7 Days Kilimanjaro
Rongai Route
Hiking Tour Package
Rongai Route Overview
The Rongai Route, located on the eastern side of Mount Kilimanjaro near the Kenyan border, provides a unique and peaceful climbing experience with less crowded trails and distinctive scenery. It takes 6 to 7 days to complete and is particularly recommended during the rainy season in April and May, as this side of the mountain remains dry while the southern and western routes become wet. Climbers descend via the Marangu Route, and during quieter times, may stay in huts for extra comfort, especially during the rainy season.
Rongai Route Map
Summit Success Rate
- 70% summit success rate, higher than the Marangu Route
- Ample time for acclimatization due to gentle slopes and steady ascent
- Suitable for climbers of varying fitness levels
- Only route that passes near Mawenzi Peak, offering spectacular views
- Opportunity to see the Kenyan border at the start of the trek
Ahsante Tours’ Experience with Rongai Route
- Successfully guided climbers facing extraordinary challenges
- Helped a lady with no legs reach the summit
- Assisted a man in a wheelchair to achieve the same goal
- Route recommended for charity climbs or challenges due to its manageable terrain
- Provides opportunities for proper acclimatization, making it ideal for difficult climbs
7 Days Rongai route Prices
1 Pax |
2 - 4 Pax |
|---|---|
|
From $ 2,400 (£ 1,828 ) |
From |
5 - 9 Pax |
10 + Pax |
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From $ 2,160 ( £ 1,645 ) |
From |
Climbing Cost Includes
- Park fees, camping fees & rescue fee
- 18% VAT on tour fees & services
- Accommodation in tents complete with sleeping mats.
- Sleeping Bags (-15oC Limit) *If clients have warmer sleeping bags they are advised to bring their own.
- Transportation to & from the mountain gate
- Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
- 3 meals daily while on the mountain
- Katadyn filtered water throughout the trek
- Pre & Post Trek accommodation in Moshi town on Half Board Basis
- Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
- Tree donation in support of our environmental conservation projects
- 2-way airport transfers - 1 on arrival and 1 on departure
- Supplemental Oxygen & Pulse Oximeter
Climbing Cost Excludes
- Visa
- Tips to mountain crew – See Tipping Guidelines for more details
- Items of a personal nature
- Laundry Services
- Tanzanian mountain doctor
- Single Supplement Request - $100
- Travel Insurance (Recommended – Travel insurance with medical cover of 6,000m and above)
- Spending a night in the crater - $200 per person
- Western breach approach without a night at the crater camp - $100 per person
- Tanzanian mountain doctor - $200 per group per day
- Portable chemical toilet - $150 per toilet (including tent & porter)
7 Days Rongai Route Itinerary
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) by an Ahsante Tours representative and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town. Your guide will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day.
Meals: Dinner Only
Accommodation: Weruweru River Lodge
This morning, we will drive to the village of Nale Moru for the starting point of the Rongai route. The first stage of the trek is through farmland and pine forests. You may have chance to see the beautiful Colobus monkeys or if you’re lucky enough, elephants or buffalos en route. Our first camp will be the Simba Camp located at the edge of the moorland zone.
Distance: 8km / 5mi
Duration: 4 – 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.
Accommodation: Simba Camp
The morning hike is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave Camp located in the moorland zone with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim.
Distance: 5km / 3.1mi
Duration: 3 – 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.
Accommodation: 2nd Cave Camp
Leaving the pine forest behind we carry on with a steady ascent walking though moorland. There are superb views of the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim of Kibo, the highest of the three volcanoes which form the mountain. We will leave the main trail and strike out across moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi, the second of Kilimanjaro’s volcanoes. We will set up camp today in the sheltered valley near Kikelewa caves.
Distance: 5km / 3.1mi
Duration: 3 – 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.
Accommodation: Kikelewa Camp
This morning, we have a short but steep ascent up grassy slopes which is rewarded by a superb view of the Kenyan plains to the north. We leave vegetation behind shortly before reaching our next camp at Mawenzi Tarn Hut directly below the towering cliffs of Mawenzi. This afternoon you have chance to rest or explore the surrounding area to aid acclimatization.
Distance: 8km / 5mi
Duration: 4 – 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.
Accommodation: Mawenzi Tarn
After a good night’s rest and breakfast, we set off on our walk to Barafu camp at 4640m. The climb will take us across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around us at all. It’s a tough steep walk made more difficult by the altitude. On arriving at camp we eat and spend the afternoon resting as we prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm. We have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep as we will be getting up at between 11pm and 12pm to start the climb to the summit.
Distance: 8km / 5mi
Duration: 5 – 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.
Accommodation: Kibo Hut
Today is “The Big Day” – the summit stage. You will begin your final ascent around midnight which will be long and strenuous. Passing the Hans Meyer Cave at 5220m (17126ft), the climb slowly but surely goes upwards. At sunrise, you will reach Gillman’s Point (5681m) – the crater rim of Kilimanjaro – where the sun will slowly start to warm up the land. You will have soon forgotten the cold of the night and after a further hike of 1 – 2 hours, you will reach Uhuru Peak at 5895m (19340ft). On your return to Kibo Hut, a warm meal awaits you followed by a 1 – 2-hour break before proceeding back down to Horombo Hut.
Distance: 22km / 13.7mi
Duration: 12 – 15 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.
Accommodation: Horombo Hut
The last stage passes through the heath and moor zone to the Mandara Hut (2700m) where a warm lunch is waiting for you. Soon, you will once again pass the tropical rainforest and after a total time of 6 hours trekking, you will be back at the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (1860m). After saying goodbye to your mountain guides, a short transfer follows to take you back to your hotel in Moshi. Once there, you can take a warm and relaxing shower and celebrate your success in reaching the summit of the Kilimanjaro.
Distance: 20.8km / 12.9mi
Duration: 7 – 8 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.
Accommodation: Weruweru River Lodge.
Why choose Ahsante Tours
Get help
Get help choosing the best route for your team
Award-winning
We’re award-winning Kilimanjaro tour operators.
Luxury
Luxury camping, food tent, toilets and more
Successful summits
Over 20K successful summits in over 20 years
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feel free to get in touch with our knowledgeable experts”
FAQs about Rongai Route
The Rongai Route is unique because it starts on the northern side of Kilimanjaro, near the Kenyan border. It offers less crowded trails, spectacular views of Mawenzi Peak, and a chance to experience different, quieter landscapes compared to the southern and western routes.
The Rongai Route typically takes 6 to 7 days to complete. The extra day is often recommended for acclimatization, improving the chances of reaching the summit successfully.
The summit success rate for the Rongai Route is approximately 70%, which is higher than the Marangu Route. The gradual ascent and gentle slopes help with acclimatization, increasing the likelihood of success.
Yes, the Rongai Route is an excellent choice during the rainy season (April and May) because the northern side of Kilimanjaro remains dry, while the southern and western routes tend to be wet and muddy.
The Rongai Route is suitable for climbers of varying fitness levels, including beginners. Its gentle ascent, manageable terrain, and ample time for acclimatization make it a good option for those new to high-altitude trekking.
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