8 DAYS RONGAI ROUTE Trekking
Destinations
Duration
8 Days
Activities
Trekking
Detailed Trekking Itinerary
Overview
Rongai climbing Route is the only route up the northeastern part of Kilimanjaro Mountain. In terms of trekking difficulty and challenge, Marangu Route is the second; this route is also getting more recommendations from guides due to the spectacular and unique wilderness conditions it features. You spend several days hiking through the true wilderness before joining the Marangu climbing Route at Kibo Camp.
During the climb, certain caves allow climbers to stay overnight in a stunning and one-of-a-kind natural environment. This route is a popular alternative for those seeking to avoid the Marangu crowds, especially during the holiday season.
Climbers have options to complete this route within six days or more.
Day 1: Arrival
On your arrival, you’ll be picked up from Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to Moshi, the famous gateway to Mount Kilimanjaro. At the base hotel in Moshi or Arusha city, you’ll have accommodation and get trekking briefings from your mountain guide and final preparation to embark on the journey to the roof of Africa.
DAY 2: Rongai Gate to Rongai Cave
- Distance covered: 8 km/5 miles
- Mountain Elevation: 6,398 ft to 9,300 ft
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Rain Forest
Our trekking will begin with less than an hour’s transfer from Moshi to Marangu Gate for mandatory registration, permits, and briefings; Then, afterward, we will have another short transfer to the Rongai Gate trailhead.
Approaching the trailhead, we will pass through potato and corn farms and gently climb to the forest home to various wildlife, including well famed white and black colobus monkeys.
DAY 3: Rongai Cave to Second Cave
- Distance covered: 6 km/4 miles
- Mountain Elevation: 9,300 ft to 11,300 ft
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Heath
Second Cave to Kikelewa Cave
- Distance covered: 6 km/4 miles
- Mountain Elevation: 11,300 ft to 11,811 ft
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Heath
We will start a trail early in the morning with a progressive incline up to Second Cave. We then continue the route passing through moorland, diverting from the main course to a narrow path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi, then arriving at Kikelewa Cave and spending the night.
DAY 4: Kikelewa Cave to Mawenzi Tarn
- Distance covered: 5 km/3 miles
- Mountain Elevation: 11,811 ft to 14,160 ft
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
On this day, we will briefly hike a steep and grassy slope. We will have a stunning view of wildlife. The landscape changes theatrically during trekking as we depart the heath zone and come to the Alpine Desert zone.
The camp will be set underneath the jagged tops of Mawenzi, at Mawenzi Tarn. And the rest of the remaining day time can be spent relaxing or exploring the surrounding area.
DAY 5: Mawenzi Tarn to Mawenzi Ridge
- Distance covered: 2 km/1 mile
- Mountain Elevation (ft): 14,160 ft -14,400 ft
- Hiking Time: 1-2 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
- Distance covered: 2 km/1 mile
- Mountain Elevation (ft): 14,400 ft -14,160 ft
- Hiking Time: 1-2 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Mawenzi Ridge to Mawenzi Tarn
This is an extra trekking day meant specifically for acclimatization, and one can spend by hiking the surrounding of Mawenzi Ridge. The distinguishing landscape gives climbers an inspiring view of Kibo and Mawenzi, Kilimanjaro twin peaks. After taking a few moments to explore and navigate the area, we head back to Mawenzi Tarn for camping.
DAY 6: Mawenzi Tarn to Kibo Hut
- Distance covered: 8 km/5 miles
- Mountain Elevation (ft): 14,160 ft to 15,430 ft
- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Gradually we will climb and cross the lunar desert of the “Saddle” placed amongst Kibo Mawenzi peaks. Kibo Hut is placed at the bottom of Kibo’s crater wall. The camp will be set, and the rest of the time can be spent resting and enjoying an early dinner to organize for the summit day.
DAY 7: Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak
- Distance covered: 6 km/4 miles
- Mountain Elevation (ft): 15,430 ft to 19,341 ft
- Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
- Habitat: Arctic
Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut
- Distance covered: 16 km/10 miles
- Mountain Elevation (ft): 19,341 ft to 12,250 ft
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Heath
Around midnight, we will start ascending slowly, pushing towards Uhuru Peak. This part of trekking is the most demanding, both mentally and physically. ThThis high elevation will have extreme wind and coldespecially at night. We will keep ascending in the darkness for several hours while taking very brief short breaks once in a while.
Approaching Stella Point, 18,900 ft, you will enjoy the most glorious sunrise from Mawenzi Peak.
And lastly, we will have arrived at Uhuru Peak, the Mount Kilimanjaro summit; you will get the experience of being on the roof of Africa, looking downward for a glorious view.
After spending a moment at Uhuru Peak, taking all in from the plains of Africa and your triumph, we will quickly descend towards Horombo Hut.
After a short descent, we will have our last meal together on the mountain in the evening, sharing experiences and telling stories of the more significant achievement. We will later take a well-deserved sleep.
DAY 8: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate
- Distance covered: 20 km/12 miles
- Mountain Elevation (ft): 12,205 ft to 6,046 ft
- Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
- Habitat: Rain Forest
On this last descending day, we will descend downhill through dense tropical rainforest. Arriving at Marangu Gate, the park headquarters, we will be awarded summit certificates of success.
At Marangu gate, we will meet vehicles and be transferred back to a base hotel in Moshi.
Tailor-made Trekking itinerary
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What is included
The package includes
- park fees for non-residents
- all activities, unless specified as optional
- all accommodations unless selected as an upgrade
- camping equipment
- a professional driver/guide
- all transportation, unless selected as optional
- all taxes/VAT
- roundtrip airport transfer
- meals as mentioned in the day-by-day section, and drinks, as mentioned in the day-by-day section.
What is not included
The package does not include the following items:
- international flights to and from your home
- any additional accommodation needed before or after the tour
- a sleeping bag, bath towels
- tips (a suggested amount is US$10.00 per person per day)
- personal items such as souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, and any government-imposed increases in taxes or park fees.
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