Overview
Rongai route begins in the northern side of Kilimanjaro Mountain , 78.6km from Moshi town and 158.6km from Arusha. Rongai is stated to be one of the most beautiful routes that start from the Northern side, in comparison to others this is the easiest route and its popularity has been increasing tremendously over the years. The route hosts a variety of spectacular landscapes together with different plants and animal’s species which make it one of the best sought after route of the Northern side. The typical duration for this trip is 6 days. But mostly the hikers prefer to take one day more, i.e., the 7 days to make the success rate higher. Rongai is scenically more beautiful than that of Marangu, and the difference is that when Marangu offers the hut facilities, the Rongai offers the tents to rest and make the overnight stay. At the end of each day you would find your tents pitched by the porters.
Day 1 : Kilimanjaro International Airport to Moshi
No need to arrange transport! Our transfer driver will collect you and all your gear from Kilimanjaro Airport and take you to the hotel in Moshi. Relax after your flight, take a dip in the pool or explore Moshi. Later you will meet the Golden Kits operation team. They will tell you more about the trip, share tips and safety information and thoroughly check your gear to see if you have everything you need.
Day 2 : Moshi – Nalemoru Gate (1990m) to Simba Camp (2625m)
Elevation: 2000m(6,561ft) to 2650m(8,694ft) Distance: 6km, Walking Time: 3-4 hours, Habitat: Moorland You will have breakfast before all the gear is loaded. It is a long drive, about 3 and a half hrs of driving including a stop at the small town of tarakea for last minute shopping). Your expedition will start after the porter’s luggage’s have being weighed and inspected, through the lush montane forest you will walk in where you can encounter a considerable number of wild species. You will walk pass small farms, pine trees and the up into the forest on the mountain slopes. You might be lucky to see the colobus monkeys with extravagant black and white tails. The porters will go in front to set up camp while you will hike at a moderate pace to reach the Simba campsite (2 625m) in about four hours. The tents and some warm washing water will be ready. A warm supper will be served.
Day 3 : Simba Camp (2625m) to Kikelewa Camp (3630m)
Elevation: from 2,650m(8,694ft), to 3,630m(11,909ft) Distance: 10km, Walking Time: 5-6 hours, Habitat: Moorland After some hot porridge and eggs you will set off on today’s section. Vegetation is changing and you see more shrubs as you walk through the moorland zone. Watching the Kenyan plains and Mawenzi peak would be fabulous. On the stop at second cave (450m.) you will have your lunch before crossing over some ups and downs to reach Kikelewa Camp. The camp has great views. Relax and breathe in the tranquility of the mountain.
Day 4 : Kikelewa Camp (3630m) to Mawenzi Tarn Hut (4310m)
Day 4. Elevation: 3600m(11,909ft)to 4330m(14,206ft) Distance: 6km, Walking Time: 3-4 hours, Habitat: Semi-desert Today you will not see the weird-looking senecias as the landscape change to resemble a rocky moon landscape. If there are no clouds, you will see the Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. After about six hours of work you should reach Mawenzi Hut. A small lake nearby freezes over at night so expect the night to be very cold. Fear not, a hot supper waits.
Day 5 : Mawenzi Tarn Hut (4310m) to School Hut (4715m)
Elevation: 4330m(14,206ft) to 4720m(15,485ft) Distance: 9km, Hiking Time: 4-5 hours, Habitat: Alpine Desert Cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo hut at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent at mid night.
Day 6 : School Hut (4715m) to Uhuru Peak (5895m) to Horombo Hut (3700m)
Elevation: 4720m(15,485ft) to 5895m(19,336ft) & down to 3700m(12,139ft) Distance: 6km up & 15km down, Hiking Time: 6-8 hours’ up & 15km down, Habitat: Alpine Desert Very early in the morning (midnight about 2am), commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman’s Point located on the crater rim (elevation 5700m). Continuing 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. Start descending and take a stop at Kibo for lunch before exploring the Horombo encampment. The day of summit is the most difficult day of hiking as you have to start earlier to reach on the top to see the sun rise, so take the bare necessities like the headlamp/ flashlight, the warm clothes and the camera with you. Remember you have to trek in the night and reach on the top short after or before the sunrise to see the best of the Kilimanjaro beauty. Make sure, you may be tired, so it is always recommended to go slow to the summit.
Day 7 : Horombo Hut (3700m) to Marangu Gate (1860m) to Moshi
Elevation: 3700m to 1700m, Distance: 20km, Hiking Time: 4-5 hours, Habitat: Forest Today is the last day on the mountain. The descent to Marangu Gate will take about six hours. Here, the crew will say farewell and the transfer driver will be waiting and transfer to the Hotel. The rest of the day you will relax and to reflect back on this once in a lifetime experience.
Day 8 : Hotel to Kilimanjaro International Airport
After breakfast, you continue with your travel plans or take a transfer to the Kilimanjaro Airport
