The Rongai route is the only route that starts from the north eastern side of Mount Kilimanjaro which is close to the Kenyan border, due to its remote location the Rongai route has much lower traffic compared to the other Mount Kilimanjaro routes. This route retains a sense of un-spoilt wilderness and offers a different perspective while climbing Kilimanjaro.
The Rongai route is flatter than other Mount Kilimanjaro routes and generally considered as one of the easiest however it does not offer the advantage of trekking high and sleeping low due to its topography.
The Rongai route is normally trekked in 6 days but can be trekked in 7 days which is highly recommended for acclimatization. This Rongai trekking route has a total of 74.5 km.
The summit night from Kibo hut follows the same path as for the trekkers on the Marangu route through Gilman`s point to Uhuru peak.
The Rongai route ascends on the northern side and descends on the south eastern side of the mountain via the Marangu route. The scenery is not as varied compared to the western routes but the remoteness is what make some pick this route.
Mega Adventures recommends the trail for those who have less experience climbing or are unprepared, those looking for a more remote hike and less traffic.
The main difference between the 6 and 7 days Rongai route is the acclimatization day at Mawenzi Tarn hut.
Day 1: Rongai Gate (Nale Moru Gate) – Simba Camp
After breakfast at your accommodation your guide will pick you up to depart for Rongai Gate, Approximately 3 hour drive from Moshi town. Upon arrival at Rongai Gate your guide will work out on the climbing permit and park authorities will conduct porter weight check whilst our chef prepares an early lunch for you, you’ll be able to explore this beautiful starting point. Immediately after clearing with the permits, porter’s weight check and lunch we will embark into the hiking trail that leads us through the beautiful rain forest of Mount Kilimanjaro.
On arrival at Simba Camp our mountain crew will take care of the necessities and pitch the tents. Later in the evening our chef will cook dinner and you can reload for tomorrow’s trek.
8 km
1,990 m – 2,671 m
3–4 hrs
Rain forest
Day 2: Simba Camp – Third Cave
After breakfast depart for Kikelewa Camp, leaving the rain forest and trekking through moorland, we will break for lunch at Second Cave 3450 amsl and later on proceed to Third cave. After a long trek you can rest and enjoy a warm dinner.
11 km
2,671 m – 3,935 m
6–8 hrs
Heather | Moorland
Day 3: Third Cave – Kibo Hut
After breakfast we will embark for a 10 kms hike to base camp, Kibo Hut at 4703 amsl crossing the moorland shortly towards the alpine desert. Upon arrival at Kibo hut our chef will prepare an early dinner. Your guide will check on your oxygen and pulse and talk about the day’s trek including the following day.
10 km
3,935 m – 4,703 m
6–8 hrs
Alpine desert
Day 4: Kibo Hut – Uhuru Peak – Horombo Hut
At an early start around 01:00 hours begin the steep and altitude challenging climb to the great summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Our trained team will make hold the best pace for the most mentally and physically and last ascend while making sure to measure your oxygen level throughout the trek and help you reach the ultimate goal, Uhuru Peak. After successfully reaching “the rooftop of Africa”, enjoy the breathtaking view before descending to back to Kibo base camp for breakfast and a short rest and further hike down to Horombo Hut.
Later in the evening we will enjoy our last evening on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
6 km Ascent | 16 km Descent
4,703 – 5,895 – 3,720 m
6-8 hrs Ascent | 4-5 hrs Descent
Arctic | Alpine Desert | Moorland
Day 5: Horombo Hut – Marangu Gate
After breakfast depart for Marangu gate. The longest trek of this mountain challenge lies ahead though the trek is mostly downhill making this day challenging physically but not altitude wise. The trek will be 19 km through the rain forest for approximately 5-7 hours.
Upon arrival at the park headquarters at Marangu Gate we will collect our summit certificate, celebrate and our team will be ready to transfer you to your hotel in Moshi.
19 km
3,720 m – 1,843 m
7–9 hrs
Moorland | Heather | Rainforest
Day 1: Rongai Gate (Nale Moru Gate) – Simba Camp
After breakfast at your accommodation your guide will pick you up to depart for Rongai Gate, Approximately 3 hour drive from Moshi town. Upon arrival at Rongai Gate your guide will work out on the climbing permit and authorities will weigh the porter’s luggage, whilst our chef prepares an early lunch for you, you’ll be able to explore this beautiful starting point. Immediately after clearing with the permits, porter’s weight check and lunch we will embark into the hiking trail that leads us through the beautiful rain forest of Mount Kilimanjaro.
On arrival at Simba Camp our mountain crew will take care of the necessities and pitch the tents. Later in the evening our chef will cook dinner and you can reload for tomorrow’s trek.
8 km
1,990 m – 2,671 m
3–4 hrs
Rain forest
Day 2: Simba Camp – Third Cave
After breakfast depart for Kikelewa Camp, leaving the rain forest and trekking through moorland, we will break for lunch at Second Cave 3450 amsl and later on proceed to Third cave. After a long trek you can rest and enjoy a warm dinner.
11 km
2,671 m – 3,935 m
6–8 hrs
Heather | Moorland
Day 3: Kikelewa Cave – Mawenzi Tarn Hut
After breakfast we will embark to a short but yet steep trek. As we are leaving the moorland we enter the alpine desert and the altitude is now high, which means a steady pace and frequently drinking water is important. Upon arrival at Mawenzi Tarn Hut you can relax and explore the area. Later in the evening our chef will serve you a warm dinner.
3 km
3,600 m – 4,315 m
3–4 hrs
Moorland
Day 4: Mawenzi Tarn Hut – Kibo Hut
After an early breakfast depart for Kibo Hut, which is our base camp. Upon arrival at Kibo Hut, take a well-deserved rest while our chef prepare an early dinner. Make sure to get enough rest this day to prepare for the summit day.
10 km
4,315 m – 4,703 m
5–6 hrs
Alpine Desert
Day 5: Kibo Hut – Uhuru Peak – Horombo Hut
At an early start around 01:00 hours begin the steep and altitude challenging climb to the great summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Our trained team will make hold the best pace for the most mentally and physically and last ascend while making sure to measure your oxygen level throughout the trek and help you reach the ultimate goal, Uhuru Peak. After successfully reaching “the rooftop of Africa”, enjoy the breathtaking view before descending to back to Kibo base camp for breakfast and a short rest and further hike down to Horombo Hut.
Later in the evening we will enjoy our last evening on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
6 km Ascent | 16 km Descent
4,703 – 5,895 – 3,720 m
6-8 hrs Ascent | 4-5 hrs Descent
Arctic | Alpine Desert | Moorland
Day 6: Horombo Hut – Marangu Gate
After breakfast depart for Marangu gate. The longest trek of this mountain challenge lies ahead though the trek is mostly downhill making this day challenging physically but not altitude wise. The trek will be 19 km through the rain forest for approximately 5-7 hours.
Upon arrival at the park headquarters at Marangu Gate we will collect our summit certificate, celebrate and our team will be ready to transfer you to your hotel in Moshi.
19 km
3,720 m – 1,843 m
7–9 hrs
Moorland | Heather | Rainforest
Day 1: Rongai Gate (Nale Moru Gate) – Simba Camp
In the morning depart for Rongai Gate in Mount Kilimanjaro National Park. A drive through villages and the opportunity to get a stunning view of Mount Kilimanjaro, which is a unique view of the drive from Moshi to Rongai Gate. Upon arrival at Rongai Gate and clearing the paperwork start ascending the mountain through the rain forest. At arrival at Simba Camp our mountain crew will take care of the necessities and pitch the tents. Later in the evening our chef will serve you warm dinner and you can reload for tomorrow’s trek.
8 km
1,990 m – 2,671 m
3–4 hrs
Rain forest
Day 2: Simba Camp – Second Cave
After breakfast depart for Second Cave camp, leaving the rain forest and trekking through moorland until you finally reach second cave at 3,450m.
8 km
2,671 m – 3,450 m
5–6 hrs
Moorland
Day 3: Second Cave – Kikelewa Camp
After breakfast depart for Kikelewa camp a 5 kms hike through the moorland. Arrive in time for lunch and later in the afternoon you may decide to walk higher for acclimatization with your guide. Your Chef will serve you warm dinner before retiring to your tent for overnight.
5 km
3,450 m – 3,600 m
3–4 hrs
Moorland
Day 4: Kikelewa Cave – Mawenzi Tarn Hut
After breakfast we will embark to a short but yet steep trek. As we are leaving the moorland we enter the alpine desert and the altitude is now high, which means a steady pace and frequently drinking water is important. Upon arrival at Mawenzi Tarn Hut you can relax and explore the area. Later in the evening our chef will serve you a warm dinner.
3 km
3,600 m – 4,315 m
3–4 hrs
Moorland
Day 5: Mawenzi Tarn Hut – Kibo Hut
After an early breakfast depart for Kibo Hut, which is our base camp. Upon arrival at Kibo Hut, take a well-deserved rest while our chef prepare an early dinner. Make sure to get enough rest this day to prepare for the summit day.
10 km
4,315 m – 4,703 m
5–6 hrs
Alpine Desert
Day 6: Kibo Hut – Uhuru Peak – Horombo Hut
At an early start around 01:00 hours begin the steep and altitude challenging climb to the great summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Our trained team will make hold the best pace for the most mentally and physically and last ascend while making sure to measure your oxygen level throughout the trek and help you reach the ultimate goal, Uhuru Peak. After successfully reaching “the rooftop of Africa”, enjoy the breathtaking view before descending to back to Kibo base camp for breakfast and a short rest and further hike down to Horombo Hut.
Later in the evening we will enjoy our last evening on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
6 km Ascent | 16 km Descent
4,703 – 5,895 – 3,720 m
6-8 hrs Ascent | 4-5 hrs Descent
Arctic | Alpine Desert | Moorland
Day 7: Horombo Hut – Marangu Gate
After breakfast depart for Marangu gate. The longest trek of this mountain challenge lies ahead though the trek is mostly downhill making this day challenging physically but not altitude wise. The trek will be 19 km through the rain forest for approximately 5-7 hours.
Upon arrival at the park headquarters at Marangu Gate we will collect our summit certificate, celebrate and our team will be ready to transfer you to your hotel in Moshi.
19 km
3,720 m – 1,843 m
7–9 hrs
Moorland | Heather | Rainforest
Inclusive Of:
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| 5 Days, Rongai Route | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NO. of PAX in one group | 1 PAX | 2-3 PAX | 4-6 PAX | 7+ PAX |
| Price pr. person | $2,214 | $1,724 | $1,465 | $1,418 |
| 6 Days, Rongai Route | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NO. of PAX in one group | 1 PAX | 2-3 PAX | 4-6 PAX | 7+ PAX |
| Price pr. person | $2,596 | $2,061 | $1,748 | $1,701 |
| 7 Days, Rongai Route | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NO. of PAX in one group | 1 PAX | 2-3 PAX | 4-6 PAX | 7+ PAX |
| Price pr. person | $2,962 | $2,351 | $2,015 | $1,947 |
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