Rongai Route 6 Days – Kilimanjaro Hike
The Rongai Route is one of the easiest routes and the success rate is very high. The route starts on the north side of the mountain just south of the Kenyan border, and is one of the least traveled routes. The descent is down the Marangu Route on the south side of the mountain, so climbers see the mountain from many view points.
The drive to the trail head takes about 3 hours from Moshi through many villages and coffee plantations, including a stop to register climbing permits at Marangu. The Rongai Route can also be accessed from Amboseli National Park in Kenya. Allow 2 hours including border crossing. We will need copies of passports ahead of time.
Day 1 Hotel 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 forest begins to thin out and the first camp is at the edge of the moorland zone with extensive views over the Kenyan plains.
Day 2 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.
Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3450m/11,300ft Distance: 6km/4mi Walking Time: 3-4 hours Habitat: Moorland Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3 Second Cave to Third Cave Today we continue our hike from the Second Cave to the Third Cave.
Elevation: 3450m/11,300ft to 3880m/12,700ft Distance: 9km/5mi Walking Time: 2-3 hours Habitat: Semi-desert Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4 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!
Elevation: 3880m/12,700ft to 4750m/15,600ft Distance: 5km/3mi Hiking Time: 3-4 hours Habitat: Alpine Desert Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5 Kibo Hut to Summit 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. From here we descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment.
Day 6 Horombo Hut to trail head to Moshi hotel 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).
Our vehicle will meet you at Marangu gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 1 hour).
