Kilimanjaro Climb Rongai Route 8 Days Tour with 4 Reviews by Zara Tours

8 daysDuration

Private TourPrivate experience, no group joining

15 peopleMaximum group size

5 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

English, Spanish, TanzanianGuide language

5895mHighest point reached

Starts

Moshi, Tanzania

Ends

Moshi, Tanzania

Highlights

High success rate of getting to the summit.

Amazing adventure on a less crowded route up to the peak.

Itinerary

Zara Tours leads treks up the unique Rongai Route known to be more scenic than the Marangu Route, easier than the Machame Route, and the success rate on the Rongai is very high. Unlike the Marangu Route where you sleep in huts, on the Rongai you sleep in tents (tents are included), and our porters will pitch your tent for you. Meals are served in a dinner tent or on a blanket outside.

The Kilimanjaro Rongai route starts on the north side of the mountain just south of the Kenyan border, and is one of the least traveled routes. The Rongai route joins the Marangu route before the summit climb, then you descend the Marangu Route on the mountain's southeast side.

day 1 - Arrival and overnight at Springland hotel or similar

Arrive at the Kilimanjaro International Airport. You will be met at the airport and transferred to the Springlands Hotel or similar hotel in Moshi for your overnight.

Accommodation: Hotel

day 2 - Trek start date

Your day starts early with breakfast and a briefing. Transfer by Land Rover through many villages and coffee plantations for 4-5 hours to the attractive wooden village of Nale Muru (1,950m / 6,398 ft). After signing in and preparing the porters, you begin the hike on a wide path winding through fields of maize and potatoes, then enter pine forest. You then start to climb gently but consistently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife. The forest begins to thin and Simba Camp (2,600m / 8,530 ft) is near the “First Cave” at the edge of the moorland zone with extensive views over the Kenyan plains.

Accommodation: Camping

day 3 - Trek up to the Second Cave

Your morning walk is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave. En route, you will enjoy superb views of Kibo and the eastern ice fields on the crater rim.

Accommodation: Camping

day 4 - Trek up to the Third Cave

Your continuing steady ascent takes you up to the Third Cave. Closer now, the eastern ice fields on the crater rim continue to draw you upwards. On this day, be careful to notice any signs of altitude sickness.

Accommodation: Guest house

day 5 - Trek from Third Cave to Kibo Hut

Today, you hike up to the Kibo Huts at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall, and this is where you join the popular Marangu Route. Plan on doing your hike early in the day, then resting in preparation for your final ascent. Prepare your equipment and warm clothing for your summit climb, then turn in early.

Accommodation: Camping

day 6 - Trek from Kibo Hut - Uhuru Peak - Horombo Hut

Wake at midnight to a light breakfast, then prepare for your summit ascent. The goal is to climb before dawn so that you can reach Uhuru Peak shortly after sunrise. Leave at 1 AM, switchback up steep scree or possibly snow, and reach Gilman’s Point on the crater rim at 5,861m / 18,640 ft between 5 and 7 AM. Here, views of the fabled crater and its icecaps greet you. Another 2 hours of hiking along the crater rim near the celebrated snows takes you to Kilimanjaro’s true summit, Uhuru Peak, by 9 AM. This is Africa’s highest point, and you would have to travel more than 3,000 miles toward the Himalayas to find a higher peak! Be sure to have your picture taken at the summit to show your friends. After your summit stay, descend back to the Kibo Huts, have lunch, rest, collect your things, and re cross the saddle to the Horombo Huts. Eat dinner and get some well-deserved sleep!

You do the beginning of this climb in the dark with headlamps or flashlights. It will be very cold until you start descending, so you will need all of your warm layers. This is, by far, the most difficult part of the trek. Slowly slowly, or, “pole pole,” and an optimistic attitude will get you there!

Accommodation: Camping

day 7 - Trek from Horombo Hut - Madara Hut - Moshi

Wake as usual, pack, and descend through the moorland to the Mandara Huts. Have lunch there then continue your triumphant recessional down through lush forest to the park gate, which you should reach around 2 or 3 PM. Remember to tip your guides, cooks, and porters,since you will be leaving them here. A vehicle will take you back to the Springlands Hotel or similar hotel in Moshi, where it is definitely time for celebration!

Accommodation: Hotel

day 8 - Depart for the airport

Depart for the airport or other destinations in Tanzania or Kenya. A trip to the beaches at Zanzibar is a good way to recuperate. We can arrange many reasonably priced trips and safaris around Moshi and the Kilimanjaro region.

Get Trip Brochure & Exclusive Discount

Download a detailed PDF brochure and unlock an exclusive discount for this tour

What's Included

Certified, experienced, English-speaking guide.National Park gate Fees.Transport from Moshi to the climb starting point on mountain and return to Moshi.Hut/camping fees and tentsPorters’ SalariesRescue fees ( required by the national Park)All Meals on the mountain.Two nights’ accommodation in Moshi bed and breakfast, double or triple occupancyTents foam sleeping pads, cooking equipment’s and eating utensils.Oximeters are available upon request.

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

Read what other travelers have to say about Kilimanjaro Climb Rongai Route 8 Days

5.0

based on 4 reviews

Tour Availability

Select your preferred departure date and secure your spot

Loading availability...

Monthly Price Comparison

Good to Know

Cancellation

Payment

Travel Insurance

Do you need help from our trip consultants?

If you have any question about this tour or need help with planning a trip, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.

Our travel experts are ready to help.

Why Book with Bookmundi

Earn USD 73+ in travel credits.

Best price guaranteed.

No credit card or booking fees.

100% financial protection.Bookmundi is a member of the Danish Travel Fund which guarantees for any payment made via us. Our guarantee covers all travelers, irrespective of nationality.

Carbon neutral tours.Algorithms and machine learning enables Bookmundi to calculate the carbon footprint for each tour. We then subsequently offset carbon emissions for all tour bookings on Bookmundi via investments in carbon reduction projects to help combat climate change.

25,000+ trip reviews, with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5.

What are customers saying about Bookmundi

4.67/5

Excellent based on 808 customer reviews from

Anonymous

Sistema di prenotazione semplice e intuibile. In caso di necessità le istruzioni presenti sul sito sono risultate utili e chiare. Nessun problema riscontrato

5 days ago

Europe

Asia

South America

Africa

North America

Oceania

Polar

Food, wine, events and nightlife

Adventure and sport

Wildlife, landscapes and nature

Boat tours, water sports and marine wildlife

Sightseeing, attractions, culture and history

Air tours, road trips and transfers

Beach, romance, getaways and relaxation

Special interests and hobbies

Hi there

Highlights

Itinerary