6 DAYS RONGAI ROUTE
OVERVIEW
The Rongai route is the only route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the north, close to the Kenyan border. Though gaining popularity amongst climbers, Rongai has very low traffic. It is the preferred route for those looking for an alternative to the crowded Marangu route, a more remote hike, or to climb during the rainy season, this route is perfect.
The minimum number of days required for this route is six days. Although the scenery is not as varied as the western routes, Rongai compensates by passing through true wilderness areas before joining the Marangu route at Kibo camp. This route descends down the Marangu route. Rongai is a moderately difficult route and is highly recommended, especially for those with less backpacking experience.
ARRIVAL & BRIEFING
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be taken to your accommodation in either Arusha or Moshi where your guide will meet you for a full briefing and equipment check. This is also an opportunity to meet your fellow traveller�s if you are booked to join a group. As you prepare your bag for the morning departure, ensure it does not exceed the stipulated weight limit of 15 kg. The bags will be weighed in the morning to check. A small bag of clothes that you don�t need for the trek can be deposited at your lodge. The tour includes a full board, but you may want to take along some favorite snacks.
Trek Days note:
a. The hiking times given for each day do not include breaks.
b. Altitudes gained relate to the altitude difference between camps. It does not reflect the meters we ascend each day to support acclimatization we will be going up and down and spending several nights at a roughly similar altitude.
TREK DAY 1
RONGAI GATE (1990 M) to SIMBA CAMP (2625 M)
In the early morning you will be picked up by the mountain guide and embark on the long journey to the starting point of the Kilimanjaro climb via the Rongai Route. You drive to the small town of Nalemoru, which is located on the Kenyan/Tanzanian border and on the northern flank of Kilimanjaro. You will be registered at the gate and your luggage will be distributed to the porters. You hike through the plantation landscape before you reach the pine forests. Then you hike up through the lush blossoms of the tropical rainforest to a cave high above the jungle belt, which glows lush green in the afternoon light. Here, in the breezy Erika zone, the first tent camp is erected at an altitude of 2625 meters. If the weather is good, you will have your dinner under the clear, starry African sky.
� Distance: 7 km
� Hiking time: 3-4 hours
� Habitat: Rainforest
� Altitude gained: 635 m
TREK DAY 2
SIMBA CAMP (2635 M) to KIKELELWA CAMP(3675 M)
In the morning you set off towards the "Second Cave" (3487 m), where your lunch will be waiting for you. It is usually clear in the camp early in the morning and as you climb across the moorland and heathland you should have increasingly good views of Kibo, the eastern ice fields, and to the left the jagged peak of Mawenzi. After lunch, the main route is left and you turn onto a smaller track across the moorland towards Mawenzi. The path meanders steadily uphill over several mountain ridges and small valleys. The place of your night's camp is in an unprotected depression with a huge Senecio near the Kikelelwa Caves.
� Distance: 11.75 km
� Hiking time: 6-7 hours
� Habitat: Heath and Moorland
� Altitude gained: 1040 m
TREK DAY 3
KIKELELWA CAMP (3675 M) to MAWENZI TARN CAMP (4302 M)
A short but steep climb up a grassy slope is rewarded with great views and a sense of total isolation. Just before you reach the next camp, you leave the vegetation behind you. Mawenzi Tarn Camp is superbly situated in a cirque just below the very high peaks of Mawenzi and on a small mountain lake. For many, it is the most beautiful camp on Kilimanjaro. The soil here is optimal for the growth of the famous giant senecio and some impressive specimens can be found here. In the afternoon, a short acclimatization walk towards Mawenzi Peak is undertaken.
� Distance: 3.75 km
� Hiking time: 3-4 hours
� Habitat: Moorland zone
� Altitude gained: 627 m
TREK DAY 4 MAWENZI TARN HUT(4302 M) to KIBO HUT (4714 M)
Today our hike leads directly over the Kibo saddle, which lies between the two volcanoes Mawenzi and the enthroned Kibo. As you cross the alpine desert of the saddle, the landscape opens up wonderful panoramic views and throughout the day you have Kibo in view. Finally, you can also make out the path winding to the summit on the flanks of the mountain. With a lot of luck you can spot eland up here, the largest antelope species in the world, which also lives in this zone of high altitude In the early afternoon you reach the Kibo hut 4714 m where your tent is already pitched for you for a short night's rest. During the day you should try to eat as much as possible in preparation for the summit day, which starts very early the following day. Eat lots of small snacks in the afternoon.
� Distance: 8.9 km
� Hiking time: 5-6 hours
� Habitat: Alpine Desert
� Altitude gained: 412 m
TREK DAY 5KIBO HUT (4750M) to UHURU PEAK (5895M) and descent to HOROMBO HUT (3720M)
You will be woken up around midnight for tea and biscuits. The ascent to the summit begins at half past midnight in the light of flashlights: the first goal is Gilmans Point, 5681 m on the rim of the crater. The height takes your breath away and your strength. Always remember, go slowly, and don't forget to breathe. It's not far to Uhuru Peak and the rest of the way is a gentle climb along the rim of the crater. At the top, you will be rewarded with a fantastic panoramic view and the wonderful feeling of having reached the highest point in Africa at 5895 m. On the way back you hike past the still spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs. The descent from Kibo is surprisingly quick and after a lunch break at Kibo Hut, the descent continues to Horombo Camp,
� Distance: 6.25 km to Uhuru Peak; plus 15.75 km back to Horombo Hut
� Hiking time: 12-15 hours
� Habitat: Arctic Summit (Icecap), Alpine, and Heath and Moorland Zone
� Altitude gained / Lost: 1181m to Uhuru Peak, then 2174 m descent from Uhuru to Horombo Huts
TREK DAY 6 HOROMBO CAMP (3720 M) to MARANGU GATE (1840 M)
A steady descent takes you through the Heather zone region down to the Mandara Hut. There you will have an extended lunch break and will say goodbye to a large part of the team. Therefore, tipping will also take place here. Then descend on a well-developed path through the jungle to the national park gate in Marangu. Humid air, blossoms, birdsong. It is a long stage of 18 km, but a nice finish with a gentle descent. The driver will be waiting for you at the gate and will take you back to Arusha.
� Distance: 20.75 km
� Hiking time: 6-7 hours
� Habitat: Rain forest
� Altitude lost: 1816 m
Departure day
Today you will be picked up from your accommodation and taken to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your flight or if you have decided to extend your stay in Tanzania with a wildlife Safari, begin the next part of your journey.
The climb cost includes:
� Government taxes
� Fair wages for the Mountain Crew as stipulated by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA) and Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO).
� 4-season mountains tents
� 18% VAT on tour fees & services
� Park entry fees
� Camping fees
� Transportation to & from the Kilimanjaro gate
� 2 nights of accommodation in Moshi/ Arusha (FB) Full Board.
� Private transport from the airport (JRO) to your accommodation in Arusha/Moshi and back.
� Double-layered sleeping mats 4 inches (10cm) thick
� Friendly and professional mountain guides, cook, and porters
� 3 meals daily during the trek
� Enough treated & filtered drinking water throughout the trek
� Hot water for washing
� Portable oxygen tank- oxy-meter emergency first aid
� Portable flush toilet tent
� Kilimanjaro Summit Certificate!
The climb cost excludes:
� Drinks at your hotel before and after
� Tips for guides, porters and cook (consider . . . per person per day, to be paid in US Dollars or Euros)
� Travel insurance