7-Days Rongai Route Mt. Kilimanjaro » African Travel Agency | Tour Operator Tanzania

7-DAYS RONGAI ROUTE

TRIP OVERVIEW

7-DAYS RONGAI ROUTE

The Rongai Route is regarded as one of the most straightforward and successful routes. It begins on the north side of Mt. Kilimanjaro, just south of the Kenyan border, and is one of the less traveled routes. Climbers can see the mountain from a variety of vantage points as they descend the Marangu Route on the mountain’s south side. The drive from Arusha town to the trailhead takes about 4 hours and passes through numerous villages and coffee plantations, as well as a stop at Marangu gate to register for climbing permits.

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7-DAYS

Day 2: Trekking from Nalemuru to Simba camp

A guide and a mountain support crew will arrive at the hotel in the morning in order to meet you and hold a quick briefing, after which you will travel by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park's northern entrance: Nalemuru Gate (2,020 m). After the quick formality of acquiring climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, the group will start trekking up to Simba Camp (2,625 m). Your trek this day will be moderate and take you through coniferous forest up Kilimanjaro's northern slope. Remember not to hurry and always keep a comfortable pace. By the time you reach the camp, our professional mountain crew will prepare everything necessary, put tents and cook dinner for you. This will be your first day at this altitude, so it is strongly recommended you heed the following instructions from this point on: Abstain from consuming alcohol and caffeine Drink over 4 liters of bottled water daily (little by little, frequently) Take a Diamox pill to help alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness. Most mountain climbers take Diamox in the morning, before they start their ascent, in order to reduce discomfort associated with altitude sickness. We recommend you consult your doctor prior to the trip in case of potential allergies.

Day 4: Kikiliwa to Mawenzi Tarn camp

Early wakeup, breakfast and the start of trekking to Mawenzi Tarn Camp, which is situated at the foot of Mawenzi Volcano, Kilimanjaro's second summit. When you reach the camp, you will have lunch and a two-hour rest, after which there will be an acclimatization hike towards Mawenzi Volcano with a 200-meter gain in altitude, followed by a hike back down to Mawenzi Tarn Camp, where you will have dinner in the evening. Note: The acclimatization hike is an easy trek with a slight gain in altitude done in order to speed up the acclimatization process. You should take the acclimatization hikes very seriously. They help increase your chances of successfully summiting Kilimanjaro and save you from the consequences of altitude sickness.

Day 5: Mawenzi Tarn camp to School hut camp

This day will be spent trekking towards School Hut Camp (4,715 m). The landscape will change significantly to give way to a rocky semidesert. The actual trekking is not very difficult; just remember to stick with an appropriate pace to keep up your strength for the trekking to Kilimanjaro's summit. When you reach the camp, we recommend you sleep well, avoid strenuous activity, and drink as much as you can, because that very night you will be ascending Uhuru Peak (5,895 m).

Day 6: Uhuru peak and Descent to Horombo camp

Night departure from School Hut Camp (4,715 m) and the start of your trekking to Kilimanjaro's summit: Uhuru peak (5,895 m). The trekking will be moderate from a physical standpoint, but the altitude presents a much more serious problem. For the entire length of the trekking each pair of climbers will be accompanied by their own guide, who will be monitoring your stamina and mental resolve. After your successful ascent to Uhuru Peak, you can descend to the nearest glacier if desired. Then you will return to Kibo Camp and after a two-hour rest continue your descent to School Hut Camp (3,720 m). Note: Don't forget that 90% of all accidents occur during the descent, including all broken arms and legs. Please pay attention to your feet, as there is a high risk of damaging your toenails.