RONGAI ROUTE MOUNT KILIMANJARO (LOITOKOK ROUTE)
Are you looking for a less popular route on Kilimanjaro?
Then an option is Rongai. Starting from the North- east side of the mountain near the Kenyan border, the
Rongai route up Kilimanjaro rises above the Amboselli plains and approached the summit of Kilimanjaro east of the Mawenzi peaks. The route is also known as
Loitokok or the old Outward Bound Hut route up Kilimanjaro. It is an unfrequented route and is also the easiest camping approach to Uhuru Peak.
The route approaches Kilimanjaro from the northern side at Loitokok Park gate
over by
the Kenyan side of the mountain after a long drive of about 4 hours from Moshi. The route heads through the forest on an unspoilt, remote and less popular
trail as a direct approach towards Kibo huts. There are chances to see herds of Buffalo if you are lucky and you also get a chance to see a number of caves formed from the volcanic eruption of Kilimanjaro. However because of the constant
altitude gain of the route does not allow for the application of the climb high and sleep low principle and hikers generally suffer more from altitude sickness
along Rongai route compared to other routes. For this reason an extra day
acclimatisation is advised.
Rongai climb can be done in as little as six days but this yields lower success rates. Descent is made via the Marangu route.
Overview
Day-1: Meet at Kilimanjaro International Airport
Day-2: Rongai Gate (1950m) - 1st Caves camp (2600m):
Day-3: 1st Caves (2600m) - Kikelewa Cave (3600m):
Day-4: Kikelewa Cave (3600) - Mawenzi Tarn camp (4330m):
Day-5: Mawenzi Tarn camp (4330m) - Kibo hut (4700m):
Day-6: SUMMIT DAY
Day-7: Mandara Huts - Marangu Gate
Day-9: Depart
Fast Facts
Yes you do. We (Nomadic Adventures) do not allow anyone to climb with us unless they have adequate travel insurance. Adequate, means you must be covered for
1) trekking or hiking - this may sound strange, but many insurance list that as an exclusion.
2) altitude up to 6,000 meters. Most travel insurance providers do not include this under their standard cover and often limit it to 3500m or less.
3) Sprains strains and physiotherapy - yes, many insurers exclude this, though ironically, this is what you will most likely need cover for.
4) personal accident - this is the horrible part of insurance. Yes, you need to be covered in the case of death. We are often told by clients - "if anything happens to me, just leave me there." It is not that simple. Bodies need to be brought home or laid to rest overseas, and this can run into thousands of dollars, creating a huge burden on family members.
We will assist in helping you provide good cover.
If you need cover or simply a quote, follow the
details herewith:. Once you have done your initial quote, you will need to upgrade your cover to include altitudes up to 6000m.
Towards the bottom of the page you will see a
section called, Options: Upgrade your cover.
Click the link called 'View Adventure Sports Benefits'. A blue pop up screen will open. Look for the level of cover required for 'trekking to 6,000 meters' or 'hiking to 6,000 meters'. Depending on your country it is usually a level 1 or 2. Note: we are not insurance experts and it is your responsibility
to ensure you have correct and adequate cover.
For further answers to other general questions on Kilimanjaro, click on the questions on the left
Detailed Itinerary
Day-1: Arrive Kilimanjaro
Day-2: Rongai Gate (1950m) - 1st Caves camp (2600m):
Elevation: 1,950m ft to 2,600mDistance: 8 km/5 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
Register at the Marangu park gate with a transfer (approximately 2 .5 hours) to the Rongai trekking start point. Meet your guide and porters before you begin your hike from the Nale Moru village at the start of the Rongai route. The small winding path crosses maize fields before entering a pine forest with a gradual climbs. The trail is not at all steep, but rather a gentle hike through beautiful country. The forest begins to thin out before you reach first cave later towards the afternoon. The first night's camp is at First Cave at about 2,600 metres. There is a toilet and a wooden table with benches, but no hut. Water can be found just down the trail below First Cave .
Day-3: 1st Caves (2600m) - Kikelewa Cave (3600m):
Elevation: 2,600m to 3,600mDistance: 12 km/8 miles
Hiking Time: 6-7 hours
Habitat: Heath Zone
The Rongai trail continues to Kibo with magnificent views of the Eastern ice fields on Kibo Crater rim. We will pass Second Cave (3450m) en-route, and start out across the Kikelewa moorlands under the jagged and imposing, Mawenzi peaks, reaching Kikelwa Cave at about 3600 metres. Overnight at 3rd Cave camp with magnificent Scenios nearby Kikelewa Caves .
Day-4: Kikelewa Cave (3600) - Mawenzi Tarn camp (4330m):
Elevation: 3,600m to 4,330mDistance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
A short but steep climb up grassy slopes offering superb views of this wilderness area. Here, we will leave the moorland region behind and quickly enter into the lunar alpine desert stretched out between the imposing peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo. We will camp at Mawenzi Tarn spectacularly situated in the shadows of Mawenzi. Spend the afternoon acclimatizing and exploring the area.
Day-5: Mawenzi Tarn camp (4330m) - Kibo hut (4700m):
Elevation: 4,330m to 4,700mDistance: 8 km/5 miles
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Continue ascending along the east side of Kibo along the Rongai trail, crossing the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo taking 4 to 5 hours to reach Kibo Hut. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent, which begins around midnight. Overnight at Kibo Camp
Day-6: SUMMIT DAY
Elevation: 4,700m to 5,895m to 3,700mDistance: 24 km/14 miles
Hiking Time: 10-15 hours
Habitat: Alpine Arctic to Heath Zone
Wake at around 11pm and prepare for the summit ascent. This part of the hike is carried out early in the morning before dawn so that you reach Kilimanjaro Uhuru Peak around sunrise. After climbing steadily up a zig-zag path Gilmans Point lies ahead where you can get to see views of the crater from Gilmans Point. Another 2 hours of hiking will bring you to t Uhuru Peak (19,340 ft) at about 8:30 am, summit of Kilimanjaro. From there you trek back to Kibo Huts, collect your things and cross the vast plateau again at Horombo Huts to spend the night. After eating dinner, it is time for well-deserved sleep.
Day-7: Mandara Huts
Elevation: 3,700m to 1,860mDistance: 20 km/12 miles
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
Wake, pack and descend along the same route to Mandara Huts for lunch, before trekking down to the Marangu park gate to meet your transport back to Moshi. Those climbers who climbed to Gilmans Point (5700m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates for your Rongai Route climb on Kilimanjaro.
Day-8:
After breakfast, transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for you flight home.End of services
What's Included
Price includes
Return Kilimanjaro airport transfers
Three meals a day on trek except for last day of trek
All park entry fees
All porter, guide and cook fees
Kilimanjaro emergency rescue fees
Kilimanjaro Rongai Route Park permit for 7 days
Camping fees for the Rongai Route
Tents on Mt Kilimanjaro
Dining tent, chairs, utensils etc.
Sleeping mattresses for Mt Kilimanjaro
Four night's bed and breakfast at Moshi Springlands Hotel twin share
Price Excludes
Mandatory travel and medical insurance
Tips, baggage and porterage
Laundry
Bottled water
Meals other than those indicated
Visa's and vaccinations
International flights
Costs for giving up the expedition (no refunds applicable)
Costs incurred for returning to the hotel earlier than expected (From $70 per night)
Extra transfer across to Loitokok Gate
Pros and Cons
There is very little forest to walk through so you miss the forest scenes.
It is a direct approach route with little chance for climb high sleep low acclimatisation.
Longer drive around to the start guide which means a higher cost with the transfer
Very quiet seldom used route for the first few days
Stunning views across the Saddle and also Mawenzi Peaks
Chance to see Colobus monkeys and possibly game
Suggestions
Add on a day at Mawenzi Tarn Camp for an acclimatisation trek
Route Profile Map
6th Jul 2018: Rongai 7 days
11th Jul 2018: Rongai 7 days,
15th Jul 2018: Rongai 6 days, Rongai 7 days
17th Jul 2018: Rongai 6 days,
19th Jul 2018: Rongai 7 days
22nd Jul 2018: Rongai 7 days
23rd Jul 2018: Rongai 7 days
8th Aug 2018: Rongai 7 days
19th Aug 2018: Rongai 7 days
40 minutes drive to Machame Gate
Scenic but steep
Good for acclimatisation
Starts in forest and joins Lemosho and Shira
Summit via Barafu Hut and Stella Point
Sleep in Tents
Descend via Mweka
Machame Route
3 hour drive to Park Gate
Scenic and quiet
Good for acclimatisation
Starts in forest and joins Lemosho and Machame
Summit via Barafu Hut and Stella Point
Sleep in Tents
Descend via Mweka
Shira Itinerary
3 hour drive to Park Gate
Scenic, quiet, longer approach
Good for acclimatisation
Starts in forest and joins Machame and Shira routes
Summit via Barafu Hut and Stella Point
Sleep in Tents
Descend via Mweka
Lemosho Route
30 minutes road to Marangu Gate
Busy route
Less scenic - same ascent and descent
Need tan extra day for acclimatisation
Route joins Northern Circuit and Rongai Route
Summit via Kibo Hut and Gilman's Point
Sleep in Huts
Descend via Marangu Route
Marangu Route
4 Hour drive to Shira Gate
Very Quiet
Less scenic but longer approach
Start higher but route is good for acclimatisation
Route joins Rongai and Marangu Routes
Summit via Kibo Hut and Gilman's Point
Sleep in Tents
Descend via Marangu Route
Northern Circuit Route
40 Minute drive to Umbwe Gate
Very Quiet
Very steep and fast approach
Poor chances for acclimatisation
Route joins Shira, Lemosho and Machame
Summit via Kibo Hut and Gilman's Point
Sleep in Tents
Descend via Mweka
Umbwe Route
These treks are designed for people with less time available or who do not want to go for summit. They range from 1 to 4 days on Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro Short Treks
Mt Meru
Mt Meru is a great pre-acclimatisation trek before Kilimanjaro or a stand alone trek. These treks are 3-4 days
Mt Meru page
There are several options to tag on a safari tour in either Tanzania or Kenya after your Kilimanjaro trek. The shortest safari is
from 3 days to 9 or longer if you prefer.
Safari Tours
Frequently Asked Questions