Overview
Enjoy a 7 days ascent of the iconic and enormous Mount Kilimanjaro along the Rongai Route with one of our experienced tour operators. Would you like to discover an alternative route to the top of Kilimanjaro? Then join this amazing Rongai Route Kili ascent and enjoy an unforgettable 7-day adventure in Tanzania. The Rongai Route, near the Kenyan border, is a great alternative route to reach the top of the stunning Kilimanjaro, which stands tall as the highest mountain in Africa at an altitude of 5,895 m (19,341 ft).
This route approaches the summit from the less forested north face and is a great alternative for those that prefer to climb a less crowded route to the top of Kili. This route is also less steep and less rainy than other routes up this famous mountain. Keep in mind that you will need a good fitness level to climb Kilimanjaro. Prior mountaineering experience is also a plus. Of course, we will be there every step of the way to help and guide you to the top of the stunning Kilimanjaro
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive In Tanzania
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town; you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented on this day.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 2: Nalemoru Gate (1990m) To Simba Camp (2625m)
This morning we will drive to the village of Nale Moru for the starting point of the Rongai route. The first stage of the trek is through farmland and pine forests. You may have a chance to see the beautiful Colobus monkeys or if you’re lucky enough, elephants or buffalos en route. Our first camp will be the Simba Camp located at the edge of the moorland zone at 2625m.
- Distance covered: 8km / 5mi
- time took: 4 – 5 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 3: Simba Camp (2626m) – Kikelewa Camp (3679m)
We hike from Simba camp up towards Kibo till 3 482m for lunch at First Caves, a distance of 5.8km. After lunch, we continue trekking until reaching Kikelewa Camp at about 3679 meters. The views start to open up and you begin to feel you’re on a really big mountain! Water can be found in an obvious stream below the cave, although you might have to wander downhill a way to find a pool or two. Enjoy dinner and overnight at Kikelewa camp.
- time took: 6 – 7 hours
- Distance: Approximately 11.8 km
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 4: Kikelewa Cave (3679m) – Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4303m)
A short but steep climb up grassy slopes offers superb views of this wilderness area. The vegetation zone ends shortly before you reach your next camp at Mawenzi Tarn spectacularly situated beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. Spend the afternoon acclimatizing and exploring the area.
- Distance covered: 8km / 5mi
- time took: 4 – 5 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 5: Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4303m) – Kibo Hut (4730m)
After breakfast, we head west and continue ascending on the east side of Kibo 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 hut.
- Distance covered: 8km / 5mi
- time took: 5 – 6 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 6 – Kibo Hut (4730m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo Hut (3705m)
You will rise around 23h20, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night, and this is where the going really gets tough. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), also a good resting spot.
The path then zigzags up to Gillman’s point (5 681m), which is located on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot of stone scree, requiring great physical and mental effort. This is probably the most demanding section of the entire route. Do the Kili shuffle and move slowly. From Gillmans Point you will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa.
Total exhilaration and satisfaction – you made I Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long you will be able to spend, taking photographs, before the 3-hour descent back to Kibo hut. After a short rest at Kibo hot, you gather all the gear you left behind for the ascent and head down to Horombo hut (3 hours) for your overnight. The return to Horombo hut will seem surprisingly fast compared to the ascent. The total time spent walking on this day is around 14 hours, so be prepared for a very tough day. Later in the evening, you enjoy your last dinner (with soft drinks and beer for sale at the camp office) on the mountain and a well-earned sleep, filled with memories and stirring emotions.
- time took: 7 to 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, 6 to 8 hours to descend to Horombo
- Distance: Approx 12 – 15 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 7: Horombo Hut (3705m) – Marangu Gate (1860m)
After breakfast you continue your descent (6 hours), passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate. It is strongly recommended not to pay your porters any tips until you and all your gear have reached the gate safely.
At Marangu gate, you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Gillman’s Point (5685m) are issued green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m), receive gold certificates.
You now drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower, dinner descent bed, and celebrations!!
- Hiking time: 6 hours
- Distance: Approximately 29 km
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 8: Depart Tanzania
The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some gift shops before heading to the airport.
*Safari, Zanzibar, and other add-ons are available if you wish to continue exploring Tanzania
- Meals: Breakfast Included
Price includes:
- Private transport to & from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your accommodations in Moshi.
- 2 nights of accommodation in Moshi in FULL BOARD (FB).
- Transportation to & from the Kilimanjaro gate
- Park entry fees,
- Camping fees
- Crater fee (if any)
- Team Kilimanjaro Rescue fees
- 18% VAT on tour fees & services
- 4 Season mountain tents
- Double layered Sleeping Mats 4 inches (10cm) thick
- Friendly and professional mountain guides, cooks, and porters
- 3 meals daily while on the mountain
- Enough treated & filtered drinking water throughout the trek
- Hot water for washing
- Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
- Government taxes
- Portable oxygen tanks
- Ox meter
- Emergency first-aid kit
- Portable flush toilet with a toilet and tent
- Mountain climbing certificates
Price excludes:
- Drinks at your hotel before and after the climb.
- Travel Insurance
- Flights
- Laundry (Available at the hotel)
- Personal items and toiletries
- Tips for guides, porters, and cook
