Rongai is the only route starting on the Northern slope of Kilimanjaro. It is a moderate route and has a more gradual slope than other routes. This part of the Mountain is rarely visited by hikers. Climbers sleep in tents and the entrance is via Nalemuru (Rongai) gate and the exit is via Marangu gate. We recommend Rongai to all those who like reclusive hiking experiences. This route is also recommended for those who would like to climb Kilimanjaro during the rainy season, as the north side of the mountain gets significantly less moisture than the southern slopes, which means that trekkers are less likely to encounter rain. Rongai is one of the few routes to climb Kilimanjaro through the coniferous forest instead of tropical rain forest.
This itinerary makes this route to be the easiest route to climb Kilimanjaro, and is the best choice for those who do not want to walk long distances from camp to camp and do not want to face much climbing challenges – no much energy and straggling is used in this itinerary, compared to other itinerates. Climbers walk for short distances from day to day (maximum of 4 hours per day) before reaching base camp, and gain less altitude from day to day. They arrive at camps early; they have enough time to rest, doing excursions. But, because of its profile, it does not offer trekkers good options to climb high and sleep low and it involves a much shorter climb approach to Kibo hut than the Marangu route-this makes Rongai to have lower summit success compared to Lemosho and Machame route,but higher than the Marangu route.
TOTAL TREKKING DISTANCE: 60 KILOMETERS
TOTAL TREKKING TIME: 37 HOURS
DIFFICULTY: MODERATE
SUMMIT SUCCESS RATE: 81%
If you have chosen to take a flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), your host will be waiting for you outside the customs area. Then he will take you to your hotel in Arusha. A day before the climb, you will be met by your mountain guide for a pre-climb briefing and gear check, to make sure you have all the necessary and proper gear for the climb. The gear that will be missing, can be rented on this day.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
From Rongai gate (2,240m) To Simba camp (2,625m)
HIGHT GAIN: 385m.
A guide and your mountain supporting team will arrive at the hotel in the morning around 07:30 for your pick-up. Then you will travel by vehicle to Nalemuru (Rongai) gate, a journey that takes about 4 hours. You will be provided with lunch boxes and you can eat at the gate.
After the quick formality of acquiring climbing permits and registering, you will start trekking up to Simba camp. Your trek this day will be moderate and takes you through Coniferous forest up Kilimanjaros Northern slope. The forest begins to thin out and the camp today is at the edge of the moorland zone(2,600m.) with extensive views over Kenyan plains.
By the time you reach the camp, our professional mountain crew will have been already prepare everything for you, like setting on your mess and sleeping tents. You will be welcomed with warm washing water in a small basin followed by tea/coffee with popcorns in the mess-tent.
Dinner and overnight at Simba camp.
TREKKING DISTANCE: 2.5km.
TREKKING TIME: 2-3hrs.
VEGETATION ZONE: Heather
From Simba camp(2,625m) To Second cave camp(3,450m)
HEIGHT GAIN: 825m.
The morning walk is steady ascent up to the Second cave, located about half an hour walk from the first cave, with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim.
You will have lunch at the camp, and in the afternoon, if the weather permits, your guide will lead you for the acclimatization hike, and there will be warm washing water and late afternoon tea/coffee and popcorns/peanut or biscuits for you, after the hike.
Dinner and overnight at Second cave camp.
TREKKING DISTANCE: 4KM.
TREKKING TIME: 3-4HRS.
VEGETATION ZONE: MOORLAND
From Second cave camp (3,450m) To Third caves camp (3,900m)
HEIGHT GAIN: 450m.
After breakfast and organizing your gear, you will start you hike and walking up towards the destination camp of today. You will arrive at the camp in the afternoon and you may meet with other groups from the Lemosho route at the camp. Here you can have good look of Kibo and the Mawenzi peaks.
Lunch will be served at the camp and there will be acclimatization walk for you in the afternoon, if the weather permits.
Dinner and overnight at Third caves camp.
TREKKING DISTANCE: 4KM.
TREKKING TIME: 3-4HRS.
VEGETATION ZONE: MOORLAND
From Third cave camp (3,900m) To Kibo base camp (4,750m.) 5km/5hrs.
HEIGHT GAIN: 850m.
Then,
From Kibo base camp (4,750m) To Uhuru peak (5,895m) 7.5km/8hrs.
HEIGHT GAIN: 1,145m.
The trekking begins with crossing the desert and walking up towards Kibo. The Kibo camp is located at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. You will have about five hours walking to the base camp. At your arrival at the camp, you will have your lunch then a short hike, trying to gain at least 100m. Above the camp. Today, dinner will be served early for the early sleep. You will be then woken up probably an hour before mid-night, before having couple of minutes for final Summit`s preparation and light breakfast.
We will then start to hike up with our torchlight for about three hours to the Hans Mayer cave, which is located about half way to the crater-rim. From here, we will push on for about an hour and hike up to very steep trail through loose volcanic scree in switch-backs to reach the boulders region and finally to Gillman`s point. Most of the climbers reach here before the sunrise. From here, we can enjoy the spectacular sun-rise over Mawenzi and the views of the crater and the cloudy-ocean at the far bottom of the mountain. It takes normally about three hours from the Hans Mayer cave to reach Gillman`s point.
From here the trek to the summit is less steep and gradual, and you will be walking now along the crater rim. It takes about 30 minutes to reach Stella point and about one hour more to the Summit. At the summit, you can spend more or less 15 minutes, depending to your condition and the weather, for taking a rest, taking photos and enjoying great views.
TREKKING DISTANCE: 12.5KM.
TREKKING TIME: 13HRS.
VEGETATION ZONE: ICE CAPED
From Uhuru peak (5,895m) To Horombo camp (3,720m)
HEIGHT LOSS: 2,175m.
Your back trail will be the same way to Gillman`s point the descending with your hiking poles to Kibo base camp. It takes about 3 hours descending from the Summit to Kibo camp. At the camp, you will have a short rest and lunch, before packing your gear and be ready for the last walk of today.
After lunch, you will start trekking down towards Horombo through the Marangu route. You will reach the camp in the late evening and will have warm washing water for washing your face and feet. Dinner and overnight at Horombo camp.
TREKKING DISTANCE: 17KM.
TREKKING TIME: 6 HRS.
VEGETATION ZONE: MOORLAND
From Horombo huts (3,720m) To Marangu gate (1,720m)
HEIGHT LOSS: 2,000m.
The steady descent takes us down through moorland to Mandara hut (2720m.), the first stopping place at the Marangu route. We then continue descending through lovely lush forest on a good path to the gate. At the gate, you will sign out and your guide will collect your summit certificate, hopefully you are going to make it. Hot lunch will be waiting for you at the gate. After lunch, you will get in the vehicle, and travel to Arusha via Moshi town to your hotel.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
TREKKING DISTANCE: 20KM.
TREKKING TIME: 6-7HRS.
We hope that, your stay in Tanzania in your tour with us in our hands will be safe and enjoyable and your climb will be successful and a life time experience.
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