RONGAI ROUTE CLIMBING KILIMANJARO

Mount Kilimanjaro stands on the East African plateau, on the Tanzanian side of the Kenya border, overshadowing its smaller sister volcano, Mount Meru. Mount Kilimanjaro is deemed to be a dormant volcano, created during the formation of the Great Rift Valley in the Pleistocene era.

Kilimanjaro National Park comprises all of the mountain above the tree line. The name 'Kilimanjaro' has varying interpretations, from "Mountain of Greatness", Mountain of Whiteness", "Mountain of Caravans", and "Small Mountain of Caravans" which are all names derived from the Swahili, or Chagga dialects. In addition, there is a word in Swahili, “kilima” which means top of the hill. An additional claim is that it comes from the word "kilemakyaro" in the Chagga language, meaning "impossible journey".

Starting from the North- east side of the mountain near the Kenyan border, the Rongai route rises above the Amboseli plains and approached the summit of Kilimanjaro east of the Mawenzi peaks. It is an unfrequented route and is also the easiest camping approach to Uhuru Peak.

Rongai  Route itinerary

Day 1: Arrive

Arrive Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to hotel. Overnight hotel.

Day 2: Rongai Gate (1950m) - 1st Caves camp (2600m): Register at the Marangu park gate with a transfer (approximately 2 ½ hours) to the Rongai trailhead. Meet your guide and porters before you begin your hike from the Nale Moru village. The small winding path crosses maize fields before entering pine forest, and then climbs gently. The trail is not at all steep, but is rather a gentle hike through beautiful country. The forest begins to thin out before you reach the first cave later in the afternoon. The first night's camp is at First Cave , at about 2,600 metres. There is a toilet and a wooden table with benches, but no hut. Water can be found just down the trail below First Cave .

DAY 3: Cave (2600m) - Kikelewa Cave (3600m): The trail continues up towards Kibo with magnificent views of the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim. We will pass Second Cave (3450m) en-route, and head out across the Kikelwa moorlands under the jagged and imposing, Mawenzi peaks, reaching Kikelwa Cave at about 3600 metres. Overnight at 3rd Cave camp with magnificent Scenio's nearby Kikelewa Caves .

DAY 4: Kikelewa Cave (3600) - Mawenzi Tarn camp (4330m): A short but steep climb up grassy slopes offering superb views of this wilderness area. Here, we will leave the moorland region behind and quickly enter into the lunar alpine desert stretched out between the imposing peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo. We will camp at Mawenzi Tarn spectacularly situated in the shadows of Mawenzi. Spend the afternoon acclimatizing and exploring the area.

DAY 5: Mawenzi Tarn camp (4330m) - Kibo hut (4700m): Continue ascending on the east side of Kibo crossing the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo taking 4 to 5 hours to reach Kibo Hut. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent, which begins around midnight . Overnight at Kibo Camp

DAY 6: Kibo hut (4700m) - Uhuru Peak (5895m) - Horombo hut (3720m): You will rise around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits you will head off into the night. This will be the hardest day on the trail as you head into the cold night air towards Uhuru peak. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m). The path then zigzags up to Gillman's point (5 681m), which is located on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot of stone scree, requiring a great physical and mental effort. From Gillman's Point you will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5895m). You will then begin your 3-hour descent back to Kibo hut where you will have a short rest and gather all your gear for the descent and begin the trail down to Horombo hut (3 hours) where you will overnight. Later in the evening you enjoy your last dinner (with soft drinks and beer for sale at the camp office) on the mountain and well-earned sleep, feeling exhilarated and proud of your achievement.

DAY 7: Horombo hut (3720m) - Marangu Gate (1980m): After breakfast you continue your descent (6 hours), passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate. Here, you can give a tip to the head guide for the entire team. He will distribute it accordingly. At Marangu gate you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Gillman's Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. You now drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations! Overnight in the hotel.

Day 8: Depart

After breakfast, transfer to Kilimanjaro airport for your departure flight home.

End of services

FOR A MAP OF THE DIFFERENT ROUTES GO HERE: KILIMANJARO ROUTE MAP