Kilimanjaro via Rongarai Route

The trek

Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest single free-standing mountain above sea level in the world: 5,895 metres (19,341 ft). This snow-capped peak of Africa is a dormant volcano.

It is part of the Kilimanjaro National Park that houses among other animals, elephants, cape buffaloes, and indigenous species such as the Kilimanjaro shrew and the chameleon Kinyongia tavetana. The Tussock Grassland is an area on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro that contains many unique species of vegetation.

Kilimanjaro requires minimum of 6 nights, 7 days on the mountain and a day in Arusha post the trek, so one needs atleast 7 nights in Africa excluding travel.  2 days of African safari are highly recommended, taking the total time required to 10 days.

Expected weather

Afternoons: Upto 8 degrees Celsius in Kibo hut camp, lower camps to be warmer. Nights: around -5 degrees Celsius in Kibo hut camp, lower camps to be warmer. Chances of rain/ hail – less likely;

Snow on trail – less likely

The Routes

Kilimanjaro can be done from 7 different routes. Here’s all the info about the routes :

We will be taking the Rongai route in March 2025 and the Lemosho route in Sept 2025

Additional information

1. We will send you preparation chart and follow up with preparations so that you get a good shot at the summit
2. The arrangements will be comfortable, 2 in a tent, good healthy food and strong knowledgeable guides.
3. We have kept extra days and enough buffer (unlike other itineraries out there) which gives you a good chances to summit. P.S. - Cheaper itineraries out in the market have very low success summit ratios.

Route - We will take the Rongai route (the most offbeat) which is very scenic, has gentler ascends, full of wildlife spotting opportunities, least crowded and boasts a good summit ratio. We believe this route offers one of the best experiences on Kilimanjaro!

Itinerary - 

Day 1 - Arrive in Arusha and drive to base (Tarakea)

• Participants are requested to book a flight that would reach the airport before 12:00 PM (Tanzanian time). We will pick you up from the airport and drive you to Tarakea (Drive time 4 hrs)
• Stay location - Unique hotels
• Gear check and Briefing in the evening. Retire by 9:00 PM. Overnight in Hotel

Day 2 - Drive to Rongai gate (1950 mts) post breakfast and hike to Rongai cave (2834 mts).

• Distance: 8 kms, Time: 4 hrs
• After breakfast drive to Rongai gate. Start hiking after finishing the trek registration for the park. We stop for lunch at Simba camp.
• Continue hiking to Rongai camp post Lunch. Overnight stay at camp.

Day 3 - Hike from Rongai cave to Kikelewa cave ( 3598 mts) via Second cave (3444 mts)

• Distance : 12 kms , Time : 7 hrs . Overnight stay in camp 

Day 4 - Hike from Kikelewa cave to Mawenzi Tarn (4314 mts) and afternoon acclimatization hike to Mawenzi Ridge (4388 mts)

• Distance : 5 kms , Time : 3 hours. Lunch at camp.
• Acclimatization hike : Distance : 2 kms , Time: 2 hrs. Overnight stay in camp.

Day 5 - Hike from Mawenzi Tarn to Kibo hut (4701 mts)

• Distance: 8 kms , Time: 3 hrs. Overnight stay in camp 

Day 6 - Kibo hut to Uhuru peak (Kilimanjaro Summit) and back to Horombo hut

• Distance : 22 kms, Time : 13 hrs
• We start for the summit push at 11:00PM and make it just in time to see the sunrise from the top.
• After reaching the summit, we descend all the way down to Horombo hut camp. Overnight stay in camp.

Day 7 - Trek from Horombo hut to Marangu gate. Drive to Arusha (2 hrs)

• Distance : 20 kms, Time : 6 hrs
• We are expected to reach the hotel by 5:00 PM in the evening.
• Overnight stay in hotel.

Day 8 - Depart to airport after breakfast (for only trek participants) OR Morning Safari to Tarangire National park

• The participants who have only joined us for only the trek to be dropped to the airport today and the participants joining for the Safaris to be driven to Tarangire National park (2 hours drive).
• The Tarangire NP is famous for Elephant spotting. The sight of big herds led by matriarchs foraging on the plains will leave you speechless! One will also spot some other herbivores like Zebras, Giraffes, Wildebeasts, Imphalas, Ostriches, Gazzelles, Baboons and if you're lucky some big cats too!
• Finish the safari at 3.30 PM and drive to Kudu camp near Norongoro crater (2.5 hrs)! On the way we stop to look at the marvelous lake Manyara. The sight of this beautiful lake will stay with you for life!
• Overnight in camp

Day 9 - Morning Safari to Ngorongoro crater and drop back to the airport by 4 PM.

• We start early today. Our safari starts at 6.30 AM and we drive to the gate (20 mins from Kudu camp). We spend 4 hrs inside the crater.
• The Crater is famous for some of the best game sightings in the world. You can see the African big 5 along with various other species up close! The sights and views from today will leave you speechless!
• Evening drop to airport by 3.30 PM. Participants are requested to book a flight departing after 5 PM.

Day 10: Checkout at 10 AM, Drive to Airport, 52km,  1 hr 15 min.  

• Inclusions:

  • Airport pick up and drop off
  • Standard hotel accommodation (twin sharing)
  • All mountain fees, entry, camping, rescue
  • Meals for the duration of the trip
  • Guide and expertise charges
  • Team including support staff, cooks, porters
  • Rentals for all common gear provided to you like tent, kitchen tents, table and chairs
  • Rentals for climbing gear such as ropes, anchors, crampons etc.

Exclusions:

• 5% GST
• Meals or drinks purchased by participants during the travel or trek
• Rentals for personal gear
• Trek insurance
• Any extra government charges. (There aren’t any as of now)
• Flight/Train/Bus ticket till Tanzania.
• Lunch and dinner in Arusha (800-1000 INR per meal)
• Tips for staff (approx 10 - 15k depending upon the group size.)