Overview
The Rongai Route is a less crowded pathway that leads to the highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro. As the tallest freestanding mountain on earth, it offers a sense of unspoiled wilderness with its gradual incline. Our trek towards the striking summit cone takes us through varying landscapes such as farmlands, dense forests, and alpine moorlands. To aid in acclimatization, the route provides an extra day for exploration under the magnificent Mawenzi spires. The final ascent is challenging but worth the effort.
You will have an early breakfast. Transfer by our vehicles through many villages and coffee plantations for 5 hours drive to Rongai Gate (1,950 m/6,398 ft). After signing in and preparing the porters, you will start hiking on a wide path winding through fields of maize and potatoes, and then enter into montane forest. You will then start to climb gently but consistently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife. The forest begins to become thinner as you arrive at Simba Camp (2,600 m/8,530ft) with fantastic views over the Kenyan plains.
After an early breakfast you will have a steady ascent to the second cave where you will stop for lunch. You leave the direct trail at this point and strike out across the moorland on a smaller path toward Mawenzi side peak to Kikelewa Camp in a sheltered valley. At the Kikelewa Camp you will settle for your dinner and overnight rest.
After breakfast you will face a short, steep climb up grassy slopes; rewarded by superb all-round views, immersed in the vast surrounding wilderness. Soon after you leave the vegetation behind and arrive at the Mawenzi Tarn Camp, which is situated in a spectacular cirque directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi Peak. After this hike, you will reach the Mawenzi turn hut camp where you will also see the amazing undried Lake with no inlet as well as outlet here you will have lunch and rest, dinner and overnight at this camp.
After an early breakfast you will cross the lunar desert of the saddle between Kibo peak and Mawenzi peak to Kibo Huts at the bottom of Kibo’s crater wall. You should spend the remainder of the day resting and preparing for your summit climb.
Wake up at midnight to a light breakfast and then prepare for your summit ascent. The goal is to climb before dawn so that you can reach Uhuru Peak shortly before or after sunrise. Leave to the peak at 12:00, switchback up steep scree or possibly snow, and reach Gilman’s Point on the crater rim at 5,861 m/18,640 ft between 4 and 6 AM. At this point, you will have views of the fabled crater and its icecaps facing you. Then after 2 hours of hiking along the Kibo crater rim near the celebrated snows takes you to Kilimanjaro’s true summit, Uhuru Peak here you will spend some times for taking photos but it will depend on how you feel. After your summit activities done, descend back to the Kibo Huts, have lunch, rest, collect your equipment, and continue going down, re-crossing the saddle to the Horombo Huts. Have dinner and overnight at Horombo camp.
After a long and enjoyable sleep you will be awaken for breakfast and pack up, start descend through the moorland to Mandara Huts. Here you will have lunch then proceed with your triumphant recessional down through lush forest to Marangu Gate. Here you will sign out, then a vehicle will take you back to the hotel where it is definitely time for certificate presentation and celebration!
What's Included
- Pick-Up And Drop-Off From Airport
- All Park Fees Collected By The Kilimanjaro National Park
- 2 Nights In The Hotel
- All Meals On The Hike.
- Hiking And Safety Equipment
- Personal Gear Rentals Kilimanjaro Gear List
- Mountain Guide And Porters
- Transportation
What's Excluded
- Airline Tickets
- Visa Fee
- Lunch And Dinner At The Hotel (Before And After The Ascent)
- Tips For The Mountain Crew
- Mountaineering Insurance
- Medical (Medications, Vaccines, Tests,…)
