ABOUT 6-Day Kilimanjaro Climb Rongai Route - Kilimanjaro
The Rongai route is one of the easier routes up Kilimanjaro. Rongai is the only route to approach Kilimanjaro from the north and the descent is via the Marangu Route. Summit night from Kibo Hut is steep and follows the same path taken by the Marangu route which passes Gilman's Point to Uhuru Peak.
- Duration: 6 days
- Route: Rongai
- Starts at: USD 1500
Highlights for 6-Day Kilimanjaro Climb Rongai Route - Kilimanjaro
Day 1: Rongai Gate | Simba Camp
Day 2: Walk to the Second Cave
Day 3: Mawenzi Tarn Camp
Day 4: School Campsite
Day 5: Summit Attempt
Day 6: Mandara Hut | Moshi
Day 1: Rongai Gate | Simba Camp
>> After breakfast, we will pick you from Springlands Hotel in Moshi and transfer you to Rongai Gate passing the wooden village on a path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before reaching the entrance gate, The Rongai Gate. The climb begins from the Rongai Gate (2,150 m). The track then starts to climb consistently, but gently through an attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife, including the beautiful Kilimanjaro colobus monkey. These monkeys are black with a long ‘cape’ of white hair and a flowing white tail. The forest begins to thin out and the first camp is at the edge of the moorland zone (2,600 m) with extensive views over the Kenyan plains (1h30-2h30 hours walking).
- Time: 8-10hrs
- Meals: Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
- Accommodation:Budget camping
Day 2: Walk to the Second Cave
>> The morning walk is a steady ascent up to the ‘Second Cave’ (3,450 m) with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim. After lunch, we leave the main trail and strike out across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. Our campsite is in a sheltered valley with giant views near Kikelewa Caves (3,600 m). Alternatively, to the third camp based on your program (6-7 hours walking).
- Time: 8-10hrs
- Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
- Accommodation:Budget camping
Day 3: Mawenzi Tarn Camp
>> A short but steep climb up grassy slopes is rewarded by superb all-round views and a tangible sense of wilderness. We leave vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn (4,330 m., spectacularly situated in a cirque directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. The afternoon will be free to rest or explore the surrounding area as an aid to acclimatization (3-4 hours walking).
- Time: 8-10hrs
- Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
- Accommodation:Budget camping
Day 4: School Campsite
>> We cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach the School campsite (4,750 m) at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night! (4-5 hours walking).
- Time: 8-10hrs
- Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
- Accommodation:Budget camping
Day 5: Summit Attempt
>> We will start the final and by far the steepest and most demanding part of the climb by torchlight around 1 a.m. We plod very slowly in the darkness on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point (5,685 m). We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the three-hour round trip to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Kibo (4,700 m) is surprisingly fast and, after some refreshment, we continue the descent to reach our final campsite at Horombo (3,720 m) (11-15 hours walking).
- Time: 8-10hrs
- Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 6: Mandara Hut | Moshi
>> Wake in the morning for a steady descent takes us down through moorland to Mandara Hut (2,700m.), the first stopping path to the National Park gate at Marangu (1,830 m) (5-6 hours walking). You will be dropped in your Hotel in Moshi. We can arrange an additional overnight stay on request.
- Time: 8-10hrs
- Meals: Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included) Non-alcoholic drinks
- Accommodation:No accommodation (End of tour)
Inclusions
- Porterage
- Rescue fee
- Park fees (For non-residents)
- All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
- Camping equipment
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
- Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Exclusions
- Climbing gear
- International flights (From/to home)
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
- Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees