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Rongai Route 6 Days is one of Kilimanjaro’s easiest routes, and it has become an increasingly popular route in recent years. This route is located on the Northern side of Mount Kilimanjaro with a variety of spectacular landscapes together with different plants and animals species. The typical duration for this trip is 6 days. However, you can also add an acclimatization day and make it 7 day climb.
The Rongai Route is more scenic than the Marangu Route and easier than other camping route in climbing Kilimanjaro and the success rate on the Rongai Route is very high. Unlike the Marangu Route where you sleep in huts, on the Rongai Route you sleep in tents, the porter will have your tent pitched and waiting for you at the end of each days trek.
This route starts on the North side of the mountain just South of the Kenyan border and is one of the least traveled routes. The route merges with the Marangu Route for the summit climb. The descend follows the Marangu Route on the mountain’s southeast side, so you will able see Kilimanjaro from many view points.
There are two versions of this trek a direct 6-day itinerary, and a 7 days Rongai itinerary that takes a longer route. The 6 days itinerary is described down below and the longer variation is described in the extra day’s section.
Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
2 Hours Before Flight Time
Welcome to Tanzania: Meet and greet at arrival point by our transferring Sote tours driver who will escort you to the waiting vehicle for loading your luggage then drive you to the Hotel in Moshi town. After checking in the hotel you will get a briefing about your next day’s trek then your mountain guide will check your gears. The rest of the day can be spent relaxing at the pool or exploring the town of Moshi.
Accommodation at Panama Garden Resort
Meals
Breakfast
After an early breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up from Moshi and driven to the Nalemoru gate. At the gate, the porters will organize and pack the belongings for the hike while you and your waiting lounge registering with the Tanzania National Park (TANAPA). You will then begin your ascent into the rainforest. During this section of the hike, you should expect rain, mud, and fog. Also, be on the lookout for wildlife, including Colobus monkeys! About halfway up the trail, you will have a lunch break and you will reach the First Caves Camp in the late afternoon or early evening. The porters and chefs 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 followed by overnight.
The Rongai Route 6 Days starts here.
Elevation(m): 1,950 m to 2,600m
Distance: 8 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane
Meals
Full Board
Following a hot breakfast, hikers will continue their ascent to Kikelewa Cave (3,600m). The trail passes Second Cave (3,450m) 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.
Elevation: 2,600m to 3,600m
Distance: 17 km
Hiking Time: 7 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals
Full Board
After breakfast you will face a short, steep climb up grassy slopes; rewarded by superb all-round views, immersed in the vast surrounding wilderness. Soon after, you leave the vegetation behind and arrive at the Mawenzi Tarn Camp, which is situated in a spectacular cirque directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi Peak.
After this hike, you will reach the Mawenzi tarn hut camp where you will also see the amazing undried Lake with no inlet as well as outlet here you will have lunch and rest then dinner and overnight at this camp.
Elevation: 3,600m to 4,330m
Distance: 7 km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Semi-Desert
Meals
Full Board
After an early breakfast, you will cross the lunar desert of the saddle between Kibo peak and Mawenzi peak to Kibo Huts at the bottom of Kibo’s crater wall. You should spend the remainder of the day resting and preparing for your summit climb.
Elevation: 4,330 m to 4,695 m
Distance: 8km
Hiking Time: 5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals
Full Board
Your guide will wake you up around 23:30 for tea and biscuits. You will then begin your summit attempt. The trail is rocky up to Hans Meyer Cave (5,150m). You continue your ascent to Gillman’s point (5,681m). Reaching this section is an impressive achievement as the trail is steep, rocky, and at high altitudes. 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 (5,895m). 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 (3,720m). You will have dinner, wash, and rest soundly at the hut after a strenuous day.
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
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 (1,980m). The National Park requires all hikers to sign their names to receive certificates of completion. Hikers who reached Gillman’s Point (5,681m) receive green certificates and hikers who reached Uhuru Peak (5,895m) receive gold certificates. After receiving certificates, you will drive back to Moshi for long overdue showers and more celebrations.
End of Rongai Route 6 Days.
Accommodation at Panama Garden Resort
Elevation: Elevation): 3,720m to 1,970m
Distance: 19 km
Descending time: 6-7 hours
Habitat: Montane forest
Meals
Breakfast and Lunch
Transfer to the airport will be arranged depends on flight time, please remind Sote Tours staff about any changes of the flight.
You can extend your stay by going to safari or relaxing on Zanzibar beach.
| Number of People | Cost Per Person in US($) |
|---|---|
| 1 Pax | 2,450 |
| 2 Pax | 1,850 |
| 3 Pax | 1,750 |
| 4 Pax | 1,650 |
| 5 Pax | 1,600 |
| 6 Pax | 1,550 |
| 7 Pax | 1,535 |
| 8 Pax | 1,530 |
| 9 Pax | 1,520 |
| 10 Pax | 1,500 |
