7-Day Kilimanjaro Climbing Via Rongai Route

A Picturesque and Rewarding Route for Climbing Kilimanjaro [7-Day Rongai Route]

Climbing Kilimanjaro via Rongai Route provides a less crowded yet uniquely wild experience due to its remote location. This route offers a chance to encounter large wildlife such as antelope, elephants, and buffalo, enhancing the adventure with rich natural sightings. Rongai Route is favored for its drier conditions compared to other routes, resulting in less rain and clearer views of Kilimanjaro’s peak.

Despite its relatively flatter terrain, Rongai Route does not offer the climb high, sleep low strategy, which can make acclimatization more challenging. Therefore, it is advisable to plan for additional acclimatization days to ensure a successful summit attempt and to reduce the risk of altitude sickness.

This route is considered one of the easier paths to Kilimanjaro’s summit and is unique for approaching from the north. It involves a descent via Marangu Route, providing a different perspective on the mountain’s slopes. Summit night involves a demanding ascent from Kibo Hut, where you will tackle a steep climb to reach Gilman’s Point and then Uhuru Peak.

INCLUDED & EXCLUDED

All transfers to the mountain and back to your Moshi Hotel
Professional, Experienced, Mountain Guides
Porters and Chef
Quality, Waterproof and Four-Season Mountain Sleeping Tents & Sleeping Huts
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 and Purified Drinking Water
All Park Fees and VAT/Tax Fees (18%)
Kilimanjaro Summit Certificate

International Flights
Visa and Travel insurance
Tips (tipping guideline US $10.00 pp per day)
Personal Climbing Equipment such as Sleepings Bags, Hiking Boots, Clothes, e.t.c., (Available for Renting)
The government-imposed Increase of Taxes and/or Park Fees
Alcohol drinks
Accommodations for Arrival and Departure Days (Available as Optional Add-on)
Airport Transfer Fees (From/To)

ADVENTURE ITINERARY

Arrival in Moshi

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you’ll be greeted and transferred to the hotel for overnight accommodation. Your head guide will conduct a briefing, gear check, and assist with equipment rental needs.

Overnight at a lodge or hotel in Moshi.

Day 1: Nale Muru Gate to Simba Camp

Your climbing Kilimanjaro journey begins with a 4 to 5 hours drive from Moshi, passing through lush coffee plantations and the scenic Nale Muru village en route to the Nale Muru gate. While your permits are being processed, you’ll have time to take in the wooded surroundings before starting your ascent to Simba Camp. Nestled near the first cave, Simba Camp offers breathtaking views of the Kenyan plains.

Habitat: Montane Forest

[Elevation: 8,645 ft ∼ 2635 m, Trekking time: 3 to 4 hours].

Day 2: Simba Camp to Second Cave Camp

Early in the morning, after breakfast, your climbing Kilimanjaro adventure continues as the group departs from Simba Camp, trekking toward Second Cave Camp. This section of the route is relatively easy and takes about 3 hours, leaving you with plenty of time to rest and explore the area once you arrive. After lunch, you’ll have a couple of hours to relax before embarking on an acclimatization hike towards Kikilewa Camp (3,630 m) along a short stretch of the Rongai Route, gaining 100 meters in altitude. Afterward, you’ll return to Second Cave Camp for the night.

Habitat: Moorland

[Elevation: 11,319 ft ∼ 3450 m, Trekking time: ∼ 3 hours].

Day 3. Second Cave Camp to Kikilewa Camp

Your day of climbing Kilimanjaro begins with an early breakfast, followed by a trek from Second Cave Camp to Kikilewa Camp, your second high-altitude stop. From Kikilewa Camp, you’ll be treated to spectacular views of Kibo Volcano if the weather is clear. This trek is more physically demanding than the previous day’s hike, so once you reach the camp, it’s important to rest and recover.

Habitat: Moorland

[Elevation: 11,906 ft ∼ 3,630 m, Trekking time: ∼ 3 hours].

Day 4: Kikilewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn Camp

Your day of climbing Kilimanjaro begins with an early breakfast, followed by a trek to Mawenzi Tarn Camp, located at the base of Mawenzi Volcano, Kilimanjaro’s second-highest peak. Upon reaching the camp, you’ll enjoy lunch and take a two-hour rest. In the afternoon, you’ll embark on an acclimatization hike toward Mawenzi Volcano, gaining 200 meters (656 feet) in altitude. Afterward, you’ll return to Mawenzi Tarn Camp for dinner. This acclimatization hike is crucial to improving your chances of successfully summiting Kilimanjaro and preventing altitude sickness, so it’s important to take it seriously.

Habitat: Alpine-Desert

[Elevation: 14,156 ft ∼ 4,315 m, Trekking time: 4 to 5 hours].

Day 5: Mawenzi Tarn Camp to School Hut Camp

As you continue climbing Kilimanjaro, this day will involve trekking toward School Hut Camp. The landscape will shift dramatically, transforming into a rocky semi-desert. While the trek itself isn’t particularly difficult, it’s crucial to maintain a steady pace to conserve energy for the final ascent to Kilimanjaro’s summit. Upon reaching School Hut Camp, it’s essential to get plenty of rest, avoid strenuous activity, and stay well-hydrated, as you’ll be making the challenging ascent to Uhuru Peak later that night.

Habitat: Alpine-Desert

[Elevation: 15,744 ft ∼ 4800 m, Trekking time: 5 to 6 hours].

Day 6: School Hut Camp to Summit to Horombo Hut

As you near the culmination of your climbing Kilimanjaro adventure, your group will depart from School Hut Camp at night to begin the final ascent to Kilimanjaro’s summit, Uhuru Peak. This critical stage of the climb will test your endurance, as the high altitude makes even routine physical activities feel incredibly demanding. To ensure safety and success, each climber will be paired with a personal guide who will closely monitor your physical condition throughout the ascent.

The climbing Kilimanjaro from School Hut Camp to Uhuru Peak typically involves navigating steep, icy terrain under the cover of darkness, making headlamps and warm clothing essential. The thin air at this elevation can cause altitude sickness, so your guide will encourage a slow, steady pace, emphasizing breathing techniques to maximize oxygen intake.

Upon reaching Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa at 19,336 ft (5,895 m), you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes, often illuminated by the first light of dawn. If conditions allow, you may have the opportunity to descend briefly to the nearest glacier, providing a unique and memorable experience.

Following your successful summit, you’ll return to Kibo Camp for a well-deserved rest. After a two-hour break to recover, you’ll continue your descent to Horombo Camp, where the altitude begins to ease, and you can start to relax after the most challenging part of your Kilimanjaro climb.

Habitat: Alpine-Desert & Ice-Capped

[Elevation: 19,336 ft ∼ 5,895 m, Trekking time: 6 to 7 hours].

Day 7: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate to Moshi

After breakfast and a heartfelt farewell ceremony with your crew, you’ll begin your final descent, heading down to Mandara Hut for lunch. From there, you’ll continue to Marangu Park Gate, where you’ll receive your well-earned summit certificates, marking the successful completion of your Kilimanjaro climb. A vehicle will then transfer you to your hotel in Moshi, where you can enjoy a much-needed shower, a delicious dinner, and well-deserved celebrations.

Overnight at a lodge or hotel in Moshi.

Departure from Moshi

Depending on your flight time, our representative will arrive at the hotel to transfer you to the airport and have our farewell. This will mark the end of the Mount Kilimanjaro trek. Good luck!

Add-On

For the Arrival day (pre-hiking) and Departure day (post-hiking), you have the option to decide whether you would like us to arrange accommodation in Moshi and include it in the total Tour budget, or if you prefer to book it yourself and be excluded from the total Tour budget. “You will let us know”.

Our Hotels in Moshi

ParkView Inn
Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel
Panama Garden Resort

Private Gears

Private Toilet

Transfer [From/To]

Airport Transfer [From/To]

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