Kilimanjaro | The Rongai Route

Degree of difficulty

• A relatively tough challenge, participants should be in good physical condition, with experience of hiking for multiple consecutive days for six to seven hours.
• A good degree of ascent is involved in the challenge, and experience walking in mountainous areas would be beneficial. 
• No specific technical climbing skills are required. 

Accommodation on Kilimanjaro

• Accommodation during the trip is taken in high quality, high altitude Mountain Hardware tents. 
• Meals are taken in a separate mess tent, where it's possible to sit comfortably and relax in the evenings. 
• Hotel accommodation is provided when staying in Moshi.

Eating and drinking

• Special menus are designed in order to fulfil the nutritional requirements of climbing Kilimanjaro
• Meals include fresh fruit and vegetables each day. Fresh meat is available for at least the first part of the trek
• There's chance to sample Tanzanian cuisine before leaving the mountain
• Breakfast is a hearty affair and would include porridge, sausage, eggs and toast with jam. Tea, coffee and hot chocolate are readily available.
• Lunches are either packed to carry in a rucksack, or otherwise a stop during the day to take a hot cooked lunch. 
• Afternoon tea is served at the end of the day of hiking. Tea and other drinks are provided with a selection of snacks. 
• Evening meals are hearty and consist of three courses, a great way to replenish calories.

Essential information

• A strict 15kg bag weight limit is enforced by Kilimanjaro National Park. This limit includes a sleeping bag. All bags will be weighed before leaving the hotel in Moshi to check for compliance, and items would have to be removed if above the 15kg limit.
• Tanzania observes a ban on all single use plastic bags. Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, passengers may be asked to surrender any plastic bags before leaving the airport.
• It is advisable to travel with US Dollars as the Tanzanian Shillings is a closed currency, not available to purchase before arrival in country. ATMs are available at the airport or en route to the hotel.
• Tipping is customary on Tanzanian trekking adventures, and the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project recommend tips in the range of $6 to $10 per day for each porter. For other roles, $20 per day is recommended for guides, and $12 to $15 per day for assistant guides and cooks. These suggested figures are per group, not per person.

Season

• Jan
• Feb
• Mar
• Apr
• May
• Jun
• Jul
• Aug
• Sep
• Oct
• Nov
• Dec

Meeting point

Kilimanjaro International Airport - KIA (JRO)
Kilimanjaro Airport Road
Makao Mapya
Tanzania

Getting to Tanzania

• It's best to fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). KLM flies to JRO from all major UK airports, with a number of flights from US international airports.
• Transfers are arranged to transport participants from the airport to the hotel.

Itinerary

• Day 1 | Arrival in Tanzania

  Fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport, then take the transfer to the hotel. Pre-trek briefing with guides and the group. 

• Day 2 | Rongai to First Cave Camp

  Transfer to Marangu Gate to register at the National Park, before a further transfer to Rongai Gate to start the trek. The initial ascent leads through the village of Nale Moru. Follow a small winding path through cereal fields before climbing gently through a pine forest to reach First Cave Camp. 

• Day 3 | First Cave Camp to Kikelewa Camp

  Follow the trail towards Kibo, passing Second Cave, before reaching Kikelewa Caves, at an altitude of 3600m. Camp here overnight with plenty of time to enjoy the spectacular views.

• Day 4 | Kikelewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn

  A short, steep climb through grassy slopes leads to wonderful views of the surrounding area. Ascending through the last of the vegetation, arrive at Mawenzi Tarn, at 4330m, in a phenomenal situation, directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. Afternoon free to explore. 

• Day 5 | Mawenzi Tarn

  A day of acclimatisation around Mawenzi Tarn, with several hiking trails offering the chance to take on board more altitude training in preparation for the summit bid.

• Day 6 | Mawenzi Tarn to Kibo Camp

  Hike through a lunar landscape, crossing between Mawenzi and Kibo, to reach the Kibo Campsite at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. An early conclusion to the day, to prepare for the summit bid. 

• Day 7 | Summit Day

  Waking at around 2330, take tea and biscuits before leaving in search of the summit. Follow a rocky path to the Hans Mayer point, before following a number of switchbacks as the path climbs to Gilman's Point at 5681m. This is a very steep section with scree fields, testing both physical and mental resilience. From Gilman's point there is usually snow all the way to the summit. Arrive at the summit of Kilimanjaro at 5985m to drink in the views and take photographs. It's a three hour descent to Kibo Hut, before continuing to Horombo hut, a further three hours hike. Enjoy the last evening meal on the mountain before a hard-earned sleep. 

• Day 8 | Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate

  After breakfast, hike down to Marangu Gate to collect the summit certificate. transfer to the hotel for a shower and celebration.

• Day 9 | Departure

  Transfer to the airport to start the journey home. 

Included

• Hotel accommodation before and after your climb
• Airport transfers
• Transfers to and from the mountain
• National Park entry, camping, climbing and rescue fees
• A fully supported climb (average ratio of support staff to climbers is 4:1)
• All meals and drinking water on the mountain
• A clean and private portable toilet (no long drops for you!)
• High quality dining tent and sleeping tents with comfortable foam mattress
• Access to emergency oxygen and first aid kit
• A certificate documenting your summit ascent

Not Included

• Flights
• Visas
• Tips for your guide and crew
• Travel insurance (you must be insured for trekking up to 6000m)
• Your personal trekking gear
• Snacks on the mountain
• Meals and drinks not on the mountain

This trip takes responsibility seriously and ‘goes the extra mile’ to ensure that your presence in this country is entirely positive.

Central to this is

• Caring for the crew
• Caring for the local environment
• Caring for the local communities

All guides and partners are hand picked to ensure that every aspect of your trip operates to the highest standard and reflect the strong values, ethics and joy of travel.

This commitment to Responsible Travel is mutually beneficial without compromising the countries and communities touched or the depth and uniqueness of your adventure.

Key values of this trip

• Leave nothing behind
• We’re the visitors, let’s be respectful at all times
• Deliver a breathtaking experience
• Let’s benefit local communities and environments

Let’s help keep these wonderful places precious.

Porters and crew

All crew are paid proper wages and are treated with respect and dignity. This trip with IMEC, IPPG and KPAP, all not-for-profit organisations that focus on improving the working conditions of porters.

Friends of Conservation

Travellers are given the opportunity to mitigate some of the environmental impacts of flying by supporting community and conservation initiatives.

Travellers Against Plastic

This trip is a proud supporter of the Leave No Trace and Travellers Against Plastic campaigns, which help educate travellers on the impact of travel and provide practical guidance for enjoying the outdoors responsibly.

Costs

Throughout the climb, both Andrew and Filbert were the most amazing guides we could have wished for: very supportive, happy to share their knowledge and fun to be around! The team of porters & the chef were great too. I still don't know how the chef managed to cook all the delicious food (incl. 2 birthday cakes) in high altitude! I would definitely recommend booking with this company, and will consider them for any of my future adventure trips! | EE

All in all I can’t say enough about how impressed we all were with the people that made up the team of guides, porters, waiter, and cook. After getting to know them over the course of our trek and seeing the makeup of other groups we passed along the way, it’s very evident that this company treats their workers excellent and still provides some of the best quality in a guide company you could hope for. My only regret is that we used a cheaper company for the Safari afterwards and realized the mistake we had made immediately. | Daniel