Trip Dates
| TRIP DATES | AVAILABILITY | PRICE | SPACE LEFT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 10, 2023 - November 15, 2023 | Guaranteed | $1,675 |
Available
|
Tour Overview
About the tour
The Rongai route is one of the least frequented of the official Kilimanjaro routes. The upside of this is that there will be few other climbers about and for most of the trek you are walking through virgin wilderness and awe-inspiring scenery. While it is flatter, it does not give the climb high sleep low option and therefore recommended to select more days for acclimatization.
Starting from the Rongai gate, the route traverses several diverse climate zones, and each produces its own amazing views and experiences. Because of its remote location, the route offers trekkers a relatively unspoiled wilderness experience where it is possible to see large wildlife like antelope, elephants, and buffalo. Heading up to Kikelewa Caves on day two, the views start to open up, with the Amboseli Plains of Kenya stretching into the distance. The route continues up to the mountain’s second summit at Mawenzi, before crossing the Saddle, a barren plain that connects the two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo. After reaching the summit, the descent is along the more heavily travelled Marangu route, offering you the chance to see Mount Kilimanjaro from both sides
Lying in the rain shadow of Kilimanjaro, the Rongai route is one of the best routes to make the attempt on Kilimanjaro during the rainy season, as it sees substantially less rain than the southern routes.
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Highlights
- A more remote climb away from the crowds
- Only route that approaches from the North
- Good option for climbing in the rainy season
Itinerary
All trekkers need to organize their own flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). From JRO we will arrange a private transfer to your hotel. That night or early the next morning you will meet your local ZAFS representative and have a full pre-climb briefing.
Transfer from your hotel to Marangu Gate for registration and then a further transfer to the Rongai trailhead (approx. 2½ hours). Our porters prepare and pack our supplies and luggage before we start our ascent through the village of Nale Moru. The small winding path crosses maize fields before climbing gently through a pine forest until we reach First Cave Camp at 2,600m altitude.
The trail continues up towards Kibo, passing Second Cave (3450m) en route, and reaching Kikelewa Caves at 3600m. From here the views start to open up and you will see for yourself how huge a mountain Kilimanjaro really is. The small shrubs of the moorland became thinner as you approve the Second Cave. Temperatures begin to drop.
A short but steep climb up grassy slopes is rewarded by superb all-around views and a tangible sense of wilderness. We leave the vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn (4330 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.
We cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo Campsite (4750m) at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent tomorrow.
You will be woken around 23:30 and after some tea and biscuits we will start our ascent. This is where the going really gets tough. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m). We then zigzag up to Gilman’s Point (5681m) on the crater rim. This section is very steep with much stone scree and is the most demanding section of the route. From Gilman’s Point we could encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru Peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa. Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long we can spend taking photographs before we descend back to Kibo Campsite and then Horombo Hut where we will stay overnight. Later in the evening we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
After breakfast we continue our descent, passing Mandara Hut, down to the Marangu Gate. Transfer to your hotel for a well-earned shower and celebration.
Includes & Excludes
This Trip Cost Includes:
- 2 nights hotel accommodation before and after your climb on bed & breakfast basis
- Airport transfers
- Transfers to and from the mountain
- National Park entry, and climbing fees
- Rescue fees
- A fully supported climb (average ratio of support staff to climbers is 4:1)
- All meals and drinking water on the mountain
- Private portable toilet
- Access to first aid kit and emergency oxygen
- A certificate documenting your summit ascent
- High-quality mess and sleeping tents with a comfortable foam mattress
The Trip Cost Excludes
- International flights and visas
- Tips for your guide and crew
- Travel insurance (you must be insured for trekking up to 6000m)
- Your personal trekking gears
- Snacks on the mountain
- Meals and drinks not on the mountain
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Trip Dates
| TRIP DATES | AVAILABILITY | PRICE | SPACE LEFT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 10, 2023 - November 15, 2023 | Guaranteed | $1,675 |
Available
|
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Any fit person can do this trek, even if you do not have any previous experience. If you can walk a 10-14 km/6-7 miles per day, this climb should be do-able for you. From our experience, those with a good fitness level who get proper acclimatisation always reach the summit. If you have concerns regarding your fitness level then you can choose to opt for the longer day routes with less daily trekking distance. Essentially, you should be aware of what to expect and mentally prepare for it. Then, as long as you will to, you can.
The Rongai Route is recommended for those looking to climb in the rainy season as this is the only route that approaches the summit from the north of the mountain.
We recommend choosing this route if you want to avoid the crowds. It’s also a good option if you have less or no trekking experience and want a more relaxed climb with fewer steep sections.
We highly recommend going for the seven day option as it gives you an extra day for acclimatisation.
The topography of this trail doesn’t afford many opportunities to ‘climb high, sleep low’ and so the seven day option will give you an extra day to acclimatise at Mawenzi Tarn Camp.
