The Rongai Route is considered as one of the easiest routes with high success rate. The route starts on the north side of Mt. Kilimanjaro 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, giving the climbers an opportunity to see the mountain from many view points.
The drive to the trail head from Arusha town takes about 4 hours, it passed through many villages and coffee plantations, including a stop to register climbing permits at Marangu gate.
JRO – Kilimanjaro International Airport
3 Hours Before Flight Time
4 Bedrooms
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After breakfast, meet some of your crew members then drive to Marangu gate. After registration, proceed with a drive to the Rongai gate for about 5hrs. Today’s walk is at a leisurely pace through fields and then into the rain forest. Dinner and overnight at Rongai 1st caves camp.
About 4-5 hours climb through the heather will bring you to second caves. If the weather is clear, Mawenzi will be in plain view; a stunning sight. Enjoy stopping to see the interesting heather-zone flowers and plants which grow alongside the trail. Rongai 2 caves camp.
Today is a short trek designed to help you acclimatize. A smaller track leads off the main trail through the moorland and towards Mawenzi’s steeply rising slope s( Mawanzi peak). The trekking time is about 3 – 5 hours, arriving in camp for a hot lunch, and a chance to acclimatize while exploring the surrounding landscape of bizarre plants and rock formations and caves. Dinner and overnight at Kikelelwa caves camp.
Trek from the moorland and eventually into the stark highland desert towards Mawenzi, on trails not frequented by many tourists. From the Tarn Campsite you will enjoy a magnificent view across the saddle towards Kibo; your final target. Total trekking time is 5-7 hours. Dinner and overnight at Mawenzi Turn camp.
The trekking time today is 5 – 7 hours, though a relatively easy hike across the wide saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo. The trek takes you across the massive saddle- the crossing is impressive and the landscape spectacularly stark. Prepare all your gear for the night ahead, and arrive in early to rest.
You are awoken at midnight, and depart the camp at about 1am. From your camp to the rim of the crater (Gillman’s Point (18,750 ft./ 5,712 m)) to Uhuru Peak, the trekking time is about 7 – 8 hours. Upon your 1am departure, the temperatures will be between -0 to -10° C, and then from 4am to 6am (just before sunrise), you can expect temperatures from -10° to -20° C. The slope is steep, with switchbacks, over loose rock and scree with some boulders as you near Gilman’s Point. You will stop at Hans Meyer cave on the way, the famous place where Kilimanjaro’s first western climber described in his journals. Once you arrive at Gilman’s Point (after about 5 – 6 hours) at the edge of the crater, the trail to the summit is less demanding, and is reached after a further 1½-2 hours along the snowy crater rim (depending on the season). After 3 hours of descending to Kibo hut, there is a pause for rest & food, then another 3 to 4 hours to reach Horombo Hut.
Descend straight to the gate (5 – 6 hours), where you will collect your certificate then meet your driver and transfer to Moshi Hotel for a long hot shower. After Breakfast, you will have a steady descent that takes you down through moor land to Mandara Hut (alt. 2752m), the first stop when using Marangu route. Continue with your trek down through lovely lush forest on a good path that leads you to the National Park gate at Marangu, where you will be rewarded for your success with a certificate. Celebrate your success with your crew.
Afterwards you will be transferred back to Arusha where a day room to freshen up will be provided till evening when you will be collected by your driver and transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport where you will board your homebound flight. However an African Holiday is not complete without a Wildlife safari, you can spend the night in Arusha and go on Tanzania wildlife safari the following day!
