Kilimanjaro Hike - Rongai Route

A fully inclusive 6 day hike up Kilimanjaro. The Rongai Route is one of the easier routes and the chances of you summiting are good. You travel to just south of the Kenyan Border and start the route on the North side of Kilimanjaro. This route is one of the least travelled routes. You will descent down the Marangu Route on the south side of the mountain this will give you the unique perspective of seeing the mountain from both sides. You will travel to the trailhead through villages and coffee plantations and the drive time is around 4 to 5 hours in duration. 

General Overview of the Hike

If you are flying into Kilimanjaro Airport you will be met and transferred to your accommodation in Moshi or Arusha, generally speaking its best to have one rest day before starting your trek. If you are transferring from Nairobi the transfer will can act as your rest day. There are plenty of things to do in Arusha and Moshi but it is advisable to take things slow before your hike.

You will be met by your guide the evening before for a full briefing and you will be expected to separate you luggage at this stage and take only on bag up the mountain with you and extra luggage can be stored in your hotel. Most hotels do not charge anything for this service.

The next morning after breakfast you will be transferred from your accommodation to the trekking office. Depending on the route you take, the drive to the trail head can take up to one hour and is generally bumpy! ( Rongai, Lemosho, and Shira routes the drive is four plus hours). You will need to bring along enough water for your first days hike.

Final preparations for the climb are made on reaching the park gate you will also need to sign the national park registration book. At this stage you will see the Porters arranging packs containing the food, water, and other equipment. You must make sure you have all your day pack items with you as the porters move quickly! In general it will take about an hour to get signed in with the national park and get all your equipment ready.

For most days you will start between 8-9am and you will hike for around 5 to 6 hours, you will be expected to walk very slowly and the distances you will hike each day are therefore very moderate. This will allow you to acclimate a little at a time. Your guides will continually repeat "pole pole" (po-ly, po-ly), which means "go slowly" in Swahili.

The lower terrain at the beginning is wonderful and fascinating and the views get better and better the higher you go up. At the campsites there is not a whole lot to do so remember to take absorb the scenery and take photos regularly as there are plenty of opportunities to do so.

On the summit day you will hike to the top around midnight depending on the route you're opted for, and the speed of your group. You will be allowed to go as high as you feel fit. Some people in your group will stop at the crater rim, while others will continue to the very highest point on the mountain. Once you have reached the summit your guides will take you down as quickly as possible to minimize any altitude problems. You will continue past your last campsite to the next one where you will then spend the night.

At the end of your trek, you will be picked up at the trail head and taken back to your hotel.

Tour Itinerary

Pre Departure

Moshi
815m / 2670ft

Book into your hotel in Moshi or Arusha for overnight and briefing by your guide.

DAY 1

To Simba Camp (First Cave)
1950m to 2880m
6400ft to 9450ft
About 3-4 hours / 4 miles
Temperatures: high 70's to mid 80's F

Transfer by Land Rover (about 4-5 hours) to the attractive wooden village of Nale Muru. After signing in and preparing the porters, you will begin the hike on a wide path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering pine forest. The track then starts to climb consistently, but gently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife. The forest begins to thin out and the first camp is at the edge of the moorland zone with extensive views over the Kenyan plains

DAY 2

To Second Cave
2880m to 3450m
9450ft to 11,320ft
About 3-4 hours / 4 miles
Temperatures: low 40's to high 60's F

The morning walk is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim.

DAY 3

To Third Cave
3450m to 3870m
11,319ft to 12,700ft
About 4 hours

A short but steep climb up grassy slopes offers superb views of this wilderness area. The vegetation zone ends shortly before you reach your next camp at Mawenzi Tarn spectacularly situated beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. Spend the afternoon acclimatizing and exploring the area.

DAY 4

To Kibo Camp
3870m to 4750m
12,713ft to 15,600ft
About 5 hours

Hike to Kibo campsite at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night!

DAY 5

To Summit and Horombo Hut
4750m to 5895m
15,600ft to 19,340ft
About 11-13 hours / 5 miles
Temperatures: mid teens to mid 20's F
(and down to 3720m)
(and down to 12,200ft)
About 3-4 hours / 6 miles
Temperatures: low 50's to high 60's F

Begin the final, and by far the steepest and most demanding, part of the climb by torchlight around 1 a.m. Proceed very slowly in the darkness on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman's Point (5685m,18,650ft) Rest there for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the three hour round trip to Uhuru Peak, passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Kibo is surprisingly fast and, after some refreshment, continue the descent to reach the final campsite at Horombo.

DAY 6

To Moshi
3720m to 1700m
12,200ft to 5500ft
About 5-6 hours / 11 miles
Temperatures: high 40's to mid 70's F

After breakfast, A steady descent takes us down through moorland to Mandara Hut (2700m / 8858 ft), the first stopping place at the Marangu route. Continue descending through lovely lush forest on a good path to the National Park gate at Marangu. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).

A vehicle will meet you at Marangu village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha.

Tips for guides and porters on Kilimanjaro

The typical tip is $20/day for guides, $15/day for assistant guides and cooks, $10/porter/day for porters. These tips are from the whole group, not per hiker.

Expect 1 guide per 2 hikers, 1 assistant guide per 3 hikers, and 1 cook per 8 hikers.

Porters as follows:

-2 porters per hiker on the 5-day Marangu Route. (minimum of 4 porters)
-3 porters per hiker on a 6 or 7-day trek (minimum of 5 porters)
-4 porters per hiker on the 8-day Lemosho Route (minimum of 8 porters)

Sometimes extra porters are required based on the weight of the luggage.

Budget $300 per hiker for tips for a 6-day trek if hiking in a group of 4 people.

We recommend that you leave your valuables and your tip money in a safe deposit box at the hotel in Moshi. After your trek, give your tips to the office staff in Moshi with a list of which staff receive which amount, and the tips will be distributed to your guides and porters accordingly. You can use U.S. dollars, Euros, TZ shillings, or a combination of these.

You can hand over your tip money personally if you prefer. If you are going to do this, it's best to do so at camp the morning of the last day of the trek. Place your tips in small envelopes and use small bills.

Gifts: Guides and porters also appreciate your warm clothing, shoes, and packs. You may want to bring some older clothing items for this purpose.

Celebration: You are also welcome to invite your guides back to your hotel for dinner (on you) as a thank-you in addition to their tip.

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