The Rongai Route is considered as one of the easiest routes on Mount Kilimanjaro, and as such, it has a high success rate. 

 

This route starts on the north side of Mt. Kilimanjaro, just south of the Kenyan border, and is one of the less busy routes on the mountain.  Descent is down the Marangu Route on the south side of the mountain, giving the climbers an opportunity to see the mountain from many different angles.

 

The scenic drive to the trail head takes approximately 4 hours from Moshi town, and passes through many villages and coffee plantations, including a stop to register climbing permits at the Marangu gate.

 

This fully inclusive Kilimanjaro climb includes 5 nights in shared tents / huts, fully qualified mountain guide(s), assistant guide, cook(s), and an entire team of porters that will carry everything from your rucksack and tent to the food & water supplies for the entire trip. All national park entry fees, portage of 2 bags (max 15 kilos), mountain rescue fees / flying doctors medical evacuation, and safety equipment such as a hyperbaric chamber and oxygen bottles come as standard. 

  

Private tours are available for groups of two adults and more; single private tours are available at a supplement. We guarantee departure on any day of the year, and flight inclusive packages are available from any international airport.

 

Detailed Itinerary 

 

Day 1: Moshi

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, your driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel in Moshi. After a few hours to rest, you will have an afternoon briefing with your Mountain Guide to discuss the following day’s departure time and itinerary. The rest of the day is at leisure to prepare your luggage and shop for any last-minute items.

Overnight: Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel

 

Day 2: Simba Camp – Kilimanjaro – Hiking Time Approx. 4 hrs.

After breakfast today, your driver will collect you from your hotel in Moshi and drive you to the Marangu Gate where you will collect your permit. You will then continue to the Nalemoru gate, near the Kenyan border, where you will start your Mt. Kilimanjaro trek. Your first day’s walk is a gradual ascent through the rain forest. As you walk, watch out for elephants and cats covering portions of the trail. The trek is about 3 to 4 hours and it bring you to your first camp, Simba Camp (alt.2570m).                   

Trekking Time: 3-4 Hours

Overnight: Simba Camp 

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

 

Day 3: Kikelelwa Camp – Kilimanjaro – Hiking Time Approx. 8 hrs

After a hot cooked breakfast in the mess tent, you will experience a steady ascent up to the ‘Second Cave’ (alt.3450m) where you will be treated to breath taking views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the Crater rim. You will have lunch on the way before leaving the main trail to strike out across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. Your campsite for tonight is in a sheltered valley with giant Seneciois near Kikelelwa Cave. 

Trekking Time: 6-8 Hours

Overnight: Kikelelwa Camp  

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

 

Day 4: Mawenzi Turn Hut – Kilimanjaro – Hiking Time Approx. 4 hrs

Today’s trek is short but steep and will take you up grassy slopes where you will be rewarded by stunning all round views and a tangible sense of wilderness. As you leave the vegetation behind, you will make your way to the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn (alt. 4330m) - spectacularly located in a cirque directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. In the afternoon, you will have some free time to rest at camp or explore the surrounding areas as an aid to acclimatization. Overnight at Mawenzi Turn hut (alt. 4330m)          

Trekking Time: 3-4 Hours

Overnight: Mawenzi Turn Hut 

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  

 

Day 5: Kibo Hut – Kilimanjaro – Hiking Time Approx. 6 hrs

After breakfast in camp, you will cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo Hut (alt. 4750m) at the bottom of the Kibo Crater wall. You will spend remainder of the day resting in preparation for the final ascent. 

Trekking Time: 5-6 Hours

Overnight: Kibo Hut

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 6: Summit – Horombo Hut – Hiking Time Approx. 7 hours

Today is the day you have been waiting for! After a midnight wakeup call, you will begin your summit to Uhuru Peak at 5895m / 19,340ft. This part is considered steepest and most demanding part of your journey, but you will walk very slowly through loose scree to reach the crater rim at Gilman’s Point (alt. 5685).  Here you will rest briefly to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi, before continuing further to Uhuru Peak (alt. 5896m), where you will pass the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area.  After taking those cherished photos, you will begin your descent to Kibo Hut for lunch, before trekking further down to Horombo Campsite for your final night on the mountain.                      

Trekking Time: 11-12 Hours

Overnight: Horombo Camp  

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  

 

Day 7: Horombo Hut – Moshi – Hiking Time Approx. 4 hours

After breakfast in camp, you will have a steady descent that takes you down through moor land to Mandara Hut (alt. 2752m), the first stop when using Marangu route. Here you will receive your certificate and spend some quality time with your mountain crew. After a picnic lunch, you will enjoy a private transfer back to your lodge in Moshi for a welcome hot shower and overnight.           

Overnight: Kilimanajaro Wonders Hotel

 

Day 8: Departure

At the agreed time, your driver will collect you from the hotel for your return transfer to the airport for your international flight.  Those extending their stay with a Serengeti or Ngorongoro Crater Safar, Zanzibar Beach Break of Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda will be transferred accordingly.

 

Prices from: £2235.00 per person

Please complete the contact form to receive a no-obligation tailor-made quote for this spectacular expedition.

 

Do you know?

 

• The Equatours Team have climbed Kilimanjaro several times to ensure we can offer our guests the very best in terms of service and support in the lead up to, and during, their expedition.  Our Kilimanjaro climbs are recommended in Henry Stedman’s Kilimanjaro Guidebook for offering good value.

 

• We are proud members of KPAP (Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project), and every member of our Mountain Crew receives a fair wage, plenty of food, and adequate clothing for each expedition. This is one of the things that makes us stand out against budget operators. You can read more about it here in our newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bCXomn

 

• All our climbs include Flying Doctors Medical Evacuation and our Mountain Guides carry safety equipment such as hyperbaric chamber / oxygen bottle.

 

• To date, all of our routes have a success rate of over 95%.

 

• For groups of 20 and more, at least one member of the Equatours Team will personally escort you on the mountain (along with our Tanzanian mountain crew).  We will be onsite when you arrive in Tanzania to make sure everything runs smoothly, and we will be with you every step of the way on the Mountain to make sure you get the most out of your expedition. Approximately 12 weeks prior to your departure, we can, upon request, come to a location of your choice to provide a Q&A evening.

 

• We will provide you with packing guides and training recommendations, based on our own experiences on the mountain.