The Rongai route is basically one long hike with a very gentle gradient and a low difficulty level. It is the only route that approaches from the Northern side of the mountain and is less frequently climbed. Only around 4000 people climb it each year.The Rongai is similar to the Marangu route in terms of its lack of climb high sleep low opportunities. It’s therefore recommended to do the seven-day itinerary rather than the six-day one, giving you an important extra day to adjust to the altitude. It’s generally considered a good alternative to the more crowded routes such as the Marangu, especially for those climbers preferring camping over huts.
Whilst there are no official statistics, the average success rate for the seven-day Rongai route across all Kilimanjaro operators is 80%, and 65% for the six-day route. If you compare these statistics with those of routes like the Lemosho route and Northern Circuit route, you’ll see they aren’t particularly good. The reason for this low success rate is the route’s poor acclimatisation profile: it only offers one opportunity to climb high and sleep low. Days when you hike up to a new altitude and then descend to a lower altitude for the night are incredibly helpful for acclimatisation.
First things first, you drive to Rongai Gate where you’re recorded in the Kilimanjaro National Park’s registry. You begin your climb by trekking through rainforest. At points you have breaks in the vegetation that offer magnificent views of cultivated fields down below. You climb for about four hours to reach Simba Camp, where you spend the night.
Today has two parts to it: the climb to Second Cave, followed by the climb to Kikelelewa Cave.Today you start by trekking through moorland to Second Cave, a popular lunch spot. This takes three to four hours.The second half of today’s trek leads you to Kikelewa Cave, where you stay overnight. This leg takes about three to four hours.
Today you trek through alpine desert to Mawenzi Tarn Camp. The scenery along this part of the journey is quite remarkable, as the closer you get to Mawenzi Tarn the greater the magnitude of Mawenzi Ridge towering above you. You hike for about four hours.
Today is the only day of the trek where you climb high and then sleep low. As such, it’s an important acclimatisation day.After breakfast you trek to Mawenzi Ridge, which takes between two and three hours.From Mawnzi Ridge, you head back down to Mawenzi Tarn Camp where you stay another night. This leg of the climb helps you to acclimatise and prepare for your summit attempt on Day 6.
Today you trek for five to six hours through alpine desert to reach Kibo Hut. The trek is a gradual incline that heads west through the Saddle, a ridge of barren land that connects the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi.
Today is the day! All going well, you’ll be standing at the tippy top of Africa before lunchtime and glorying in your mega achievement. Summit day is split into two parts: the ascent to Uhuru Peak, followed by a descent of over two vertical kilometres.The first half of today’s journey starts much earlier than on every other day. Your guide wakes you up at midnight. The follow a rocky, moonlit trail to Uhuru Peak. Welcome to the Roof of Africa!Part two of today’s trek sees you make your way down the mountain from Uhuru Peak to Hormobo Hut, which is where you overnight.
Today is the last day of your incredible journey! You do however have a relatively long hike down the mountain ahead of you. You trek for five to seven hours from Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate, where you bid Kilimanjaro farewell.
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