6 Days Rongai Route
Overview
The Rongai Route on Mount Kilimanjaro offers a peaceful escape, thanks to its remote location that keeps crowds at bay. Here, trekkers can enjoy a true wilderness adventure, with the chance to spot majestic wildlife like antelope, elephants, and buffalo.
Since this side of the mountain tends to be drier, you’ll probably experience fewer rain showers and get clearer, more stunning views of the peak. Although the route is relatively flat, it doesn’t include the climb-high, sleep-low strategy, so it’s a good idea to plan for extra days to help with acclimatization.
Known as one of the easier ways to reach the summit, the Rongai route approaches Kilimanjaro from the north—all the way from Kenya—and returns via the Marangu Route. The final ascent from Kibo Hut is quite steep and follows the same path as Marangu, passing Gilman’s Point on the way to Uhuru Peak.
Detailed Itinerary
DAY 1
NALE MURU GATE – SIMBA CAMP: 7KM /5MI | 3-4 HRS | RAINFOREST
Departing from Moshi or Arusha, a 4-5 hour drive will take you through the coffee plantations and the village of Nale Muru to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. We will patiently wait for our permits to be issued while watching the hustle and bustle of operations as many crews prepare for the journey ahead. Enjoy the beautiful wooded scenery and windy trails while your guide tells you about the local flora and fauna and the natural wildlife you are likely to see. Simba Camp sits near the first cave, at the edge of the moorland zone, with spectacular views of the plains of Kenya.
Elevation: 1997m/6552ft to 2635m/8645ft
Altitude Gained: 638m
Distance : 7KM /5MI
Hiking Time : 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
DAY 2
SIMBA CAMP – SECOND CAVE CAMP: 5.8KM/3.6MI | 5-6HRS | MOORLAND
After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, we continue along moorland terrain on a consistent ascending path. You will catch some terrific views of Kibo and get your first glimpse of the ice fields on the Eastern crater rim. The small shrubs of the moorland became thinner as you approached the Second Cave. Temperatures begin to drop.
Elevation: 2635m/8645ft to 3487m/11,440ft
- Altitude Gained: 852m
DAY 3
SECOND CAVE CAMP – THIRD CAVE CAMP: 3.3KM/2MI | 3-4HRS | SEMI DESERT
After breakfast and packing, you continue your steady ascent, entering the semi-desert terrain. This relatively short hiking day brings you closer to the Easter ice fields, continually drawing your attention to their beauty. Pay attention to your body and keep your guide informed of any signs of altitude sickness.
- Elevation: 2635m/8645ft to 3936m/12,913ft
- Altitude Gained: 449m
DAY 4
THIRD CAVE CAMP- KIBO HUTS: 6.7KM/4.2MI | 4-5HRS | ALPINE DESERT
As you depart early from the semi-desert zone of the Third Cave in the morning, you initiate your trek into the Alpine Desert terrain for the remainder of your ascent. Today’s hike is scheduled to take you just below the Kibo crater wall to the Kibo Huts. At this juncture, you will join the Marangu Route, which you will utilize to reach the summit. It is recommended that you prepare your clothing and equipment, including replacing the batteries in your headlamp and camera, prior to retiring at 7 PM, and aim to obtain several hours of rest before your summit attempt.
Elevation: 3936m/12,913ft to 5174m/16975ft
Altitude Gained: 1238m
DAY 5
KIBO HUTS – SUMMIT: 4KM /2.5 MI UP | 5-7HRS | – HOROMBO HUTS: 15.75KM /9.8MI DOWN | 5-6HRS | GLACIERS, SNOW CAPPED SUMMIT
Excitement is mounting as the morning begins with an early start between midnight and 2 a.m. This stage represents the most mentally and physically demanding segment of the expedition. Your journey continues towards the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers, with efforts to stay warm and focused on the remarkable sense of achievement that awaits us. Progressing in a switchback pattern in a northwesterly direction, we ascend through challenging scree terrain towards Stella Point on the crater rim.
Here, you will be rewarded with a breathtaking sunrise during your brief pause. Faster hikers may have the opportunity to observe the sunrise from the summit. From this point onward, during the remaining approximately one-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak, it is likely that snow will be encountered throughout.
Congratulations! With each step, you have reached Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and across the entire African continent! After taking photographs, celebrating, and perhaps shedding tears of joy, we pause to savor this extraordinary achievement.
We then begin our steep descent to Horombo Hut, stopping at Kibo Hut for lunch and a brief rest. We strongly recommend using gaiters and trekking poles to navigate the challenging terrain of loose gravel and volcanic ash. A well-earned rest awaits you, allowing you to enjoy your final evening on the mountain. Overnight stay at Horombo Hut.
Elevation: 5174m/16975ft to 5895m/19,341ft
Altitude Gained: 721m
Descent To: 3721m/12,208ft
Altitude Lost: 2174m
DAY 6
HOROMBO HUTS – MARANGU GATE – MOSHI: 20KM/12.5MI |6-7HRS | RAINFOREST
After breakfast and a sincere appreciation and team-bonding ceremony with your crew, it is time to bid farewell. We begin our descent, with a stop at the Mandara Huts for lunch. Please remember to tip your guides, cooks, and porters, as you will be leaving them at this stop.
You will then return to the Marangu Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. Because the weather is considerably warmer and the terrain is wet, muddy, and steep, we strongly recommend using gaiters and trekking poles. From the gate, a vehicle will transport you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha, about 45 minutes away. Please enjoy a well-deserved hot shower, dinner, and celebrations.
- Elevation: 3721m/12,208ft to 1905m/6250ft
- Altitude Lost: 1816m
What’s included?
- All transfers to the mountain and back to your Moshi hotel
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides
- Guides, Porters, Cook salaries and park fees
- Quality, waterproof, four-season mountain sleeping tents (on twin sharing basis)
- Sleeping Mattress
- Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
- Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Conservation fees (part of park fees)
- Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees)
- Rescue fees (part of park fees)
- VAT (18% charged by the Government)
- Kilimanjaro summit certificate
What’s not included?
- Tanzania Visa
- International and domestic flights
- Hotel (available as an optional addon)
- Transfers (available as an optional addon)
- Personal trekking equipment such as sleepings bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting)
- Tips and gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Liquors, beers and bottled beverages
- Surcharge for online payment of advance and balance (5% on each payment)
