re-crossing the saddle to the Horombo Huts. Have dinner and overnight at Horombo
camp.
Elevation: 3,690 m to 1,830 m to 1,387 m
Distance: 18 km
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
After a long and enjoyable sleep, you will be awake for breakfast and pack up, Start
descend through the moorland to Mandara Huts. Here you will have lunch, then precede
with your triumphant recessional down through lush forest to Marangu park gate. Here
you will sign out then after a vehicle will take you back to the hotel where it is
Definitely time for the certificate presentation and celebration!
Include
- Accommodation (two nights) at hotel in Moshi.
- 8 Days park Entrance fees
- 7 night camping fees
- 8 Days rescue fees
- Forest fees.
- Crater camp extra payments.
- Food 3 meals everyday on the mountain.
- Camping equipment such as tents, tables, chairs etc.
- Salaries to all porters, Cook, Assistant Guide and Chief guide
- Transfer to Lemosho gate and return to Moshi after the climb.
- Transfer from JRO to Hotel and return
- Small company first aid kit.
- Oxygen tank supply
- Oxymeter.
Exclude
- Tip for the supporting crew.
- Personal things.
- Food and drinks at your hotel.
- Any flight.
Essential Personal Equipment Checklist for Climbing.
- One sleeping bag
- One sleeping Mat
- One pair of climbing poles/sticks
- One large Duffle bag with straps / rucksack
- One head lamp / Flashlight + Batteries
- Water bottle - 2 liters x 2 bottle or camel bag bottle
- Camera / sufficient memory/film
- Purification water Tablets / Water Pump
- One pair sunglasses
- One pair of climbing hiking boots
- One pair of tennis Shoes - to begin climb/side walks
- Socks - thin and thick pairs
- One warm trousers
- Woolen Trousers and jacket with zippers
- Water proof / wind trousers & jackets
- Warm Sweater for cold nights
- Inner slacks - long Johns & Top
- Long / short sleeve T-shirt with zippers
- Pajamas and hand towel
- Shade Sun hat or cap
- Balaclava
- Gaiters
- Mitten / Gloves - poly thermal
If it happens you do not have any among from those which have mentioned, we will help
you on getting them from the hiring stores here in Moshi with reasonable price and not
Mzungu price.