6 Days Rongai Route Kilimanjaro

Rongai Route Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival

Arriving at Kilimanjaro International Airport/Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Transfer by normal (0800am or 0200pm) shuttle Bus to Arusha where you booked in Arusha Crown Hotel/Impala hotel for the night BB

Day 2: Hotel – Rongai Gate 1950 meters – First Cave 2620 meters

Trekking time 4 hours
Distance 8 km (5 miles)
Climate: Rain forest

The Rongai route trek begin by transferring you to Marangu gate for registration and after that drive to for 2 ½ hours to Nale Moru village in Rombo which is the starting point of climb. From the village the trail pass through the farm lands which then followed by the rain forest to the first cave camp which is located at the altitude of about 2620 meters above sea level. In this point is where we will spend our first night of the Kilimanjaro Climb along Rongai Route.

Day 3: First Cave (2620 meters)  – Third Cave (3600 meters)

Distance: 9 km (7 miles)

Trekking time: 6 – 7 hours

Habitats: Rainforest / Low alpine

Today we continue with the Rongai route trek from the first cave through the rain forest followed by the low alpine and low alpine moorland habitats where vegetation changes to shrubs and grasses.  We will have a few minutes stop at Rongai second Cave (3,450 meters) which is located 6 km from the first cave. After enjoying the lunch we proceed east to Kikelewa Camp (3,600 meters) where we will spend the second night of our Rongai Route trek

Day 4: Kikelewa Camp (3,600 meters) to Mawenzi Tarn (4,300 meters)

 Distance: 6km / 4.5 miles

Trekking time: 4-5 hours

Habitat:  Low-alpine zone / High-alpine zone

Day three on the Rongai Route is challenging as comprises of steep climb from Kikelewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn which sits beneath the magnificent Mawenzi Peak.  We will arrive at Mawenzi Tarn at lunch time and the entire afternoon we will spend to explore the surrounding area the activity that we acknowledge as an acclimatization.

Day 5: Acclimatization at Mawenzi Tarn

Today we will spend the entire day of our Rongai Route trek at Mawenzi Tarn and the nearby area as part of the acclimatization process. Our crew will come with a variety of activities which will help to explore the area include short trekkings toward the ridges and towers if Mawenzi.

Note: The acclimatization is very essential as it increases the chance for achieve your trek to the summit.

Day 6: Mawenzi Tarn (4,300 meters) –  Kibo Hut (4,700 meters)

Distance: 9 km (5.5 miles)

Trekking time: 6 to 7 hours

Habitat: High-alpine zone

 After the breakfast we depart for a long trek from Mawenzi Tarn towards west through the Saddle area formed between the Kibo and Mawenzi peak.  The route is long, gradual and dry but provides but provides spectacular views of Kibo.

At Kibo Hut you will be served dinner and sleep up to 23:30 am when you will be awaken up to begin your summit attempt. Trekkers should remember to prepare their gear, including headlamp, camera, insulated water and warm weather clothes before they go to sleep.

Day 7: Kibo Hut (4,700 meters) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters) and then Horombo Hut (3,720 meters)

Distance: 5.5 km (3 miles) ascent and 15 km (8 miles) descent
Trekking time: 6 – 8 hours to the summit & 5 – 8 hours to Horombo Hut
Habitat: Glacier

This is the important day and the last day of your ascent through Rongai Route to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.

It is a 4 to 5 hour slow walk up increasingly steep screed to Gillman’s Point at 5690m followed by a further 1 to 2 hour walk around the crater rim to Uhuru Peak at 5896m. You have incredible views of glaciers many storey high surrounding you, and the plains of Africa stretched out below you. After taking in this amazing view we return by the same path past Kibo Hut and on down the Marangu Route all the way to Horombo Hut.

Day 8: Horombo Hut (3,720 meters) to Marangu Gate (1,870 meters)
Distance: 20km (13 miles)
Trekking time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Rainforest

It just takes us about half the day to descend back down to the park gates at Marangu. Here we will be met and transferred back to the Arusha hotel. It is now time to celebrate your achievement. Overnight bed and breakfast basis.