Holiday information: This is 7 days Climbing Kilimanjaro via Rongai route.

* The 7-days Rongai route climbs Kilimanjaro from the north-eastern side of the mountain, along the border between Tanzania and Kenya. This route retains a sense of unspoilt wilderness and offers a different perspective of Kilimanjaro by approaching it from the north. The topography of the route does not allow for the application of the ‘climb high, and sleep low’ principle, and trekkers are  generally suffer more from altitude sickness on the Rongai route than on other routes (an extra day’s acclimatisation is highly recommended on this route). Rongai is the scree climb from Kibo Hut to Gilman’s Point, descending via Marangu. The Rongai route is the scree climb from Kibo Hut to Gilman’s Point and descends via the Marangu route.

The main difference between the 6-day and 7-day Rongai routes is the additional acclimatisation day at Mawenzi Tarn.

 

Day 1: Airport pick-up- Drop off at Hotel

 

Our guide will be waiting for you at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). You will be transferred to your accommodation in Moshi/Marangu. Participants will be given a short briefing for the next day’s climb. Kits and necessary equipment will also be checked.

Accommodation and meal: Babylon Lodge

7 days Rongai route!

 

Kilimanjaro, Day 02: Rongai Start Point (1996m) – Simba camp (2626m)

 

*Hiking time: 4 hours
*Distance: Approximately 6.7km
*Habitat: Forest (Montane)

We depart from Marangu village and drive 15 minutes to the Marangu park gate for registration. From there we drive to NaroMoru, another 68km and about 2 ½ hours on bad roads to the Rongai Start Point (1996m). We start our trek from the village of NaleMoru. A small winding path crosses maize fields before entering a pine forest and then a gentle climb through the forest. The trail is not steep, but rather an easy walk through beautiful scenery. The first night is spent at Simba Camp (2626m). Facilities at the camp include a public toilet and a wooden table with benches, but no hut.

Accommodation and meals: Simba Hut

 

Kilimanjaro, Day 03: Simba camp (2626m) – Kikelewa Camp (3679m)

 

*Hiking time: 6 – 7 hours
*Distance: Approximately 11.8 km
*Habitat: Moorlands

Hike to Kibo (3482m) from Simba Camp. We arrive at First Caves for lunch. The distance is 5.8km. After lunch we continue trekking to Kikelewa Camp at about 3679m. Here you will have an amazing view including a stream of water below the cave.

Accommodation and meals: Kikelewa Camp

 

Day 04: Kikelewa Cave (3679m) – Mawenzi Tarn camp (4303m)

 

*Hiking time: 3 hours
*Distance: Approximately 3.7km
*Habitat: Moorlands

A short but steep climb up the grassy slopes offers excellent views of this wilderness area. The vegetation zone ends just before our next camp at Mawenzi Tarn, beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. Here we spend the afternoon acclimatising and exploring the area.

Accommodation and meals: Mawenzi Tarn Camp

 

Kilimanjaro, Day 05: Mawenzi Tarn camp (4303m) – Kibo hut (4730m)

 

*Hiking time: 5 hours
*Distance: Approximately 9 km
*Habitat: Alpine desert

After breakfast we head west and continue our ascent on the east side of Kibo. We then cross the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo, taking 4 to 5 hours to reach Kibo Hut. The rest of the day is spent resting and preparing for the final ascent, which begins around midnight. Overnight at Kibo Hut.

Accommodation and meals: Kibo Hut

Kilimanjaro, Day 06: Summit attempt

 

*Kibo hut (4730m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo hut (3705m)
*Hiking time: 7 to 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak | 6 to 8 hours to descend to Horombo
*Distance: Approximately 5.4km ascent and 15 km descent
*Habitat: Stone scree/ice-cap summit

The total walking time for the day is around 14 hours, so be prepared for a very hard day. You will rise at around 23h20 and after tea and biscuits we will start our ascent. The first part of the walk is a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), which is also a good place to rest. The path then zigzags up to Gillman’s Point (5681m) on the crater rim. This section is very steep with lots of scree and requires a lot of physical and mental effort. This is probably the most challenging section of the whole track. From Gillmans Point you will normally find snow all the way up to Uhuru Peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa!

Weather conditions at the summit will determine how long you can spend taking photographs and enjoying the amazing scenery. We then begin our 3 hour descent back to Kibo Hut. After a short rest at Kibo Hut, we collect our remaining equipment and descend to Horombo Hut (3 hours) for your overnight stay. The descent to Horombo Hut will seem surprisingly quick compared to the ascent. Late in the evening you will have your last dinner on the mountain and get some well-earned sleep.

Accommodation and meals: Horombo Hut

 

Day 07: Horombo hut (3705m) – Marangu Gate (1860m)

 

*Hiking time: 6 hours
*Distance: Approximately 19.7 km
*Habitat: Moorland & Montane Forest

After breakfast, we continue our descent for about 6 hours, passing by the Mandara hut down to the Marangu Gate. At the Marangu Gate, successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those who have reached Gillman’s Point (5685m) receive green certificates and those who have reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. We then head back to Arusha for a long overdue hot shower and celebration.

Explore Kilimanjaro mountain with a 7 days Climbing Kilimanjaro package.

Accommodation and meals: Ilboru Safari Lodge.

For information about Mountain Kilimanjaro;
Mt Kilimanjaro

It’s possible to combine 7 days Rongai route with Zanzibar beach holiday!