One Time African Tours and Safari – 7 days Rongai Route

7 Days Rongai Route

MOUNT KILIMANJARO RONGAI ROUTE

The Rongai route ascends Kilimanjaro from the northeastern side of the mountain, along the border between Tanzania and Kenya. This route retains a sense of unspoilt wilderness and offers a different perspective of Kilimanjaro by approaching it from the north. The topography of the route does not allow for the application of the climb high and sleep low principle and hikers generally suffer more from altitude sickness on the Rongai route compared to other routes (an additional acclimatization day is highly recommended on this route). The Rongai route use the scree summiting path from Kibo hut to Gilman’s point and descend via the Marangu route. The main itinerary difference between the Rongai 6 day and 7 day routes is the additional acclimatization day at Mwenzi Tarn.

Day 1: Drive from hotel to Marangu gate then Rongai gate and hike to Simba camp 3000m

Today we will drive about 1 hour from hotel to Marangu gate for registrations and collect entrance permit afterward we will keep driving about two hours to Rongai gate. You will have lunch and meet your Kilimanjaro crew, after hiking will start through crossing village of Nalemuru fields of maize and potatoes before entering the alpine trees forest. The climb is consistently and gently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife like blue monkeys and black and white Colobus Monkeys. You will reach the first campsite at the edge of rain forest and overnight.

Day 2: To Second cave 3450m

After breakfast we will start walking in a flat area then a bit steep and descend down a bit before arrive at the camp for lunch. Today we will be able to seeing Kibo peak and eastern ice fields from the crater rim.

Day 3: To Kikelewa camp 3650m

From the Shira Plateau we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower we come to the second junction which goes to the Arrow Glacier. We now continue down to the Barranco Camp. Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

Day 4:To Tarn 4315m:

Today after breakfast we will start with short steep climbing up grass slopes, which are rewarded with superb circular views and tangible sense of wilderness before reaching Mawenzi Tarn hut for lunch. After lunch we will do a nature walk for acclimatization to the slopes of Mawenzi and back to the camp for dinner and overnight.

Day 5: To Kibo hut 4727m:

Today we will trek crossing the saddle area between Mawenzi peak and Kibo peak and it will be our last water point and on our way we will be able to see the remain of plane crash, and we will stop at the middle of alpine desert for picnic lunch before getting to the camp for earlier dinner and earlier sleep wait for the summit.

Day 6: To Uhuru summit 5895m and descend to Horombo Hut 3727m:

Around 11:00pm you will wake up for tea and some snacks and dress up warm for the summit, The summit will start with gradual ascent through volcanic screed meet zigzag trail starting to getting steep and keep moving to crater rim known as Gilman’s point 5685m rest for a while and headed to Stella point 5756m rest for a while again for pictures and view of sun rise also we will join other hikers from Barafu base camp and join together heading to Uhuru peak 5895m. At the summit we will stay for 10-15 minutes for pictures and view and start descending back via the same trail to Kibo hut for resting, brunch and after descend to Horombo hut for overnight

Day 7:To Marangu gate 1890m

After breakfast we will descend to Marangu gate about 18 km for 4-7 hours, Crossing moorland and rain forest zones, You will sign out in Kilimanjaro national park log book, our guide will collect our certificate for those who manage successful summit and enjoy your hot lunch. After lunch you will meet Eastland adventures Kilimanjaro crew for group pictures and Kilimanjaro songs after we drive to your hotel in Moshi for long hot shower and Kilimanjaro beer.