7 Days Rongai Route
Duration
5 Days
Max People
10
Tour Type
Climbing
Kilimanjaro
The Rongai Route is an easy and quiet path up Mount Kilimanjaro. It starts from the north side, near the Kenya border, and offers great views throughout the trek. It’s less crowded, making it a peaceful choice for climbers. The route is good for beginners and has a high success rate. You descend on the beautiful Marangu side.
- Begins on Kilimanjaro’s quiet north side near the Kenya border.
- Gentle climb with a very high success rate to the summit.
- A less crowded path with peaceful surroundings every day.
- Beautiful views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks throughout the trek.
- Walk through forest, moorland, and alpine desert zones.
- Descent takes you through the green Marangu rainforest trail.
Arrival Day: Welcome to Tanzania
Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, our team will welcome you and take you to your hotel in Moshi. You can relax and recover from your flight. In the evening, your mountain guide will meet you for a full briefing. He will explain the climb, check your gear, and help with renting anything you might need.
Day 1: Rongai Gate to Simba Camp
We begin with a drive from Moshi to Nale Moru village. On the way, we stop at Marangu to register our permits. The hike starts through farmlands and fields of maize and potatoes. As you move higher, the trail enters a peaceful pine forest. The walk is gentle and takes 3–4 hours. We reach Simba Camp near the edge of the moorland, with wide views over the plains.
- Elevation: 2,000m to 2,650m
- Distance: 6 km / 4 mi
- Time: 3–4 hours
- Habitat: Montane Forest
Day 2: Simba Camp to Second Cave Camp
We hike through moorland, where the trees grow shorter and the land becomes more open. The trail climbs slowly as we head to Second Cave Camp. You’ll get beautiful views of the Kibo ice fields and the wide landscape below. This day is perfect for helping your body adjust to the higher altitude.
- Elevation: 2,650m to 3,450m
- Distance: 6 km / 4 mi
- Time: 3–4 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
Day 3: Second Cave to Kikelewa Camp
We continue through the moorland, walking on smaller trails toward the sharp peaks of Mawenzi. The air gets cooler, and the land is more open. We pass rocky paths and giant plants like Senecios. Kikelewa Camp is in a small, sheltered valley, making it a good place to rest and enjoy the mountain view.
- Elevation: 3,450m to 3,600m
- Distance: 9 km / 5 mi
- Time: 2–3 hours
- Habitat: Semi-desert
Day 4: Kikelewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn
This day includes a short but steep climb. You hike up grassy slopes with amazing views all around. As you get higher, the land becomes dry and rocky. Mawenzi Tarn Camp sits below the tall peaks of Mawenzi. After reaching camp, you can relax or take a short walk to help with acclimatisation.
- Elevation: 3,600m to 4,330m
- Distance: 6 km / 4 mi
- Time: 3–4 hours
- Habitat: Semi-desert
Day 5: Mawenzi Tarn to Kibo Hut
Today’s hike crosses a wide, dry area called the “Saddle,” a desert-like space between Mawenzi and Kibo. The trail is long and flat, but the high altitude can make it feel tough. We reach Kibo Hut early in the afternoon. You will rest here, eat an early dinner, and prepare your gear for the midnight summit push.
- Elevation: 4,330m to 4,750m
- Distance: 9 km / 5 mi
- Time: 4–5 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Day 6: Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut
We wake at midnight and start the climb to the summit. The path is steep and full of loose rocks. After 6–8 hours, we reach Gilman’s Point, then continue another hour to Uhuru Peak (5,895m), the top of Africa. After taking photos, we descend back to Kibo for lunch, then continue down to Horombo Hut for a well-earned rest.
- Elevation: 4,750m to 5,895m (summit), then down to 3,700m
- Distance: 6 km up / 15 km down
- Time: 6–8 hrs up / 6–8 hrs down
- Habitat: Arctic to Moorland
Day 7: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate & Departure
After breakfast, we begin our final descent. We pass through moorland and then re-enter the rainforest zone. You may see monkeys and birds along the way. The trail ends at Marangu Gate. Here, you’ll receive your summit certificate. Our driver will take you back to Moshi or the airport, depending on your schedule.
- Elevation: 3,700m to 1,700m
- Distance: 20 km / 12.5 mi
- Time: 4–5 hours
- Habitat: Rainforest
- Purified drinking water
- Professional guides and cooks
- Four-season sleeping tents (twin-sharing)
- Mess tent with chairs and a table
- Park fees and camping fees
- Sleeping mattress
- All meals during the trek
- Rescue and conservation fees
- Emergency oxygen
- Kilimanjaro summit certificate
- Salaries for guides, porters, and cooks
- Transfers to/from the mountain
- VAT (18% Tanzanian Government Tax)
- Large, healthy meal portions
- Hotel stay (available as an add-on)
- Tanzania visa
- Drinks like beer and soda
- Online payment surcharge (5%)
- Laundry, calls, or personal items
- Airport transfers (add-on option)
- Tips for the crew
- Flights (international/domestic)
- Meals not shown in the itinerary
- Travel insurance
- Rental gear (boots, clothes, bags)
Kilimanjaro
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