7 Days Rongai Route

Description

Starting north of Mount Kilimanjaro, just south of the Kenyan border, the Rongai Route is the perfect choice for those who are looking for a more relaxed expedition to the Roof of Africa. While you can hike the Rongai Route in six days, the seven-day route is recommended to allow for acclimatization, particularly for those with little experience of hiking at high altitude. This route offers stunning views of Kibo, and it is one of just a few routes to transit Gilman’s Point on the way to Uhuru Peak.

Itinerary Details

• Day
  1

  Arrive Kilimanjaro

  Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, proceed to the arrivals hall where your driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel in Moshi. In the afternoon, your guide will schedule a briefing at the hotel to prepare you for the days ahead.

  Overnight: Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel

• Day
  2

  Rongai Gate To First Cave Camp

  Elevation: 5,900 ft to 8,400 ft

  Distance: 8 km

  Trekking Time: 4-5 hours

  Habitat: Rainforest

  After breakfast today, your driver will collect you and drive you to the Marangu Gate where you will collect your hiking permit. From here, you will transfer to the Rongai Gate where you will begin your Kilimanjaro expedition. The path winds through farmlands before climbing gently into the rainforest habitat at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro, as you make your way to your first camp on the mountain – aptly named First Cave Camp.

• Day
  3

  First Cave Camp To Kikelelwa Cave Camp

  Elevation: 8,400 ft to 11,800 ft

  Distance: 12 km

  Trekking time: 4-5 hours

  Habitat: Moorland Heath

  After breakfast today, you will start with a slow and steady ascent to Second Cave Camp where you break for lunch while enjoying the spectacular views of Kibo and the eastern ice-fields of the crater rim. From here, you will continue through the moorland zone towards to Mawenzi Peak, and your base for the night Kikelelwa Cave Camp.

• Day
  4

  Kikelelwa Cave Camp To Mawenzi Tarn Camp

  Elevation: 11,800 ft to 14,200 ft

  Distance: 5 km

  Hiking Time: 3 - 4 hours

  Habitat: Alpine Desert

  After breakfast today, you’ll leave the vegetation zone behind and cross grassy slopes as you make your way towards Mawenzi Tarn Camp - spectacularly located beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. Today’s hike is relatively short, leaving plenty of time to explore this majestic camp in the afternoon and acclimatize to the altitude.

• Day
  5

  Acclimatisation Day

  Today is an important day for acclimatization, and to the reduce the risk of altitude sickness, you will spend the day at Mawenzi Tarn Camp. With no early wake-up call, you can enjoy a lie in before heading out on an acclimatization walk with your guide. There are several options available, with both steep scree slopes and lunar desert hikes nearby. The evening will be spent at leisure at Mawenzi Tarn Camp.

• Day
  6

  Mawenzi Tarn Camp To Kibo Hut

  Elevation: 14,200 ft to 15,400 ft

  Distance: 8 km

  Hiking Time: 5 - 6 hours

  Habitat: Alpine Desert

  After breakfast in camp, you will cross the lunar desert ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo Hut at the bottom of the Kibo Crater wall. You will spend the rest of the day relaxing here in preparation for your midnight summit attempt.

• Day
  7

  Kibo Hut To Uhuru Peak To Horombo Hut

  Elevation: 15,400 ft to 19,340 ft and descend to 12,200 ft

  Distance: 22 km

  Hiking Time: 10 - 13 hours

  Habitat: Arctic

  It’s summit night! After a midnight wakeup call and a hot drink, you will begin your summit to Uhuru Peak at above sea level. This is the steepest and most demanding part of your journey, and as you walk slowly through loose scree to reach the crater rim at Gilman’s Point, it will take every ounce of determination to reach your goal. After a short rest, you’ll continue further to Uhuru Peak – the highest point in Africa! After taking those cherished summit photos, you will begin your descent to Kibo Hut for lunch, before trekking further down to Horombo Camp for your final night on the mountain.

• Day
  8

  Horombo Hut To Marangu Gate

  Elevation: 12,200 ft to 6,050 ft

  Distance: 20 km

  Hiking Time: 5 -7 hours

  Habitat: Rainforest

  After a final mountainside breakfast, you will descend to the Marangu Gate where you will collect your certificate and spend some quality time with your mountain crew. The perfect time to give them their well-deserved tips. Afterwards, you’ll transfer back to the hotel in Moshi for a night of relaxation or celebration!

• Day
  9

  Departure

  At the agreed time, your driver will collect you and transfer you to the airport for your return flight home.

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