Mount Kilimanjaro-Rongai Route 8 Days

Mount Kilimanjaro-Rongai Route 8 Days description

YOUR ADVENTURE AWAITS

Seven-day Rongai Route Mount Kilimanjaro climbing safaris begin on the remote northern slopes of the mountain, near the Kenyan border. We hike through a true wilderness area toward the jagged Mawenzi Peak, then across a barren desert saddle to the eastern crater wall of Kibo.

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  • Day 1: Arrive in Marangu.
  • Day 2: Rongai Simba Camp (Full board). (8,500 ft) 3-4 hours walking
  • Day 3: Rongai Second Cave (Full board). (11,300 ft) 6-7 hours walking
  • Day 4: Rongai Kikelelwa Cave (Full board). (11,800 ft)
  • Day 5: Mawenzi Turn (Full board). (14,200 ft) 2-3 hours walking
  • Day 6: Mawenzi Turn to Kibo Hut (Full board)3-4 hours walking
  • Day 7: Kibo Hut to Summit to Uhuru Peak (19,345 ft) to Horrombo Hut (12,200 ft). 11-15 hours walking (Full board)
  • Day 8: Horrombo Hut to Marangu gate/ Transfer to Arusha
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Mount Kilimanjaro-Rongai Route 8 Days Itinerary

The Rongai route is a more gradual ascent, making it ideal for those with little or no backpacking experience, but is equally enjoyable for even the most seasoned trekkers. As mentioned previously, Day 5 now includes an additional acclimatization day. We will continue our acclimatization hikes around and up to the saddle toward Camel’s Back on this day. The prices listed above are indicative only. Actual pricing will be determined by the group size and itinerary preferences. Typically, pricing is determined by the number of passengers and the trip options selected. Pricing for smaller groups can be comparable to, and occasionally less expensive than, the regular expedition prices listed on the website

Tour starts from: Arusha Town
Tour end in: Arusha Town
Tour style: Group trekking
Departure day: Every day of the week
Optimal Season: Dry season
Best time to travel: January, February, June to October every year around
Vehicle used on transfers: Shuttle bus for big groups climbers and Min van 4WD for small groups
Duration of the trekking: 8 days
Accommodation: Before and after trekking is included in the tour cost.

Day 1: Arrive at Kilimanjaro airport transfer to Marangu.

Arrive in Marangu we will use our private transfer to Marangu at Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort.
We will gather in the evening for a pre-climb briefing and an equipment check. We will also confirm you have the appropriate mandatory medical coverage and travel insurance.

Day 2: Rongai Simba Camp (Full board).

We take a ride to Marangu to complete the necessary registration formalities, before transferring by SUV to Rongai. The climb begins from Nale Moru (6,400 ft) on a small path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering a pine forest. The track then starts to climb consistently, but gently through an attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife, including the Colobus monkey. These monkeys are black with a long ‘cape’ of white hair and a flowing white tail. The forest begins to thin out at the edge of the moorland zone. Then, we take in the expansive views over the Kenyan plains as we arrive at our first campsite Rongai One Camp (8,500 ft). [3-4 hours walking]


Day 3: Rongai Second Cave (Full board).

The morning walk is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave (11,300 ft) with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern Icefields on the crater rim. After lunch, we leave the main trail and strike out and head southeast across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. Our campsite is in a sheltered valley, decorated with giant senecios near Kikelewa Caves (11,800 ft). [6-7 hours walking]

Day 4: Rongai Kikelelwa Cave (Full board).

A short but steep climb is rewarded by superb all-around views and a tangible sense of wilderness. We leave vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn (14,200 ft), 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. [3-4 hours walking]

Day 5: Mawenzi Turn (Full board).

We have an additional day to acclimatize. We explore the area with a walk up onto the Saddle towards Camel’s Back. We return back to camp at Mawenzi Tarn (14,200 ft). [2-3 hours walking]

Day 6: Mawenzi Turn to Kibo Hut (Full board).

We cross the lunar desert of the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo Hut (15,400 ft) at the bottom of the crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for an early morning final ascent. [5-6 hours walking]

Day 7: Kibo Hut to Summit to Horrombo Hut (Full board).

We start the final and most demanding part of the climb by torchlight around 1 a.m. We plod very slowly in the darkness on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point (18,600 ft). We rest here for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the three-hour round trip to Uhuru Peak (19,345 ft), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Kibo Hut (15,400 ft) is surprisingly fast and, after some refreshments, we continue the descent to Horombo Huts (12,200 ft). [11-15 hours walking]

Day 8: Horrombo Hut (Full board).

A steady descent takes us down through moorland to Mandara Huts (8,900 ft). We then continue descending through lovely lush forest on a good path to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate at Marangu (6,000 ft), where we are transferred back to Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort in Marangu. [5-6 hours walking]

Departure day:

After breakfast, we will arrange for a private transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport, JRO.
E-mail us at any time to discuss your trip and get the accurate quotation.

Trekking Kilimanjaro for Charity Challenge? The above climb can be undertaken for your own personal charity or group charity.

 

The above rates include:

  • Personal trekking coordinator to assist throughout your preparation
  • 7 day a week toll free phone assistance
  • Transport to and from Kilimanjaro International Airport
  • 2 Nights Hotel
  • Breakfast at Hotel
  • Daily trip reports from the mountain to interested friends and family back home
  • Transportation to and from your selected route
  • All personal and group tents
  • English speaking guides
  • All Tanzanian National Park Fees
  • Government Climbing Taxes
  • All meals during the duration
  • Purified drinking water
  • Cross to Africa Safaris exclusive Guides, Assistant Guides, Chefs and Porters
  • Hot drinks at every meal
  • One tree planted on your behalf
  • Free wireless internet at the hotel
  • Solo Supplement included (if applicable)
  • Personal Summit Certificate signed by the National Park and your Guide
  • Climbing permits
  • All Meals while on Kilimanjaro and Safari
  • Daily Briefings
  • Sleeping pads
  • Private chemical toilets
  •  First Aid & Injury prevention kits
  • Emergency Oxygen
  • First Aid & Injury prevention kits
  • Mobile Communications
  • Pulse Oximeter

The above rates exclude:

  • International Flights and airport taxes
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Compulsory tips for guides, porters and cook (average tip is anything from US$140 to US$ 160 per hiker depending on the number of days and number of hikers in the group, as well as the route chosen)
  • Entry visa for Tanzania (US$50 per passport holder for most nationalities / US $ 100 per visa for USA passport holders)
  • Vaccination requirements (Yellow Fever – only compulsory if you travel to Tanzania via a Yellow Fever infected country, Meningitis & Hepatitis A remains optional, but recommended)
  • Covid-19 PCR Test per person US$ 50
  • Optional but highly recommended travel and medical insurance.
  • Standard Packages do not include Flying doctors’ memberships (Helicopter evacuation to Nairobi), but could be done at own arrangement
    Personal hiking/trekking gear
  • you could rent some of the gear in Tanzania

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