Kilimanjaro Rongai Trek
- Duration
- 9 days
- Group size
- 15 People
- Country
- Tanzania
Kilimanjaro Rongai Trek Overview
Scale the summit of the highest peak of Africa ‘Kilimanjaro (5,895 m)’ sprawling through the easiest and remotest trekking route out of seven sanctioned gateways.
Scale the summit of the highest peak of Africa ‘Kilimanjaro (5,895 m)’ sprawling through the easiest and remotest trekking route out of seven sanctioned gateways.
The Rongai way is the only trail that advances from the Northern or Kenyan border side of Mt. Kilimanjaro. The route is becoming popular more and more as it retains the pure wilderness and grants the remote backwoods experience. Moreover, to the reason of popularity, it is the easiest route up to Kilimanjaro and has an excellent success rate.
The hike to Kilimanjaro via Rongai route begins from Kenyan border that offers stunning views over the African prairie and rugged Mawenzi. Passing through Simba camp, the forest zone, and the Kikelewa Caves, the trail leads to Mawenzi Tarn. Just after Mawenzi Tarn camp, trekkers pass the only mountain lake in Kilimanjaro National Park to get to the Kibo Huts.
Summit from Kibo Hut is steep and goes through the same path taken by Marangu trekkers which passes Gilman’s Point (5,700 m) to Uhuru Peak at the height of 5,895 meters. From the alluring top of Uhuru Peak, one can relish the panoramic views of surrounding peaks and savannahs. After the summit, the Rongai route descends via the Marangu trail filled with lush green rainforest and wildlife scenery.
Kilimanjaro can be climbed on a six, seven or even eight-day via the Rongai route. The seven or eight-day itineraries are highly recommended as trekkers will have extra days to acclimatize to the higher altitude.
The Rongai route is preferable for those looking for an alternative to the widely held Marangu route and who would like to experience a more remote hike.
Key highlights of the Kilimanjaro Rongai Trek
Itinerary
Direct arrival at Mountain Inn. Pre-climb briefing on trek and overnight Mountain Inn
- Altitude
- 890 m (2,920 ft)
- On foot
- None, arrival day
- Night in
- Hotel, Moshi
- Meals
- Dinner
Proceed to Marangu Gate for registration. Later drive to Nalemuru Gate (2020m) and start climb through the mountain’s forest. Trekking time: 3-4 hours, approx. 8km distance. Overnight Simba Camp (2625m)
- Altitude
- 2,625 m (8,610 ft)+1,735 m
- On foot
- 8 km, 3–4 hrs
- Night in
- Tented camp, Simba Camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Steady trek through the forest zone into the heather and moorland. Trekking time: 3-5 hours, approx. 7km distance. Overnight Second Cave Camp (2625m)
- Altitude
- 3,450 m (11,320 ft)+825 m
- On foot
- 7 km, 3–5 hrs
- Night in
- Tented camp, Second Cave Camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Continue your way through the heather and moorland, a steeper, rockier and slightly more physically demanding journey today compared to the previous days. Trekking time: 4-5 hours, approx. 8km distance. Overnight Kikelelwa Cave Camp (3630m)
- Altitude
- 3,630 m (11,910 ft)+180 m
- On foot
- 8 km, 4–5 hrs
- Night in
- Tented camp, Kikelewa Cave Camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Continue from the heather and moorland into the highland desert zone towards Mawenzi. Trekking time: 3-4 hours, approx. 5km distance. Overnight Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4310m)
- Altitude
- 4,310 m (14,140 ft)+680 m
- On foot
- 5 km, 3–4 hrs
- Night in
- Tented camp, Mawenzi Tarn Camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Journey across the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo. Trekking time: 3.5-5 hours, approx. 8km distance. Overnight Kibo Camp (4700m)
- Altitude
- 4,700 m (15,420 ft)+390 m
- On foot
- 8 km, 3.5–5 hrs
- Night in
- Tented camp, Kibo Camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Around mid-night, start for the summit to Gilman’s Point (5681m) and then continue to Uhuru Peak (5895m). Descend to Horombo Camp. Trekking time: 12-16 hours, approx. 21km distance. Overnight Horombo Camp (3720m)
- Altitude
- 5,895 m (19,340 ft) at Uhuru Peak+1,195 m
- On foot
- 21 km, 12–16 hrs
- Night in
- Tented camp, Horombo Camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Continue your descent through the heather and moorland, and the forest to Marangu Gate (1860m). Transfer to Moshi. Trekking time: 5-6 hours, approx. 12km distance. Overnight Mountain Inn
- Altitude
- 890 m (2,920 ft)−5,005 m
- On foot
- 12 km, 5–6 hrs
- Night in
- Hotel, Moshi
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Check-out. Proceed for safari | proceed to the airport | end of our services
- Altitude
- 890 m (2,920 ft)
- On foot
- None, departure day
- Night in
- No overnight
- Meals
- Breakfast
What's included
- 2 nights’ accommodation at Mountain Inn on half board basis (1 double | twin)
- Kilimanjaro National Park (KINAPA) conservation fees (entry fees)
- Kilimanjaro National Park compulsory rescue fees
- Kilimanjaro National Park camping fees
- KINAPA trained and certified English speaking guide/s
- KINAPA trained and certified porters (1 porter per person for personal mountain luggage of 15kg max.)
- KINAPA trained and certified cook / chef, utensils, cutlery, crockery etc.
- All meals on the mountain on full board basis
- Camping chairs, tables, dining tent
- Four or three season light dome tent per two passenger sharing
- 1 Transfer from Moshi to park gates per group
- 1 Transfer from park gates to Moshi per group
- Safe and luggage storage at Mountain Inn while on trek
- Boiled drinking water on trek
- Basic first aid kit per group
- Additional day/s for acclimatization
Not included
- Tips / gratuities
- Additional transfers from park gates to Moshi
- Airport transfers
- Extra nights’ accommodation at Mountain Inn
- Personal mountain equipment such as sleeping bags, walking poles, mattresses, duffel bags etc. (please request prices)
- Specialized trekking equipment such as Oxygen cylinders (please request prices)
- Beverages such as soft drinks, alcohol etc.
- Metal water bottles, water bladders etc. (please note: no soft plastics are permitted on the mountain)
- Items of personal nature
Photos
A look at the trail, the villages and the mountains.
Reviews
Everything was handled for us from the moment we landed. Our guide read the group perfectly, slowed the pace when we needed it, and knew every village along the way. I never once worried about logistics.
We travelled as a couple and the small group made all the difference. Comfortable lodges, honest advice about the altitude, and a team who clearly loved the mountains. Booking on our own dates was easy.
You can tell this is run by people from here, not a call centre abroad. The itinerary had proper rest days built in, the food was better than I expected, and the whole thing ran to time.
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9 days
$1,850 per person
