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+255 755 879 484

Email:
info@kilitwende.co.tz

Address:
P.O.Box 2122 Moshi - Tanzania

  • KiliTwende

Kilimanjaro Trek 6 Days Rongai Route

Special Tour 6 days
Rongai Route, Tanzania Tour Guide: KiliTwende

Trek Overview:

The Rongai route is the only route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the north, close to the Kenyan border. The trek starts from the Rongai gate and traverses several climatic zones along the way. Each zone has its own distinctive features and provides amazing views and experiences.

The route used for ascending purposes doesn’t require much technical climbing, but requires a standard level of physical fitness as it is strenuous. The advantage of doing the Rongai Route is that there will be fewer climbers on the trail for most of the trek. The descent is conducted through a more heavily travelled Marangu route which offers views of both sides of the trail. You can basically see everything that this beautiful region has on offer.

During the rainy season, the Rongai route is considered the best route as it is located in the rain shadow of Kilimanjaro and sees substantially less rainfall than its southern counterparts. The route doesn’t provide many acclimatization opportunities and trekkers can’t follow the “climb high, sleep low” principle. An additional day at Mawenzi Tarn hat for acclimatization is hence recommended.

Trek Highlights

  • Arrival
  • Day 1: Nalemoru Gate (1,990m/6,530ft) – Simba Camp (2,625m/8,610ft)
  • Day 2: Simba Camp (2,625m/8,530ft) – Second Cave (3,450/11,319ft) – Third Cave (3,800m/12,467ft)
  • Day 3: Kikelelwa Camp (3,630m/11,900ft) – Mawenzi Tarn Hut (4,310m/14,140ft)
  • Day 4: Mawenzi Tarn Hut (4,310m/14,140ft) – Kibo Hut (4700m/15,420ft)
  • Day 5: Kibo hut (4700m/15,420ft) – Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,350ft) – Horombo Hut (3720m/12,200ff)
  • Day 6: Horombo Hut (3720m/12,200ff) -– Marangu Gate (1,870m/6,165)
  • End

Inclusions

  • Pick up and drop off at Kilimanjaro International Airport
  • Pre & Post Trek accommodation at the standard hotel in Moshi
  • Park fees, camp fee, rescue fees with newly government enforced 18% VAT from July 1st 2016
  • Transfers to/from the mountain gates
  • Expert guides, cook, assistant guides, and porters
  • Three meals a day during the climb
  • Bottled water on the first day of the climb boiled and filtered on the mountain
  • Entry fees, Camping fees, rescue fees and crew fees
  • Mountains 4 Season sleeping tents double occupancy
  • Sleeping mattress, foam, 1.5 inches thick
  • Mess tent, table, chairs and lanterns
  • Oxygen tank in case of emergency
  • Portable flush toilet with a toilet tent
  • Crew salaries (Guides, cook and porters)

Exclusions

  • Airfare
  • Beverages and food at hotel
  • Personal trekking gear
  • Laundry Services
  • A doctor for the group
  • Tips for porters, guides, cook and assistant guides

Day 0: Arrive Moshi/Tanzania

Upon arrival, you will meet and picked at Kilimanjaro International Airport with a KiliTwende Adventures representative followed by transferred to a hotel in Moshi, where you will meet with a Kilimanjaro Trekking guide for the Pre trekking briefing and equipment check up, then rest until the next morning for the starting trek.

Day 1: Nalemoru Gate (1,990m/6,530ft) – Simba Camp (2,625m/8,610ft)

Distance: 8km
Environment: Montane forest
Time: 3 to 4 hours

Start in the morning from the lodge in Moshi; you will make a way to the Rongai Gate, from where the trekking journey begins, all your equipments and belongings will be both organized and packed by the porters while you spend the time on the registration process with the National Park formalities before trek through the rainforest.

The trail ascents gradually and allows hikers to enjoy the surrounding. Midway in the trail, you’ll have your lunch and resume hiking to Simba Camp at 2625 meters where you’ll reach by late afternoon or early evening. Porters and chefs will move ahead of you and reach at the spot earlier to set up the tents and prepare drinking water along with snacks. A hot dinner will be served after washing up. The temperature in here may drop below freezing point, so be prepared!

Day 2: Simba Camp (2,625m/8,530ft) – Second Cave (3,450/11,319ft) – Third Cave (3,800m/12,467ft)

Distance: 9km
Environment: Moorland
Time: 6 to 7 hours

On this day, you’ll be trekking through the heather and moorland zones with views of Mawenzi and the vast Kenyan steppes which are nothing short of picturesque. You’ll enjoy your lunch at Second Cave located at 3450 meters. After taking a brief break, you’ll traverse through undulating terrain and reach Kikelelwa Camp. From the camp, you can enjoy incredible views after a strenuous day’s climb and experience its peaceful ambiance.

Day 3: Kikelelwa Camp (3,630m/11,900ft) – Mawenzi Tarn Hut (4,310m/14,140ft)

Distance: 6km
Environment: Moorland
Time: 4hours

The typical senecien vegetation will soon disappear and the scenery will become more barren with the occasional rock formations. In good weather you can enjoy the breath-taking views of the Kibo and Mawenzi summits as well as Kenya’s savannah grasslands. After passing a few more rock formations, you will arrive at the Mawenzi Hut. Many climbers rate this as the most atmospheric camp in Kilimanjaro.

 

Day 4: Mawenzi Tarn Hut (4,310m/14,140ft) – Kibo Hut (4700m/15,420ft)

Distance: 9km
Environment: Alpine desert
Time: 4 to 5 hours

On a relatively easy path, today’s leg takes you over the Kibo Saddle. A lack of vegetation is characteristic for the landscape here as only a few types of grass and other plant species can survive in this dry area and thin air. Just before today’s destination is reached, one last rock passage has to be conquered. Finally you will arrive at the Kibo Hut, where you can relax and mentally prepare yourself for tomorrow’s summit stage.

Day 5: Kibo hut (4700m/15,420ft) – Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,350ft) – Horombo Hut (3720m/12,200ff)

Distance: 22km
Environment: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Time: 7 hours to Uhuru /3 hours back to Kibo/ 3 hours to Horombo.

You will start early, around 11 pm or midnight. The trail is rocky up to Hans Meyer Cave (5150m). You continue your ascent to Gillman’s point (5681m). Making it to this section is itself an impressive achievement as the trail is rocky, steep, and located at a higher altitude. On the crater rim, you have Gilman’s Point from where you’ll trek all the way to Uhuru Peak at 5895 meters.

Trail is fully covered with snow and reaching to the summit is an accomplishment of a lifetime. You will be able to spend a short time on the summit taking photographs and drinking tea before the descent to Kibo begins. The hike down to Kibo Hut takes about 3 hours.

At Kibo Hut, you will rest and enjoy a hot brunch before continue descending down to Horombo for dinner, wash, and rest soundly at the hut after a strenuous day.

Day 6: Horombo Hut (3720m/12,200ff) -– Marangu Gate (1,870m/6,165)

Distance: 19km
Environment: Montane Forest
Time: 6 to 8 hours

Following a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. You can present your tips or gifts to the guide, assistant guides, porters, and chefs individually or hand it to their chief. Leaving them behind, you can descend back to Mweka Gate.

It is required by the national park to sign individually on required documents to receive certificate of completion. Hikers who make it to Stella Point at 5685 meters and Uhuru Peak at 5895 meters are presented with certificates. The driver will be waiting to take you back to the hotel accommodation in Moshi for long overdue showers and more celebrations.

 

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