This non-technical Kilimanjaro camping route is the only one to start from the Northern side of the mountain. Rongai approaches the main Kilimanjaro (Kibo) cone from the Northeast which usually is drier (helping avoid rainfall) and descends via the Marangu route on the Southeast. Though we consider this less physically demanding than other routes (no scrambling sections as you get on the southern circuit routes), short treks do not offer acclimatization opportunities and the easier walk may catch up with you at the higher altitudes, however more days spent on the Mountain increase your chance to summit.
Your guide will visit your base lodge / pre climb lodge the day before your trek to do a briefing and coordinate the start time the next day. The next morning you should see your guide and our vehicle at your lodge reception or in the parking area. If you cannot see our driver / guide you can ask the reception of your lodge to get in touch.
Our guide will visit your pre climb lodge the day before your trek to do a briefing and coordinate the start time the next day. You can make your own way to our headquarters near Moshi town and you will see our company board on the street with a black and green gate to enter our office.
You will be transferred by road from Moshi town (09:00am) to Rongai gate. After registration you begin your trek through the rain forest zone with your guide. The forest thins out quickly on this remote and drier side of the mountain and you reach your camp on the edge of the forest and heather zone near the caves.
Today’s hike takes you further up towards the Kibo cone and into the lower alpine heather & moorland zone through a more barren landscape than the day before and heading towards the second group of caves near the Second cave camp where you will stop for the night. You may venture further up for acclimatization and views of the Kibo cone and Eastern Icefields on the crater rim or rest for the next day.
Today’s hike takes you further through the heather & moorland zone diverting towards the third peak of Kilimanjaro (Mawenzi) on the south easy of the massif and one that is rarely climbed. The landscape changes from the morning and you stop near the Kikelelwa caves for your nights camp.
Today’s hike is a short and steep one through a grassy slope and into the alpine desert. You continue your movement south-east towards the Mawenzi cone where the landscape dramatically changes. Your camp for tonight is inside of the Mawenzi ridge and near the tarn lake. You can also optionally venture out further with your guide for acclimatization walks.
Your hike today takes you back towards the Kibo cone steadily climbing up and over the edges of the alpine desert journeying through the ‘saddle’ between the Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. The environment becomes more barren and air thinner as you ascend to your base camp where you will rest for the summit journey starting tonight.
In the early morning (around 00:00am) you begin your final ascent to the summit of Uhuru peak through the arctic zone. The trek is a steep hike over loose volcanic scree through the dark and cold night and takes a slow pace in a zig-zag pattern towards Gilman’s Point (5681m or 18640ft) which is your first stop on the Kibo crater rim. From here a short (but difficult) hike remains to take you past Stella point (the first stop on the rim for those summiting from Barafu camp / the Southern circuit) and further around till Uhuru Peak (5895m or 19341ft), the highest point in Africa. You usually don’t spend that long at the peak due to the extreme altitude and will descend back down to the base camp for your breakfast / brunch. After your gear is packed up you continue the descent through the alpine desert, heather and moorland where you stop for the night.
Your final day on Kilimanjaro is a descent through the southeastern rain forest zone until Marangu gate where our vehicle will be waiting to take you back to Moshi town. Usually, the crew will leave you at Marangu gate and it’s a perfect opportunity to say goodbye and a great location to hand your optional tip to the crew as a token of your appreciation.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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