Kilimanjaro Rongai Route 5-day Trekking
Rongai route begins and ends at Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort in Marangu. Arrive anytime at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), there will be a private transfer from Burigi Safaris waiting at the airport to pick you at Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort in Marangu. All airport transfers are part of the package, no extra fee is required.
DAY0: ARRIVE IN TANZANIA:
We stay at Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort, which is a beautiful Hotel located on the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro and is a perfect place to prepare you for adventure. We will gather in the evening at 5:30 pm for a pre-climb briefing and an equipment check. We will also confirm you have the appropriate mandatory medical coverage and travel insurance.
Dinner and overnight at Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort: Bed, Dinner, and Breakfast included.
DAY 1: RONGAI CAMP (FULL BOARD):
The climb begins from the attractive wooden village of Nale Moru (1,950 m.) on a small path that wind through fields of maize and potatoes before entering a pine forest. The track then starts to climb consistently, but gently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife, including the beautiful Kilimanjaro Colobus monkey. These monkeys are black with a long ‘cape’ of white hair and a flowing whitetail.
DAY 2: RONGAI THIRD CAVES (FULL BOARD):
The morning walk is a steady ascent up to the ‘Third Cave’ (3,450 m) with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern icefields on the crater rim. After lunch, we continue up to Third Cave (3,900 m) [5-6 hours walking]
DAY 3: RONGAI SCHOOL HUT (FULL BOARD):
The steady ascend continues, soon reaching the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo. We should reach School Hut Campsite (4,750 m.) at the bottom of the Kibo Crater wall by midday. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night! [4-5 hours walking]
DAY 4: SUMMIT AND DOWN HORROMBO HUT (FULL BOARD):
We will start the final and by far the steepest and most demanding, part of the climb by torchlight around 1 a.m. We plod very slowly in the darkness on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point (5,685 m.) We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the three hour round trip to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m.)
DAY 5: HORROMBO DOWN MARANGU GATE (FULL BOARD):
A steady descent takes us down through moorland to Mandara Hut (2,700m.), the first stopping place at the Marangu route. We then continue descending through lovely lush forest on a good path to the National Park gate at Marangu (1,830 m.). [5-6 hours walking]
Dinner and overnight at Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort: Bed, Dinner, and Breakfast included.
