Rongai Route
Rongai route is perfect for climbers looking for an alternative to the Marangu route as it has a lot less foot traffic. Rongai is the best option during the rainy season due to its location which receives little rain. We recommend a minimum of 6 days but 7 days is preferable for better acclimatization and summit success.
Itinerary
Day of arrival.
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met by an Omura representative who will transfer you to your hotel. There, you will be given time to settle in before a meet and greet with your guides. In this meeting, we will brief you on what to expect on Mount Kilimanjaro and answer any last-minute questions you may have. After the briefing, we recommend an early night for an early pick-up the following day.
Day 1.
After breakfast, you will be collected from your hotel around 8:00 am and you will be driven to Rongai Gate located on the northern side of Mount Kilimanjaro. After the registration process, you will still start our climb steadily through the forests to the edge of the moorland zone to reach Rongai 1 Camp where you will be spending the night. During dinner, you will be briefed for the following day by your head guide.
Camp: Rongai Gate to Rongai 1 Camp
Elevation: 1,950m (6,398ft) to 2,830m (9,300ft)
Distance: 8km (5 miles)
Trekking Time: 4-5 hours
Vegetation Zone: Rainforest
Day 2.
Today's trek is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave Camp located in the moorland zone with views of Kibo and the eastern ice fields on the crater rim. During dinner, you will be briefed for the following day by your head guide.
Camp: Rongai Camp to 2nd Cave Camp
Elevation: 2,830m (9,300ft) to 3,450m (11,300ft)
Distance: 5km (3 miles)
Trekking Time: 3-4 hours
Vegetation Zone: Rainforest
Day 3.
We continue to gain altitude today as we trek towards Kikilewa Camp with views of the eastern ice fields on the crater rim of Kibo, the highest of the three volcanoes which form the mountain. We will leave the main trail and strike out across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi, the second of Kilimanjaro’s volcanoes. During dinner, you will be briefed for the following day by your head guide.
Camp: 2nd Camp to Kikelewa Camp
Elevation: 3,450m (11,300ft) to 3,600m (11,811ft)
Distance: 5km (3 miles)
Trekking Time: 4-6 hours
Vegetation Zone: Rainforest and Low Alpine
Day 4.
Today's trek to Mawenzi Tarn Camp is a steep climb however provides magnificent views of the Kenyan plains to the north. Once we reach the camp we will have a two-hour rest, after which there will be an acclimatization hike towards Mawenzi Volcano with a 200m gain in altitude. During dinner, you will be briefed for the following day by your head guide.
Camp: Kikelewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn Hut
Elevation: 3,600m (11,811ft) to 4,315m (14,160ft)
Distance: 8km (5 miles)
Trekking Time: 4-5 hours
Vegetation Zone: Rainforest and Low Alpine
Day 5.
Today we leave our campsite and cross the lunar desert of the ‘saddle’ between Mawenzi Tarn and Kibo Hut. Once we reach Kibo Hut you will have an early dinner. We recommend resting and sleeping before being awoken at 11 pm to prepare for the summit climb. During dinner, you will be briefed for the following day by your head guide.
Camp: Mawenzi Tarn Hut to Kibo Hut
Elevation: 4,315m (14,160ft) to 4,703m(15,430ft)
Distance: 8km (5 miles)
Trekking Time: 5-6 hours
Vegetation Zone: Low Alpine
Day 6 (Summit Day).
We start the summit climb at midnight and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. We will be climbing slowly but gain incredible height over a short distance and pass the Hans Meyer Cave at 5220m. We will reach Gillman’s Point (5,681m) as the first rays of sunlight begin to show. Here we will take a short break to watch the sunrise over Africa. We continue for another 1-2 hours up to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). We begin our descent back to Kibo Hut for breakfast. After a short rest, you will continue to descend to Horombo Hut for a long well-earned rest.
Camp: Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut
Elevation: 4,703m(15,430ft) to 5895m (19,341ft) to 3,720m (12,205ft)
Distance: 16km (9.6 miles)
Trekking Time: 13-15 hours
Vegetation Zone: Glacial, High Alpine and Low Alpine
Day 7.
On the final day, we continue through the rainforest until we reach Marangu Gate, where we complete park formalities and present you with a certificate confirming you summited Mount Kilimanjaro. We are then met by our vehicles and transferred back to your hotel for a well-earned rest and celebration with your guides.
Camp: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate
Elevation: 3,720m (12,205ft) to 1,843m (6,046ft)
Distance: 20km (12.5 miles)
Trekking Time: 6-8 hours
Vegetation Zone: Low Alpine and Rainforest
Final Day.
After breakfast, a vehicle will transfer you to your next destination. If you have additional time we recommend you extend your stay. Omura offers safari packages to see nature at its finest or maybe a relaxing beach trip to Zanzibar.
