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Kilimanjaro Trek: Rongai Route

Overview

As one of the least frequented of all the official Mt Kilimanjaro routes, the Rongai Route offers a strenuous trek at a gradual and steady incline, through virgin wilderness and awe-inspiring scenery.

As the only route that approaches Mt Kilimanjaro from the North, this is the perfect itinerary for those who prefer to avoid the technical climb up the Great Barranco Wall.

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Tour Information

Duration

Availability

Year round

Tour Highlights

Intermediate Hike

Price

Starting from USD 2,432 per person sharing

Duration

6 Days

Day 1

Elevation (ft): 6561ft – 8760ft
Distance: 7 km
Hiking Time: 4 hours
Habitation: Rainforest

Arusha – Rongai Start Point – Simba Camp

  • After breakfast at your hotel in Arusha, you are greeted by your guide and transferred to Marangu Gate in the Kilimanjaro National Park, where you check-in with park staff. After the quick formality of acquiring climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, we travel in a 4×4 to the Rongai starting point
  • The hike begins in Nale Moru village from where we take the small winding paths to the entrance of the pine forest
  • After a gentle hike through the rainforest, we set up for our first night at Simba Camp. The camp facilities include a public toilet and a wooden table with benches for eating (but no huts)

Day 2

Elevation (ft):8760 – 12040
Distance: 12 km
Hiking Time: 6-7 hours
Habitation: Moorland

Simba Camp – Kikelelwa Camp

  • After breakfast, we continue towards Kibo – stopping for lunch at the First Caves
  • After lunch, we continue the steady trek to Kikelewa Camp where we stop for the night
  • This is one of the first stops offering great views of Kilimanjaro and giving you a clear sense of just how high this trek will take you

Day 3

Elevation (ft):12040 – 14009
Distance: 4km
Hiking Time: 3 hours
Habitation: Moorlands

Kikelelwa Camp – Mawenzi Tarn Camp

  • Today, we begin the short but steep climb up the sloping grasslands to reach our next camp at Mawenzi Tarn
  • As we leave the vegetation behind, you are rewarded with panoramic views and can spend the afternoon exploring the towering spires of Mawenzi

Day 4

Elevation (ft): 14009 – 15430
Distance: 9 km
Hiking time: 5 hours
Habitation: Alpine Desert

Mawenzi Tarn Camp – Kibo Hut

  • It’s an early start, as we wake up and head West to continue our trek
  • Crossing the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo, we reach our next campsite at the base of the Kibo crater wall
  • It’s an early night as we make our summit ascent in the early hours of the morning

Day 5

Elevation (ft): 15,430 to 19,341 to 12,205
Distance: 22km
Hiking Time: 10-13 hours
Habitation: Arctic

Kibo Hut – Summit – Horombo Hut

  • We wake up around midnight and begin our trek into the night
  • The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hand Meyer Cave where we take a short rest
  • The path then zigzags up to Gilman’s Point which is located on the crater rim. Here, the trail is at its most challenging – it is very steep with lots of stone scree
  • From Gilman’s Point onwards, we usually encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru Peak – the highest point in Africa and the final stop on our ascent
  • You’ve reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro – the world’s highest free-standing mountain – and have the splendours of Africa at your feet
  • Weather conditions on the summit determine how long we are able to spend here taking photographs and admiring the incredible vistas before we begin our descent
  • After a challenging yet rewarding day, we arrive back to Horombo Hut in the evening to enjoy a well-earned rest and a hot dinner with fellow hikers

Day 6

Elevation (ft): 12,205 to 6,046
Distance: 20km
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitation: Rainforest

Horombo Hut – Marangu Gate

  • A long trek is in store for today as we descend through the rainforest towards Marangu Gate – to experience once again the incredible wildlife and flora and fauna that flourish here
  • Once you’ve had a chance to revel in the glory of completing your trek, we proceed to take you back to your hotel in Arusha for a hot shower and a well-earned rest
Day 1

Elevation (ft): 6561ft – 8760ft
Distance: 7 km
Hiking Time: 4 hours
Habitation: Rainforest

Arusha – Rongai Start Point – Simba Camp

  • After breakfast at your hotel in Arusha, you are greeted by your guide and transferred to Marangu Gate in the Kilimanjaro National Park, where you check-in with park staff. After the quick formality of acquiring climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, we travel in a 4×4 to the Rongai starting point
  • The hike begins in Nale Moru village from where we take the small winding paths to the entrance of the pine forest
  • After a gentle hike through the rainforest, we set up for our first night at Simba Camp. The camp facilities include a public toilet and a wooden table with benches for eating (but no huts)
Day 2

Elevation (ft):8760 – 12040
Distance: 12 km
Hiking Time: 6-7 hours
Habitation: Moorland

Simba Camp – Kikelelwa Camp

  • After breakfast, we continue towards Kibo – stopping for lunch at the First Caves
  • After lunch, we continue the steady trek to Kikelewa Camp where we stop for the night
  • This is one of the first stops offering great views of Kilimanjaro and giving you a clear sense of just how high this trek will take you
Day 3

Elevation (ft):12040 – 14009
Distance: 4km
Hiking Time: 3 hours
Habitation: Moorlands

Kikelelwa Camp – Mawenzi Tarn Camp

  • Today, we begin the short but steep climb up the sloping grasslands to reach our next camp at Mawenzi Tarn
  • As we leave the vegetation behind, you are rewarded with panoramic views and can spend the afternoon exploring the towering spires of Mawenzi
Day 4

Elevation (ft): 14009 – 15430
Distance: 9 km
Hiking time: 5 hours
Habitation: Alpine Desert

Mawenzi Tarn Camp – Kibo Hut

  • It’s an early start, as we wake up and head West to continue our trek
  • Crossing the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo, we reach our next campsite at the base of the Kibo crater wall
  • It’s an early night as we make our summit ascent in the early hours of the morning
Day 5

Elevation (ft): 15,430 to 19,341 to 12,205
Distance: 22km
Hiking Time: 10-13 hours
Habitation: Arctic

Kibo Hut – Summit – Horombo Hut

  • We wake up around midnight and begin our trek into the night
  • The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hand Meyer Cave where we take a short rest
  • The path then zigzags up to Gilman’s Point which is located on the crater rim. Here, the trail is at its most challenging – it is very steep with lots of stone scree
  • From Gilman’s Point onwards, we usually encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru Peak – the highest point in Africa and the final stop on our ascent
  • You’ve reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro – the world’s highest free-standing mountain – and have the splendours of Africa at your feet
  • Weather conditions on the summit determine how long we are able to spend here taking photographs and admiring the incredible vistas before we begin our descent
  • After a challenging yet rewarding day, we arrive back to Horombo Hut in the evening to enjoy a well-earned rest and a hot dinner with fellow hikers
Day 6

Elevation (ft): 12,205 to 6,046
Distance: 20km
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitation: Rainforest

Horombo Hut – Marangu Gate

  • A long trek is in store for today as we descend through the rainforest towards Marangu Gate – to experience once again the incredible wildlife and flora and fauna that flourish here
  • Once you’ve had a chance to revel in the glory of completing your trek, we proceed to take you back to your hotel in Arusha for a hot shower and a well-earned rest
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Whats included
  • Return transfers from your hotel in Arusha/Moshi to the park gates
  • All park entry fees
  • All camping and rescue fees
  • Guide and porters’ fees
  • All accommodation on the mountain, including three meals a day
  • All cooking and kitchen utensils
Whats excluded
  • International and domestic flights
  • Airport transfers
  • Accommodation in Arusha before and after the climb
  • Any items of a personal nature such as: telephone calls, drinks, tips for drivers and guides etc
  • Sleeping bags and mountain gear – although we can arrange for you to hire these on request

Accommodation

No Recommended Accommodation

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