7 Days Rongai Route
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.
Day 1.
Register at Nalemoru Gate (6,398ft/1,950m), the climb then starts out in the in the rain forest of the lower slopes where we may encounter animals, such as black & white colobus monkeys and several varieties of birds. Hike to Simba camp (9,300ft/2,830m) for the night. Duration 3hrs.
Day 2.
After breakfast leave Simba camp for a steep climb to 2nd cave camp (11,300ft/3,450m) where you will have lunch in the shadow of Kibo. We will then continue on to Kikelewa cave (11,810ft/3,600m) for the night. Most of the hike is through heather climate zone. Duration 6-7hrs.
After breakfast, head up towards the Mawenzi Tarn Hut (14,160ft/4,315m) where we will camp in the shadow of Mawenzi. Enjoy the Sunset behind Kibo. Duration 4hrs.
This is an acclimitization day, where we will leave from Mawenzi Tarn and head up to Kibo Hut (15,430ft/4,700m) where you will have lunch. Then we will descend back to Mawenzi Tarn for the night. Duration 4-5hrs.
After breakfast leave Mawenzi camp and head up to Kibo Hut (15,430ft/4,703m). You will have an early dinner so you can get some rest. You will Kibo Hut for the summit at midnight. Duration 5-6hrs.
Day 6.
Wakeup around 11pm and get ready for summit hike. Leave for the summit
at midnight and after a very steep ascent, reach Gillman’s Point(18,745ft/5,681m)
after 3-4hrs. Another 3-4 hrs of gradual sloping ground and you are at
the summit! Descend on Marangu route to Horomobo Hut (12,205ft/3,720m) for the night. Duration 11-13hrs.
Day 07:
After breakfast start the hike down through heather and forest to Marangu Gate (6,045ft/1,843m). You will receive your summit certificate and say good bye to your new friends. Duration 5-7hrs.
INCLUDED:
All park entry fees, camping fees, rescue fees, transport to/from the gate, food, drinking water, guide and porters, accommodation 2 night.
NOT INCLUDED:
Sleeping bag, tips for your guide and porters and other personal things of nature.