Mount Kilimanjaro Trek - Rongai

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From: $1,519 per person (7 days, 6 nights)

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One of the quieter routes up Kilimanjaro, Rongai is suffused with a sense of true adventure, exploration and pristine wilderness. This route is completed in 6 days, and offers a fairly different perspective of the mountain than the other routes, approaching it from the north. On this route, accommodation is exclusively camping, or in a mixture of camping and mountain huts.

After completing formalities and entering the national park, the climb begins with an ascent through pine forest and some mountain rainforest, after which you reach the heather and moorlands. Highlights include spotting many birds and monkeys and beginning to acclimatise with an evening of rest and checking equipment.
Continuing through the moorland, you will lunch at a large and spectacular lava overhang and catch a glimpse of Mawenzi Peak, before camping beneath this magnificent peak the following day. A day of trekking across the saddle between the glacier-covered Kibo Peak and the rock-crowned Mawenzi Peak follows, during which the views of these peaks alone are worth the effort of attempting the summit!

It is on the sixth day that you will make your summit attempt. Using a head torch for the first few hours of hiking, which commences well before the sun has risen at around midnight, you will continue on a tough ascent for some 4-5 hours plus, reaching the summit in time to watch the sun rise from above cloud level. This is the highest point on the African continent, and seeing the peaks gleam in the dawn light is a singular and truly awe-inspiring experience.

The price includes a pre-climb overnight in Arusha. Depending on your schedule and wishes we can also offer pre-climb accommodation in Moshi or Marangu
Accommodation during the climb is in tents at mountain campsites throughout
Included in the price is full board and drinking water, an experienced Kilimanjaro team with guide, porters and cook, storm-proof mountain tent, mattress, mess tent and toilet tent
The pricing and itinerary is based on the 7-day routing. Get in touch for information and pricing on the 7 day routing

This private tour is completely customisable - you can change the duration, where you visit and the hotels you stay in - just let us know what you'd like to change when you get in touch with us.

Day 1: Arrival

Rivertrees Country Inn

Dinner

Pick up from Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to Rivertrees Country Inn (or alternative accommodation at Marangu or Moshi) for rest, recuperation and overnight before your climb
Dinner and overnight at Rivertrees

Day 2: Rongai Forest

Full Board

Pick up from your hotel at Machame, Moshi or Arusha and transfer to the Nalemoru park gate, where you will complete all park formalities
You begin your climb in earnest from the park gate, passing through pine forest and mountainous rainforest and into moorland
During the 4-5 hours of walking you will see many monkeys and exotic bird species
Afternoon of rest and equipment checking, followed by dinner and overnight at Sekimba Camp (2625m)

Day 3: Kikelewa Moorland

Full Board

Continue through the forest up to a large lava overhang known as Second Cave, where you will lunch
Cross the open moorlands towards Mawezi, the second major peak of Mount Kilimanjaro
Dinner and overnight at Kikelewa Camp

Day 4: Mawenzi Tarn Hut

Full Board

After breakfast continue to ascent up the jagged peaks of Mawenzi Camp, named for the Mawenzi Peak. This camp is at an altitude of some 4,300m
Dinner and overnight at campsite

Day 5: Outward Bound Hut

Full Board

Trek to the Outward Bound Hut at 4,715m, between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi
Enjoy the stunning peak views as you emerge onto the saddle between the icy Kibo and the stony Mawenzi
Arrive at camp around lunchtime for plenty of rest, a filling dinner and an early turn in before attempting the summit the following day

Day 6: Uhuru Peak

Breakfast and Lunch

After waking around midnight and taking a quick snack and a drink, you will begin the toughest stretch of your trek
Using your head torch until the sun begins show some light, pass Hans Meyer's cave and reach Gilman's Point, where you will watch probably the most spectacular sunrise of your life
A further 1.5 hours climb will take you to Uhuru Peak - the highest point on the continent
Begin the descent down to Kibo and then Horombo Hut
Dinner and overnight at campsite or Horombu Hut

Day 7: Descent to park gate

Breakfast and Lunch

Descend across the moorland and into the forest to Mandara Hut where you will take lunch
Final stretch of some 2-3 hours hiking through the rainforest to Marangu Gate
Bid farewell to your porters and guides before transferring to Moshi, Marangu, Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport

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Wildlife you might see

During your holiday you will have the chance to see the animals pictured below - unfortunately we can't guaruntee that you'll see all the animals, but hopefully the photos will give you an idea of what to look out for!