Kilimanjaro Rongai Route 7 Days

Mount Kilimanjaro

From

$129.00

Duration

7 days

Best Season

Tour Overview

The Rongai Route is a unique northern approach to Mount Kilimanjaro, starting in Kenya, offering drier conditions and less crowded trails through forests, moorlands, and alpine deserts with stunning views of Mawenzi. It’s a moderate, 6-7-day camping trek suitable for beginners, emphasizing gradual acclimatization to reach Uhuru Peak (5,895m). Pros include wildlife sightings, a good option during the rainy season, and a quieter experience; cons are less varied scenery and tent-based accommodations. Best for those preferring solitude, camping, and a steady ascent for better altitude adaptation.

Tour Highlights

  • Departure and Return Place: Moshi Town to Rongai Gate and then back to Kilimanjaro International Airport (Google Maps)
  • Departure Time: Please be ready by 8:15 AM for a prompt departure at 9:30 AM.
  • Return Time: Approximately 10:30 AM on the last day.
  • Dress Code: Casual. Comfortable athletic clothing, hiking shoes, a hat, cold weather jacket, gloves, pants, and spare clothing.
  • Accommodation: Two nights of accommodations based on Bed and Breakfast at 3 stars hotel (upgrades on request).
  • Customizations: Can be customized upon request, to meet travelers’ needs
  • Extensions: Trip Extensions are available on request.
  • Trip Availability: All year round.

Tour Itinerary

We drive from Moshi to Marangu Gate for obtaining the permits required for the summit and then take a short road trip to the Rongai Gate trailhead. We’ll come across numerous corn and potato fields and climb gently through the forest areas which accommodate a variety of wildlife which also includes the black and white colobus monkeys.

The day will begin with a morning trek where we’ll steadily incline up to the Second Cave. Continuing on with the trek, we pass through the moorland toward the jagged peaks of Mawenzi leaving the main trail behind. Kikelewa Camp will be our destination for the day where we’ll be spending our night.

  • Rongai Cave to Second Cave
  • Elevation: 9,300 ft to 11,300 ft
  • Distance: 6 km/4 miles
  • Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
  • Habitat: Heath

Second Cave to Kikelewa Cave

  • Elevation: 11,300 ft to 11,811 ft
  • Distance: 6 km/4 miles
  • Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
  • Habitat: Heath

The hike today will be short and steep but along a grassy slope. It is surrounded by a vast wilderness area, and as we exit it, we enter the Alpine Desert zone and the landscape contrastingly alters. The campsites will be at the jagged areas of Mawenzi, Mawenzi Tarn to be precise. You’ll spend the rest of the day relaxing or exploring the surrounding area.

  • Kikelewa Cave to Mawenzi Tarn
  • Elevation: 11,811 ft to 14,160 ft
  • Distance: 5 km/3 miles
  • Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
  • Habitat: Alpine Desert

You’ll be spending the entire day hiking at the Mawenzi Ridge which offer landscapes of Kibo and Mawenzi. This extra day is meant for acclimatization. After exploring the area to the fullest, we’ll then head back to Mawenzi Tarn to prepare our camp.

  • Mawenzi Tarn to Mawenzi Ridge
  • Elevation: 14,160 ft -14,400 ft
  • Distance: 2 km/1 mile
  • Hiking Time: 1-2 hours
  • Habitat: Alpine Desert

Our camp, known as Kibo Hut, will be at the bottom of the Kibo Crater Wall. Once at the hut, we relax for the rest of the day and prepare for the upcoming summit day.

  • Marwenzi Tarn to Kibo Hut
  • Elevation: 14,160 ft to 15,430 ft
  • Distance: 8 km/5 miles
  • Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
  • Habitat: Alpine Desert

Just past midnight, we’ll begin our summit to the top. This is considered the most challenging part of the journey when the wind and cold can be extreme at any period of the day. With short and frequent breaks, we ascend in the darkness. Once reaching at the Stella Point which is at an elevation of 18,900 ft, you’ll be rewarded with one of the stunning view of the sunrise coming over the Mawenzi Peak. Then we ascend all the way to the roof of Africa and highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro, the Uhuru Peak. After celebration of your accomplishment at the peak, we descend down to Horombo Hut. Later in the evening, we’ll be having our last dinner in the mountain and we’ll then go to sleep.

  • Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak
  • Elevation: 15,430 ft to 19,341 ft
  • Distance: 6 km/4 miles
  • Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
  • Habitat: Arctic

Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut

  • Elevation: 19,341 ft to 12,250 ft
  • Distance: 16 km/10 miles
  • Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
  • Habitat: Heath

On our last day, we have a long trek mostly downhill through the tropical rainforest. Once at the park headquarters at Marangu gate, we collect our summit certificates. Youth Adventures vehicle will meet us here and drive us back to the hotel in Moshi.

  • Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate
  • Elevation: 12,205 ft to 6,046 ft
  • Distance: 20 km/12 miles
  • Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
  • Habitat: Rain Forest

Hiking Cost Includes/Excludes

  • Two-way private airport transfers
  • All park fees collected by the National Park
  • Hotel accommodations before and after the hike
  • Tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro
  • All meals on the hike
  • All group equipment
  • Oxygen cylinders and oximeters
  • Complete Expedition medical kits
  • Professional licensed guides
  • Dedicated support crew
  • Government taxes
  • Crew salaries
  • Medical evacuations with AMREF Flying doctors
  • Purified water while on the mountain
  • Portable tented private flush toilet
    • Personal Climbing gears
    • Tanzania Visa on arrival
    • Mountaineering Insurance
    • Tips and Gratuities
    • Personal Expenses

Hiking Cost per Person

Number of People Cost per Person in the US($)
1 Person $3,150
2 People $2,380
3 People $2,320
4 People $2,290
5 People $2,250
6 People $2,225
7 People $2,195
8 People $2,175
9 People $2,165
10 People + $2,120

Tour Accommodations

Two Nights Hotel Accommodations
One before and after the Kilimanjaro hiking adventure. Our recommended options include:
1. Keys Hotel: Comfortable and contemporary stay.
2. Ameg Lodge: Tranquil retreat amidst picturesque landscapes.
3. Lindrin Lodge: Charming and rustic ambiance.
4. Parkview Inn: Convenient location with well-appointed rooms.
5. Chanya Lodge: Exceptional service and warm hospitality.

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Tour Information

Max Guests per Group

10

Min Age

13+

Tour Location

Languages Support

Accomodation

Maximum Altitude

Fitness Level

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