Mount Kilimanjaro Climb 7 Days Rongai Route
$1,950
Per Person
The Rongai Route is one of the easiest routes and the success rate is very high.
The route starts on the north side of the mountain just south of the Kenyan border, and is one of the least traveled routes. The descent is down the Marangu Route on the south side of the mountain, so climbers see the mountain from many view points.
The drive to the trail head takes about 2.5 hours from Moshi through many villages and coffee plantations, including a stop to register climbing permits at Marangu.
Day 1: Rongai Gate (1950m) – Simba Camp (2600m)
Pick up from your hotel drive for two hours and half to Marangu park gate for formalities registration after that transfer to the Rongai trailhead in about 3hours. Meet your guide and porters before you begin your hike from the Nale Moru village. The small winding path crosses maize fields before entering pine forest, and then climbs gently through a forest. The trail is not at all steep, but is rather a gentle hike through beautiful country. The first night’s camp is at Simba camp, at about 2,600 meters. There is a toilet and a wooden table with benches, but no hut. Water can be found just down the trail below samba camp.
Hiking time: 3 -4 hoursDistance
Approximately 8 kilometersHabitat
Montane forest
Day 2: Simba Camp (2600m) – Second Cave (3450M )
After Breakfast, enjoy the morning at Simba camp proceed with the hiking very slowly acclimatize your body until you reach Second cave (3450M ) for hot lunch. Afternoon relax at second cave with dinner and overnight.
Hiking time: 3 to 4 hoursDistance
Approximately 6 kilometersHabitat
Moorland
Day 3: Second Cave (3450m) – Kikelewa Cave (3600m)
After breakfast then continues up towards Kibo, reaching Kikelwa Cave at about 3600 metres. The views start to open up and you begin to feel you’re on a really big mountain! Water is in the obvious stream below the cave, although you might have to wander downhill a way to find some. Overnight at 3rd Cave camp (Kikelewa Caves).
Hiking time: 3-4 hoursDistance
Approximately 6 kilometersHabitat
Moorland
Day 4: Kikelewa Cave (3600m) – Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4330m)
A short but steep climb up grassy slopes offers superb views of this wilderness area. The vegetation zone ends shortly before you reach your next camp at Mawenzi Tarn spectacularly situated beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. Spend the afternoon acclimatizing and exploring the area
Hiking time: 4 hoursDistance
Approximately 5 kilometersHabitat
Moorland
Day 5: Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4330m) – Kibo Hut (4700m)
Continue ascending on the east side of Kibo crossing the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo taking 4 to 5 hours to reach Kibo Hut. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent, which begins around midnight. Overnight at Kibo Camp.
Hiking time: 5-6 hoursDistance
Approximately 8 kilometersHabitat
Alpine desert
Day 6: Summit Attempt, Kibo Hut (4700m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo Hut (3720m)
You will wake up around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night. This is where the going really gets tough. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), also a good resting spot. The path then zigzags up to Gillman’s point (5 681m), which is located on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot of stone scree, requiring a great physical and mental effort. Probably the most demanding section of the entire route. From Gillman’s Point you will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa. Total exhilaration and satisfaction – you madeit. Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long you can spend, taking photographs, before the 3-hour descent back to Kibo hut for a short rest ten after you descent to Horombo hut (3 hours) where you will overnight. The descent to Horombo hut will seem surprisingly fast compared to the ascent. The total time spent walking on this day is around almost 14 hours, . Later in the evening you enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and well-earned sleep
Day 7: Horombo Hut (3720m) – Marangu Gate (1980m)
After breakfast you continue your descent (6 hours), passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate. At Marangu gate you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Gillman’s Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. You now drive back to Arusha or Moshi where your trekking tour ends with sweet memories
Hiking time: 5-7 hours
Distance: Approximately 20 kilometers
Habitat: Montane forest
Tour Location
History Of Rongai Route
Climbers seeking a more secluded trek up Kilimanjaro should consider the Rongai Route. This route approaches from the rarely-used northern side of Mount Kilimanjaro and descends through Marangu on the west, allowing climbers the chance to traverse the mountain throughout their expedition. Rongai offers climbers a remote trek in pristine wilderness, with a higher chance of spotting wildlife. While the trail is not steep, one of the drawbacks to the Rongai Route is that it has a less than ideal acclimatization profile.
Despite some advertisements that this route begins on the “Kenyan side” of Mount Kilimanjaro, the whole of Africa’s highest mountain is within the borders of Tanzania. The start of the Rongai route is closer to the Kenyan border than other routes, but the entire trek takes place exclusively in Tanzania.
Rongai is one of the few routes to ascend Kilimanjaro through the comfortable shade of coniferous forests instead of a tropical rainforest. Due to its remote nature, there is a higher chance of hikers spotting animals such as gazelles, buffalo and even elephants on this route.
Rongai’s trail gently ascends, avoiding steep hikes and is sometimes recommended for beginners as one of the easiest climbs up Kilimanjaro. However, this also results in a poor acclimatization profile for the Rongai Route: without steep ascents, it is not possible to follow the climber’s mantra of “climb high, sleep low”, which can result in climbers having difficulty at higher altitudes. Peaceful Expeditions addresses this concern by offering an additional acclimatization day to increase chances of success.
Price Included
- Pre & Post Trek accommodation
- Professional guides, cooks and porters
- Transportation to & from the mountain gate
- Park fees, Camping fees & rescue fees
- VAT fees and Charges
- Double layered Sleeping Mats
- 3 meals daily while on the mountain
- Filtered water throughout the trek
- Pick up and drop off at the airport.
- Fair wages for the mountain crew.
Price Not Included
- International flights.
- Bank charges
- Personal Expenses
- Tips to Crew (highly recommended).
- Visa, Travel Insurance (we can help arrange of them).
- Expenditures of personal nature like drinks, telephone, laundry, Internet etc.
Hayate H
January 25, 2022
Amazing trip Kilimanjaro hike
We had an amazing trip with Peaceful Expeditions.Guide and his crew was excellent and really appreciate their efforts . We had a great time. Highly recommend!!