Kilimanjaro Trekking via Rongai Route
6 Days Kilimanjaro Trekking via Rongai Route
Overview
The Rongai route is the only route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the north, close to the Kenyan border. Though gaining popularity amongst climbers, this route still experiences low crowds. Rongai has a more gradual slope than the mountain’s other routes. It is the preferred route for those looking for an alternative to the popular Marangu route, for those who would like a more remote hike, and for those who are climbing during the rainy season (the north side receives less precipitation). Rongai is a moderately difficult route, and is highly recommended, especially for those with less backpacking experience. Although the scenery is not as varied as the western routes, Rongai makes up for this by passing through true wilderness areas for nearly the entire way. Descent is made via the Marangu route.
What’s Included
Full board accommodation on the mountain
Services of Experienced Professional Tour guide
Camping equipment (tents, sleeping mats, chairs, tables)
All specified accommodation
All oxygen cylinder - only for emergency
Mountain crew (cook and porters)
first aid kit and pulse oximeter
VAT (18% charged by the Government)
All taxes, All entrances fees, and service fees included
What’s Excluded
International & Domestic Flights
Medical Insurance if needed
Gratuities for Mountain crew (please tip separately)
Visa fee (US $50 / US $100 for American or Irish Passport holders)
Sleeping bags
Drinks and beverages in the Camps
Expenses of a personal Nature
Meals not specified
Laundry service
Detailed Itinerary of the Trip
Arrival: Kilimanjaro International Airport - Welcome to Tanzania - The Trip of Your Lifetime!
Arrive anytime at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), there will be a pick up private transfer waiting to Stella Maris Hotel or similar hotel in Moshi. All airport transfers are the part of the package, no extra fee is required. We will gather in the evening for a pre-climb briefing and an equipment check.
Day 1: Drive To Kilimanjaro National Park Rongai Gate, Hike To Simba Camp
Drive to the attractive wooden village of Nale Moru (about 2 hours including a stop to get permits at Marangu). After signing in and preparing the porters, you will begin the hike on a wide path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering pine forest. The track then starts to climb consistently but gently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife. The forest begins to thin out and the first camp is at the edge of the moorland zone with extensive views over the Kenyan plains.
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included (FB)
- Elevation: 2000m/6560ft to 2635m/8645ft
- Distance: 7km/4mi
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Montane Forest
Day 2: Hike Simba Camp To Second Cave
The morning hike is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim.
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included (FB)
- Elevation: 2635m/8645ft to 3487m/11,440ft
- Distance: 6km/4mi
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
Day 3: Hike Second Cave To Third Cave
Today we continue our hike from the Second Cave to the Third Cave.
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included (FB)
- Elevation: 3487m/11,440ft to 3939m/12,913ft
- Distance: 4km/2mi
- Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
- Habitat: Semi-desert
Day 4: Hike Third Cave To Kibo Hut
Hike to Kibo Hut at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent and a very early day.
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included (FB)
- Elevation: 3939m/12,913ft to 4700m/15,466ft
- Distance: 5km/3mi
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Day 5: Hike Kibo Hut To Summit, And Down To Horombo Hut
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman’s Point located on the crater rim (elev 5700m/18,700ft). Continuing, we now ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa. There are unbelievable views at every turn. Have your picture taken at the summit to show your friends and family. From here we descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment. The beginning of this climb is done in the dark and requires headlamps or flashlights. It will be very cold until you start descending, so you will need all of your warm layers. This is by far the most difficult part of the trek with many switchbacks. Going slowly “Pole Pole” and an optimistic attitude will get you there!
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included (FB)
- Elevation: 4700m/15,500ft to 5895m/19,340ft Down to 3700m/12,200ft
- Distance: 6km up / 15km down
- Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Day 6: Hike Horombo Hut - Marangu Gate - Moshi
After breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through moorland to the Mandara Hut. Continue descending through lush forest path to the National Park gate at Marangu. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). A vehicle will meet you at Marangu gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 1 hour).It is time for celebration
- Meal Plan: Breakfast included (BB)
- Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
- Distance: 10km/6mi
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Forest
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What Our Clients Say About Us
Best way to see Zanzibar
We were on an 11-day tour of the Northern and Central/Urban part of Zanzibar with a group of 16. We could not have been happier. We were split into two groups each with a guide, Ali and Mohammed. But we were often together giving us two guides. They were wonderful, so knowledgeable, helpful and caring. They could not do enough for us. They were so open and honest about their lives we gained insights into Zanzibar we could never have had without them. They were also hilariously funny. We loved all our stops but would have liked to have spent another night in Kendwa. We would highly recommend the trip.
Whitney May Baxter from Geelong, Australia
Date of experience: February 2020
Trip type: Traveled with family
Great tour operator & great local guide
Very efficient tour operator. I booked the 8 days Zanzibar tour and everything was perfect. Since the beginning they were very efficient. They answer to all your questions within one day and they send all the information you need before departure. The tour was well organized, intensive because we only had 8 days but it really covered the most important places. My guide Ahmed was amazing, he explained a lot of things about the history and the culture of Zanzibar. he was always available for us and he helped to organize all the excursions during the free time. Definitely recommend them for a great time in Zanzibar.
Raziel Paczkowski New York City, New York
Date of experience: October 2019
Trip type: Traveled Solo
Immersive holiday experience
After years of wanting to go to Tanzania, I landed in Zanzibar and in the good company of Mohamed. My booking with Khamis was efficient and she was super pragmatic about how I should go about the trip. Being a solo traveller can be expensive and I appreciated that Khamis and Mohamed were aware of this and provided me with options that didn’t burn a hole in my pocket. There was a genuine interest in curating my days to what I wanted and as a result not only did I drink some yummy coffee, eat mangoes off a tree on a highway but also watch the strange art of selling homes in an open market.
Ummi Ahda Ikrima from Hatta, United Arab Emirates
Date of experience: June 2019
Trip type: Traveled solo
Perfect for my group!
Everything was outstanding. The tour system they have set up met my needs and exceeded them. Considering that I have been on all of the tours before, I will say that they are just different than the other tour companies. Ahmed was young, very intelligent and loved sharing his knowledge and the history of his beloved country. He is very interactive with his clients and that makes it so much easier for his clients to understand what he is saying and made it easier for them to remember what he says. Thank you for making my trip go so smoothly! I will be using Wave Tours & Safari again!
Christian Günter from Frankfurt, Germany
Date of experience: July 2019
Trip type: Traveled with friends
One of the best tours we've ever done
My husband and I did a half day (3 or so hours) Stone Town Walking Tour with Mohammed which was absolutely fantastic. Mohammed was so unbelievably knowledgable about Zanzibar in general and had a great personality for what he's doing - very interesting historical facts and anecdotes laced with humour. Absolutely first class tour.
Alessia Lombardo Pomezia, Rome, Italy
Date of experience: August 2019
Trip type: Traveled Couples
Perfect Vacation in Zanzibar
I can just describe this company with one word: PERFECT. Since the moment I decided to plan my vacation to Zanzibar I contacted Khamis via email and she gave me all the recommendations and planned my days. Khamis was responsable and always responded my questions in a timely manner. During my days in Zanzibar we had the most amazing time thanks to our tour guide, Ibrahim. He was always on time, he answered all our questions and explained everything with details. They exceeded all my expectations and we were very pleased. I will definitely recommend this company to anyone traveling to Zanzibar.
Dimitri Semotchko from Saint Petersburg, Russia
Date of experience: January 2021
Trip type: Traveled with family
