If you already read a 6 day Rongai option, you can easly understand that this 7 day Rongai route itinerary differs a little from 6 days Rongai option because; for the first night you sleep in Simba camp and the second day you sleep to 2nd cave camp.
Starting from the northeastern side of the mountain near the Kenyan border, the Rongai Route rises above the Amboseli plains and approaches the summit of Kilimanjaro west of the Mawenzi peak. It is an unfrequented route and is also the easiest camping approach to Uhuru Peak. The descent normally uses the Marangu Route. Rongai route is the best option during the rainy season, due to its location, which receives little rain.
Overview
The scenically attractive Rongai route approaches Kibo from the unfrequented and drier north-eastern side of Kilimanjaro. The tour departs close to the Kenyan border and offers stunning and impressive views over the African savannah and rugged Mawenzi. Just after Mawenzi Tarn Camp, climbers will pass the only mountain lake in Kilimanjaro National Park. The trails are well developed and pass through fir forest, rain forest and alpine desert. Although the Rongai route can generally be thought of as an easy route, the rockier stages in the summit area are sometimes a little more demanding. The decent follows the Marangu route and traverses the lush and green rainforest on good paths. Climbers will overnight in mountain tents during the entire climb.
Itinerary summary
Day 1: Arrive to Moshi
Day 2: Moshi to Marangu gate to Rongai gate to Simba cave/camp
Day 3: Simba cave/camp to Second caves
Day 4: Second caves to Kikelewa cave
Day 5: Kikelewa cave to Mawenzi Tarn huts
Day 6: Mawenzi Tarn huts to Kibo huts
Day 7: Kibo huts to summit to Horombo huts
Day 8: Horombo huts to Marangu gate to hotel
Day 9: International departures or proceed to safari
Our Kilimanjaro adventure starts the Moment you land at Kilimanjaro international Airport, You will be met by our staff at the airport and transferred to our partner lodge in Moshi in the peaceful surrounds of our comfortable pre and post trek accommodation in Honey Badger, or Q wine hotel. Guide will perform a gear check for you after dinner so that next morning you will be ready for your tour start.
Hiking Time: 3 – 4 Hours.
Distance: About 8 Km.
Habitat: Montana forest
Pick up from your hotel drive for two hours and half to Marangu park gate for formalities registration after that transfer to the Rongai trailhead in about 3hours. 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 country. The first night’s camp is at Simba camp, at about 2,600 meters. There is a toilet and a wooden table with benches, but no hut. Water can be found just down the trail below samba camp.
Hiking Time 2 – 3hours
Habitat: Moorland
Late Breakfast, enjoy the morning at Simba camp proceed with the hiking very slowly acclimatize your body until you reach Second cave (3450M ) for hot lunch. Afternoon relax at second cave with dinner and overnight.
Hiking Time: 3 – 4 hours.
Habitat: Moorlands.
After breakfast then continues up towards Kibo, reaching Kikelwa Cave at about 3600 metres. The views start to open up and you begin to feel you’re on a really big mountain! Water is in the obvious stream below the cave, although you might have to wander downhill a way to find some. Overnight at 3rd Cave camp (Kikelewa Caves).
Hiking time: 3 – 4 hours.
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.
Hiking Time: 4 – 5 hours.
Habitat: Alpine desert.
Continue ascending on the east side of Kibo crossing the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo taking 4 to 5 hours to reach Kibo Hut. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent, which begins around midnight. Overnight at Kibo Camp.
Hiking time: 8 hours to reach Uhuru
6 hours to descend to Horombo.
Distance: 6 km’s ascent – 21 km’s descent.
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit.
You will wake up around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night. 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), also a good resting spot. The path then zigzags up to Gillman’s point (5 681m), which is located on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot of stone scree, requiring a great physical and mental effort. Probably the most demanding section of the entire route. From Gillman’s Point you will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa. Total exhilaration and satisfaction – you made it. Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long you can spend, taking photographs, before the 3-hour descent back to Kibo hut for a short rest ten after you descent to Horombo hut (3 hours) where you will overnight. The descent to Horombo hut will seem surprisingly fast compared to the ascent. The total time spent walking on this day is around almost 14 hours, . Later in the evening you enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and well-earned sleep.
Hiking Time: 6 hours.
Distance: About 27 Km.
After breakfast you continue your descent (6 hours), passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate. At Marangu gate you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Gillman’s Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. You now drive back to Moshi where your trekking tour ends with sweet memories.
Included in the price:
- Meeting at Kilimanjaro International Airport
- Transfer to our partner lodge Honey Badger - Moshi, Ameg lodge – Moshi or Vijiji Center - Arusha
- Accommodation prior to the climb (including breakfast; sharing a twin room)
- Transfer to the trail head gate on hiking start day
- Highly trained mountain guides. Our guides have “Wilderness First Responder” and “Wilderness First Aid” certificates because safety is of our priority.
- Friendly and really helpful porters. Each participant will be provided with a porter. Kindly note that the maximum weight porter can carry is 10kgs per person.
- Kilimanjaro National Park permits;
- Kilimanjaro National Park rescue fees;
- Camping/hut fees;
- 3 square meals daily. The menu includes different soups, garnishes, several types of fish and meat, fresh fruit and vegetables; vegetarian options are available upon request
- Modern quality tents
- Regular check of your body oxygen level while on the mountain
- First aid kit
- Warm and comfortable sleeping pads (2 inches thick);
- Group equipment (dining tent, table, chairs, crockery and cutlery);
- Pick up from the gate to the lodge.
- Accommodation after the climb (including breakfast; sharing a twin room)
- Air evacuation if booking made three months before tour start date
- Return transfer to Kilimanjaro airport.
- Note:
- This package price includes sharing a twin or triple room. If you need a single bed accommodation only, please email us at info@oreta-adventures.com OR info.oreta@gmail.com two weeks prior to the start of the tour.
- During the climb you will share a tent with 1-2 other climbers, depending on the number of participants. If you need your own tent, please email us thru info@oreta-adventures.com OR info.oreta@gmail.com
- two weeks prior to the start of the tour.
Not included in price:
- Airline tickets
- Visa fee
- Lunch and dinner at the hotel (before and after the ascent)
- Personal gear rentals
- Tips for the mountain crew (200–250 USD per participant)
- Insurance
Food on the trail is rich in carbohydrates and protein since you’ll be burning calories like a champ. Breakfast may include crepes/pancakes, toast, eggs, sausage/bacon, fruit, tea, hot cocoa, and coffee. Lunch may include fried chicken, puff pastry with either spinach or meat/carrots/peas, candy/biscuit, a banana, and hard-boiled eggs. Dinner may include soup, pasta or rice, chicken, beef or fish, avocado/green pepper salad, and fruit.
Oreta Adventures is able to accommodate most allergies and dietary preferences. Please email your food preference to info@oreta-adventures.com OR info.oreta@gmail.com
We recommend any vegan travelers bring extra protein bars.
The highest elevation you will reach on your trek is 19,341ft. Trekking at high altitudes can become a concern above 10,000 ft. Some travelers choose to use prescriptions such as Diamox to treat altitude sickness. We recommend talking to your doctor about the use of any prescription medicine. We always advise hiking at your own pace, drinking plenty of water, and the importance of self-care on the trail.
Regardless of the size of your expedition, we recommend budgeting around $250 – $350 for the trekking portion of your expedition. If you’re also doing the camping safari, we recommend budgeting around $50 – $100.
There will be time on the final day of the mountain when you descend from Horombo Hut back down to the entrance gates to tip your staff. We suggest tipping the cooks and porters before arriving back to the entrance gates because there can be a lot of distractions (souvenir vendors, etc.) once you complete the trek. You can then individually tip your guides either on the last day or once you descend down to the entrance gates.
You can tip in Tanzania Shillings (TZS) or US Dollars but for simplicity-sake, we suggest tipping in USD. Be sure to bring small bills.
If you want to know the number of crew, Ask one of your guides! They are happy to provide you with information on the total number of porters and cooks.
Most porters do not assist on the final summit but depending on the group size and pace, a few porters may join to help. It is common to tip these porters an additional ~$20 total from the group when tipping them.
Due to the high altitude and length of daily travel, you will carry a daypack and a porter will carry your duffle bag up to 10 Kgs. Your daypack should contain any clothes needed for that day and any personal belongings like your camera or passport.
We generally cap our group departure dates at around 10, though some may be slightly larger depending on the expedition. We guarantee all group departure dates whether there are 1 or 10 travelers signed up. We recommend asking our team how many people are in your group when you sign up for a departure date. Keep in mind, travelers may join or cancel at the last minute! If you are the only one in your group, we are happy to work with you on changing your travel dates if no deposits have been made.
Daily mileage can range from 5-13 miles and 5-16 trekking hours per day. This expedition requires excellent physical fitness. Treks include longer days, greater elevation gain, and more challenging terrain at higher altitude. Participants should expect high levels of physical exertion at times. We always recommend that travelers break in their hiking boots before the expedition. Taking training hikes that mimic the mileage and amount of time you will be trekking in Tanzania is highly recommended.
Yes! you will be staying at the same hotel before and after your trek in Moshi. Leaving an extra bag at either hotel during your trek is free of charge.
Talk to your physician and follow recommended CDC guidelines for Tanzania.
Some travelers choose to use prescriptions such as Diamox to treat altitude sickness. We recommend talking to your doctor about the use of any prescription medicine.
Yellow Fever Vaccination Cards are required for some travelers depending on their travel itinerary. The government of Tanzania requires proof of yellow fever vaccination upon arrival if you are traveling from a country with risk of yellow fever (this does not include the US). If you’re traveling from any of the countries listed in this link, a yellow fever vaccine is required.
Question on vaccines? Call your local Travel Medicine Clinic or Yellow Fever Vaccination Clinic
Safe drinking water will be provided to you along the trail. When in Moshi or Arusha, be sure to only drink bottled water and do not use tap water to brush your teeth.
We always ask that you stay safe on the trail by drinking plenty of water, eating well, and communicating openly with your guide about any issues that arise. Be sure to take care of your belongings, be respectful of your travel companions, practice your Swahili with the people you meet along the way, and respect the natural landscape that you’re exploring.
