7 Days Rongai Route
Download your Kilimanjaro Kit list
OVERVIEW
Starting from the northeastern side of the mountain near the Kenyan border, the Rongai Route rises above the Amboseli plains and approach the summit of Kilimanjaro west of the Mawenzi peak. It is an unfrequented route and is also the easiest camping approach to Uhuru Peak. The descent normally uses the Marangu Route.
There are two variations to this route. You can choose to attempt the summit via Mawenzi Tarn Hut or via School Hut which is also referred to as the Outward Bound Hut. The former is longer and more popular. Prior acclimatization is recommended in order to attempt the latter successfully.
ITINERARY
ItInerary
DAY 1
Arrival in Kilimanjaro
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
Meals not included. You have the option of having lunch and/or dinner at the hotel or a restaurant in town.
Accommodation
Accommodation is at the Weru Weru River Lodge on Bed & Breakfast basis. Alternative accommodation of the same standard will be provided if the primary accommodation option is unavailable.
*For those on a lower budget, you can request for alternative accommodation at a lower price or no accommodation as part of the package.
DAY 2
Nalemoru Gate (1990m / 6529ft) to Simba Camp (2625m / 8612ft)
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
Spacious 2-person tents. Accommodation is on sharing basis.
DAY 3
Simba Camp (2625m / 8612ft) to 2nd Cave Camp (3480m / 11417ft)
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
Spacious 2-person tents. Accommodation is on sharing basis.
DAY 4
2nd Cave Camp (3480m / 11417ft) to Kikelewa Camp (3630m / 11909ft)
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
Spacious 2-person tents. Accommodation is on sharing basis.
DAY 5
Kikelewa Camp (3630m / 11909ft) to Mawenzi Tarn Hut (4310m / 14140ft)
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
Spacious 2-person tents. Accommodation is on sharing basis.
DAY 6
Mawenzi Tarn Hut (4310m / 14140ft) to Kibo Hut (4700m / 15420ft)
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
Spacious 2-person tents. Accommodation is on sharing basis.
DAY 7
Kibo Hut (4700m / 15420ft) to UHURU PEAK (5895m / 19340ft) & down to Horombo Hut (3700m / 12139ft)
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
Spacious 2-person tents. Accommodation is on sharing basis.
DAY 8
Horombo Hut (3700m / 12139ft) to Marangu Gate (1860m / 6102ft)
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
Accommodation is at the Weru Weru River Lodge on Bed & Breakfast basis. Alternative accommodation of the same standard will be provided if the primary accommodation option is unavailable.
*For those on a lower budget, you can request for alternative accommodation at a lower price or no accommodation as part of the package.
DAY 9
Depart Kilimanjaro
The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport.
*We also welcome you spare an hour of your day to plant a tree, as part of our environmental conservation efforts in the Kilimanjaro region.
*Safari and Zanzibar add-ons are available if you wish to continue exploring Tanzania
Meals
Breakfast Included.
INCLUDES
Tours Include:
- Park fees, camping fees & rescue fee
- 18% VAT on tour fees & services
- Accommodation in wooden cabins 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
EXCLUDES
Tours Exclude:
- 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)
Prices start from
Starting From $1,950 (£1,532) Per Person
MAP
Rongai Route Inquiry Form
Start an inquiry today and we will get back in touch with you within 24hrs with further details about your Kilimanjaro expedition package details.
Talk To Our Experts
"Should you have any questions about schedules, transfers, or any other details, feel free to get in touch with our knowledgeable experts"