Duration
6 Days 5 Nights
Tour Type
Trekking
Location
Moshi, Tanzania
Rongai in 6 days
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 viewpoints.
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.
We will pick you up from Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha airport and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi.
Pre-trek briefing at your Moshi hotel. You should be planning to arrive at least one day before the start of the trek. Today we will spend time having a pre-trek briefing. We will also review your equipment and rent any equipment which is needed.
Drive to the attractive wooden village of Nale Moru (about 2 hours including a stop to get permits at Marangu). After signing in and preparing the porters, you will begin the hike on a wide path that winds 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. The forest begins to thin out and the first camp is 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: Lunch and Dinner
The morning hike is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim.
Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3450m/11,300ft
Distance: 6km/4mi
Walking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
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: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
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: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), commence 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). Continuing, we now ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa. There are unbelievable views at every turn. Have your picture taken at the summit to show your friends and family. From here we descend, stopping for lunch and a 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 / 6-8 hours down
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through moorland to the Mandara Hut. Continue descending through lush forest path to the National Park gate at Marangu. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
Afrokili expedition vehicle will meet you at Marangu gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 1 hour).
Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 1700m/5500ft
Distance: 20km/12.5mi
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Forest
Meals: Breakfast
Inclusions
Conservation fees (part of park fees)
All transfers to the mountain and back to your Moshi hotel
Airport pick up
Sleeping Mattress
Professional, experienced, mountain guides
Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
Private toilet
Clean, purified drinking water
Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees)
All meals while on the Mountain
Guides, Porters, Cook salaries, and park fees
VAT (18% charged by the Government)
Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
Rescue fees (part of park fees)
Hotels Accomodation
Exclusions
Tanzania Visa
Travel Insurance
International and domestic flights
Liquors, beers, and bottled beverages
Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
Tips and gratuities
Surcharge for online payment of advance and balance (5% on each payment)
Personal trekking equipment such as sleeping bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting)
Payment Terms
Deposit Payment
The deposit is 25% of the total booking amount.
Deposit can be paid either via a bank transfer or an online card payment.
A 2% fee is applicable on all card payments (payment gateway charges), this is non-refundable.
Once you make the advance payment you will receive a booking confirmation.
Payments are done in USD only
Balance Payment
Balance can be paid via bank transfer, online card payment, or with cash.
Bank payment can be made 15 days before the tour date (recommended 30 days prior).
Card Payment can be done 1 day before the tour date (recommended 7 days prior).
A 2% fee is applicable on all card payments (payment gateway charge), this is non-refundable.
Cash can be paid on arrival (USD printed in or after the year 2009).
Cancellation Policy
8 days and above departure
No cancellation fees.
0 to 7 days before departure
50% of the total tour price will be charged as cancellation fees.
Trek can be postponed to any new date without any extra cost at any point in time.
The 15% surcharge paid for either or both advance and balance payments is non-refundable in case of cancellation of the trek.
Please find below the prices for organizing a private trek. The prices are based on your group size.
Solo Trekker – USD 2050 per person
Group of 2 – USD 1850 per person
Group of 3 – USD 1850 per person
Group of 4 – USD 1850 per person
Group of 5 – USD 1750 per person
Group of 6 – USD 1750 per person
Group of 7 – USD 1750 per person
Group of 8 – USD 1750 per person
Group of 9 – USD 1750 per person
Group of 10 and above – USD 165 per person
