6 Day Rongai Route

6 Day Rongai Route

Tour Highlights

  • The drive to the trail head takes about 2.5 hours from Moshi through many villages and coffee plantations, including a stop to register climbing permits at Marangu.
  • The route starts on the north side of the mountain just south of the Kenyan border, and is one of the least travelled routes.
  • The descent is down the Marangu Route on the south side of the mountain, so climbers see the mountain from many viewpoints.
  • The route starts on the north side of the mountain just south of the Kenyan border, and is one of the least travelled routes.
Arrival

Arrival

Trekking Pole

Trekking Pole

Tented Camp

Tented Camp

Trekking Shoe

Trekking Shoe

Departure

Departure

itinerary

Day 1

Arrival

An Ensembles Explores Adventures driver who will take you to your hotel will await you at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).

Day 2

Trekking from Nalemuru Gate to Simba Camp

You will meet your mountain guides and crew in the morning before setting out for Kilimanjaro National Park's northern entrance: Nalemuru Gate (2,020 m). Here, the head guide will acquire the necessary permits and finalize search and rescue registration.

This day’s trek through coniferous forest of Kilimanjaro’s northern slope to Simba Camp is moderate, taking you up to 2,625 m. Remember not to hurry and maintain a comfortable pace. By the time you reach the camp, our professional mountain crew will have pitched your tents and started dinner preparations.

It is advisable to adhere to the following rules from the very beginning of your climb:

Stay away from alcohol and caffeine.

Make sure you drink a minimum of 4 litres of water every day, taking it frequently and in small doses.

The use of Diamox tablets is a good idea as it staves off altitude sickness symptoms. These are taken in the morning before the day’s climb. Consult your family doctor to make sure that you can safely take it.

Do not be unduly alarmed if you experience discomfort during the night- high altitude has this effect on the human body. Nausea and headaches are a common occurrence in the mountains. However, make sure you alert your guide to any symptoms of altitude sickness.

Altitude gain: Nalemuru Gate (2,020 m) — Simba Camp (2,625 m)

Walking distance: 8 km

Duration: 3–4 hrs

Day 3

Trekking from Simba Camp to Kikilewa Camp

Early in the morning after breakfast, the group will depart from Simba Camp to start trekking towards your second high altitude camp: Kikilewa Camp (3,630 m) where you can see Kibo Volcano at its finest (barring cloudy weather). This trekking is more physically demanding than the previous one, so once you are in the camp, full rest is recommended.

Altitude gain: Simba Camp (2,625 m) — Kikilewa Camp (3,630 m)

Walking distance: 10 km

Duration: 5–6 hours

Day 4

Trekking from Kikilewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn Camp

Early wakeup, breakfast and the start of trekking to Mawenzi Tarn Camp, which is situated at the foot of Mawenzi Volcano, Kilimanjaro's second summit. When you reach the camp, you will have lunch and a two-hour rest, after which there will be an acclimatization hike towards Mawenzi Volcano with a 200-meter gain in altitude, followed by a hike back down to Mawenzi Tarn Camp, where you will have dinner in the evening.

Note: The acclimatization hike is an easy trek with a slight gain in altitude done in order to speed up the acclimatization process. You should take the acclimatization hikes very seriously. They help increase your chances of successfully summiting Kilimanjaro and save you from the consequences of altitude sickness.

Altitude gain: Kikilewa Camp (3,630 m) — Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,310 m)

Walking distance: 6 km

Duration: 4–5 hours

Acclimatization hike:

Altitude gain: Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,310 m) — Destination point en route to Mawenzi Volcano (4,510 m)

Walking distance: 2 km

Duration: 1–2 hours

Day 5

Trekking from Mawenzi Tarn Camp to School Hut Camp

This day will be spent trekking towards School Hut Camp (4,715 m). The landscape will change significantly to give way to a rocky semidesert. The actual trekking is not very difficult; just remember to stick with an appropriate pace to keep up your strength for the trekking to Kilimanjaro's summit. When you reach the camp, we recommend you sleep well, avoid strenuous activity, and drink as much as you can, because that very night you will be ascending Uhuru Peak (5,895 m).

Altitude gain: Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,310 m) — School Hut Camp (4,715 m)

Walking distance: 9 km

Duration: 5–6 hours

Day 6

Trekking to Uhuru Peak and Descent to Horombo Camp

Night departure from School Hut Camp (4,715 m) and the start of your trekking to Kilimanjaro's summit: Uhuru peak (5,895 m). The trekking will be moderate from a physical standpoint, but the altitude presents a much more serious problem. For the entire length of the trekking each pair of climbers will be accompanied by their own guide, who will be monitoring your stamina and mental resolve. After your successful ascent to Uhuru Peak, you can descend to the nearest glacier if desired. Then you will return to Kibo Camp and after a two-hour rest continue your descent to Horombo Camp (3,720 m).

Note: Don't forget that 90% of all accidents occur during the descent, including all broken arms and legs. Please pay attention to your feet, as there is a high risk of damaging your toenails.

Altitude gain: School Hut Camp (4,715 m) — Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) — Horombo Camp (3,720 m)

Walking distance: 21 km

Duration: 12–14 hours

Day 7

Descent from Horombo Camp to Marangu Gate

You will be offered a warm breakfast in the morning, after which we will head for the Kilimanjaro National Park's exit: Marangu Gate (1,860 m). After your descent the whole group will gather to congratulate you, and then you will have the chance to share your opinions on the trip in the guestbook. Lastly, we will present you with your commemorative certificates (in our office) and provide you a transfer back to the hotel.

Altitude gain: Horombo Camp (3,720 m) — Marangu Gate (1,860 m)

Walking distance: 18 km

Duration: 5–6 hours

Day 8

Departure

Rest and recuperation at the hotel before your transfer to the airport.

Itinerary Map

Map

Itinerary Gallery

Booking Form

Include & Exclude

Include

  • Accommodation on arrival and after the trekking
  • Transfer to and from the base of the mountain
  • Lemosho route trek as itinerary depicts 6 Days
  • Full board accommodation whilst on the trek
  • Meal plan as detailed: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch and D=Dinner
  • All entrance fees to include government taxes
  • Service of an English-speaking professional Mountain guide on the mountain, porters and skilled cook
  • All services begin and end at Kilimanjaro Airport as per the itinerary
  • Treated water on the trek
  • Return airport transfers from/to Kilimanjaro Airport
  • Fair salary of porters, cooker and guides

Exclude

  • Tips for guides, cooker and porters
  • Medical evacuation,
  • International flights and taxes
  • Visas (50 US $ for Tanzania)
  • Items of a personal nature and any other extras not detailed in the above itinerary.

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