Tour overview

Rongai is believed to be among the easy Kilimanjaro Climbing route due to its nature of being the dry route Most of the time even if the other routes are affected by rainfall. Climbing via Rongai Route, Climbers will be approaching the Uhuru Peak of the Kilimanjaro Mountain from its Northern part. Being the driest route, Rongai is less scenery, which also gives another advantage of the route not being crowded.

However, the route gives an advantage for climbers to encounter several bird species and the colobus monkeys. Being drier, the route also has a good record of having a very high rate of success, summit to most of the Climbers. Climbers will be dodging in tents as their accommodation. Ascending via Rongai Route, climbers will be descending via the Coca-Cola Marangu route. A climb will begin from Rongai gate to Simba camp/first cave camp, then next day will be from Simba camp to second cave camp, followed by Kikelewa Camp then to Mawenzi tarn camp followed by Kibo camp then summit day and trek sown to Horombo then Marangu gate. This will be a climb of 7 days with 6 nights in the Mountain.

umbwe route kilimanjaro 7 days

Included

  • Pick up and drop off at Kilimanjaro airport to Moshi town
  • Two-night accommodation in Moshi town (before and after Climb)
  • Park fees, camping fees, rescue fees and 18% VAT
  • Transportation to and from the climbing gate (before and after climb)
  • Professional mountain guides, chefs and porters with their legal approved wages
  • 3 meals daily with filtered water throughout the climb

Not Included

  • Tanzania visa cost based on nationality
  • Items of a personal nature such as personal shopping
  • Medical insurance, doctor for a group, personal medicine and laundry services
  • Tips and gratitude for the mountain crew (though can be communicated)
  • Items of personal natures such as the Mountain climbing equipment

Day 1: Rongai gate to first cave/simba camp

Walking habitat: cypress plantations of the montane forest
Elevation: 5,900ft (Rongai gate) to 8,400ft (Simba camp/ first cave camp)
Hiking time:3 to 4hrs Rongai Gate to First cave camp
Distance:6.5km (Rongai gate to Simba camp)

Rongai is a distant route that requires an extra drive from Moshi town to the gate, this will make your day starts early in the Morning where the pickup will be done along with your Mountain guide and porters ready for the drive to the gate. Reaching at the gate you will complete the park formalities and start your hike from the gate to the First cave camp/ Simba camp. Depending on the start time of your hike you can opt to take your packed lunch at the gate or having a stop on your hike (Our guide will give the best advice on this).

Day 2: First cave/simba Camp to Second Cave Camp

Walking habitat: Moorland zone
Elevation: 8,400ft (Simba camp) to 11,417ft (Second Cave camp)
Hiking time: 3 to 4hrs Simba camp to second cave camp
Distance: 5km (First Cave camp/Simba camp to Second cave camp)

Your day will start in the Morning with our breakfast at the camp, then pack with your daypacks for the day necessities before leaving the camp and porter with the rest of your luggage (all the day necessities will be recommended by your Mountain guide per your preferences and interest including lunch). Thereafter, a polepole trekking will begin. Your walk will expose you to an amazing view of the eastern field of the crater rim with a wonderful view of Kibo Kilimanjaro Peak (your summit point). Reaching at the second cave camp you will take your rest waiting for your next day adventure.

Day 3: Second Cave Camp to Kikelewa camp

Walking habitat: Moorland zone
Elevation: 11,417ft (Second cave camp) to 11,910ft (Kikelewa camp)
Hiking time:3 to 4hrs Second cave camp to Kikelewa camp
Distance:9km (Second Cave camp to Kikelewa Camp)
Taking your morning breakfast and being packed your lunch boxes and the day necessities in your day pack with be your first activity in the morning, then leave the Second cave camp along with your Mountain guide with your Polepole walking style to your next camp which is Kikelewa camp. Do not worry about your speed just do it slowly as each step count on your hike. The route does not have many steepness, however the adventure feeling will be always there to experience. Your polepole steps will expose you to a wonderful view of the twin Kilimanjaro Peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi along with the eastern ice field. You will then walk to the camp meeting your porter wo will entertain your evening before the rest for the next day plan.

Day 4: Kikelewa camp to Mawenzi tarn camp

Walking habitat: Moorland zone
Elevation: 11,910ft (Kikelewa camp) to 14,210ft (Mawenzi tarn camp)
Hiking time:3 to 4hrs Simba camp to second cave camp
Distance: 6km (Kikelewa camp to Mawenzi tarn camp)

This is an extra climbing day for the 7 day’s climbers other than that of the 6 days which is an acclimatization day. The day will be a combination of an afternoon and afternoon climb. Before the break of the day you will be having a climb walking through some steep slope and it is the day where you will be lastly seeing the plant as you will be heading to the alpine dessert until your descending day via Marangu route.

Day 5: Mawenzi Tarn camp to Kibo camp

Walking habitat: Alpine desert
Elevation: 14,210ft (Mawenzi Tarn Camp) to 15,430ft (Kibo camp)
Hiking time:4 to 5hrs Mawenzi Tarn camp to Kibo Camp
Distance: 9km (Mawenzi tarn camp to Kibo camp)

This day’s hike will take you to your last Kibo camp before your summit. It is kind of a long climb. The hike will be through small ridges between the two Kilimanjaro peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. As you are between these two cones, you will then keep enjoying an amazing view of the great peaks of the legendary Kilimanjaro.

Day 6: Summit Day (Kibo to Uhuru Peak, Uhuru peak to Horombo Hut)

Walking habitat: Arctic (Kibo hut to Uhuru peak) and Heath (Uhuru to Horombo hut);
Elevation: 15,430ft (Kibo) to 19,341(Uhuru Peak); 19,341ft (Uhuru peak) to 12,250ft (Horombo)
Hiking time:6 to 8hrs Kibo hut Uhuru peak; 4 to 5hrs Uhuru peak to Horombo hut
Distance: 6km (Kibo hut to Horombo); 16km (Uhuru peak to Horombo hut)

“A dream come true day” a day starts early in the morning which is around midnight where you will start the “Polepole” walk to the Uhuru peak. This is both a mental and physical challenging hike of the Kilimanjaro Adventure where, wind, cold, elevation and time of the day can an extreme condition. The hike will be in the darkness with some frequent short breaks. Your polepole walk will takes you to Gilman’s point where you will be awarded with a magnificent sunrise coming from the Mawenzi peak, you will then continue your polepole hike and finally you will be at the Uhuru peak “You are now at the highest point in Africa, Congratulations”.
After spending some few moments taking shots and enjoying your victory of being ate the highest peak in Africa, you will then descend down to Horombo hut where you can spend your last night in the Mountain.

Day 7: Horombo to Marangu gate and back to Moshi

Walking habitat: Tropical rain forest;
Elevation: 12,205ft (Horombo) to 6,046ft (Marangu gate)
Hiking time:5 to 7hrs Horombo hut to Marangu gate
Distance:20km (Horombo to Marangu gate)

This is your last adventure day where you will have your breakfast at Horombo hut and then continue your descent down to Marangu Gate where your adventure started. You will be walking in the downhill tropical rain forest. Reaching at the gate you will collect your award winning adventure certificate and Serengeti wonder’s driver will be waiting for your driving back to Moshi town.