Kilimanjaro - Rongai Route (7 Days / 6 Nights On The Mountain)

Route Description:

The Rongai Trailhead is Kilimanjaro’s only route beginning from the north side, and is used by few trekkers. It joins with the Marangu (Coca-Cola) Route on the final ascent to the summit on the fifth day, but otherwise few others are seen along the way. This route affords the opportunity to witness up-close the Mawenzi volcano, the second highest peak of Kilimanjaro, and the magnificent saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo Peak. Due to the rugged terrain and the limited acclimatization time, fitness plays a huge role in the enjoyment and success of this trek. Each day you see many changes of vegetation and scenery, due to the rising terrain and decrease in precipitation. The accommodation is in mountain tents and dining is in our mess tents. 

Daily Itinerary:

Day 1   Rongai Gate (6,550 Ft./ 2,000 M) ~ Rongai 1 Caves Camp (9,285 Ft./ 2,830 M)

Departure from Arusha at 8am, about 5 hours drive (2 on rough roads) to the Rongai gate. After completion of administrative formalities and meeting with porters and guides, begin the 3 to 4 hour walk to the first camp.  The walk is at a leisurely pace through fields and then into the rain forest. Arrive at your camp set in the heather, to your mess tent and a hot meal.

Day 2   Rongai 1 Caves Camp ~ Rongai 2 Caves Camp (11,300 Ft./ 3,450 M)

About 4-5 hours trek through the heather will bring you to second caves. If the weather is clear, Mawenzi will be in plain view; a stunning sight. Enjoy stopping to see the exotic heather-zone flowers and plants which grow alongside the trail.

Day 3   Rongai 2 Caves Camp ~ Kikelewa Caves Camp (11,800 Ft./ 3600 M)

Today is a short trek designed to help you acclimatize. A smaller track leads off the main trail through the moorland and towards Mawenzi’s steeply rising slopes. The trekking time is about 3 – 5 hours, arriving in camp for a hot lunch, and a chance to acclimatize while exploring the surrounding landscape of bizarre plants and rock formations and caves.

Day 4   Kikelewa Caves Camp ~ Mawenzi Tarn Camp (14,160 Ft./ 4,315 M)

Trek from the moorland and eventually into the stark highland desert towards Mawenzi, on trails not frequented by many tourists. From the Tarn Campsite you will enjoy a magnificent view across the saddle towards Kibo; your final target.  Total trekking time is 5-7 hours.

Day 5   Mawenzi Tarn Camp ~ Outward Bound Camp (15,585 Ft./ 4,750 M)

The trekking time today is 5 - 7 hours, though a relatively easy hike across the wide saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo. The trek takes you across the massive saddle-  the crossing is impressive and the landscape spectacularly stark.  Prepare all your gear for the night ahead, and turn in early to rest

Day 6   Outward Bound Camp ~ Uhuru Peak (19,340 Ft./ 5,895 M) ~ Horombo Camp (10,200 Ft./ 3,110 M)

You are awoken at midnight, and depart the camp at about 1am. From your camp to the rim of the crater (Gillman’s Point (18,750 ft./ 5,712 m)) to Uhuru Peak, the trekking time is about 7 - 8 hours. The following descent to Mweka Camp is about 5 – 6 hours. Total trekking time is 12 – 14 hours. Upon your 1am departure, the temperatures will be between -0 to -10° C, and then from 4am to 6am (just before sunrise), you can expect temperatures from -10° to -20° C. The slope is steep, with switchbacks, over loose rock and scree with some boulders as you near Gilman’s Point.  You will stop at Hans Meyer cave on the way, the famous place where Kilimanjaro’s first western climber described in his journals.  Once you arrive at Gilman’s Point (after about 5 - 6 hours) at the edge of the crater, the trail to the summit is less demanding, and is reached after a further 1½-2 hours along the snowy crater rim (depending on the season).  After 3 hours of descending to Kibo hut, there is a pause for rest & food, then another 3 to 4 hours to reach Horombo Camp.

Day 7   Horombo Camp ~  Marangu Gate (5,900 Ft./ 1,800 Mt.)

Included services and equipment :

Safety Equipment:

• Mobile phones - carried by the head guide and all assistant guides, for daily communications with our base in Arusha. All guides carry extra batteries for their phones.
• Stretcher (and convertible litter)
• Comprehensive medical/first aid kits (as per WFR/NOLS USA guidelines)

Staff:

• Professional Mountain Guides, all head guides (at least 1 per trip) currently certified by NOLS USA as WFR (Wilderness First Responder)
• Ratio of at least one guide for every three guests, to ensure personalized attention.
• Cooks and Porters

Mountain fees:

• Park Fees
• Campsite fees
• Emergency Rescue Fees

Camping equipment and other gear:

• Mountain Hardwear sleeping tents (a triple tent used as a double or single (with supplement),  each tent with a custom-made ground sheet covering the both vestibules, to allow clean & dry storage of gear, and keeping water, mud or dust from entering the tent.
• Foam Camping Mat
• Large weatherproof dining tent. At night, the tent is lit with candle light. This tent is used for breakfast, lunch (if bad weather), and dinner.
• Aluminum dining tables and chairs, for all meals.
• We offer high quality rental gear/ trekking clothing like synthetic sleeping bags, Gore-Tex outer wear, warm layers, trekking poles, etc…

Mountain Cuisine

• Three hearty meals a day + snacks upon arrival in camp. Our new menus have been developed by a professional cook who has trained staff in up-market safari bush camps where equipment and resources are minimal. We produce and prepare a majority of our food in our base kitchen, for delicious and energizing meals necessary for high altitude mountain trekking.
• Menu training is constant, and each climb travels with a set recipe book written in Kiswahili, laminated with photos of each dish of each meal. These measures ensure that standards stay high, and we always are constantly monitoring for quality of produce and consistency.

Not included:

• Emergency transport costs, Private road transfers to and from the mountain from Arusha.*
• Tips, personal expenses, personal medical kit, travel insurance, bottled mineral water, sleeping bags, or other personal trekking gear.*

* available at a supplement