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Kilimanjaro Rongai Route 6 Days
Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.
Price
$1,385.00
Tour Overview
The Rongai Route is the only trail that starts from the Northern part side of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Despite some claims that this route begins on the “Kenyan side” of Mount Kilimanjaro, the whole of Africa’s highest mountain is within the borders of Tanzania. The start of the Rongai route is closer to the Kenyan border than other routes, but the entire trek takes place exclusively in Tanzania.
Because of its remote location, the route receives the least traffic of all the routes on Kilimanjaro and offers trekkers a relatively unspoiled wilderness experience where it is possible to see large wildlife like antelope, elephants, and buffalo.
The North-East side of the mountain gets significantly less moisture than the southern slopes which means that trekkers are less likely to encounter rain. Trekkers are also more likely to get clear, unclouded views of the mountain.
The Rongai Route is flatter than the other Kilimanjaro routes but because of its profile, it does not offer trekkers good options to climb high and sleep low.
It can be hiked on a six, seven, or even eight-day route. The seven or eight-day Rongai Routes are highly recommended as trekkers have extra days to acclimatize. Summit night from Kibo Hut is steep and follows the same path taken by Marangu trekkers which passes Gilman’s Point to Uhuru Peak. Then descends via the Marangu trail.
Highlights:
- Departure and Return Place: Moshi Town to Rongai Gate and then back to Kilimanjaro International Airport (Google Map)
- Departure Time: Please be ready by 8:15 AM for a prompt departure at 9:30 AM.
- Return Time: Approximately 10:30 AM on the last day.
- Dress Code: Casual. Comfortable athletic clothing, hiking shoes, hat, cold weather jacket, gloves, pants, and spare clothing.
- Accommodation: Two nights of accommodations based on Bed and Breakfast at 3 stars hotel (upgrades on request).
- Customizations: Can be customized upon request, to meet traveler's needs
- Extensions: Trip Extensions are available on request
- Season: All year round
- Suitable for: Moderate fitness with previous trekking experience ideal
- Pros: It's less crowded, recommended during the rainy season, has an incredible view of the mountain throughout the hike by descending via Marangu for a diverse trek, high chances of spotting wildlife, and easy daily hikes.
- Cons: Not ideal for acclimatization, due to overnight camp placements, some find summiting through Kibo Hut camp harder than through Barafu
Departures everyday
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival
Arrival at Kilimanjaro international airport (JRO), where you will meet an Go Ahead Trip representative, and transfer to the hotel under the rate. The hotel will provide all the essential for a comfortable stay : cozy rooms , hot water , a swimming pool and internet access. In the evening there will be a briefing with our managers, who will also make sure you are ready to begin the climb.
Day 2 Rongai Gate (1950m) – 1st Caves Camp (2600m)
After an early breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up from Arusha (1400m) and driven to the Marangu Gate (1980m). At the gate, the porters will organize and pack the belongings for the hike while you and your guide register with the Tanzania National Park (TANAPA). You will then be transferred by vehicle to the Rongai trailhead, which is 2.5 hours away from the Managu Gate. The trail begins in the tall cornfields then leads into the pine forest. This trail has a gradual ascent and allows hikers to enjoy their surroundings. About halfway up the trail you will have a lunch break and you will reach the 1st Caves Camp (2600m) in the late afternoon or early evening. The porters and chef, who move very fast up the mountain, will reach camp before you and set up your tents, boil drinking water, and prepare snacks for your arrival. After washing up, a hot dinner will be served. For overnight, mountain temperatures may drop to freezing so be prepared!
Hiking time: 5 hours
Distance: Approximately 8 kilometers
Habitat: Montane Forest
Day 3 1st Caves Camp (2600m) – Kikelewa Cave (3600m)
Following a hot breakfast, hikers will continue their ascent to Kikelewa Cave (3600m). The trail passes Second Cave (3450m) and this is a good spot to take a lunch break. Similar to the first night, your tents will be set up prior to arriving at camp and the porters will prepare drinking and washing water for you. You will enjoy evening snacks then dinner prepared by our chef. Be prepared for a cold night as temperatures drop below freezing at this exposed camp.
Hiking time: 6-7 hours
Habitat: Moorlands
Day 4 Kikelewa Cave (3600) – Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4330m)
On this day, hikers will enjoy a short, yet steep trail to Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4330m). In the moorland, you will spot exotic plants, including giant lobelia and groundsel. At camp, hikers will enjoy spectacular views and allow their bodies to acclimate. Hot dinner and washing water will be prepared for hikers as they enjoy the magnificent sunset.
Hiking time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Moorlands
Day 5 Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4330m) – Kibo Hut (4700m)
After breakfast, hikers will continue ascending east for a half-day hike to Kibo Hut. Kibo is located in the “Saddle,” which refers to the area located between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo in an alpine desert. There is no water at this camp, but hikers can buy mineral water and soft drinks at the camp office. An early dinner will be served so hikers can rest before attempting the summit the same night. Your guide will brief you in detail on how to prepare for summit night. Get to sleep by 19:00!
Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert
Day 6 Summit Attempt Kibo Hut (4700m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo Hut (3720m)
Your guide will wake you around 23:30 for tea and biscuits. You will then begin your summit attempt. The trail is rocky up to Hans Meyer Cave (5150m). You continue your ascent to Gillman’s point (5681m). Reaching this section is an impressive achievement as the trail is steep, rocky, and at high altitude. Gillman’s is located on the crater rim. From this point, you will usually experience a snow covered trail until you reach the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). Reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro is a lifetime accomplishment! You will be able to spend a short time on the summit taking photographs and drinking tea before the descent to Barafu begins. The hike down to Kibo Hut takes about 3 hours.
At Kibo Hut, you will rest and enjoy a hot lunch in the sun. After eating, you will continue descending down to Horombo Hut (3720m). You will have a dinner, wash, and rest soundly at the hut after a strenuous day.
Hiking time: 8 hours to Uhuru and 6 hours to Horombo
Habitat: Stone scree / ice-cap summit
Distance: Approximately 6 kilometers ascent and 21 kilometers descent
Day 7 Horombo Hut (3720m) – Marangu Gate (1980m)
Following a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. It is here on the mountain that you will present your tips to the guide, assistant guides, chef(s), and porters. After celebrating, you will descend for 6 hours back to Marangu Gate (1980m). The National Park requires all hikers to sign their names to receive certificates of completion. Hikers who reached Gillman’s Point (5681m) receive green certificates and hikers who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. After receiving certificates, you will drive back to Moshi in your hotel.
Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: Approximately 27 kilometers
Day 8 Departure
Rest in the hotel before the transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Pricing Includes
- Two way private airport transfers
- All park fees collected by the National Park
- Hotel ccommodations one night before and one night after the expedition
- Tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro
- All meals on the hike
- All group equipment (dining tent, table, chairs, crockery and cutlery)
- Oxygen cylinders and oximeters
- Complete Expedition medical kits
- Professional guides licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park
- Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp master, porters, cooks, etc.)
- Government taxes
- Crew salaries
- Medical evacuations with AMREF Flying doctors
- Purified water while on the mountain
- Portable tented private flush toilet
Pricing Excludes
- Personal Climbing gears
- Tanzania Visa on arrival
- Mountaineering Insurance
- Tips and Gratuities
- Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
FAQs
Do You Offer Private & Fully Customizable Climbs For Kilimanjaro?
Your Kilimanjaro dream climb is entirely your own to design. We will work with you to customize exactly the triumphant Tanzanian mountainous quest experience you want. You go with the people you choose. You leave on whatever day you wish. You decide on your preferred route option, pace, and the number of days you will take
I would like to book but I have group is large group, is this a problem?
We aim to keep the size of the public groups to a minimum, as we feel that a group that is much larger than ten trekkers is cumbersome and trekkers lose the sense that they are in a wilderness if there are too many people. That said, if you are a single, private group, then there is no problem accommodating you whatever the size of the group, as, of course, you will be aware before arriving in Tanzania of the number of people you will be trekking with.
Who are your operators in Tanzania?
We are. We are not agents for anybody, but run the treks ourselves through our own Tanzanian company. So you can rest assured that whoever you speak to in our company has climbed Kilimanjaro – and probably many times.
Are there charging stations on Mount Kilimanjaro?
There are no charging stations on Mount Kilimanjaro. We recommend bringing Power Banks and spare batteries. There are charging ports in our safari vehicles.
Do we tip the hiking crew?
Yes, it is expected and much appreciated. The amount depends on the number of days, but can range from $150 and $300 per hiker. Tips are pooled and shared amongst the crew. Bring US dollar bills.
What will I eat - I am a vegetarian?
You will eat normal food: potatoes, rice, pasta, vegetables, eggs, sandwiches, cheese, and fruit. When you book a trek, let your tour operator know about food allergies or medical conditions that require special diets. Non-vegetarians will be served sausages, chicken, and meat. Tea, coffee, and hot chocolate will be available as well.
How long is the hike?
There are at least six routes to the top, Uhuru peak. You will hike between 53 and 73km depending on which route you choose.
The shortest and toughest is the 5-day Umbwe route. Allowing extra days will help you to acclimatize better and improve your chances of reaching the summit. The easiest and most popular route is Marangu (which can be done in five), but we use six days for this route.
What kind of experience do I need?
None, but previous hiking or climbing experience will help. You need to be fit and healthy and have a good pair of worn-in hiking boots. The fitter you are the more you are likely to enjoy it.
How high is Kilimanjaro?
Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest freestanding mountain in the world and the highest mountain in Africa. Its highest point is Uhuru Peak on the Kibo crater at 5895m above sea level.
Where is Kilimanjaro?
The mountain is in Tanzania, East Africa, about 350km from the equator. The nearest towns are Moshi and Arusha.
What travel documents do I need?
You will need a passport that is valid at least six months beyond your dates of travel with an entry or re-entry visa, duly endorsed.
Do you arrange airport pick up & Drop off?
Yes, we do arrange this. Please send your request to Safari.
Who are your operators in Tanzania?
We are. We are not agents for anybody, but run the treks ourselves through our own registered Tanzanian local company.
What are the Kilimanjaro accommodations like?
Your mountain camps are set up and broken down each day by expert camp porters. You’ll stay in double occupancy all-weather tents with full-ground pads to keep you and your gear dry. Private toilet tents, solar-lit dining tents with tables and chairs, and basins of hot water for washing are provided in every camp.
Grand Traverse treks include upgraded solar-lit walk-in-height sleeping tents with mountaineering beds and mattresses for additional comfort.
What kind of food will I eat?
Highly-trained chefs prepare three hot nutritious meals daily, as well as trail snacks and afternoon tea each day.
You’ll eat all your meals in a solar-lit dining tent with your fellow trekkers and head guide.
Delicious vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other specialty meals can be provided (with advance request). We’re happy to send you a sample menu—just ask!
Will I see wildlife?
Prior to the climb, you’ll enjoy an acclimatization day with wildlife viewing and nature walks. Trekking through the rain forest, you’re likely to spot black-and-white Colobus monkeys, tropical birds and more.
How many hours will I trek each day?
On most routes, you’ll trek 4-7 hours most days. On certain routes you’ll trek as many as 10-15 hours on the longest days.
Do You Offer Crater Camp Option On Kilimanjaro Climbs
An overnight stop at Crater Camp is an optional extra on any customized Kilimanjaro climb , usually lasting eight actual mountain days or more on the Shira, Lemosho, Umbwe and Machame routes. Possibly the most bizarre place you will ever see, it is visited by less than 5% of the 40,000 to 50,000 people who annually ascent Kilimanjaro on a distinct highlands voyage in northern Tanzania
Do You Offer Private and Fully Customizable Climbs For Kilimanjaro
Your Kilimanjaro dream climb is entirely your own to design. We will work with you to customize exactly the triumphant Tanzanian mountainous quest experience you want. You go with the people you choose. You leave on whatever day you wish. You decide on your preferred route option, pace, and the number of days you will take.
When is the best time to climb Kilimanjaro?
Mount Kilimanjaro can be climbed anytime throughout the year. Most travelers prefer climbing during the dry seasons: December to March, June to October. Many consider the best months to climb Kilimanjaro to be January, February, and September.
Other Tour Details
Tour Pricing
| Number of People | Cost Per Person in US($) Classic Package | Cost Per Person in US($) Premium Package |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Person | $1,670 | $2,230 |
| 2 People | $1,465 | $1,870 |
| 3 People | $1,455 | $1,830 |
| 4 People | $1,445 | $1,800 |
| 5 People | $1,435 | $1,750 |
| 6 People | $1,425 | $1,700 |
| 7 People | $1,415 | $1,680 |
| 8 People | $1,405 | $1,670 |
| 9 People | $1,395 | $1,660 |
| 10 People + | $1,385 | $1,650 |
Tour Accommodations
| Classic Package | Premium Package |
|---|---|
| 2 nights Accommodations at your own choice of hotel according to your budget | 2 nights Accommodations on BB at either of the following Panama Garden resort or Ameg Lodge |
Tour Map
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