Rongai
Route
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This route approaches the mountain from the northern side. It is the most remote and least busy route.
Rongai route takes 6 or 7 days of ascending to the summit. We recommend the 7 day tour because there it offers one day of acclimatization at Mawenzi Tarn. This is incredibly important because it will help to reduce altitude sickness.
You will hike the large rocky Shira plateau who´s landscape was shaped by the lava that came from Mount Kilimanjaro when it was an active volcano. It approches the summit through the southern circuit and descents to Mweka Gate.
Itinerary
DAY 1:
Rongai Gate (2,000 m / 6,550 ft) - Simba Camp (2,600 m / 8,645 ft)
You will get picked up at your hotel in the morning. After a 4-5 hours drive we reach Nalemuro Gate, where we will complete entry formalities. After lunch we will start the hike through farmland and pine forest, home to various wildlife species, into the moorland where Simba Camp is.
- hiking distance: 7 km / 4.5 miles
- hiking time: 3-4 hours
- altitude gained: 638 m / 2093 ft
- habitat: mountain forest
- meals included: lunch, dinner
DAY 2:
Simba Camp (2,600 m / 8,645 ft) to Kikelelwa Camp (3,675 m / 12,050 ft)
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The hike continues from Simba Camp through the rainforest before reaching the moorland where you will notice the vegetation changes to shrubs and grasses. After lunch at Second Cave Camp you will walk to Kikelelwa Camp.
- hiking distance: 12 km / 7.5 miles
- hiking time: 6 hours
- altitude gained: 1,075 m / 3,405 ft
- habitat: moorland
- meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 3:
Kikelelwa Camp (3,675m / 12,050ft) to Mawenzi Tarn (4,300m / 14,110ft)
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This is a short day, but steep climp from Kikelelwa Camp to the beautiful lake Mawenzi Tarn, from where you will have the chance to see Mawenzi Peak.
- hiking distance: 3.5 - 4 km / 2 miles
- hiking time: 4 - 5 hours
- altitude gained: 627 m / 2,057 ft
- habitat: alpine desert
- meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 4:
Acclimatization Day - hiking around Mawenzi
This day is important for acclimatization. You will take a short hike in the morning, ascent 200m and afterwards rest at the camp and enjoy your dinner.
- hiking distance: 2 km / 1.2 miles
- hiking time: 2 hours
- altitude gained: 200 m / 650ft
- habitat: alpine desert
- meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 5:
Mawenzi Tarn (4,300m / 14,110ft) to Kibo Hut (4,714m / 15,466ft)
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Today you will hike in the desert Terrain zone, between the two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo. After dinner you should go to rest early to get prepared for the summit day. Overnight stay on the campsite of Kibu Hut.
- hiking distance: 9 km / 5.5 miles
- hiking time: 6-7 hours
- altitude gained: 412 m / 1,3507ft
- habitat: desert
- meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 6:
Kibo Hut (4,714m / 5,466ft) to Uhuru peak (5,895m / 19,340ft) to Horombo Hut (3,720m / 12,200ft)*
You will get up around midnight for summit day. First you will reach Gilman's point, than Stella Point and finally Uhuru Peak. Then you will return to Kibo Hut and have lunch. From there you start to descent down to Horombo Hut.
- hiking distance: 15 km / 9.3 miles
- hiking time: 6-8 hours ascent to summit and 5-8 hours descent to Horombo Hut
- altitude gained: 1,181m / 3,8757ft
- descent: 2,175m / 7,140ft
- habitat: arctic zone, desert, moorland
- meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 7:
Horombo Hut (3,720m / 12,200ft) to Marangu Gate (1,900m / 6,250ft)
On your final day you will descent back to the forest land on the way to Marangu Gate. After lunch you will have a celebration cermony and say goodbye to our team. Our vehicles will take you back to your hotel.
- hiking distance: 18 km /11 miles
- hiking time: 5-6 hours
- descent: 1,820m / 5,950ft
- habitat: moorland to rainforest
- meals included: breakfast, lunch.
