Tour code: BET004RC Tour duration: 7days (6 days of trekking - 1 night at the hotel in Arusha/Moshi town) Destination: Kilimanjaro National park specialty category: Trekking camping Season: All year round except April & May.
Instant booking accepted
Kilimanjaro-Rongai-route - 6Days of treks 1 night at the hotel
Short Overview
The Rongai Route is the only trail that starts from the Northeastern side of the Mount Kilimanjaro Close to the Kenya border.it is fascinating camping route offers a different perspective where tourist may encounter herds of buffalo, elephants, and baboons, etc. Rongai has a more gradual slope than the mountain’s other routes. It is the preferred route for those looking for a substitute to the popular Marangu route, for those who would like a more remote hike, and for those who are climbing during the rainy season (the north side receives less precipitation). Rongai is a moderately difficult route, and it can be done within 5 days, but we highly recommend at least 6days, especially for those with less backpacking experience
Day 1: Arrive at Kilimanjaro international airport (JRO)
On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport or Shuttle from Nairobi, you will be met and greet by our representative, assisted with your baggage and transfer to your hotel in Arusha/Moshi Town. After a shower and rest our Tour consultant together with our mountain guide will meet with you for a comprehensive briefing of the tour, pack your mountain gears and equipment ready for trekking next morning (it all depends with your arrival time otherwise it will be done the next day morning before departure). Overnight on bed and breakfast basis.
Meals: bed and breakfast
Accommodation: hotel
Day 2: Rongai starting Point (1990M) – First Cave(2600M)
Approximately time: 4 hours
Distance approximately: 6 km
Habitat: Forest (Montane)
After breakfast at the hotel, we provide a private transfer to Marangu gate for registrations then onward transfer to Rongai trailhead approximately 2hours from Moshi town and 3-4hours from Arusha town. Meet your guide and porters before you begin your hike from the Nale Moru village. The small winding path through corn and potato fields before entering pine forest, and then climbs gently through a forest which is home to a variety of wildlife including the black and white colobus monkey. Overnight stay at the camp on a full board basis.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: camping/tent
Day 3: First Cave to Kikelewa Cave (3679m)
Approximately time: 6 – 7 hours
Distance approximately: 11.5 km
Habitat: Moorlands
Following a hot breakfast, hikers will continue their ascent to Kikelewa Cave (3600m). The trail passes Second Cave (3450m) and this is a good stop-over to take a break for lunch (energy recovering). The views start to open up and you begin to feel you’re on a really big mountain. Similar to the first night, your tents will be set up prior to arriving at the camp and the crew will prepare drinking and washing water for you. You will enjoy evening snacks then dinner prepared by our chef. Be prepared for a cold night as temperatures drop below freezing at this exposed camp.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: camping/tent
Day 4: Kikelewa Cave to Mawenzi Tarn camp (4330m)
Approximately time: 3-4 hours
Distance approximately 3 ½ km
Habitat: Moorlands
On this day, hikers will enjoy a short, yet steep trail to Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4330m). In the moorland, you will spot exotic plants, including giant lobelia and groundsel. Spend the afternoon acclimatizing and exploring the area, overnight stay at the camp 0n full board basis.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: camping/tent
Day 5: to Mawenzi Tarn camp (4330m) to Kibo hut (4700M).
Approximately time: 4-5hours
Distance approximately 9½ km
Habitat: Alpine desert
After your delicious breakfast, you continue ascending on the east side of Kibo crossing the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo taking 4 to 5 hours to reach Kibo Hut. Kibo is located in the “Saddle,” which refers to the area located between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo in an alpine desert. Early dinner will be served so hikers can rest to recover their energy before attempting the summit the same night. Your guide will brief you in detail on how to prepare for summit night, which always begins around midnight. Overnight at Kibo
Meals: breakfast, lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: camping/tent
Day 6: Kibo Hut (4700m) to Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo Hut (3720m)
Approximately time: 14-16 hours to Uhuru Peak & descend to Horombo
Distance approximately: 20 km
Habitat: Stone scree / ice-cap summit
Wake up around 23:30hrs midnight, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night, and this is where the toughest part of the route begins, simply because it starts at midnight thus denying any trekker the sufficient rest times required. The other reason is that unlike the rest of the route, most of the climb up to the summit involves winding through scree filled slopes that make sure for everyone step up the mountain you take half a step downward.
The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), also a good resting spot. The path then zigzags up to Gillman’s point (5 681m), which is located on the crater rim.
From Gillman’s Point, you will normally encounter snow all the way up to the Uhuru peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa well known as the ROOF OF AFRICAweatherther conditions on the summit determine how long you will spend on the Roof of Africa obvious it won’t be long, on the same day, you make a descent from the summit through Kibo huts and finally spending a night back at Horombo Huts. The total time spent walking on this day is around 14 -16hours, so be prepared for a very tough day. It’s a most challenging day but will reward you a lifetime experience. Later in the evening, you enjoy your last dinner on Mount Kilimanjaro.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: hut
Day 7: Horombo House – Marangu Gate 1860m
Hiking approximately time: 5-6hours
Distance approximately 19km
After breakfast you continue your descent, passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate. At
Marangu gate you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those who reached Gillman’s Point are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak receive gold certificates. You now drive to the hotel in Arusha/Moshi for a hot shower before we transfer you to Kilimanjaro airport for departure flight.
Up to Marangu Gate at a height of (1980m) – Marangu Gate, ascending time is approximately 6 hours.
Note: Depend on your flight schedule you can go for a Day trip into Arusha national park, Tangier National Park, Lake Manyara national park and Ngorongoro crater. There is a lot to do like extending your tour to Zanzibar for breathtaking into its white sand beach.
This is the standard route, tailor-made routes are available and may follow a different schedule some do the whole route in 5 days where others do it in 10 days.
Inclusions
Transfer to/ from JRO on arrival and departure date.
Transfer from/to the base of the mountain.
Full board accommodation whilst on the trek.
3 Meal plan as detailed: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, and D=Dinner
Two night at the hotel before and after trekking
Accommodation in tents on the mountain as per the itinerary
All park entrance fees including government taxes.
Service of a professional English speaking mountain guide.
Porters and skilled cook
Treated water and boiled water on the treks
One night at the hotel in Arusha/Moshi town
Flying Doctors (Amref)-for evacuation only
Items Exclude:
Tips, laundry,
Travel/Medical Insurance
Sleeping bags,
Drinks and climbing gears,
International & local flights and taxes,
Visas to Tanzania,
Items of a personal nature and any other extras not detailed in the above itinerary.
WHERE IS KILIMANJARO
Kilimanjaro is located in North East of Tanzania-East Africa. It is unique not only for being the highest in Africa 5895M and one of the 7 summits but for being the only free highest Standing Mountain in the world. It stands seemingly alone in the Tanzanian savannah and barded Kenya as well. Most climbers fly into Kilimanjaro airport or Jomo Kenyatta international airport and take a bus to Moshi, Arusha Tanzania to meet up with our team “Betheli Expedition’s mountain crew”.
EACH AND EVERY ITEM ON THIS LIST HAS BEEN CHOSEN TO MAXIMIZE YOUR COMFORT AND SAFETY WHILE HIKING ON THE MOUNTAIN.
FOR THE HEAD AND FACE:
Pile or Wool hat: Bring one that covers ears – a balaclava type is excellent.
Shade Hat: with good brims are essential for protection from the equatorial sun.
Sunglasses: Essential for eye protection the tropics and at altitude. Bring a good quality pair, preferably with an IREX protection rating of 100. Attachable side shields are necessary or bring glacier glasses.
Sunscreen: Bring plenty of complete sunblock with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or more. Unless you have spent time in the equatorial sun you will probably underestimate the amount necessary, so bring lots. Sunscreen is difficult to find in Tanzania.
Lip Balm: With an SPF rating of 15 or higher.
Bandanas: Tied around the neck, they give good sun protection. It can also be used for cleaning glasses, as washcloths, etc. they dry very quickly.
FOR THE UPPER BODY:-
T-Shirts: Two T-Shirts that you don’t mind dirty while on the mountain. Synthetic is best – on cotton on summit day.
Upper Body Layers: For climbing the mountain we recommend you have three warm layers for the upper body. Item must be made of wool, synthetic or pile. Make sure all layers fit comfortably over each other and supply good insulation. A good combination is a long underwear top, a sweater, and a pile jacket or heavy wool shirt. Cotton items do not provide adequate insulation and are completely useless when damp.
Rain Park: Afternoon showers are common in East Africa, especially on the mountain. Bring a good parka of Gore-Tex or waterproof nylon that been “seam sealed”.
Wind Shirt: (optional if you have Gore-Tex rain gear) A nylon wind shell (not waterproof), roomy enough to fit comfortably over all upper body layers. Gore-Tex is good for both this wind shirt and for the raincoat.
Poncho: (Optional) Quick and handy protection for body and rucksack. Poor protection in windy rain.
Gloves or Mittens: Wool or Pile. One pair of heavy mittens and a light pair of gloves work well.
Mitten Shells: One pair to go over your mittens. These are for against winds sometimes encountered in the crater and on the way to the summit.
FOR THE LEGS:-
Quick Dry Hiking Short: 1 pair. Good for hiking at a lower elevation on the mountain.
Long Underwear Bottoms: One pair of wool or synthetic.
Wool Bunting or Pile Pants: One pair that fit loosely and is comfortable. These are essential to be worn over the long john bottoms.
Rain Paints: Bring a good pair of rain pants of Gore-Tex or waterproof nylon that has been “seam sealed”.
Wind Pants: (optional if have Gore-Tex pants.) One pair these are used often on the mountain for protection against wind. They should be breathable nylon and roomy enough to fit comfortably over wool or pile pants.
Tights: Lycra types are best. These are comfortable to hike in, help prevent nettle stings, provide good warmth on cool misty days, dry fast and prevent sunburn.
Undergarments: Enough for the duration of the trek.
FOR THE FEET:-
Thin Socks: Two pair of synthetic socks to wear under heavy wool socks. This helps prevents blisters and keeps feet dry.
Thick Socks: Six pairs of heavy wool or synthetic socks to wear for warmth with hiking boots.
Hiking Boots: One pair medium weight hiking boots large enough to be comfortable with one-liner sock and one heavy wool or synthetic sock
Gaiters: One pair of either high or low gaiters made of breathable material to keep dirt and snow of your boots.
Tevas, Sandies: These are to wear in camp after a day of hiking.
FOR SLEEPING:-
Sleeping Bag and Stuff Sac: On the mountain, temperatures can get down to zero degrees Fahrenheit at night so bring a warm bag.
Sleeping pad: A closed cell foam camping mattress is OK. An inflatable Thermal Rest type is more comfortable.
FOR DRINKING:-
Water Bottle: Two, One-liter wide-mouthed plastic bottles.
Water Treatment: This is very important. The water in East Africa is not unhealthy although its flora content is different from what you are used to. To keep your system running normally we recommend you bring two bottles of “Potable Aqua” or “Polar Pure”, crystal iodine in a bottle, to treat drinking water. Filtration pumps are effective, but costly and rater bulky.
Water Flavoring: Wyle’s lemonade, Tang, Gatorade, etc. These mixes are hard to come by Tanzania and make treated water taste much better. Double bag these.
FOR CARRYING YOUR GEAR:-
Frameless Pack: A medium size comfortable pack is adequate to carry personal gear. The pack should fit properly and have a good waist belt. Side pockets are recommended for soft packs.
Personal loads with camera gear, water for the day and warm clothes are often between 18 and 25 pounds.
Pack Cover: Sometimes waterproof to cover your pack when hiking in the rain. Otherwise, bring a large plastic bag to line the inside.
Duffle Bag: Medium size with lock for mountain gear. This will go into a mountain bag that the porters will carry.
Duffle Bag: Large enough to hold your non-mountain gear. we will keep them at our office or you can leave at the hotel
Plastic Bags: Several, to double bag your sleeping bag and clothes on the mountain. It can rain every afternoon.
FOR PERSONAL HEALTH AND COMFORT:-
Toiletries: Bring enough for the entire trip. Keep simple and light, Few toiletries are available in Tanzania, however, so bring enough for all your needs.
Ear Plug: To block out snoring and hut noise, to ensure peaceful rest.
Flashlight and/or Headlamp: Important on summit day just plain handy in camp. Plenty of batteries,
Pocket Knife: Simple Swiss Army type with scissors.
Personal First Aid and drug Kit: Please see the recommended list below.
Trail Munchies: Although plenty of snack food is provided, trekkers like that taste of home in their pack. Touted as an important accessory by those who have brought them in the past!
Hot Drink Mixes: We will provide plenty of coffee, cocoa, and tea, but non-caffeinated drinks are not readily available here. Bring a supply of your favorite herbal teas.
Towel: For washing up in camp, a small one is fine, or you can use a bandana.
Towelettes: Such as “Was’n’Dries” for general hygiene.
Spare Glasses: For contact wearers in dusty conditions and any eyeglass wearer while on vocation.
Umbrella: Very useful against rain and sun. Most guides use one.
Reviews