7 Days Rongai Route
Rongai route begins in the northern side of Kilimanjaro Mountain, 45km from Moshi town or 69km from Arusha. This is one of Kilimanjaro easiest routes, and it has become an increasingly popular route in recent years. This route is located on the northern side of Mt. Kilimanjaro with a variety of spectacular landscapes together with different plants and animal’s 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 day trek.
TOUR ITINERARY
Day 0: Arrival day
When you arrive you will be met at the airport by our driver- with a sign bearing your name, then you will drive to Kibo Palace Hotel or Masai Land Hotel in Arusha for dinner and overnight. In the afternoon or evening your GMExpeditions Mountain Guide will meet you for a Kilimanjaro climb briefing and Kilimanjaro equipment check
Dinner on your own, overnight at Kibo Palace or Masai Land Hotel
Day 1: Arusha to Rongai Gate (Nalemoru)(2364m) to Simba Camp(2671m)
Drive to the attractive wooden village of Nalemoru. After signing in and preparing the porters, you will begin the hike on a wide path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering pine forest. The track then starts to climb consistently but gently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife. The forest begins to thin out and the first camp is at the edge of the moorland zone with extensive views over the Kenyan plains.
Dinner and Overnight at Simba Camp.
Hiking time: 3-4 hours.
Distance: 7km.
Habitat: Montane Forest.
Day 2: Simba Camp(2671m) to Second Cave (3450m)
The morning hike is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave with superb views of Kibo and the eastern ice fields on the crater rim.
Dinner and overnight at Second Cave (3450m).
Trekking time: 3-4 hours.
Distance: 8km.
Habitat: Moorland.
Day 3: Second Cave (3450) to Kikelewa Camp (3600)
Head out across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. The campsite is in a sheltered valley with giant Senecios nearby.
Dinner and Overnight at: Kikelewa Camp.
Distance: 9km.
Walking Time: 6 hours.
Habitat: Semi-desert.
Day 4: Kikelewa Camp (3600) to Mawenzi Turn Hut (4315)
A short but steep climb up grassy slopes is rewarded by superb views. Leave the vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Turn, 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.
If you are spending an extra day on the mountain, you will camp for two nights here. You can hike up and around Mawenzi for your acclimatization hike.
Dinner and Overnight at :Mawenzi Turn Hut (4315).
Distance: 3km.
Walking Time: 2 hours.
Habitat: Semi-desert.
Day 5: Mawenzi Turn (4315) hut to Kibo Hut (4720)
Cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo campsite at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent very early.
Dinner and Overnight at: Kibo hut
Distance: 9km/5mi
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Day 6: Kibo Hut (4720) to Summit and Horombo Hut (3720)
Very early in the morning (midnight about 1 am), commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman’s Point located on the crater rim (elevation 5700m). Continuing ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa. There are unbelievable views at every turn. Have your picture taken at the summit to show your friends and family. From here we descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment.
The beginning of this climb is done in the dark and requires headlamps or flashlights. It will be very cold until you start descending, so you will need all of your warm layers. This is by far the most difficult part of the trek with many switchbacks. Going slowly “pole pole” and an optimistic attitude will get you there!
Dinner and Overnight at : Horombo Hut (3720m)
Distance: 6km/4mi up / 15km/9mi down.
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours up / 15km/9mi down.
Habitat: Alpine Desert.
Day 7: Horombo Hut (3720) to Marangu Gate (1879), to Arusha
After breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through moorland to the Mandara Hut. Continue descending through lush forest path to the National Park gate at Marangu. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). Our vehicle will meet you at Marangu gate to drive you back to your Hotel in Arusha.
Dinner on your own, overnight at the Kibo Palace or Masai Land Hotel.
Distance: 20km/12.5mi
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Forest
Day 8 – Departure Day
Our packages include departure day services. Enjoy breakfast and a morning sightseeing in the city or join us for one of our Safari Adventures. If you are returning home our driver will bring you to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to catch your flight home.
INQUIRE
What is Included and Excluded in the package
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Price included:
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Price Exclude:
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What Gear Do I Need to Bring?
Below is the equipment that you need to bring as your personal kit for the climb.
| Technical Clothing 1 – Waterproof Jacket, breathable with hood 1 – Insulated Jacket, synthetic or down 1 – Soft Jacket, fleece or soft-shell 2 – Long Sleeve Shirt, light-weight, moisture-wicking fabric 1 – Short Sleeve Shirt, light-weight, moisture-wicking fabric 1 – Waterproof Pants, breathable (side-zipper recommended) 2 – Hiking Pants (convertible to shorts recommended) 1 – Fleece Pants 1 – Shorts (optional) 1 – Long Underwear (moisture-wicking fabric recommended) 3 – Underwear, briefs (moisture-wicking fabric recommended) 2 – Sport Bra (women) Headwear 1 – Brimmed Hat, for sun protection 1 – Knit Hat, for warmth 1 – Balaclava, for face coverage (optional) 1 – Bandana (optional) Hand wear 1 – Gloves, warm (waterproof recommended) 1 – Glove Liners, thin, synthetic, worn under gloves for added warmth (optional)
Other
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Footwear 1 – Hiking Boots, warm, waterproof, broken-in, with spare laces 1 – Gym Shoes, to wear at camp (optional) 3 – Socks, thick, wool or synthetic 3 – Sock Liners, tight, thin, synthetic, worn under socks to prevent blisters (optional) 1 – Gaiters, waterproof (optional)
Accessories
Equipment
Paperwork
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NOTE: If you do not have any among the gears/equipment mentioned in the list above then you can hire them from us or Hiring stores in Arusha-Tanzania under our assistant to avoid inapplicable higher charges.
What are the Gear that will be provided with Us?
- All tents for clients and crew on the mountain
- Mess tents
- Camping tables and chairs
- Cooking and eating gears
- Kitchen tents
- Oxygen cylinders
- Oximeters for pulse and oxygen checks
- Form mats/mattresses
Should I Get a Medical Check Up?
All climbers should have a medical check prior to attempting the mountain. Ask your doctor if high altitude trekking is permissible for your age, fitness level and health condition. Ask if you have any preexisting medical conditions that can cause problems on the climb. Ask if any of your medications can affect altitude acclimatization. Ask whether Diamox can be taken with your existing prescription medicines. Such medical issues include but are not limited to: spine problems; circulation problems; internal problems such as diabetes, hypoglycemia, intestinal or kidney problems; respiratory issues such as asthma; high or low blood pressure; head trauma or injury; heart conditions; blood disease; hearing or vision impairment; cancer; seizure disorders; joint dislocations; sprains; hernia.
What Vaccinations, Immunizations and Medications Do I Need?
Recommended Vaccinations and Preventive Medications
The following vaccines may be recommended for your travel to East Africa. Discuss your travel plans and personal health with a health-care provider to determine which vaccines you will need.
- Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG). Transmission of hepatitis A virus can occur through direct person-to-person contact; through exposure to contaminated water, ice, or shellfish harvested in contaminated water; or from fruits, vegetables, or other foods that are eaten uncooked and that were contaminated during harvesting or subsequent handling.
- Hepatitis B, especially if you might be exposed to blood or body fluids (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, or be exposed through medical treatment. Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11-12 years who did not receive the series as infants.
- Malaria: your risk of malaria may be high in all countries in East Africa, including cities. See your health care provider for a prescription antimalarial drug.
- Meningococcal (meningitis) if you plan to visit countries in this region that experience epidemics of meningococcal disease during December through June.
- Rabies, pre-exposure vaccination, if you might have extensive unprotected outdoor exposure in rural areas, such as might occur during camping, hiking, or bicycling, or engaging in certain occupational activities.
- Typhoid vaccine. Typhoid fever can be contracted through contaminated drinking water or food, or by eating food or drinking beverages that have been handled by a person who is infected. Large outbreaks are most often related to fecal contamination of water supplies or foods sold by street vendors
- Yellow fever, a viral disease that occurs primarily in sub-Saharan Africa and tropical South America, is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes. The virus is also present in Panama and Trinidad and Tobago. Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for travelers to endemic areas and may be required to cross certain international borders (For country specific requirements, see Yellow Fever Vaccine Requirements and Information on Malaria Risk and Prophylaxis, by Country.). Vaccination should be given 10 days before travel and at 10 year intervals if there is on-going risk. · As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria, measles, and a one-time dose of polio vaccine for adults.
Malaria
Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. Humans get malaria from the bite of a mosquito infected with the parasite. Your risk of malaria may be high in all countries in East Africa, including cities. All travelers to East Africa, including infants, children, and former residents of East Africa, may be at risk for malaria. Prevent this serious disease by seeing your health care provider for a prescription antimalarial drug and by protecting yourself against mosquito bites.
All travelers should take one of the following drugs:
- Atovaquone/proguanil,
- Doxycycline,
- Mefloquine, or
- Primaquine (in special circumstances).
Yellow Fever
A certificate of yellow fever vaccination is required for entry into Tanzania. Kenya and Uganda when arriving from countries where yellow fever is present.
Do I Need Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance is required to participate on this trip.
- Missed connection
- Travel delay
- Baggage delay and personal items lost
- Hurricane and weather
- Employment layoff
- Pre-existing medical conditions
- Emergency medical
- Medical evacuation and repatriation
- Financial default
