Kilimanjaro climb Rongai Route begins at the northern side of Kilimanjaro near the Kenya border and will take 7 day to the Uhuru Peak and Back to the Mweka gate. We trek through the wilderness of Kilimanjaro towards the jagged Mawenzi Peak, then through the barren desert saddle The Kibo’s eastern crater wall climb another trekking that take us to Uhuru peak. The Route is a more gradual and hence suitable for novice climbers.
Rongai is the only of routes of Kilimanjaro starting on the northern slope of the mount. Though this part of the Mountain is rarely visited by hikers, it is not less interesting than the popular southern and western slopes. We recommend Rongai to all those who like reclusive hiking experiences. Rongai is also the only route that passes by Mawenzi, one of the three volcanic cones of Kilimanjaro and the third highest peak in Africa. The way back lies through Marangu, and thus you will be able to see both sides of the mountain.
DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION
Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) (Google Map)
DEPARTURE TIME
Set Off time is usually very early in the morning.
INCLUSIONS;
EXCLUSIONS;
From Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to Marangu. The whole day rest. We stay at the Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort, which is beautifully located on the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro and is a perfect place to prepare for your Kilimanjaro climb.
In the morning, you will be met by the rest of our guides and porters and then we will drive you to our gathering point. While officially registering for your climb at Marangu Park Gate, our staff will do a final cross-check of equipment and supplies and pack the vehicles. After the registration you will be shuttled a further 70 kilometers on poor roads to the Rongai Start Point at 1.950 meters. The climb begins from Nale Moru (1,950 m) on a small path that wind 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, including the beautiful Kilimanjaro Colobus monkey. These monkeys are black with a long ‘cape’ of white hair and a flowing white tail. The forest begins to thin out and the first camp is at the edge of the moorland zone, Rongai One Camp (2,600 m) with extensive views over the Kenyan plains.
This is only a morning walk up to the campsite at ‘Second Cave’ (3,450 m). The walk is a steady ascent with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern icefields on the crater rim. The afternoon can be spent enjoying the view over the Kenyan plains or doing a short acclimatization walk up towards Third Cave.
We now leave the main trail and strike out across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. Our campsite is in a sheltered valley with giant senecios near Kikelewa Caves (3.600 m). After lunch, there is time to explore the valley or to rest.
A short but steep climb is rewarded by superb all round views and a tangible sense of wilderness. We leave vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn (4,330m), 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.
We cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo campsite (4,700m) 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.
We will start the final, and by far the steepest and most demanding, part of the climb by torchlight around 1 a.m. We plod very slowly in the darkness on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point (5,685 m) We will 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 (5,896 m), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Kibo (4,700 m) is surprisingly fast and, after some refreshment, we continue the descent to reach our final campsite at Horombo (3,720 m).
A steady descent takes us down through moorland to Mandara Hut (2,700m), the first stopping place at the Marangu route. We then continue descending through lovely lush forest on a good path to the National Park gate at Marangu (1,830 m).
What to Expect
TERRAIN/ROUTE CHOICES: Mt. Kilimanjaro routes involve hiking 3-8 hours a day over rough terrain. Porters and/or pack animals will be used to help carry equipment and food. Altitude gains will be optimized for best acclimatization.
No technical climbing is necessary to reach Uhuru Peak, Kilimanjaro’s 19,340 ft summit. It is necessary to wake up very early (around 12 am) on the morning of the summit climb in order to reach it around sunrise. The early timing is critical because clouds typically engulf the summit from mid-morning until dusk, making for poor views and more difficult climbing conditions.
Hiking and safety equipment:
Climbing crew:
END OF THE 7 DAYS KILIMANJARO HIKING SAFARI
NB : Our classic adventures are what the majority of climbers are looking for. The combination of great comfort and high safety standards makes our classic Kilimanjaro hikes enjoyable and memorable. This is the most popular option among our clients.
This climbing package includes everything that a climber may need for the hike – our experienced mountain crews, high-quality group equipment, nutritionist-designed meals. Our safety protocols, though, are the same for all our hiking adventures – only the guides with Wilderness First Responder certification are assigned to lead a party. Other safety measures include a supply of oxygen cylinders, complete medical kits and compulsory medical check-ups (two per day).For inquiries, reach out to us at [email protected]
