A 6-Day Adventure on the Rongai Route
Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.
A 6-Day Adventure on the Rongai Route
Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.
Price
$1,385.00
Tour Overview
Itinerary
FAQs
Other Tour Details
Tour Overview
Overview
The Rongai Route is one of the popular routes for trekking Mount Kilimanjaro, especially favored for its relative quietness compared to other routes. It’s considered a more gradual ascent, making it ideal for trekkers looking for a less strenuous climb. The Rongai Route is typically completed in 6 days, providing ample time to acclimatize and enjoy the stunning landscapes of the mountain.
Key Highlights:
- Scenic Beauty: The Rongai route offers diverse landscapes, from lush rainforest to alpine desert, along with stunning views of both Kibo and Mawenzi peaks.
- Quieter Path: Compared to the Machame and Marangu routes, the Rongai route is less crowded, which offers a more peaceful trekking experience.
- Summit Challenge: The final summit push from Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak is the most physically demanding part of the trek, requiring a steady pace and good physical condition.
Acclimatization:
- The 6-day itinerary provides a good amount of time for acclimatization, which is essential for a successful summit attempt.
- The gradual ascent helps reduce the risk of altitude sickness.
Fitness Requirements:
- The Rongai Route is considered moderately challenging, but it’s still important to be in good physical shape. The trek involves long days of walking at high altitudes, so preparation with cardio exercises and endurance training is recommended.
This 6-day Rongai Route trek provides a balanced challenge with a relatively quiet experience compared to the busier routes. Each day is an opportunity to acclimatize and enjoy different zones of Kilimanjaro’s diverse environment.
Pricing Includes/Excludes
- Two way private airport transfers
- All park fees collected by the National Park
- Hotel ccommodations one night before and one night after the expedition
- Tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro
- All meals on the hike
- All group equipment (dining tent, table, chairs, crockery and cutlery)
- Oxygen cylinders and oximeters
- Complete Expedition medical kits
- Professional guides licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park
- Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp master, porters, cooks, etc.)
- Government taxes
- Crew salaries
- Medical evacuations with AMREF Flying doctors
- Purified water while on the mountain
- Portable tented private flush toilet
- Personal Climbing gears
- Tanzania Visa on arrival
- Mountaineering Insurance
- Tips and Gratuities
- Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
Itinerary
Day 1: Rongai Gate (1950m) – 1st Caves Camp (2600m)
After an early breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up from Arusha (1400m) and driven to the Marangu Gate (1980m). At the gate, the porters will organize and pack the belongings for the hike while you and your guide register with the Tanzania National Park (TANAPA). You will then be transferred by vehicle to the Rongai trailhead, which is 2.5 hours away from the Managu Gate. The trail begins in the tall cornfields then leads into the pine forest. This trail has a gradual ascent and allows hikers to enjoy their surroundings. About halfway up the trail you will have a lunch break and you will reach the 1st Caves Camp (2600m) in the late afternoon or early evening. The porters and chef, who move very fast up the mountain, will reach camp before you and set up your tents, boil drinking water, and prepare snacks for your arrival. After washing up, a hot dinner will be served. For overnight, mountain temperatures may drop to freezing so be prepared!
Hiking time: 5 hours
Distance: Approximately 8 kilometers
Habitat: Montane Forest
Day 2: 1st Caves Camp (2600m) – Kikelewa Cave (3600m)
Following a hot breakfast, hikers will continue their ascent to Kikelewa Cave (3600m). The trail passes Second Cave (3450m) and this is a good spot to take a lunch break. Similar to the first night, your tents will be set up prior to arriving at camp and the porters will prepare drinking and washing water for you. You will enjoy evening snacks then dinner prepared by our chef. Be prepared for a cold night as temperatures drop below freezing at this exposed camp.
Hiking time: 6-7 hours
Habitat: Moorlands
Day 3: Kikelewa Cave (3600) – Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4330m)
On this day, hikers will enjoy a short, yet steep trail to Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4330m). In the moorland, you will spot exotic plants, including giant lobelia and groundsel. At camp, hikers will enjoy spectacular views and allow their bodies to acclimate. Hot dinner and washing water will be prepared for hikers as they enjoy the magnificent sunset.
Hiking time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Moorlands
Day 4: Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4330m) – Kibo Hut (4700m)
After breakfast, hikers will continue ascending east for a half-day hike to Kibo Hut. Kibo is located in the “Saddle,” which refers to the area located between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo in an alpine desert. There is no water at this camp, but hikers can buy mineral water and soft drinks at the camp office. An early dinner will be served so hikers can rest before attempting the summit the same night. Your guide will brief you in detail on how to prepare for summit night. Get to sleep by 19:00!
Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert
Day 5: Summit Attempt Kibo Hut (4700m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo Hut (3720m)
Your guide will wake you around 23:30 for tea and biscuits. You will then begin your summit attempt. The trail is rocky up to Hans Meyer Cave (5150m). You continue your ascent to Gillman’s point (5681m). Reaching this section is an impressive achievement as the trail is steep, rocky, and at high altitude. Gillman’s is located on the crater rim. From this point, you will usually experience a snow covered trail until you reach the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). Reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro is a lifetime accomplishment! You will be able to spend a short time on the summit taking photographs and drinking tea before the descent to Barafu begins. The hike down to Kibo Hut takes about 3 hours.
At Kibo Hut, you will rest and enjoy a hot lunch in the sun. After eating, you will continue descending down to Horombo Hut (3720m). You will have a dinner, wash, and rest soundly at the hut after a strenuous day.
Hiking time: 8 hours to Uhuru and 6 hours to Horombo
Habitat: Stone scree / ice-cap summit
Distance: Approximately 6 kilometers ascent and 21 kilometers descent
Day 6: Horombo Hut (3720m) – Marangu Gate (1980m)
Following a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. It is here on the mountain that you will present your tips to the guide, assistant guides, chef(s), and porters. After celebrating, you will descend for 6 hours back to Marangu Gate (1980m). The National Park requires all hikers to sign their names to receive certificates of completion. Hikers who reached Gillman’s Point (5681m) receive green certificates and hikers who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. After receiving certificates, you will drive back to Moshi in your hotel.
Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: Approximately 27 kilometers
FAQs
Do You Offer Crater Camp Option On Kilimanjaro Climbs
Yes we offer an overnight stop at Crater Camp which an option that goes with extra cost on any customized Kilimanjaro climb normally lasting eight actual mountain days or more on the Shira, Lemosho, Umbwe and Machame routes.The place is just beautiful but with a smell if Sulphur and it is visited by less number of people amongst the 40,000 to 50,000 people who annually climb Mt Kilimanjaro.
How many hours will I trek each day?
Hiking ours base on your hiking experience and the chosen pace by your guides but on most of the routes, you will hike for approximately 4 to 7 hours.
Do you arrange airport pick up & Drop off?
Sure!!, we do arrange private and groups pickups and transfers to and from the airport even when clients arrive in different time.Our transfer cars are excellent.Send us your request to Safari with your flight info.
Will I see wildlife?
Prior to the climb, you’ll enjoy an acclimatization day with wildlife viewing and nature walks. Trekking through the rain forest, you’re likely to spot black-and-white Colobus monkeys, tropical birds and more.
What kind of food will I eat?
The short answer will be any food of your preference.Our Highly-trained chefs prepare three hot nutritious meals daily, as well as trail snacks and afternoon tea each day of you hiking adventure.
You will eat all your meals in a solar-lit dining tent with your fellow trekkers and head guide.
Delicious vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other specialty meals can be provided (with advance request). We’re happy to send you a sample menu—just ask!
What are the Kilimanjaro accommodations like?
Most of the Kilimanjaro routes,you accommodation are mountain tents.They are set up and broken down each day by expert camp crew of porters. You will stay in double occupancy or single per your choice in a all-weather tent with full-ground pads to keep you and your gear dry always.More other tens are Private toilet tents, dining tents with tables and chairs and basins of hot water for washing are provided in every camp.The mountaineering beds and mattresses for additional comfort.
Who are your operators in Tanzania?
We are. We are not agents for anybody, but run the treks ourselves through our own registered Tanzanian local company.
What travel documents do I need?
This is also ver important qn.You need a passport that is valid at least six months beyond your dates of travel with an entry or re-entry visa, duly endorsed.
Do You Offer Private & Fully Customizable Climbs For Kilimanjaro?
Your Kilimanjaro Ideas are 100% customized.This kilimanjaro climb dream is your own to design. With our best experience and knowledge we will listen to your ideas to customize exactly what you wish and quest experience you want.You will go with the people you choose and you can leave on whatever day you wish. You decide on your preferred route option, pace, and the number of days you will take and we guide you and give you best recommendations.
Where is Kilimanjaro?
The mountain is in Tanzania, East Africa, about 350km from the equator. The nearest towns are Moshi and Arusha.
How high is Kilimanjaro?
Mount Kilimanjaro is amongst the unique natural features.It’s the highest freestanding mountain in the world and the highest mountain in Africa with three peaks ,Kibo,mawenzi and shira.The highest point is Uhuru Peak on the Kibo crater at 5895m above sea level and that’s the Kilimanjaro summit.Due to this height this Mountian has created its own weather.
What kind of experience do I need?
None really, but previous hiking or climbing experience will help. You probably need to be fit and healthy and have a good pair of worn-in hiking boots. The fitter you are the more you are likely to enjoy the adventure.
How long is the hike?
We have at least six routes to the top of Mt Kilimanjaro or Uhuru peak.The hike will be between 53 and 73km depending on the chosen route.
The shortest and toughest route is the 5-days Umbwe route and the longest can be 8 days or 9 days Lemosho route.Allowing extra days on the mountain will help you acclimate better to improve your chances of reaching the Uhuru peak(summit). There is the easiest and most popular route is on kilimanjaro which Marangu that can be done in five days or six days for this route for those who wish.
What will I eat – I am a vegetarian?
You will eat normal food: potatoes, rice, pasta, vegetables, eggs, sandwiches, cheese, and fruit. When you book a trek, let your tour operator know about food allergies or medical conditions that require special diets. Non-vegetarians will be served sausages, chicken, and meat. Tea, coffee, and hot chocolate will be available as well.
Do we tip the hiking crew?
Yes, it is expected and much appreciated. Although this depends on culture but it’s taken as a gift by the supporting crew and it has been like their culture.Please tip the crew directly.The amount depends on the number of days.Thus shouldn’t kick your brain as we do send recommendations. Tips are pooled and shared amongst the crew.
Are there charging stations on Mount Kilimanjaro?
There are no charging stations on Mount Kilimanjaro. We provide solar power charging system and we also recommend bringing Power Banks and spare batteries having in mind that you will be taking pictures for your life time adventure and so you phone or cameras need to be on.But on our wildlife Safaris there are charging ports in our safari vehicles.No need to worry
Who are your operators in Tanzania?
We are. We are not agents for anybody, but run the treks ourselves through our own Tanzanian company. So you can rest assured that whoever you speak to in our company has climbed Kilimanjaro – and probably many times.
I would like to book but I have group is large group, is this a problem?
Having a large group is not a problem.We are experienced in working with large groups up to 25 people and we make sure everything is well organized.If you are a solo, private group, then we will accommodate you and whatever the size of the group, as, of course.If you are joining an existing group you will be aware before arriving in Tanzania of the number of people you will be trekking with or going to Safari with.
When is the best time to climb Kilimanjaro?
Mount Kilimanjaro can be climbed anytime throughout the year. Most travelers prefer climbing during the dry seasons: December to March, June to October. Many consider the best months to climb Kilimanjaro to be January, February, and September.
Other Tour Details
Tour Pricing
| Number of People | Cost Per Person in US($) |
|---|---|
| 1 Person | $2,230 |
| 2 People | $1,870 |
| 3 People | $1,830 |
| 4 People | $1,800 |
| 5 People | $1,750 |
| 6 People | $1,700 |
| 7 People | $1,680 |
| 8 People | $1,670 |
| 9 People | $1,660 |
| 10 People + | $1,650 |
Tour Accommodations
| Classic Package | Deluxe Package |
|---|---|
| 2 nights Accommodations at your own choice of hotel according to your budget | 2 nights Accommodations on BB at either of the following Panama Garden resort or Ameg Lodge |
Tour Map
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