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11 days

The Rongai Route incl. acclimatisation day

Reach the top of Africa via the easier Rongai route, which is also one of the least busy routes.

The Rongai Route incl. acclimatisation day
The Rongai Route incl. acclimatisation day
11 days

The Rongai Route incl. acclimatisation day

Reach the top of Africa via the easier Rongai route, which is also one of the least busy routes.

HomeAfricaKilimanjaroThe Rongai Route incl. acclimatisation day
What is included in the price?
This package includes the following
  • Flights from the UK to Kilimanjaro incl. transfer
  • Local, English-speaking guide/driver
  • 2 nights full board accommodation at Springlands Hotel in Moshi (one night before the ascent, one night after)
  • Ascent of Kilimanjaro via the Rongai route
  • 6 nights on Kilimanjaro using a purpose built tent incl. full board and one day of acclimatization
  • All meals prepared by a local cook
  • Professional guides and bearers all the way
  • Park fees
  • Flights from Kilimanjaro to the UK incl. transfer
  • Option to purchase a safari or beach holiday after the ascent
  • Start date of your choice, as ascents are possible all year round
  • ATOL certificate
  • 24-hour manned emergency telephone throughout the tour
  • Departure guarantee – the tour will take place regardless of the number of participants

THE TOUR IN SHORT

The Rongai route starts on the north side of the mountain, originating in the little village of Nale Moru, south of the Kenyan border. Your route will take you through corn and potato fields, before leading into pine woods. The landscape then opens up into a vast expanse of heath, comprising heather, wild flowers and stony paths. As you walk, you can enjoy a magnificent view of Kibo, its glaciers, and the towering spires of Mawenzi. The higher you climb, the clearer the highlands become with their distinctive Alpine desert landscape littered with large and small volcanic boulders. From Kibo Huts, Rongai merges with the Marangu route. On your way to the summit, you will pass Gilman’s Point, where you can stop to enjoy the view before the final ascent, approaching from the east. The descent likewise follows the Marangu route on the south-eastern side of the mountain, where you can admire the beauty of Kilimanjaro from numerous vantage points.

Why choose this tour

  • It is the only route that starts north, making it an obvious choice during the rainy season
  • You have a clear view of Kilimanjaro and also experience the scenic area around Mawenzi Peak
  • Rongai is a relatively easy route as there are no steep climbs and due to its location it is also less busy
  • Our itinerary includes an extra acclimatisation day to increase the success rate

Our prices always include

  • All international and domestic flights
  • All destination transfers
  • All specified excursions and activities
  • All accommodations
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Flight from the UK to Kilimanjaro

Departure day, where you will fly to Kilimanjaro with connecting flights along the way.

Day 2: Arrival in Kilimanjaro – Moshi

Arrive at Kilimanjaro’s international airport, where you will be met by your guide who will accompany you to Springlands Hotel in the small town of Moshi – a drive of approx. 1 hour. From Moshi, you will catch your first glimpse of the snow-capped peak of Kilimanjaro. The town is a prime example of African culture and atmosphere, packed with exotic experiences including the local market and numerous small shops.

There is a welcome meeting in the afternoon, where your guide will present the equipment you will be using and talk about the coming trek to the summit.

Heights: Moshi: 915 AMSL.

Accommodation:
Day 3: Moshi – Rongai Gate – Simba Camp

Today’s experiences begin with a drive through villages and coffee plantations to the gate at the start of the Rongai route – a 4–5-hour drive. On your arrival at the gate, there is check-in and registration, and this is also where you will meet your team of guides, chefs and porters. The hike to the top of Kilimanjaro starts here.

The route on the first day takes you through dense forest, which is home to a wide variety of animals, such as the wonderful colobus monkeys.

After a few hours of hiking, the forest begins to thin out and you arrive at Simba Camp where the heath landscape begins. Simba Camp is close to “First Cave”, offering stunning views of Kenya’s plains.

Altitude: Moshi: 915 AMSL, Rongai Gate: 2,150 AMSL, Simba Camp: 2,750 AMSL.

Ascent from Moshi to camp: 1,835 m

Distance: 9 km

Hike duration: 4 hours

Accommodation:
Day 4: Simba Camp – Second Cave

Today’s stage begins in the morning with a steady climb up to Second Cave. The route takes in a long stretch of heath, distinguished by heather, wild flowers and stony paths. As you walk, you can enjoy the view of Kibo and the east-facing glaciers on the crater rim. After lunch you will leave the main trail and continue along a narrower path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. You will finally reach ‘Second Cave’, which is located in a sheltered valley close to Kikelewa Caves and surrounded by giant senecio plants.

Heights: Simba Camp: 2,750 AMSL., Second Cave: 3,450 AMSL.

Ascent from camp to camp: 700 m

Distance: 7 km

Hike duration: 3-4 hours

Accommodation:
Day 5: Second Cave – Third Cave

This day has been set aside for acclimatization, to improve your chances of reaching the summit, and reduce the risk of your suffering the effects of altitude sickness. Spend the morning relaxing and simply enjoying the surroundings. Around lunchtime, it is time to leave the camp and make your way across the heath, following a narrow path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi and Third Cave.

Heights: Second Cave: 3,450 AMSL., Third Cave: 3,870 AMSL.

Ascent from camp to camp: 420 m

Distance: 10 km

Hike duration: 4 hours

Accommodation:
Day 6: Third Cave – Mawenzi Tarn Hut

Today’s stage takes you to Mawenzi Tarn Hut. Following a short but steep climb up grassy mountainside, you can enjoy a fantastic panoramic view as your reward. The heathland gives way to rocky highlands, littered with large and small volcanic boulders that testify to a previous period of volcanic activity. After a couple more hours on the trail, you will reach the site of your overnight accommodation, which enjoys a spectacular location, nestling in a valley between the towering spires of Mawenzi.

Heights: Third Cave: 3,870 AMSL., Mawenzi Tarn Hut: 4,330 AMSL.

Ascent from camp to camp: 460 m

Distance: 9 km

Hike duration: 4-5 hours

Accommodation:
Day 7: Mawenzi Tarn Hut – Kibo Huts

You will now find yourself walking through the almost lunar landscape that is known as ‘The Saddle’ and links Mawenzi and Kibo. On arrival at Kibo Huts, located at the foot of the Kibo crater wall, it is time to ready your equipment and warm clothes for the next day’s trek to the peak. Make sure to store your drinking water in a Thermos to prevent it freezing solid. Then spend the rest of the day relaxing and go to bed early to ensure your ‘human batteries’ are fully charged for Kilimanjaro’s ultimate challenge.

Heights: Mawenzi Tarn Hut: 4,330 AMSL., Kibo Huts: 4,695 AMSL.

Ascent from camp to camp: 365 m

Distance: 9 km

Hike duration: 4-5 hours

Accommodation:
Day 8: Kibo Huts – Gilman’s Point – Uhuru Peak – Horombo Huts

You will be woken up around midnight, and there is just time for a snack before you set off into the night. Most people find the tricky terrain, where the trail is littered with loose stones, to be the most challenging part of the ascent. The objective is to reach Gilman’s Point at dawn, so you can make it to Uhuru – the highest point on Kibo – shortly after sunrise. You will stop briefly at Gilman’s Point to enjoy the magnificent view before continuing along the rim of the crater to Uhuru. The last stretch of the climb features an even incline. Depending on the season, you may encounter snow on the last part of the route to Uhuru Peak, which is your final goal: the top of Kilimanjaro and the highest point in Africa. Once you reach the peak at an altitude of 5,895 masl, you can give yourself a pat on the back, enjoy the magnificent view and have your picture taken in front of the Uhuru Peak sign as a lasting souvenir of your achievement.

It is then time to start the descent to Kibo Huts, which you will find passes remarkably quickly. At Kibo Huts, you will stop to enjoy a well-deserved lunch before continuing on to Horombo Huts, where a much-needed night’s sleep awaits.

Heights: Kibo Huts: 4,695 AMSL., Uhuru Peak: 5,895 AMSL., Horombo Huts: 3,690 AMSL.

Ascent from camp to camp: 1,005 m

Distance: 6 km up and 15 km down

Hike duration: 8 hours up and 6 hours down

Accommodation:
Day 9: Horombo Huts – Mandara Huts – Moshi

The last stage on Kilimanjaro crosses the open heath to Mandara Huts, where lunch is served. From here, you will make your way through the rainforest to the entrance to the National Park. At Marangu Gate, you will have time to check out before your ride arrives to take you to Moshi for a delicious meal where everyone who completed the climb will be presented with a diploma.

Heights: Horombo Huts: 3,695 AMSL., Marangu Gate: 1,830 AMSL., Moshi: 915 AMSL.

Ascent from camp to Moshi: 2,775 m ⭣

Distance: 20 km

Hike duration: 6 hours

Accommodation:
Day 10: Start of the trip home

After checking out, you will be picked up from the hotel and driven to the airport to start your journey home, which will include connecting flights along the way.

Day 11: Arrival back in the UK

Arrive back in the UK after the experience of a lifetime.

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Accommodation:
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