Kilimanjaro Climb Rongai Route

Kilimanjaro Climb Rongai Route

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8 Days
From

$4800

$4668

Kilimanjaro Climb Rongai Route

8 Days Starting and ending in Marangu

Visiting: Marangu, rongai forest, Kikelewa Camp, Mawenzi, The Saddle, Kibo, Uhuru Peak, Horombo Huts, Mandara Huts

Tour operator:

Exodus

Tour code:

TYW

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

4 - 16

Physical rating:

Challenging / Tough

Age range:

18 to 99

Special diets catered:

Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements

Tour operated in:
English
Trip Styles:

Active, Adventure Tours

Activities:

Trekking, Walking

From:
$4800
$4668 (USD) The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$132
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Tour Overview

With its gentle gradient and sense of unspoilt wilderness, the Rongai Route approaches Kilimanjaro from the north and is less crowded than the most popular trails. We trek through farmlands, forest and alpine moorlands as we approach the beautiful summit cone. This route allows an extra day for acclimatisation under the imposing spires of Mawenzi, before the arduous final ascent. The final climb begins in darkness but our reward is an incomparable dawn vista over the sweeping East African plains.



Highlights

  • Exodus takes more clients to the summit of Kilimanjaro than any other UK operator

  • Climb the world's largest freestanding mountain

  • The Rongai route is much less crowded than Marangu and Machame routes

  • We use 1 guide for every 2 clients

  • An extra acclimatisation day increasing the chances of summit success

  • Stand on top of a continent for an unforgettable experience

Itinerary

Expand All
Day 1 : Start Marangu.
Location: Marangu
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort or similar
Meals Included: No Meals

There will be a trip briefing this afternoon/evening. Please bring your

passport, insurance details and air ticket details. The briefing will cover

all aspects of your trip and will include the distribution of any hired

equipment you have booked.

*Comfortable Hotel*



Day 2 : Begin Ascent Through Rongai Forest (2600M).
Location: rongai forest
Accommodation Name: Full-service camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After completing the necessary registration formalities, we transfer by road

to Nale Moru (1,950m) to begin our climb on this unspoilt wilderness route.

The first day is only a half-day walk on a small path that winds through

farmland and pine plantations. It is a consistent but gentle climb through

attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife. We reach our first

overnight stop by late afternoon at the edge of the moorland zone (2,600m).

Approx 3-4 hours walking.

*Full-service Camping*



Day 3 : Climb To Kikelewa Moorland (3600M).
Location: Kikelewa Camp
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: Full-service camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The morning walk is a steady ascent up to 'Second Cave' (3,450m) with superb

views of the Eastern icefields on the rim of Kibo, the youngest and highest

of the three volcanoes that form the entire mountain. After lunch, we leave

the main trail and strike out across the moorland on a smaller path towards

the jagged peaks of Mawenzi, the second of Kilimanjaro's volcanoes. Our

campsite, which we reach in late afternoon, is in a sheltered valley near

Kikelewa Caves (3,600m). Approx 6-7 hours walking.

*Full-service Camping*



Day 4 : Steady Ascent Beneath Mawenzi (4330M); Afternoon Acclimatisation.
Location: Mawenzi
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: Full-service camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A steep climb up grassy slopes is rewarded by superb panoramas of the Kenyan

plains to the north. We leave vegetation behind close to Mawenzi Tarn

(4,330m), spectacularly situated in a cirque beneath the towering cliffs of

Mawenzi. The afternoon will be free to rest or to explore the surrounding

area as an aid to acclimatisation. Approx 3-4 hours walking.

*Full-service Camping*



Day 5 : Cross Lunar Desert Of The 'Saddle' To Kibo, At The Bottom Of Summit Cone (4750M).
Location: The Saddle, Kibo
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: Full-service camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We leave our attractive campsite to cross the lunar desert of the 'Saddle'

between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo campsite (4,700m) at the bottom of the

Kibo Crater wall by early afternoon. The remainder of the day is spent

resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night! Approx

5-6 hours walking.

*Full-service Camping*



Day 6 : Early Start To Reach Gillman's Point In Time For Sunrise Over The Crater Rim; On To Uhuru Peak, The Highest Point In Africa (5895M). Descend To Horombo (3720M).
Location: Uhuru Peak, Horombo Huts
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: Full-service camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We will start the final, and by far the steepest and most demanding part of

the climb by torchlight at around midnight. It will be extremely cold as we

walk very slowly in darkness on a switchback trail through loose volcanic

scree to reach the Crater rim at Gillman's Point (5,685 m). We will rest

there for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. Those

who are still feeling strong can make the three hour round trip along the

snow-covered rim to the true summit of Uhuru Peak (5,895m), passing close to

the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit

area. The descent to Kibo Hut (4,700m) is surprisingly fast and, after some

refreshments and rest, we continue descending to reach our final campsite at

Horombo (3,720m). This is an extremely long and hard day, with between 11 and

15 hours walking at high altitude.

*Full-service Camping*



Day 7 : Continue Descent To Mandara And Marangu.
Location: Mandara Huts, Marangu
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

A sustained descent with wide views across the moorland takes us into the

lovely forest around Mandara (2,700m), the first stopping place on the

Marangu route. The trail continues through semi-tropical vegetation to the

national park gate at Marangu (1,830m). We leave the local staff to return to

our hotel in Marangu by mid-afternoon for a well-earned rest and a much

needed shower and beer! Approx 5-6 hours walking.

*Comfortable Hotel*



Day 8 : End Marangu.
Location: Marangu
Meals Included: Breakfast

Depending on the time of your return flight the day can be spent resting in

the hotel garden or exploring the village for souvenirs. There is a highly

recommended but optional village walk that explores Marangu for half a day.

This village is a fascinating mixture of small but fertile coffee and banana

farms, friendly Chagga people, and some beautiful scenery with waterfalls and

magnificent views.

**



What's Included

  • Meals
    7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners.


* All breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners
* All accommodation 
* All transport and listed activities
* Tour leader throughout
* Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)
* Kilimanjaro Park Fee

What's Not Included

  • Visas or vaccinations

  • Travel insurance

  • Single accommodation (available on request - includes single tent)

Food


All breakfasts, 6 lunches and 5 dinners included.  All meals during the
climb are included. Please allow about GBP40 (USD65) for the meals not
included, while in hotels.

On trek the emphasis is on a varied and well-balanced diet with a greater
amount of fresh fruit and soup to maximise the daily intake of fluids.

Vegetarians are well catered for but please inform us before departure of any
special dietary requests. Please note that in Tanzania the availability of
certain specialised products for restricted diets, e.g. gluten-free or
dairy-free, is minimal or non-existent and we strongly recommend you bring
these specialised dietary items from home.

The menu has a high liquid and carbohydrate content; the two important
elements for successful
climbing. At higher altitudes, stimulants (such as coffee) and less
digestible foods (such as meat) are
not recommended. Our evening meal at the highest camp on Kilimanjaro is a
meatless stew as our
experience shows this to be the ideal preparation for the summit day. At
mealtimes a
selection of hot drinks are available. Soup is served twice daily.

*Daily Meals*

Bed Tea - tea or coffee served in your tent.
Breakfast  - consists of seasonal fresh fruit (mango/banana/watermelon),
porridge, cooked eggs,
sausage, bacon and toast.
Energy snacks are provided for the daily walk such as biscuits, bananas, and
chocolate bars.
Lunch  -  either a packed lunch on longer days or, more usually, a hot
lunch served in camp by a small
team who have raced ahead of the clients. A hot lunch typically consists of
soup, bread or pancakes,
cheese, tuna, jam, peanut butter, pasta salad and cake.
Afternoon tea  -  served in late afternoon. It is an opportunity to drink
lots of hot drinks and snack on peanuts or popcorn.
Dinner  -  the main meal of the day and always consists of three courses;
soup and bread, followed by the main dish, which could be rice, potatoes or
pasta with fish, meat or vegetables, and is followed by a dessert often of
fruit.
Summit snacks - Whilst we provide enough food for the climb, we recommend
that you bring some of your favourite snacks, and keep them for the summit
day. This is because the summit day is a long and tough climb and having your
favourite snacks can give you a very welcome boost.

*Water*

Whilst the water we provide on Kilimanjaro is suitable for drinking you may
wish to be extra safe and treat it with your own water purification tablets.
Biox Aqua drops or tablets are the best available alternative for sale in the
UK as they kill giardia and cryptosporidium.

Accommodation

On this adventure, we spend five nights camping in three-person tents and two nights in a comfortable hotel.



Marangu: Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort (nights 1 and 7)







Before and after the trek, we stay at the comfortable Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort. Close to Kilimanjaro National Park, it is tucked deep in the banana and coffee plantations of Kyalla village. It has two restaurants, plus a bar serving the refreshing Kilimanjaro Lager and banana wine. There is also a swimming pool to enjoy when you return from Kilimanjaro.



Kilimanjaro: Full-service camping (nights 2-6)







Although conditions are basic on the mountain, the camping we experience is one of the best available on the Rongai Route. We sleep in Vango Halo Pro 300 tents regardless of whether you have made a twin-share or single supplement booking. These are spacious three-person tents that are ideal for the conditions on Kilimanjaro. Our camp life is about as comfortable as it gets on Kili, with a communal mess tent, where we gather as a group and eat breakfast and dinner, and a private toilet tent. We also ensure there is a bowl of hot washing water for you in the morning and again after the walk at an agreed time in the afternoon. The only exception is the highest camp where there is no water source.



Worth knowing



The campsites on Kilimanjaro are designated by the national park and are mainly stone/dirt. They are not all level and can be crowded in peak season.

We always ensure there is a bowl of hot washing water for you in the morning and again after the walk at an agreed time in the afternoon. The only exception is the highest camp where there is no water source.

Handwashing water, treated with Dettol, is available along with soap before all meals, and everyone is strongly advised to make use of it.

The toilet tent has toilet paper within it, but we recommend you bring your own toilet paper and wet wipes.

All camping equipment is provided except for sleeping bags, sleeping mats and pillows.

Check out our Q&As

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    Noi

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • Are all entrance fees included in the price?

    Kilimanjaro Park Fee

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    18+ age people can go on this tour.

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Exodus has been trading since 1974

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.

Reviews from Travellers on this Tour

Amazing!

What a hard, rewarding experience... although Kili is not the prettiest of mountains it is certainly a mighty challenge... and withholds its beauty till summit day sunrise. The porters enabled summiting to be possible with their tireless support and encouragement.

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

Once in a lifetime, stunning experience....Exodus did it again!

Kilimanjaro, Rongai Route

An excellent trip from start to finish. We were looked after by the best guides, cooks and porters and feel privileged to have been part of the group.

Fantastic trip

If you have ever harboured thoughts of climbing Kilimanjaro, go for it!This is a brilliant trip with excellent friendly and knowledgeable guides. There is so much more to this trip than simply reaching Uhuru point or not. We saw baboons and blue monkeys, beautiful landscapes and met many amazing people.. Do not underestimate the physical and mental impact of summit day though. This involves a trek to Kibo camp, followed by some rest, then around 11 hours or so of solid walking to the summit and returning to Kibo camp, a short rest.and then a further 3-4 hours walking before reaching Horombo camp and falling completely exhausted into your sleeping bag. None of our group were elite athletes but we all exercised regularly. We ranged in age from 21 to 66 years and both the youngest and the oldest achieved the summit. Not to be missed!

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

I wish I had made this trek when I was younger but never theless it was a remarkable and awesome experience. The group I travelled with were all a great bunch of people, fully supportive of each other and without whom the trip would not have been the same.

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

An awesome, amazing once in a lifetime trip that will stay with me for a very long time.

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

The trip was very well organised, with a great group (of staff and holiday makers), great food and stunning location.  I always felt confident that the staff had the expertise to ensure a safe trip and they helped make it a very memorable trip.

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

This trip is a perfect way to maximise your chances of getting to the summit of Kilimanjaro.

Rongai - Feb 2017

I consider myself to be fit but do not underestimate the final ascent/descent...... it is extremely hard work. We completed in 9.25 - hindsight tells me we should have gone slower as I had a pounding headache and was exhausted at the end. It doesn't help that you then have another walk in the afternoon to cope with ! The walking prior to the ascent was a breeze if that helps ! The organisation was excellent but be prepared for very early nights and then being wide awake early on ... food was first class and plenty of it. We were lucky with the weather (Feb) I would not want to walk Kilimanjaro in the rain and wind. Good luck

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

A fantastic opportunity to get to the top of the highest mountain in Africa.   It is amazing what you can achieve when you put your mind to it.  This trip is possible for anyone with reasonable fitness and a bucket load of determination; as the final night slog up the hill is mentally hard - keeping focussed is the key.  The guides were extremely helpful throughout the trip and we wouldn't have succeeded without them.

Read all 120 reviews

Dates & Availability

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Sunday - Sunday

Sep 01, 2024 - Sep 08, 2024
$4800 $4668 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$132 (USD)

Instant Booking Available

Saturday - Saturday

Oct 05, 2024 - Oct 12, 2024
$5100 $4960 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$140 (USD)

New moon departure

Saturday - Saturday

Jan 25, 2025 - Feb 01, 2025
$5250 $5106 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$144 (USD)

Full moon departure

Saturday - Saturday

Feb 08, 2025 - Feb 15, 2025
$5250 $5106 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$144 (USD)

Full moon departure

Saturday - Saturday

Jun 07, 2025 - Jun 14, 2025
$5100 $4960 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$140 (USD)

Instant Booking Available

Sunday - Sunday

Jul 27, 2025 - Aug 03, 2025
$5100 $4960 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$140 (USD)

New moon departure

Sunday - Sunday

Aug 17, 2025 - Aug 24, 2025
$5100 $4960 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$140 (USD)

New moon departure

Sunday - Sunday

Sep 14, 2025 - Sep 21, 2025
$5400 $5252 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$149 (USD)

Female crew departure

Saturday - Saturday

Oct 25, 2025 - Nov 01, 2025
$5400 $5252 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$149 (USD)

Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

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