Tanzania - Kilimanjaro, Rongaï Route

Trip details

 

 

The Rongai Route is an unspoiled and remote route to approach the mountain. It is one of the easiest route from the North side with a descent by the Marangu Route. You will esperience an exciting ascent through the forest, the moorland and finally the alpine desert towards the summit to admire the magnificent glaciers and an breathtaking view of Africa.

This route can be done in 5 days but we provide an extra day for rest and acclimatization before the final ascent. The summit day is arduous and you climb during the night to finally enjoy a spectacular dawn on the horizon and get closer to the impressive glaciers.

 

Itinerary

 
- Day 1 : Kilimanjaro Airport - Tanzania
Arrive at Kilimanjaro airport. Transfer to your hotel and evening briefing about the itinerary at your hotel. Dinner & Overnight at the hotel on B&B basis.

 

- Day 2 : Rongai Gate
At Marangu National Park gate we complete the necessary registration formalities. Drive for approx. 2 hours to Nale Moru village alt. 1,950 m to begin your climb gently into the forest.

 

- Day 3 : Kikelewa - Second Cave
Ascent up to the 'Second Cave' alt. 3,450 m with amazing views of Kibo and the splendid high altitude ice cap. Get through the magnificent moorland on the small pathway that leads you to the imposive dark jagged slopes of Mawenzi. Campsite at Kikelewa Caves alt. 3,600 m.

 

- Day 4 : Mawenzi Tarn Hut
Get up to steeper trail to admire the breathtaking panorama of Mawenzi admist a wild land. Arrival in the afternoon at Mawenzi Tarn Hut to have some rest and acclimatatize at alt. 4,330 m

 

- Day 5 : Short walking day for acclimatazation
Get towards Kibo Hut through the altitude desert on a path that winds up between Mawenzi and Kibo crater. Beneficit of an resting afternoon to acclimatize before the final ascent. Campsite at Kibo campsite alt. 4,700 m

 

- Day 6 : Summit and Horombo Hut
You leave the camp around midnight to climb the steepest and arduous part of the volcanoe. It will be a long day with slow progression to reach the rim of the crater at Gillman's point at alt. 5685 m. for dawn. You will have some time to admire the sunset, rest, drink some hot tea and eat few bars. Then you will be headed to the real summit for approx. 2 hours walk along the rim of the caldeira to reach Uhuru Peak at alt. 5895m. Admire the 360° stunning view of Africa from its highest point and get closer to the imposing glaciers at the summit. Get a quick descend to Kibo Hut and then to Horombo Hut at alt. 3,720 m. With approx. 10/12 hours walk, this day will be very long and tiring.

 

- Day 7 : Moshi
You get down through the Marangu Route crossing the moorland and the forest to your final destination at the National Park gate at Marangu alt. 1830 m. Depending the season, you may have heavy rain and the path could be very muddy. It is highly recommanded to wear gueters, rainproof jacket and to protect your rucksack to prevent the rain from wetting your clothes. At Marangu, a vehicule will be waiting for you to drive you back to Moshi. Night at your hotel.

 

- Day 8 : International departure
Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport. Morning departure for your international flight from Nairobi (shuttle at 8:00 am).

 

 

Rongai route

 

Kilimanjaro can be climbed at any time during the year throughout all the routes. The ecosystem of Kilimanjaro benefits from two dry seasons often recommanded for the ascent. The short dry season from end december / january till end february and the long dry season from mid-june to early october.

 

During short dry season temperatures are relatively warm but you will have more clouds and rain. You could have more heavy showers in the rain forest and frequent dropping snow on the summit. During the long dry season, nights are generally refreshing or cold but you will have less clouds and snow on the summit.

 

The team

 

1 - THE GUIDE 

Our climbing teams is native from the Kilimanjaro region and know the climbing routes perfectly. They are very experienced and they speak fluent english and swahili. Each of them have the passion of climbing and will always make your trip enjoyable and agreeable. They will be pleased to share their experience and their knowledge about the flora, the tribes and the local customs. For your safety, our teams are also close to you at any time to assist you during your climb.
 

 

The cook is the key point to make your trip enjoyable. We provide experienced cooks who are able to prepare tasty and balanced meals in altitude kitchens. They are very concerned about hygiene, clients requirements about food and do their best to always provide fresh food during your climb. You will have to inform us about any allergy or diatery. With extra acclimatization days, you will have plenty of time to enjoy proper lunches and dinners everyday and avoid snack-meals or sandwich lunches.

 

Soup, vegetable, chicken, french fries, rice or pasta are provided for lunch and dinner and served with tea or coffea. For breakfast, the team will lay the table outside for an outstanding « breakfast under the sun » at the feets of Kilimanjaro slopes with eggs, toasts, pancakes, fruit juice and jam. Enough tea and coffea will be served to rehydrate yourself before your long walking day.

 

As you climb, water will be less and less available. At lower camps, porters will climb up to provide enough clean water for the group. In high altitude camps, water will be filtered or boild. It is also advisable that you use Micropur as a precaution to eliminate bacteria. Pills reaction time is approximately 30 minutes to clear your water.

 

Climate

 

Kilimandjaro can be climbed at any time during the year throughout all the routes. The ecosystem of Kilimanjaro benefits from two dry seasons often recommanded for the ascent. The short dry season from end december / january till end february and the long dry season from mid-june to early october.

 

During short dry season temperatures are relatively warm but you will have more clouds and rain. You could have more heavy showers in the rain forest and frequent dropping snow on the summit. During the long dry season, nights are generally refreshing or cold but you will have less clouds and snow on the summit.

 

Rongaï route is drier as the trail starts from the North side of the mountain close to the Kenyan border. Its a less-forested trail but you will have more splendid alpine moorland sceneries.

 

Training

 

Kilimandjaro is a non-technical ascent that requires no mountaineering skills. However, climbing in altitude till alt. 5895 m is very challenging. You should prepare yourself physically especially for the summit attempt. The climb starts at night and you walk approx. 6 / 7 hours in the dark before you reach the rim of the caldeira at Stella Point. Another hour be neis needed to get to the top and admire the splendid 360° view of Africa. The walk is easy but can be very strenuous on the last parts.

 

Walking, climbing, running, cycling or/and swimming several times a week before your climb is recommanded to be in an excellent physical condition. Altitude has to be considered seriously as you can suffer from AMS.

 

Kilimanjaro or Jomo Kenyatta airport ?

 

The REACH SUMMIT correspondant welcomes you at Kilimanjaro Airport. If you come from Nairobi - Kenya, you can either take the Airport Shuttle or fly to Kilimanjaro Airport directly from Nairobi or Dar Es Salaam.

 

The Shuttle timetable is at 8:00am and 12:00pm (noon) for about 5 hours drive to Arusha. A bus picks you up at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and drives to the Impala Hotel in Arusha where your guide will be waiting for you. To ease the transfer, we book your place on the Shuttle on your arrival date. The fee is USD 50$ to be paid directly to the driver. While booking your international flight, please make sure your arrival time is before 7:00am or 11:00am in Nairobi. Please don't be late, the shuttle always depart on time.

 

You can also book your place in a domestic flight from Jomo Kenyatta Airport  to Kilimanjaro Airport . We recommend KLM or Precision air for the transfer  to Tanzania.  It will cost you approx. USD 200$ for a 3/4 hour flight, giving you the opportunity to enjoy extra time to relax ! The REACH SUMMIT correspondant will be waiting for you at Kilimanjaro Airport.

 

For all groups up to 8 pers. we provide a private and confortable 4X4 vehicule that picks you up at Joma Kenyatta Airport and drive you to Arusha. The cost of the transfert is USD 90$ per person. The REACH SUMMIT driver will welcome at Jomo Kenyatta Airport.

 

For all arrivals on LATE AFTERNOON or AT NIGHT the day before your trip, we welcome you at the airport and organise the transfer to your hotel (less than 15km from the airport). The next day, we pick you up at your hotel to take the 8:00am Shuttle to Tanzania. For security matter, this service is MANDATORY. The cost of the service is from Euro 95€ / person from a 2 person group - Hotel accomodation not included.

 

We assist you in booking your flight. Booking with us gives you the opportunity to arrange your flight directly with our advisers.

 

 

Eco-friendly behaviour

 

REACH SUMMIT is very concerned with environmental matters. Glaciers of Mt Kilimanjaro are retreating rapidly due to climate change and less snowfalls in altitude. Please keep in mind that you are not allowed to pollute or leave your garbage in the Kilimanjaro National Park.

 

Your guide will collect your rabbish every morning to be brought back at the end of the trip. Ask your guide to pick up your small plastic bags, bottles or litter. We use chemical toilets to reduce the impact of pollution in streams during the trek. In camps, use the toilets facilities provided to respect this splendid valley.

 

 

What does the trip include

 

 

- Welcome at the airport
- Hôtel double or triple occupancy, B&B basis
- Transfer to and from Kilimanjaro Airport
- Entry Tax in the Kilimanjaro National Park, rescue and camping Fees
- 3 meals a day during the climb
- Experienced fluent English speaking guide
- Aspirant-guides, cook and porters
- All camping equipment
- Tent accommodations
- Matress

 

 

- International Flight to & from Africa with applicable airport taxes
- Personal clothing and trekking/mountaineering gear
- Some equipments available for rent
- Lunch & Dinner in Arusha/Moshi
- All expense of personnal nature
- Tips for guides and porters
- Personal / Travel / Rescue / Medical insurance
- All Drinks
- Vaccine
- Visas

 

 

Book this trip

 

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Deposit Euro €500.00

Final installment Euro €1,550.00 Single traveler €1,630.00