Rongai Route 7 Days

Upon your arrival, the professional staff from Sote Tours will be on hand to warmly welcome you. They will assist you with your luggage and transfer you to a waiting vehicle, which will take you directly to your hotel in Moshi. After checking in, you will receive a comprehensive briefing about your upcoming trek. Your mountain guide will also review your gear to ensure everything is in order.

The remainder of the day is yours to unwind. Enjoy a relaxing time by the pool or explore the charming town of Moshi at your leisure.

Accommodation at Panama Garden Resort
Meals
Breakfast

After an early breakfast at your hotel, you will be transferred by our vehicles through picturesque villages and lush coffee plantations on a scenic 2-3 hour drive to the Rongai Gate (1,950m). Upon arrival, you will complete the necessary sign-in procedures and prepare your porters for the hike.

Your trek begins on a broad path that meanders through fields of maize and potatoes, gradually leading you into the montane forest. As you ascend, the trail gently climbs through the captivating forest, home to diverse wildlife. The forest will start to open up as you approach Simba Camp (2,600m), offering stunning vistas over the expansive Kenyan plains.

Elevation(m): 1,950 m to 2,600m
Distance: 8 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane

Meals
Full Board

After an early breakfast, embark on a steady ascent towards the Second Cave, where you will pause for lunch. From this point, you will diverge from the main trail and venture across the moorland on a smaller path towards the Mawenzi side peak. Your journey continues to Kikelewa Camp, nestled in a sheltered valley.

At Kikelewa Camp, you will enjoy a hearty dinner and settle in for an overnight rest.

Elevation: 2,600m to 3,600m
Distance: 17 km
Hiking Time: 7 hours
Habitat: Moorland

Meals
Full Board

After breakfast, embark on a short yet steep climb up grassy slopes, rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the expansive wilderness. As you ascend, the vegetation will gradually give way, leading you to the Mawenzi Tarn Camp. This camp is situated in a stunning cirque directly beneath the imposing spires of Mawenzi Peak.

At Mawenzi Tarn Camp, you will encounter the remarkable, undrained lake with neither an inflow nor an outflow. Enjoy lunch, take some time to rest, and savor dinner before settling in for the night at this picturesque camp.

Elevation: 3,600m to 4,330m
Distance: 7 km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Semi-Desert

Meals
Full Board

On this designated acclimatization day at Mawenzi Tarn, you will spend two nights at this scenic camp. Begin your day with a hike towards Mawenzi Peak, designed to enhance your acclimatization to the high altitude. Afterward, return to Mawenzi Tarn Camp for lunch. Enjoy a hearty dinner and spend the night at this elevated camp, optimizing your acclimatization process.

Meals
Full Board

Following an early breakfast, you will traverse the stark, lunar landscape of the Saddle, situated between Kibo Peak and Mawenzi Peak. Your destination is Kibo Huts, located at the base of Kibo’s crater wall. The remainder of the day will be spent resting and preparing for your upcoming summit ascent, ensuring you are well-acclimated and ready for the final climb.

Elevation: 4,330 m to 4,695 m
Distance: 8km
Hiking Time: 5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Meals
Full Board

Awaken at midnight for a light breakfast and prepare for your summit ascent. The objective is to reach Uhuru Peak shortly before or after sunrise, so you will depart for the peak at 12:00 AM. The route involves ascending steep scree or possibly snow-covered terrain, ultimately reaching Gilman’s Point on the crater rim at 5,861 meters (18,640 feet) between 4:00 and 6:00 AM. From this vantage point, you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the fabled crater and its ice caps.

Following a 2-hour hike along the Kibo crater rim, past the renowned snows, you will arrive at Kilimanjaro’s true summit, Uhuru Peak. Spend some time taking photographs and savoring the achievement, though the duration of your stay will depend on how you feel. After completing your summit activities, descend back to Kibo Hut for lunch and a rest. Collect your equipment and continue your descent, re-crossing the saddle to Horombo Hut. Enjoy dinner and overnight at Horombo Hut Camp.

Elevation: 4,703m to 5,895 m to 3,720m
Distance: 4 km up, 14 km down
Hiking Time: 10-15 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert.

Meals
Full board

After a restful night, you will awaken for breakfast and prepare for the day. Begin your descent from Mandara Huts, traversing the moorland and continuing through lush forested terrain to Marangu Park Gate. Upon reaching the gate and signing out, a vehicle will transport you back to the hotel. Here, you will participate in a well-deserved certificate presentation ceremony and celebration of your achievement.

Accommodation at Panama Garden Resort
Elevation: Elevation): 3,720m to 1,970m
Distance: 18 km
Descending time: 6-7 hours
Habitat: Montane forest

Meals
Breakfast

Airport transfer arrangements will be made based on your flight schedule. Please notify the Sote Tours staff of any changes to your flight details.

You have the option to extend your stay by embarking on a thrilling safari or unwinding on the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar.