KILIMANJARO RONGAI ROUTE – 7 DAYS from $2 700 pps
Long Way Expeditions take you up the unique Rongai Route, known to be more scenic than the Marangu Route, easier than the Machame Route, and the success rate on the Rongai is very high. Unlike the Marangu Route where you sleep in huts, on the Rongai you sleep in tents (tents are included), and the porters will pitch your tent for you.
Meals are served in a dinner tent or on a blanket outside. The Rongai starts on the north side of the mountain just south of the Kenyan border, and is one of the least traveled routes. The Rongai joins the Marangu for the summit climb, before descending via the Marangu Route on the mountain’s southeast side, so you see Kilimanjaro from many view points.
DAY 1: ARRIVAL AND TRANSFER TO ARUSHA
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport. You will be met at the airport and transferred to Tulia Hotel and Spa or any hotel of your choice for your overnight stay. Dinner and breakfast included.
DAY 2: SIMBA CAMP
After breakfast and a briefing, you will drive through many villages and coffee plantations for 5-6 hours to the attractive wooden village of Nale Muru (1 950 m / 6 398 ft). After signing in and completing the paper work, you will begin the hike on a wide path winding through fields of maize and potatoes before entering a pine forest. You then start to climb gently but consistently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife. The forest begins to thin and Simba Camp (2 600 m / 8 530 ft) is near the “First Cave” at the edge of the moorland zone with extensive views over the Kenyan plains.
DAY 3: SIMBA CAMP – KIKELWA CAMP
Today you will make a steady ascent to the Second Cave where you’ll have lunch. You will leave the direct trail at the Second Cave and strike out across the moorland on a smaller path toward Mawenzi’s jagged peaks. After another 10 km, you reach the Kikelewa Camp in a sheltered valley with giant Senecios nearby. The Kikelewa Cave is also nearby.
DAY 4: KIKELWA CAMP – MAWENZI TARN
Today you’ll do a short, steep climb up grassy slopes rewarded by superb all-round views and a tangible sense of wilderness. Shortly after you leave the vegetation behind, you reach the Mawenzi Tarn, which is situated in a spectacular cirque directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. After this short hike, you can spend the afternoon exploring this exciting area.
DAY 5: MAWENZI TARN
Your extra day on the mountain, and you will spend two nights at Mawenzi Tarn. You can hike up to Mawenzi for a splendid acclimatization hike.
DAY 6: MAWENZI TARN – KIBO HUTS
You cross the lunar desert of the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach the 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.
DAY 7: KIBO HUTS – UHURU PEAK – HOROMBO HUTS
Wake at midnight to a light breakfast, then prepare for your summit ascent. The goal is to climb before dawn so that you can reach Uhuru Peak shortly after sunrise. Leave at 1 AM, switchback up steep scree or possibly snow, and reach Gilman’s Point on the crater rim at 5 861 m/18 640 ft between 5 and 7 AM. Here, views of the fabled crater and its icecaps greet you. Another 2 hours of hiking along the crater rim near the celebrated snows take you to Kilimanjaro’s true summit, Uhuru Peak, by 9 AM. This is Africa’s highest point, and you would have to travel more than 3 000 miles toward the Himalayas to find a higher peak! Be sure to have your picture taken at the summit to show your friends. After your summit, descend back to the Kibo Huts, have lunch, rest, collect your things, and re-cross the saddle to the Horombo Huts. Eat dinner and get some well-deserved sleep!
You do the beginning of this climb in the dark with 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. Slowly slowly, or, “pole pole,” and an optimistic attitude will get you there!
DAY 8: HOROMBO HUTS – MANDARA HUTS – ARUSHA
Wake, as usual, pack, and descend through the moorland to the Mandara Huts. Have lunch there, and then continue your triumphant recessional down through lush forest to the park gate, which you should reach around 2 or 3 PM. Remember to tip your guides, cooks, and porters, since you will be leaving them here.
Our vehicle will be waiting to take you back to Tulia Hotel and Spa for a long hot shower and overnight. You can extend your trip to Zanzibar or Safari in Serengeti or Ngorongoro crater.
INCLUDED IN TREKKING PACKAGE:
- Kilimanjaro trekking according to the itinerary
- Professional, English-speaking Wilderness First Responder & CPR certified guide
- Proper ration of mountain crew (cook & porters)
- Pre and post accommodations (2 nights bed and breakfast)
- Airport transfers
- Meals according to the itinerary
- Drinking water and Full Board meals
- All national park & hut fees, crew permits and VAT
- Rescue fees and Emergency Evacuation Coverage with AMREF
- Fair and sustainable crew wages and salaries
- Gate transfers
- Complimentary oxygen cylinder
EXCLUDED FROM TREKKING PACKAGE:
- Flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance (required)
- Gamow Bag
- Medication
- Tips for porters and mountain crew (20% Industry Standard Recommended)
- Personal spending money for souvenirs etc.
- Energy food & beverages, alcoholic and soft drinks
- Personal hire gear such as trekking poles, sleeping bags, etc.
- Additional lodge nights if early decent from the mountain @ $150 per room
BOOK THIS TREK
This Mountain Trek can be added onto a safari tour or a few well-deserved recovery days in Zanzibar. Contact us now to plan your journey!
Tripadvisor Reviews
The entire experience was great! Within our budget, well-planned, and most importantly, really fun and interesting. Ann and Abu were both very kind and helpful. We saw many animals of... Read more 
18 Apr 2023