The Rongai Route is one of the easiest routes and the success rate is very high.
The route starts on the north side of the mountain just south of the Kenyan border, and is one of the least traveled routes. The descent is down the Marangu Route on the south side of the mountain, so climbers see the mountain from many view points.
The drive to the trail head takes about 3 hours from Moshi through many villages and coffee plantations, including a stop to register climbing permits at Marangu.
The Rongai Route can also be accessed from Amboseli National Park in Kenya. Allow 2 hours including border crossing. We will need copies of passports ahead of time.
$2097
STARTING FROM $2097 PER PERSON IN A GROUP TREK
Itinerary
Day 0: Pre-trek Briefing
If you have opted for the optional airport transfers, we will pick you up from Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha airport and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi.
Pre-trek briefing at your Moshi hotel. You should be planning to arrive at least one day before the start of the trek. Today we will spend time having a pre-trek briefing. We will also review your equipment and rent any equipment which is needed.
Day 1: Hotel to Simba Camp
Drive to the attractive wooden village of Nale Moru (about 2 hours including a stop to get permits at Marangu). 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.
Elevation: 2000m/6560ft to 2650m/8700ft
Distance: 6km/4mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Simba Camp to Second Cave
The morning hike is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim.
Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3450m/11,300ft
Distance: 6km/4mi
Walking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Second Cave to Kikelewa Camp
Head out across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. The campsite is in a sheltered valley with giant Senecios nearby.
Elevation: 3450m/11,300ft to 3600m/11,800ft
Distance: 9km/5mi
Walking Time: 2-3 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Kikelewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn
A short but steep climb up grassy slopes is rewarded by superb views. Leave the vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn, spectacularly situated in a cirque directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. The afternoon will be free to rest or explore the surrounding area as an aid to acclimatization.
Elevation: 3600m/11,800ft to 4330m/14,200ft
Distance: 6km/4mi
Walking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Mawenzi Tarn to Kibo Hut
Cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo campsite at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent very early.
Elevation: 4330m/14,200ft to 4750m/15,600ft
Distance: 9km/5mi
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Kibo Hut to Summit to Horombo Hut
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman’s Point located on the crater rim (elev 5700m/18,700ft). Continuing, we now ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa. There are unbelievable views at every turn. Have your picture taken at the summit to show your friends and family. From here we descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment.
The beginning of this climb is done in the dark and requires headlamps or flashlights. It will be very cold until you start descending, so you will need all of your warm layers. This is by far the most difficult part of the trek with many switchbacks. Going slowly “pole pole” and an optimistic attitude will get you there!
Elevation: 4700m/15,500ft to 5895m/19,340ft
Down to 3700m/12,200ft
Distance: 6km/4mi up / 15km/9mi down
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours up / 6-8 hours down
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Horombo Hut to trail head to Moshi hotel
After breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through moorland to the Mandara Hut. Continue descending through lush forest 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).
Monkey Adventures vehicle will meet you at Marangu gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 1 hour).
Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 1700m/5500ft
Distance: 20km/12.5mi
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Forest
Meals: Breakfast
Inclusions
Conservation fees (part of park fees)
All transfers to the mountain and back to your Moshi hotel
Sleeping Mattress
Professional, experienced, mountain guides
Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
Clean, purified drinking water
Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees)
Quality, waterproof, four-season mountain sleeping tents (on twin sharing basis)
All meals while on the Mountain
Guides, Porters, Cook salaries and park fees
VAT (18% charged by the Government)
Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
Rescue fees (part of park fees)
Kilimanjaro summit certificate
Exclusions
Transfers (available as an optional addon)
Tanzania Visa
Travel insurance
International and domestic flights
Meals not listed in the itinerary
Hotel (available as an optional addon)
Liquors, beers and bottled beverages
Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
Tips and gratuities
Surcharge for online payment of advance and balance (5% on each payment)
Personal trekking equipment such as sleepings bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting)
Payment Terms
Deposit Payment
- Deposit is 20% of the total booking amount.
- Deposit can be paid either via a bank transfer or an online card payment.
- A 5% fee is applicable on all card payments (payment gateway charges), this is non-refundable.
- We offer bank accounts in 10 different currencies for bank transfer.
- Once you make the advance payment you will receive a booking confirmation.
Balance Payment
- Balance can be paid via bank transfer, online card payment, or with cash.
- Bank payment can be done 15 days prior to the tour date (recommended 30 days prior).
- Card Payment can be done 1 day prior to the tour date (recommended 7 days prior).
- A 5% fee is applicable on all card payments (payment gateway charge), this is non-refundable.
- Cash can be paid on arrival (USD printed in or after the year 2009).
Cancellation Policy
8 days and above departure
- No cancellation fees.
0 to 7 days before departure
- 50% of the total tour price will be charged as cancellation fees.
- Trek can be postponed to any new date without any extra cost at any point in time.
- The 5% surcharge paid for either or both advance and balance payments is non-refundable in case of cancellation of the trek.
Supplements
- Off-season supplement = USD 105
Charged for solo trekkers looking to start a new departure in March, April, May, and November. Does not apply if you join an existing group. Does not apply if other trekkers also join your new group.
Discounts
Available discounts for Rongai - 7 days
- Children between 5 years and 15 years old
Code: 5TO15 - USD 690 per person - Expatriates/Residents living in Tanzania
Code: RESTAN - USD 245 per person - East African Citizens
Code: EAC - USD 880 per person
Private Trek
Please find below the prices for organizing a private trek. The prices are based on your group size.
- Solo Trekker - USD 2097 per person
- Group of 2 - USD 1916 per person
- Group of 3 - USD 1894 per person
- Group of 4 - USD 1867 per person
- Group of 5 - USD 1853 per person
- Group of 6 - USD 1832 per person
- Group of 7 - USD 1824 per person
- Group of 8 - USD 1816 per person
- Group of 9 - USD 1811 per person
- Group of 10 and above - USD 1804 per person
Addons
Hotels
We offer the following hotel options
- Lindrin Lodge (Single Room) - USD 55 per night
- Lindrin Lodge (Double Room) - USD 70 per night
- Lindrin Lodge (Triple Room) - USD 105 per night
- Keys Hotel (Single Room) - USD 69 per night
- Keys Hotel (Double Room) - USD 94 per night
- Keys Hotel (Triple Room) - USD 122 per night
- Parkview Inn (Single Room) - USD 81 per night
- Parkview Inn (Double Room) - USD 91 per night
- Parkview Inn (Triple Room) - USD 170 per night
- Kilimanjaro Wonders (Single Room) - USD 140 per night
- Kilimanjaro Wonders (Double Room) - USD 160 per night
Please note that if any hotel is booked out or is otherwise unavailable, we will book you in an alternate equivalent hotel.
If you are booking a hotel directly, please do check with us before booking, to make sure we can meet you and pick you up from the hotel.
Gear
We offer the following add-ons to your gear (all equipment are subject to availability):
- Private Toilet - USD 150
- Private Tent - USD 5 per day
- Kailas X3 III Alpine Tent with Vestibule - USD 10 per day (Click here for specifications)
- Thicker sleeping mattress - USD 10 per mattress
- Thermarest - USD 15 per thermarest
Our packages by default include a foam sleeping mattress of 2 inch thickness, if you want a thicker alternative you can opt a 4 inch foam mattress with above mentioned extra cost.
Transfers
We offer the following transfer options
- Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) to Moshi (one way) - USD 50 per vehicle
- Moshi to Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) (one way) - USD 50 per vehicle
- Arusha to Moshi (one way) - USD 100 per vehicle
- Moshi to Arusha (one way) - USD 100 per vehicle
The Rongai Route is one of the easiest routes and the success rate is very high.
The route starts on the north side of the mountain just south of the Kenyan border, and is one of the least traveled routes. The descent is down the Marangu Route on the south side of the mountain, so climbers see the mountain from many view points.
The drive to the trail head takes about 3 hours from Moshi through many villages and coffee plantations, including a stop to register climbing permits at Marangu.
The Rongai Route can also be accessed from Amboseli National Park in Kenya. Allow 2 hours including border crossing. We will need copies of passports ahead of time.
$2097
STARTING FROM $2097 PER PERSON IN A GROUP TREK
We use equipment of international standards & our guides are trained in First aid & personal protection equipment
We reward our staff based on your feedback & that results in all of us working towards making your trip memorable
Our guides are trained to pay attention to each clients requirements & situation & customize the program accordingly
Once a tour is booked, its guaranteed to go, even if there is only single client for the entire trip
Book by paying advance by card on our website. Balance can be paid upon arrival, before the tour
Our minimum requirement for operation is only one client. So we can offer the tour any day of the year for you
Our Reviews
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"6 of us ladies went on the 7 day Lemosho route with guides Dennis and Nasri. Dennis’s team was INCREDIBLE! All of the porters, guides, and cooks were so accommodating, they went above and beyond......"
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