6 Days Kilimanjaro Trekking – Rongai Route
6 Days Rongai route Kilimanjaro trekking This route begins on the northern side of Kilimanjaro, on the Kenyan border, and is the least traveled route. It takes a long drive to get to the starting point that is filled with fantastic views. After summit you will decent on the Marangu route. Accommodation on this route will be in tents.
THE BEST MONTHS TO CLIMB KILIMANJARO.
Normally March, April and May are the months with long rains and should be avoided.
November is usually short rains but it is not often rains all the days so Climbing is possible.
The best Months for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro are January, February and also August and September.
July can be colder and November to December can be wet.
January to February is the warmest months, almost clear of clouds each evening and morning.
The success rates with our guides are outstanding compared to the overall success rates for all climbers who attempt to reach the top.
Rongai Route 6 days Kilimanjaro Trekking
Trek Africa’s highest mountain on a much less crowded route compared to the Marangu and Machame trails
With its gentle gradient and sense of unspoiled wilderness, the Rongai Route approaches Kilimanjaro from the north and is less crowded than the most popular trails. We trek through farmlands, forest and alpine moorlands as we approach the beautiful summit cone. This route allows an extra day for acclimatization under the imposing spires of Mawenzi, before the arduous final ascent. The final climb begins in darkness but our reward is an incomparable dawn vista over the sweeping East African plains.
Your chance to
Trek Africa’s highest mountain
Follow the lesser-used Rongai Route
Watch sunrise over the summit crater rim
At a glance
2 nights comfortable en suite hotels, 5 nights full-service camping in three-man tents, private toilet tents provided
6 days point-to-point walking
Full porter age throughout
Altitude maximum 5895m, average 3600m
How to get there
- This tour starts and ends in Arusha/Moshi
- Africa Joy Tours as an operator can help select your international flights, but you’ll have to book them yourself
- Fly to/from Kilimanjaro Airport near Arusha/Moshi
- A transfer from and back to the airport can be arranged for an extra cost
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost
Day 1: Rongai Gate (1950m) – 1st Caves Camp (2600m) Hiking time: 5 hours
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!
Accommodation:
Day 2: 1st Caves Camp (2600m) – Kikelewa Cave (3600m) Hiking time: 6-7 hours Habitat: Moorland
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.
Accommodation: Budget camping
Day 3– Kikelewa Cave (3600) – Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4330m) Hiking time: 3-4 hours Habitat: Moorlands
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.
Accommodation: Budget camping
Day 4: Tarn Camp (4330m) – Kibo Hut (4700m) Hiking time: 4-5 hours Habitat: Alpine desert
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!
Accommodation: Budget camping
Day 5: Summit Attempt Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak
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.
Accommodation: Budget camping
Day 6: Horombo Hut (3720m) – Marangu Gate (1980m) Hiking time: 6 hours
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 Arusha for long overdue showers and more celebrations.
Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)
- Please find below the prices for organizing a private trek. The prices are based on your group size.
- Solo Trekker – USD 1759 per person
- Group of 2 – USD 1611 per person
- Group of 3 – USD 1589 per person
- Group of 4 – USD 1558 per person
- Group of 5 – USD 1544 per person
- Group of 6 – USD 1528 per person
- Group of 7 – USD 1521 per person
- Group of 8 – USD 1513 per person
- Group of 9 – USD 1505 per person
- Group of 10 and above – USD 1497 per person
Included
- All transfers to the mountain and back to your Moshi hotel
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides
- Guides, Porters, Cook salaries and park fees
- Quality, waterproof, four-season mountain sleeping tents (on twin sharing basis)
- Sleeping Mattress
- Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
- Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Conservation fees (part of park fees)
- Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees)
- Rescue fees (part of park fees)
- VAT (18% charged by the Government)
- Kilimanjaro summit certificate
Excluded
- Tanzania Visa
- International and domestic flights
- Hotel (available as an optional addon)
- Transfers (available as an optional addon)
- Personal trekking equipment such as sleepings bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting)
- Tips and gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Liquors, beers and bottled beverages
- Surcharge for online payment of advance and balance (5% on each payment)
