Wild Excursions & Safaris

6 Days Kilimanjaro Climb – Rongai Route

The Kilimanjaro Rongai Route is one of the easiest routes and the success rate is very high with over 98% of all travelers reach the Kilimanjaro Mountain Top.

The route starts on the north side of Mount Kilimanjaro just south of the Kenyan border and is one of the least traveled routes. After reaching the top of Mount Kilimanjaro the descent is down the Kilimanjaro Marangu Route on the south side of the mountain, so climbers see the mountain from many viewpoints.

The drive to the trailhead takes about 3 hours more or less from Moshi through many villages and coffee plantations, including a stop to register climbing permits at Marangu gate.

The Kilimanjaro Rongai Route can also be accessed from Amboseli National Park in Kenya. Allow 2 hours including the border crossing. Choosing to start climbing Mount Kilimanjaro from Kenya, we will need copies of passports ahead of time.

  • Day 1:Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Rongai Gate (Nale Moru), Hike to Simba Camp (LD)
  • Day 2: Hike Simba Camp to Second Cave (BLD)
  • Day 3: Hike Second Cave to Third Cave (BLD)
  • Day 4: Hike Third Cave to Kibo Hut (BLD)
  • Day 5: Hike Kibo Hut to Summit, and down to Horombo Hut (BLD)
  • Day 6: Hike Horombo Hut to the trailhead, drive to Moshi (B)

6 Days 5 Nights Kilimanjaro Rongai Route

Day 1:Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Rongai Gate (Nale Moru), Hike to Simba Camp (LD)

We drive to the attractive wooden village of Nale Moru around 2 hours including a stop to get permits at Marangu. After signing in and preparing the porters, you will begin the climb on a wide path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering pine forest. The track then starts to ascend consistently but gently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife. The forest starts to thin out and the first camp is set out 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 included: Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Simba Camp

Day 2: Hike Simba Camp to Second Cave (BLD)

The morning climb is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim but take it easy as it may be a bit tiresome.

–Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3450m/11,300ft
–Distance: 6km/4mi
–Walking Time: 3-4 hours
–Habitat: Moorland

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Second Cave Camp

Day 3: Hike Second Cave to Third Cave (BLD)

Today we continue our hike from the Second Cave to the Third Cave.

–Elevation: 3450m/11,300ft to 3880m/12,700ft
–Distance: 9km/5mi
–Walking Time: 2-3 hours
–Habitat: Semi-desert

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Third Cave Camp

Day 4: Hike Third Cave to Kibo Hut (BLD)

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

–Elevation: 3880m/12,700ft to 4750m/15,600ft
–Distance: 5km/3mi
–Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
–Habitat: Alpine Desert

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Kibo Hut Camp

Day 5: Hike Kibo Hut to Summit, and down to Horombo Hut (BLD)

Very early in the morning at around 4 am or earlier commences 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). As we continue, we now ascend to the Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa also known as the roof of Africa. There are unbelievable views at every turn which may also be an amazing place for you to take a picture at the summit to show your family and friends. Then from here, we descend, stopping for lunch and a little bit of 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 / 15km/9mi down
–Habitat: Alpine Desert

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Horombo Hut Camp

Day 6: Hike Horombo Hut to the trailhead, drive to Moshi (B)

After an early breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through moorland to the Mandara Hut. Continue the descend through a lush forest path to the National Park gate at Marangu. At lower elevations, it can be wet, muddy sometimes slippery. Gaiters and climbing poles will help greatly. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be okay to wear but keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy. A vehicle will meet you at Marangu village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi. It is time for a huge celebration for reaching the roof of Africa!

–Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 1700m/5500ft
–Distance: 20km/12.5mi
–Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
–Habitat: Forest

Meals included: Breakfast

MARANGU ROUTE KILIMANJARO CLIMB PRICE INCLUDES:

All accommodations per itinerary
All meals per itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
All tours and entrance fees per itinerary (unless listed as excluded)
All transportation and transfers per itinerary
National Park gate fees
Transport from Moshi to trailhead and return to Moshi
Camping fees
Certified, experienced, English-speaking guides for all routes
Salaries for all crew members
Rescue fees (as required by the national park)
Tents, foam sleeping pads, cooking equipment, and eating utensils
Oximeters
Emergency Oxygen (2L canister)

MARANGU ROUTE KILIMANJARO CLIMB PRICE EXCLUDES:

International and domestic flights
Meals not listed
Beverages and alcohol
Tips for guides, drivers, hotel staff
Optional tours
Single room supplement
Personal expenses (visas, airport taxes, Internet, etc.)
Tips for guides, porters, and cooks (budget $550-800/person)
Sleeping bags and personal gear
$50 for a single tent
Low season discount in April/May

LUXURY MARANGU ROUTE KILIMANJARO CLIMB PRICE INCLUDES:

Special Kilimanjaro guide with Wilderness First Responder certification
Personal porter for carrying a day pack
Food resupply (once on a climb)
Solar panel for charging USB devices (charges battery, which charges devices)
Solar lights
Hyperbaric pressure bag
Portable toilet (1 per 5 people)
Camp shower (1 per 5 people)
Large comfortable dining tent
Dining chairs with backs and arms
Hot lunches on the mountain
Solar lighting in the dining tent and personal tent
Camp pillow
Extra sleeping pad or 1 double-thick pad
Filtered water with Katadyn filter
Kilimanjaro map for the group
Celebration dinner at the hotel after returning from the climb
Walk-in tent (4-person, 4-season) for 2 people
Camp beds
Resupply of fresh food (2-3 times on trek)
Hot water bottle for a sleeping bag
Private emergency stretcher

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