8 Days Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Rongai Route

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This 8 Days Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Rongai Route 7 Nights 8 Days trip starts from Marangu National Park Gate. The 8 Days Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Rongai Route is a more gradual ascend and it therefore preferred by those with little or no backpacking experience but is equally enjoyable for even the most hardened climbers. The 8 Days Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Rongai Route is the only route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the north, close to the Kenyan border. Though gaining popularity amongst climbers, this 8 Days Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Rongai Route still experiences low crowds. 8 Days Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Rongai Route has a more gradual slope than the mountain’s other routes. 8 Days Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Rongai Route is the preferred route for those looking for an alternative 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 is highly recommended, especially for those with less backpacking experience.

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  • Vacation Style Holiday Type
      Africa Guided Safari Tours, Africa Trekking and Guided Birding Safari
    • Activity Level Challenging
      5/8
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    All about the 8 Days Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Rongai Route.

    8 Days Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Rongai Route trip starts from Marangu National Park Gate. Normally 8 Days Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Rongai Route starts at the remote northern side of Mount Kilimanjaro near the Kenyan and Tanzanian border. You should expect to start your hiking through a true wilderness area towards the jagged Mawenzi Peak and then cross barren desert saddle before climbing up Kibo’s eastern crater wall.

    The 8 Days Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Rongai Route is a more gradual ascend and it therefore preferred by those with little or no backpacking experience but is equally enjoyable for even the most hardened climbers. With only 6 days on the mountain and only 4.5 days before Uhuru Peak, there is a little time for altitude acclimatization. This 8 Days Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Rongai Route ascents quickly and steady.

    Rongai Route is highly recommended for the trekkers who lack the time to spend more days on Mount Kilimanjaro. Rongai Route 6 Days – the Rongai route is the only route approach Kilimanjaro from the north just at the Kenyan border. It will take you past the second-highest point in Tanzania – Mawenzi while offering bird’s-eye views of the mountain’s rainforest. The gentle gradient and its gradual acclimatization bring one safely to the highest point of Africa – Kilimanjaro’s Uhuru peak, at 5,895 m.

    Rongai Route boasts high success rates of 84 and 94 percent on 6 and 7-day climbs, respectively. Rongai is great for travellers with previous exposure to high altitude and offers an escape from fellow-climbers, as it requires the longest drive before reaching the park gate. Rongai Route will leave you with great impressions while testing your strength over the distance of 65 km (40 miles).

    The Rongai route on Mount Kilimanjaro is a seven-day camping route; it has the attraction of being a lower traffic and easier route compared to the southern slopes for climbing Kilimanjaro. It attracts about 10% of visitors to the mountain. The route is really a complete traverse, the only one to experience the arid northern side and the lush southern side. It’s also known as the Loitokok Route.

    The route is quieter and flatter, and arguably has less scenic quality than other routes on the south side. However walking across the open plain with the summit massif in view all the time gives a real sense of vastness to the mountain. It is drier because of the fact that the mountain itself stops the rain clouds coming up from the south, so it’s really a very different experience in terms of scenery and terrain. For many, the solitude and sense of space is a big draw, although you don’t get to experience all the different habitats which are evident on the south side routes like Machame and Lemosho.

    Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking Packages

    9 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking Machame Route
    5 Days Climb Kilimanjaro Marangu Route
    14 Days Climbing Kilimanjaro Serengeti Safari Package
    8 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route
    9 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking Machame Route

    The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance
    What is included in this tour?Items that are included in the cost of tour price.
    • Transport from arrival point to Moshi
    • Transport from Moshi to Departure point
    • Accommodation before climb
    • Accommodation after climb
    • All accommodation in tents on the mountain
    • Park fees on Kilimanjaro
    • Rescue fees on the mountain (by car)
    • 3 meals daily on the mountain
    • Sleeping tents and dinning tents (all camping gears)
    • Guide and porters
    • Cooks and waiters
    • First aid kit
    • Service of an English speaking mountain guide
    • Transportation to the mountain
    • Transportation from the mountain
    • All government taxes
    • Oximeter on the mountain
    What is not included in this tour?Items that are not included in the cost of tour price.
    • Extras in the hotel
    • Drinks rather than water
    • Tips to mountain Crews
    • Meals in Moshi
    • Personal gears like sleeping bags, Hiking poles etc.
    • Flights
    • And all not listed above
    1. Day 1: ARRIVAL - DRIVE TO MOSHI 1-hour drive

      Welcome in Tanzania: Meet and greet at arrival point by our transferring driver who will escort you to the waiting vehicle for loading your luggage then drive you to the Hotel in Moshi town. After checking in the hotel you will get briefing about your next day’s trek then your mountain guide will check your gears. The rest of the day can be spent relaxing at the pool or exploring the town of Moshi.

      • Meals
      • Dinner
      • Accommodation
      • Keys Hotel
      • Day 25 hours walking
      • Rongai Gate (1950m) to 1st Caves Camp (2600m)
    2. Day 2: Caves Camp (2600m) to Kikelewa Cave (3600m)

      After an early breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up from Moshi and driven to the Nalemoru gate. At the gate, the porters will organize and pack the belongings for the hike while you and your waiting lounge registering with the Tanzania National Park (TANAPA). You will then begin your ascent into the rainforest. During this section of the hike, you should expect rain, mud, and fog. Also, be on the look out for wildlife, including Colobus monkeys! About halfway up the trail you will have a lunch break and you will reach the First Caves Camp in the late afternoon or early evening. The porters and chef who move very fast up the mountain will reach camp before you and set up your tents, boil drinking water, and prepare snacks for your arrival. After washing up, a hot dinner will be served followed by overnight.

      • Meals
      • Full Board
      • Accommodation
      • First Calve Camp
      • Day 36 – 7 hours walking
      • 1st Caves Camp (2600m) to Kikelewa Cave (3600m)
    3. Day 3: Kikelewa Cave (3600) to Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4330m)

      Following a hot breakfast, hikers will continue their ascent to Kikelewa Cave (3600m). The trail passes Second Cave (3450m) and this is a good spot to take a lunch break. Similar to the first night, your tents will be set up prior to arriving at camp and the porters 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
      • Full Board
      • Accommodation
      • Kikelewa Cave Camp
    4. Day 4: Kikelewa Cave (3600) to Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4330m) 3 - 4 hours walking

      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. At camp, hikers will enjoy spectacular views and allow their bodies to acclimate. Hot dinner and washing water will be prepared for hikers as they enjoy the magnificent sunset.

      • Meals
      • Full Board
      • Accommodation
      • Mawenzi Tarn Camp
    5. Day 5: Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4330m) – Kibo Hut (4700m) 4 - 5 hours

      After breakfast, hikers will continue ascending east for a half-day hike to 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. There is no water at this camp, but hikers can buy mineral water and soft drinks at the camp office. An early dinner will be served so hikers can rest before attempting the summit the same night. Your guide will brief you in detail on how to prepare for summit night. Get to sleep by 19:00!

      • Keep on Rongai Route.
      • Meals
      • Full Board
      • Accommodation
      • Kibo Hut
    6. Day 6: Summit Attempt (from Kibo Hut (4700m) to Uhuru Peak (5895m)) then down to Horombo Hut (3720m) 4 Hours walking

      Your guide will wake you up around 23:30 for tea and biscuits. You will then begin your summit attempt. The trail is rocky up to Hans Meyer Cave (5150m). You continue your ascent to Gillman’s point (5681m). Reaching this section is an impressive achievement as the trail is steep, rocky, and at high altitude. Gillman’s is located on the crater rim. From this point, you will usually experience a snow covered trail until you reach the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). Reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro is a lifetime accomplishment! You will be able to spend a short time on the summit taking photographs and drinking tea before the descent to Barafu begins. The hike down to Kibo Hut takes about 3 hours.

      At Kibo Hut, you will rest and enjoy a hot lunch in the sun. After eating, you will continue descending down to Horombo Hut (3720m). You will have a dinner, wash, and rest soundly at the hut after a strenuous day.

      • Meals
      • Full board
      • Accommodation
      • Horombo Hut
    7. Day 7: Horombo Hut (3720m) to Marangu Gate (1980m)

      Following a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. It is here on the mountain that you will present your tips to the guide, assistant guides, chef(s), and porters. After celebrating, you will descend for 6 hours back to Marangu Gate (1980m). The National Park requires all hikers to sign their names to receive certificates of completion. Hikers who reached Gillman’s Point (5681m) receive green certificates and hikers who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. After receiving certificates, you will drive back to Moshi for long overdue showers and more celebrations.

      • Meals
      • Full board
      • Accommodation
      • Keys Hotel
    8. Day 8: Departure 1-hour drive

      After breakfast you will be transferred to your departure point for your flight back home.

      You can extent your stay by going on a Tanzania safari or relaxing on Zanzibar beach.

      • Meals
      • Breakfast
      • Accommodation
      • None
    Hotels, Tea Houses and Camps

    Keys Hotel

    Located in Moshi, 25 km from Mount Kilimanjaro, Keys Hotel provides accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking, an outdoor swimming pool and a bar. With a shared lounge, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The accommodation offers a 24-hour front desk, room service and currency exchange for guests.

    A Full English/Irish breakfast is available daily at the hotel. Aleems Grocery is 1.7 km from Keys Hotel, while Moshi Highway Supermarket is 3.4 km away. The nearest airport is Kilimanjaro International, 32 km from the accommodation, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.

    Kikelewa Cave Camp

    Situated along the Rongai Route at an elevation of 3,679 meters above mean sea level, Kikelewa Cave Camp is the second stop at the lower end of lobelia & giant groundsel zone. Offering wonderful views Kikelewa Cave Camp is a good place for overnight rest & dinner. Water can also be found here in a stream flowing right below the cave.

    The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance.
    Keys HotelKeys Hotel
    Keys Hotel
    Keys Hotel
    Kikelewa Cave CampKikelewa Cave Camp
    Kikelewa Cave Camp
    Kikelewa Cave Camp

    African Safari Frequently Asked Questions

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