9 Days Rongai Route Kilimanjaro Climb | Scenic & Less Crowded
Starting north of Mount Kilimanjaro, just south of the Kenyan border, the Rongai Route is the perfect choice for those who are looking for a more relaxed expedition to the Roof of Africa. While not easy, it is less challenging than some of the other routes, and with its gradual inclines and long winding trails, it is suitable for most fitness levels.
The Rongai Route starts at the Marangu Gate and winds its way through maize fields before climbing gently through the equatorial rainforest that homes a variety of wildlife such as the black and white Colobus monkey. This route offers stunning views of Kibo, and it is one of just a few routes to transit Gilman’s Point on the way to Uhuru Peak.
While you can hike the Rongai Route in six days, the seven-day route is recommended to allow for acclimatization, particularly for those with little experience of hiking at high altitude.
Pre-and-post climb accommodations and airport transfers are included with all Kilimanjaro Company Rongai Route Expeditions, and so the only extras you need to budget for are dinner/drinks at the hotel in Moshi and tips for your mountain crew. Please read our Kilimanjaro Essential Information Guide for more information.
DAY 1: ARRIVE KILIMANJARO
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, proceed to the arrivals hall where your driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel in Moshi. In the afternoon, your guide will schedule a briefing at the hotel to prepare you for the days ahead.
Overnight: Kilimanjaro White house Hotel (Bed and Breakfast) (or similar)
DAY 2: MOSHI – RONGAI GATE – FIRST CAVE CAMP
After breakfast today, your driver will collect you and drive you to the Marangu Gate where you will collect your hiking permit. From here, you will transfer to the Rongai Gate where you will begin your Kilimanjaro expedition. The path winds through farmlands before climbing gently into the rainforest habitat at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro, as you make your way to your first camp on the mountain – aptly named First Cave Camp.
DAILY INFORMATION
- Rongai Gate to First Cave Camp
- Elevation: 5,900 ft to 8,400 ft
- Elevation: 1,900m to 2,600m
- Distance: 8 km / 5 miles
Hiking Time: 4 – 5 hours
Habitat: Rainforest - Overnight: First Cave Camp
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3: FIRST CAVE CAMP – KIKELELWA CAVE CAMP
After breakfast today, you will start with a slow and steady ascent to Second Cave Camp where you break for lunch while enjoying the spectacular views of Kibo and the eastern ice-fields of the crater rim. From here, you will continue through the moorland zone towards to Mawenzi Peak, and your base for the night Kikelelwa Cave Camp.
DAILY INFORMATION
- First Cave Camp to Kikelelwa Cave Camp
- Elevation: 8,400 ft to 11,800 ft
- Elevation: 2,600m to 3,600m
- Distance: 12 km / 8 miles
Hiking Time: 4 – 5 hours
Habitat: Moorland Heath - Trekking Time: 6-8 Hours
- Overnight: Kikelelwa Cave Camp
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4: KIKELELWA CAVE CAMP – MAWENZI TARN CAMP
After breakfast today, you’ll leave the vegetation zone behind and cross grassy slopes as you make your way towards Mawenzi Tarn Camp – spectacularly located beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. Today’s hike is relatively short, leaving plenty of time to explore this majestic camp in the afternoon and acclimatize to the altitude.
DAILY INFORMATION
- Kikelelwa Cave Camp to Mawenzi Tarn Camp
- Elevation: 11,800 ft to 14,200 ft
- Elevation: 3,600m to 4,330m
- Distance: 5 km / 3 miles
- Hiking Time: 3 – 4 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
- Overnight: Mawenzi Tarn Camp
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5: ACCLIMATISATION DAY
Today is an important day for acclimatization, and to the reduce the risk of altitude sickness, you will spend the day at Mawenzi Tarn Camp. With no early wake-up call, you can enjoy a lie in before heading out on an acclimatisation walk with your guide. There are several options available, with both steep scree slopes and lunar desert hikes nearby. The evening will be spent at leisure at Mawenzi Tarn Camp.
- DAILY INFORMATION
- Mawenzi Tarn Camp
- Elevation: 14,200 ft
- Elevation: 4,330m
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
- Overnight: Mawenzi Tarn Camp
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6: MAWENZI TARN CAMP – KIBO HUT
After breakfast in camp, you will cross the lunar desert ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo Hut at the bottom of the Kibo Crater wall. You will spend the rest of the day relaxing here in preparation for your midnight summit attempt.
DAILY INFORMATION
- Mawenzi Tarn Camp to Kibo Hut
- Elevation: 14,200 ft to 15,400 ft
- Elevation: 4,330m to 4,700m
- Distance: 8 km / 5 miles
Hiking Time: 5 – 6 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert - Overnight: Kibo Hut
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7: KIBO HUT – UHURU PEAK SUMMIT – HOROMBO CAMP
It’s summit night! After a midnight wakeup call and a hot drink, you will begin your summit to Uhuru Peak at 5895m / 19,340ft above sea level. This is the steepest and most demanding part of your journey, and as you walk slowly through loose scree to reach the crater rim at Gilman’s Point, it will take every ounce of determination to reach your goal. After a short rest, you’ll continue further to Uhuru Peak – the highest point in Africa!
After taking those cherished summit photos, you will begin your descent to Kibo Hut for lunch, before trekking further down to Horombo Camp for your final night on the mountain.
DAILY INFORMATION
- Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Camp
- Elevation: 15,400 ft to 19,340 ft (and descend to 12,200 ft)
- Elevation: 4,700m to 5,895m (and descent to 3,720m)
- Distance: 22 km / 14 miles
Hiking Time: 10 – 13 hours
Habitat: Arctic - Overnight: Horombo Camp
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8: HOROMBO HUT – MARANGU GATE – MOSHI
After a final mountainside breakfast, you will descend to the Marangu Gate where you will collect your certificate and spend some quality time with your mountain crew. The perfect time to give them their well-deserved tips. Afterwards, you’ll transfer back to the hotel in Moshi for a night of relaxation or celebration!
DAILY INFORMATION
- Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate
- Elevation: 12,200 ft to 6,050 ft
- Elevation: 3,720m to 1,830m
- Distance: 20 km / 12 miles
Hiking Time: 5 7 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
Overnight: Overnight: Kilimanjaro White house Hotel (Bed and Breakfast) (or similar)
DAY 9: DEPARTURE
At the agreed time, your driver will collect you and transfer you to the airport for your return flight home. Alternatively, you will connect with your safari adventure or beach holiday.
KILIMANJARO PRICE 9 DAYS RONGAI ROUTE
ACCOMMODATION | PRICE | HINTS INCLUSIVE | ||
Package for-Private hiking | Kilimanjaro White House Hotel (Bed and breakfast) before and after the climb in Moshi town | USD ($) 3000 per person | Sleeping tent Mattress | |
Package for-Joining Group hiking | Kilimanjaro White House Hotel (Bed and breakfast) before and after the climb in Moshi town | USD ($) 2700 per person | Sleeping tent Mattress | |
NB: For the group, sharing won’t be any additional charges in the case of the group member cancelling or changing the route. The office will encore that cost and we will take you privately | ||||
Included
- Park fees,
- Camp fees
- Rescue fees
- 18% VAT on tour fees & services
- Transportation to & from the mountain gate
- Filtered water throughout the trek
- Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
- Quality, waterproof, four-season private mountain sleeping tents
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides, Cook, and Porter
- All Park fees Airport transfers Rescue fees
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
- Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
- Large portions of fresh, healthy nutritious food
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Oximeter
- Medical Kit
- Emergency oxygen
- Crisis management and safety procedures
- Fair and ethical treatment of porters
- Pick up and drop off to Kilimanjaro International Airport.
- Pre and after – trek accommodations at the hotel in Moshi town with bed & breakfast (BB) Meal plan
Not Included
- Both National and International flights
- Medical / Travel Insurance
- Visa cost which is $50 except for Canadian and USA passport holders which is 100$
- Tips to mountain crew
- Items of a personal nature
- Laundry Services
- A doctor for the group
- Alcoholic beverages
- Portable flush toilet with a toilet tent is extra ($150 per toilet + toilet tent)