Overview
Starting from the northeastern side of the mountain near the Kenyan border, the Rongai route rises above the Amboseli plains and approach the summit of Kilimanjaro west of the Mawenzi peak. The route is less populated hence good ideal for those who want to avoid crowd. The descent normally uses the Marangu route.
Rongai route is best option during the rainy season, due to its location, which receive little rain. This route can be climbed for 6days, although 7days is recommending better acclimatization.
Day Activities
Day One
Depart from the hotel after breakfast via Marangu village on the slope of the mountain proceed to the wooden village of Nale Moru, where the trailhead begins. The trail winds through corn and potato fields, and then climbs gently through the forest which is home to a variety of wildlife, including the black and White Colobus Monkey you will camp at Simba Cave dinner overnight. Rongai Gate 2020Mt to Simba Cave at 2700Mt.
Distance: 7Km.
Hiking Time: 3-4Hours.
Habitat: Rain Forest.
Day Two
Your first breakfast to be save at 7:30Am before begin your hike day with a steady incline and reach 2nd Cave while en-route to Kikelewa Cave in a blue sky day you may explore views of Kibo and the eastern ice fields on the crater rim begin to emerge. Simba Cave to 2nd Cave 3,450Mt to Kikelewa campsite 3,650Mt.
Distance: 7Km
Hiking Time: 5-7Hours.
Habitat: Health Moorland
Day Three
Enjoy your third breakfast on the mountain before you being with hiking of the day which is short and steep, up a grassy slope. Views of the wilderness area are stunning as you exit the heath zone and emerge into the alpine desert zone, the landscape changes dramatically. Camp is situated beneath the jagged spires of Mawenzi remainder of the day can be spent relaxing or exploring the area. Kikelewa Cave to Mawenzi Tarn 3650Mt-4330Mt Elevation.
Distance: 5Km.
Hiking Time: 3-4Hours.
Habitat: Alpine Desert.
Day Four
This is an acclimatization day you will hike steadily up a ridge with fantastic views on both sides; the landscape is rugged and rocky. After spending a few moments exploring Mawenzi Ridge, you head back to Mawenzi Tarn for camp for hot Lunch and leisure for the rest of the day. Extra days on the trail give our bodies the opportunity to acclimatize well and assist with summit session day. Mawenzi Tarn to Mawenzi Ridge to Mawenzi Tarn.
Elevation (ft): 14,160 ft to14, 400 ft to 14,160 ft.
Distance: 4Km
Hiking Time: 2-4Hours.
Habitat: Alpine Desert.
Day Five
Depart after breakfast Marwenzi Tarn to Kibo Hut The trail climbs gradually across the rocky lunar landscape as we traverse the “Saddle” between Mawenzi and Kibo Peaks. Your campsite for this night sits at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting and preparing for the final ascent in the early morning to the Summit.
Elevation Mawenzi Tarn hut 4330Mt- Kibo Hut 4732Mt
Distance: 9 Km.
Hiking Time: 5-6Hours.
Habitat: Alpine Desert.
Day Six
You will wake up in the middle of the night and begin the final Session push to reach the Roof of Africa trail to Gilman’s Point is very steep and the ascent will be slow and steady. From Gilman's, it is a traverse along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak where you will arrive in the next one hour and spent short session at the summit to take pictures. Kibo Hut to Uhuru 4732Mt to Uhuru peak 5895Mt Distance Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak 5Km return to Kibo Hut after Summit Session 5Km and downhill to Horombo Hut 9km.
Hiking Time: 10-12Hours.
Habitat: Arctic. Alpine ending with Moorland.
Day Seven
Your last breakfast will be save at 7:30Am right after breakfast depart descent via Manadara hut to Marangu gate exit gate however it is mostly downhill lunch will be save at mandara hut before completing your descent to Marangu gate Once at the park headquarters Marangu gate catch vehicle and transfer a hotel in Moshi for shower. Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate 3720Mt-1800Mt.
Distance: 18 Km.
Hiking Time: 5-6Hours.
Habitat: Moorland and Rain Forest.
