Seven-Day Kilimanjaro Climb: Rongai Route

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Trekking and Hiking Climbing Guided and Escorted Customizable

Carbon neutral

7 daysDuration

Private TourPrivate experience, no group joining

25 peopleMaximum group size

7 - 79 yearsAge range for participants

English, French, German, SpanishGuide language

5895mHighest point reached

Starts

Moshi, Tanzania

Ends

Moshi, Tanzania

Highlights

Climb Mt Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, via Rongai route

Approach the mountain from its northeastern part & descend via the Marangu route

Spend the first few days hiking through a relatively flat surface

Rongai route is considered an excellent alternative to the Marangu route & is less crowded

Seven-Day Kilimanjaro Climb: Rongai Route

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Rasmus Juul Olsen

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Itinerary

The Rongai route is the only trail that starts from the northern, or Kenyan, side of Mount Kilimanjaro. Because of its remote location, this route offers trekkers a relatively unspoilt wilderness experience whereby climbers can see large wildlife like antelopes, elephants and buffalos. Additionally, since the northeastern side of the mountain receives significantly less moisture than the southern slopes, climbers are less likely to encounter rain and there is a high chance of enjoying clear, unclouded views of the mountain.

Join us on this seven-day, guided journey to the top of Africa through the route less taken. We will pick you up on arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport and drive you to your hotel in Moshi. Your journey starts on the second day with a drive from Moshi to Marangu Park Gate.

The trek starts in earnest from the Rongai trailhead. Ascend to the top via Simba Camp, Kikelewa Cave, Mawenzi Tarn Camp and Kibo Hut. Although the Rongai route is flatter than other Mount Kilimanjaro routes, the push to the summit from Kibo Hut is steep and follows the same path taken by those using the Marangu route. Once you have summited the mountain, the descent is made through the Marangu route.

Please note that the tour price also includes two night's accommodation in Moshi, one night each before and after the climb. For more details, please scroll down.

day 1 - Moshi – Rongai Gate (1,950m) – Simba Camp (2,600m)

We will pick up from your hotel in Moshi and drive you to Marangu Park Gate, where you will complete the formalities. The journey takes two and a half hours. A three-hour transfer from the gate will take you to the Rongai trailhead, the starting point of your journey.

Meet your guide and porters before starting your hike from Nale Moru village. The small winding path crosses maize fields before entering a pine forest through which it climbs gently. Spend the first night at Simba Camp, located 2,600 meters above sea level. There is a toilet and a wooden table with benches but no hut in the camp. The source of water is just down the trail below the camp.

Total walking distance: 8km

Habitat: Montana forest

Accommodation: Camping

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

day 2 - Simba Camp – Second Cave Camp

Leave Simba Camp after breakfast. Hike slowly to acclimatize your body until you reach Second Cave Camp (3,450m ). Enjoy your hot lunch on arrival and take rest.

Accommodation: Camping

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

day 3 - Second Cave Camp – Kikelewa Cave (3,600m)

Leave Second Cave Camp after breakfast and continue your journey up the mountain. Your day comes to an end on reaching Kikelewa Cave, located at an elevation of 3,600 metres. There is a stream below the cave for water, although you might have to wander downhill to find some.

Accommodation: Camping

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

day 4 - Kikelewa Cave – Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,330m)

A short but steep climb up grassy slopes offers superb views of this area. The landscape becomes more arid as you move further up to your next camp, which is spectacularly located beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. Spend the afternoon acclimatising and exploring the area.

Accommodation: Camping

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

day 5 - Mawenzi Tarn Camp – Kibo Hut (4,700m)

By now, you would have left vegetation behind and entered into an alpine desert. Continue your ascent from the east side of Kibo, crossing the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo. It takes between four to five hours to reach Kibo Hut, where you will spend the night.

Spend the remainder of the day resting and preparing for the final ascent, which starts at around midnight.

Accommodation: Camping

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

day 6 - Kibo Hut – Uhuru Peak – Horombo Hut

Wake up shortly before midnight, at 11:30 pm, and, after some tea and biscuits, shuffle off into the darkness. This is where the going really gets tough. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to Hans Meyer Cave (5,150m), also a good resting spot.

The path then zigzags up to the Gillman’s Point (5,681m), which is located on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot of stone scree, requiring a great degree of physical and mental effort. This is also probably the most demanding section in the entire route. From the Gillman’s Point, you will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru Peak (5,895m), the highest point in Africa.

You made it. Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long you can stay here. Enjoy the view and take photographs before starting your three-hour descent back to Kibo Hut for a short rest. A further three-hour descent brings you to Horombo Hut where you will stay overnight. The descent to Horombo will seem surprisingly fast compared to the ascent.

You will spend around 14 hours hiking today. Later in the evening, enjoy your last dinner in the mountain followed by a well-earned sleep.

Accommodation: Camping

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

day 7 - Horombo Hut – Marangu Gate – Moshi

Continue the downhill journey after breakfast, traveling past Mandara Hut and down to the Marangu Gate. It takes around six hours to get back to the gate. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates.

Those climbers who reached the Gillman’s Point (5,685m) are issued green certificates while those who reached Uhuru Peak (5,895m) receive gold certificates. Drive back to Moshi and check into your hotel.

Accommodation:3 Star Hotel at Parkview Inn Hotel

Meals:Breakfast