Overview
The Rongai Route is the only route on the north-eastern part of the mountain. This route is gaining in popularity, because it is the second easiest after Marangu and it has amazing wilderness conditions.
The Rongai Route is recommended for climbers who want to avoid the huge numbers of climbers on other routes. This route can be started from the Tanzanian or the Kenyan side of the mountain and can be achieved in 7 days.
The Rongai Route is only used to climb up the mountain and at the final stage it joins up with the Marangu Route, which is also the ascending route. This route has lots of caves, which are partly also used as overnight accommodations
Itinerary
7 days Rongai route
DAY 1 - MOSHI - RONGAI GATE - SIMBA CAMP
You’ll be picked up from your Arusha or Moshi hotel after breakfast and make your way to the Marangu gate for the formalities of climber registration.
You’ll then be transferred overland to the Rongai Gate, which is located roughly 2.5 hours drive away.
You’ll begin your hike from the village of Nale Moru, hiking through gently swaying fields of corn before entering a shady pine forest.
Today’s hiking is a gentle ascent through some breathtaking country before you settle down for the evening at Simba Camp.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Meals Provided: Dinner
DAY 2 - SIMBA CAMP - 2nd CAVE CAMP
Today is a more relaxed day, as you’ll acclimatise to life on the mountain with a pleasant day’s hike towards 2nd Cave Camp.
You’ll arrive in time for a hot lunch and have the afternoon to get some rest.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3 - 2nd CAVE CAMP - KIKELEWA CAMP
You’ll really start to appreciate just how high you are up here, as the stars unfold overhead and the Tanzanian landscape unfurls below
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4 - KIKELEWA CAVE - MAWENZI TARN CAMP
Today’s hike is short but steep, taking you from 3,600m at Kikelewa to 4,330m at Mawenzi Tarn Camp.
Your landscape today is one of scrubby alpine moorland dotted with plants you’ll have seen nowhere else in Tanzania.
Mawenzi Tarn boasts a spectacular view and ominous towers of stone, making for a unique camping experience
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5 - MAWENZI TARN CAMP - KIBO HUT
You’ll hike for 4-5 hours today towards Kibo Hut in the Kibo Saddle between the Mawenzi and Kibo peaks.
Today’s hiking takes you through true alpine desert – a place of stark beauty.
You’ll overnight at Kibo Hut ahead of your summit attempt.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6 - KIBO HUT - UHURU PEAK - HOROMBO HUT
You’re starting your day early today – just after midnight, in fact!
Your climbing team will wake you with a cup of hot tea and a light snack for energy as you get dressed and prepare your daypack for the adventure ahead.
You’ll be hiking in utter darkness for the next 5-7 hours, so take it slow and you’ll arrive at Stella Point a few hours before dawn. From here, there’s another two hours of intense hiking before you reach your ultimate goal: Uhuru Peak.
Standing at 5,985m, you’ll be able to experience a spectacular sunrise and take in the panoramic view. You’ve done it!
You’ll then descend back to Horombo Hut via Kibo Hut. At anywhere between 12 and 16 hours of hiking, this is sure to be one of the longest, most gruelling days of your life!
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7 - HOROMBO HUT - MARANGU GATE - MOSHI
It’s a day of celebration today, as you’ll enjoy one last breakfast on the mountain before descending to the Marangu Gate.
It’s an almost 20km walk today, but the steady downhill makes it a lot easier than the ascent.
Upon arrival at the gate, you’ll get to celebrate with your porters and guides, provide them with their tips for their hard work, and collect your certificate of completion.
Your driver will then whisk you away to your Moshi or Arusha hotel to get some well-earned rest.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Climbing cost
Included
- Park fees, camping fees & rescue fees
- 18% VAT on tour fees & services
- 3 Season mountain tents
- Double layered Sleeping Mats
- Transportation to & from the mountain gate
- Professional mountain guides, cooks, and porters
- 3 meals daily while on the mountain
- Filtered water throughout the trek
- Pre & Post Trek accommodation at the Parkview Inn
- Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
- 2- way private airport transfers
- Oxygen cylinder
- Oximeter
Excluded
- Flights
- Tips to mountain crew
- Items of a personal nature
- Laundry Services
- Travel Insurance