Mt Kilimanjaro Trek; Rongai Route – 6 Days

Rongai route 6 days itinerary is the best, this route is termed to be the second easiest route for climbing Kilimanjaro after Marangu. Trekking via this route one can choose between the two starting points, Tanzania side or Kenya side. Rongai route is the only route approaches the summit of Kilimanjaro Africa from the northeast & has a wonderful wilderness setting. Upon request short days Tanzania safari can be added after the climb, please let us know your wishes.
The route has fewer crowds than other routes and is recommended for people who don’t want a huge number of climbers in one route. Rongai route is only for ascending and its end merges with Marangu route which is for both ascending & descending. The route is endowed with a lot of caves, which partly saves as overnight accommodation.

Rongai route 6 days itinerary is the best, this route is termed to be the second easiest route for climbing Kilimanjaro after Marangu. Trekking via this route one can choose between the two starting points, Tanzania side or Kenya side. Rongai route is the only route approaches the summit of Kilimanjaro Africa from the northeast & has a wonderful wilderness setting. Upon request short days Tanzania safari can be added after the climb, please let us know your wishes.
The route has fewer crowds than other routes and is recommended for people who don’t want a huge number of climbers in one route. Rongai route is only for ascending and its end merges with Marangu route which is for both ascending & descending. The route is endowed with a lot of caves, which partly saves as overnight accommodation.

Itinerary

Day 1: Rongai Start Point (1996m) – Simba camp (2626m)

Stop At: Rongai, Tanzania
Hiking time: 4 hours
Distance: Approximately 6.7 km
Habitat: Forest (Montane)

Depart from Moshi town and drive 45 minutes to the Marangu park gate for registration. From Marangu park gate we travel to Naro Moru, northeast Kilimanjaro, a further 68km and approximately 2 ½ hours on bad roads to the Rongai start point (1996m). Meet your guide and porters before you begin your hike from the Nale Moru village. The small winding path crosses maize fields before entering pine forest and then climbs gently through a forest. The trail is not at all steep but is rather a gentle hike through beautiful countryside. The first night’s camp is at Simba Camp (2 626m). The camp facilities include a public toilet and a wooden table with benches, but no hut.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Simba Camp

Day 2: Simba camp (2626m) – Kikelewa Camp (3679m)

Stop At: Kikelewa – Mawenzi Tarn Trail, Tanzania
Hiking time: 6 – 7 hours
Distance: Approximately 11.8 km
Habitat: Moorlands

We hike from Simba camp up towards Kibo till 3 482m for lunch at First Caves, a distance of 5.8km. After lunch, we continue trekking until reaching Kikelewa Camp at about 3679 metres. The views start to open up and you begin to feel you’re on a really big mountain! Water can be found in an obvious stream below the cave, although you might have to wander downhill a way to find a pool or two. Enjoy dinner and overnight at Kikelewa camp.
Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Kikelewa Camp

Day 3: Kikelewa Cave (3679m) – Mawenzi Tarn camp (4303m)

Stop At: Mawenzi Peak, Tanzania
Hiking time: 3 hours
Distance: Approximately 3.7 km
Habitat: Moorlands

A short but steep climb up grassy slopes offers superb views of this wilderness area. The vegetation zone ends shortly before you reach your next camp at Mawenzi Tarn spectacularly situated beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. Spend the afternoon acclimatizing and exploring the area.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Mawenzi Turn Camp

Day 4: Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,330 m) – Kibo Hut (4,700 m)

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 40000 Tanzania
Trekking time:4 to 5 hours

Distance: approx. 9 km

Vegetation type: Alpine desert

After a light breakfast, you will start your today’s program by hiking over a small ridge before having an easy walk on a nice path that is on the northern part of the saddle. With good weather views around this area is wonderful. The vegetation type that will dominant today’s walking is an alpine desert furnishing with some hardy grasses and occasionally everlasting flowers.

At this juncture, Rongai route will adjoin the Marangu route when reaching the saddle in-between Mawenzi and Kibo. The pass to the summit at this point is as the same as from Marangu route. The final part of today’s hike that leads to Kibo hut is steeper. Reach Kibo hut at 47,00 m during lunchtime. Hot water to wash & other procedures will follow, get enough rest and some acclimatization and be ready for the final part of your Kilimanjaro trekking Rongai route 6 days.

On this day dinner will be served early but before or after dinner your guide will give you a detailed briefing of your final push to the summit. Go to bed early & try to get enough sleep as this is your big night at Kilimanjaro but before bed, you should have prepared everything needed for your final ascent. Things needed for your final attempting to the summit are thermal clothing, ski-stick, and thermal flask for water, don’t forget to put in replace your headlamp and batteries.(the guide will remind you during the briefing).
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Kibo Hut

Day 5: Summit Attempt. Kibo Hut (4,700 m) – Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) – Horombo Hut (3,720 m)

Stop At: Uhuru Peak, Tanzania
Kibo Hut (4,700 m) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) to Horombo Hut (3,720 m)

Trekking time: About 8 hours to Uhuru and 6 hours to Horombo

Vegetation type: Stone scree / ice-cap summit

Distance: approx. 6 km ascent and 21 km descent

The summit day on Rongai Route, the wake-up time will be at around 23:00 to 23:30. Have some biscuit and tea before you start, you will firstly hiking through a very rough path with rocky passing Williams Point at an altitude of 5,000 m, Hans Meyer Cave at 5,150 m and Gillman’s Point at an altitude of 5,681 m situated on the crater rim.

To reach Hans Mayer Cave from Kibo hut you will need almost two and a half hours. Gillman’s Point is not that far from Hans Meyers Cave, it is in a distance of about an hour. To reach the summit from Gillman’s Point is about 1.5-hour walking distance.

The remaining of the climbing is normally covered with snow and walking is along the rim of the crater all the way to Uhuru Peak. On the way to Uhuru Peak, you will pass Stella Point stands at an altitude of 5,752 m; this point is where the other routes reach the rim. Now you are almost at the summit but might be very challenging. Congratulation you have made it to the roof of Africa via Rongai route 6 days of tough hiking.

At Uhuru Peak you should not expect to spend much time, few minutes will be enough in such an altitude, so you may expect to take some pictures before starting your way down. Now it is the time for the descent back to Kibo hut 4,700 where your lunch is to be served. From Kibo hut, you need about 3 hours to reach Horombo hut 3,720 m. Arriving at the camp in the afternoon, get hot water to followed by coffee/tea with snacks, Change clothes & have a deep breath while relaxing waiting for dinner.
Duration: 14 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Horombo Hut

Day 6: Horombo Hut (3,720 m) – Marangu gate (1,980 m) – Moshi

Stop At: Marangu, Marangu, Kilimanjaro Region
time: 6 hours

Distance: approx. 27 km

Vegetation type: low alpine zone and Montana forest

After heavy breakfast at Horombo hut, you are last day at Kilimanjaro will then start. Passing Mandara hut at an altitude of 2,700 on your way down to Marangu gate, here you will have a short break for lunch then proceed down to Marangu gate at (1,980 m)

At Marangu gate, you will sign some of your details into a register book and you will be provided with a summit certificate, a green colour certificate is for those who reached Gillman’s Point and a gold certificate (Big Diploma) for Uhuru Peak. Celebrations, singing & dancing including farewell & tipping session for the crew can be at Horombo hut in the morning or here when receiving a certificate. At the time you reach the gate your driver will have already arrived and waiting to take you back to your Hotel in Moshi possibly for a long overdue hot shower before dinner & overnight.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight at Your Hotel In Moshi