Kilimanjaro Rongai Route 7 Days

Mount Kilimanjaro

From

$2250.00

Duration

7 days

Tour Type

5

Tour Overview

Rongai is the only route of Kilimanjaro starting on the northern slope of the mountain. Though hikers rarely visit this part of the Mountain, it is no less interesting than the popular southern and western slopes. We recommend Rongai to all those who like reclusive hiking experiences. Getting to the trailhead – Nalemuru Gate – usually takes 3-4 hours from the hotel in Moshi. Rongai is also the only route that passes by Mawenzi, one of the three volcanic cones of Kilimanjaro and the third highest peak in Africa. The way back lies through Marangu, and thus you will be able to see both sides of the mountain. Although six- and seven-day programs are available for the Kilimanjaro Rongai Route itinerary, the longer option is recommended for a smoother acclimatization transition.

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport

After arriving at the Airport, you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel in Moshi. Later on, your guide will come to brief you about the trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear

Tour Plan

Day 1 Arrival in Moshi

Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you'll be warmly welcomed and transferred to your hotel in Moshi. This day is reserved for rest and preparation. In the evening, you'll meet your trekking guide for a detailed briefing about the upcoming adventure. They will also conduct an equipment check to ensure you're fully prepared for the climb. Missing gear can be rented at this time.

Accommodation: Hotel in Moshi
Meals: Dinner
Elevation: Approximately 800 meters (2,625 feet)

Day 2 Nalemoru Gate (1990m) to Simba Camp (2570m)

Distance covered: 8 km

Approximate time taken: 4 hours

Habitat: Tropical Rain Forest

Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

A guide and a mountain support crew will arrive at your hotel in the morning to meet you and hold a quick briefing, after which you will travel by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park's northern entrance: Nalemuru Gate (2,020m/6627f). After the quick formality of acquiring climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, the group will start trekking up to Simba Camp (2,671m/8612f). Your trek this day will be moderate and take you through the coniferous forest up Kilimanjaro's northern slope. Remember not to hurry and always keep a comfortable pace. By the time you reach the camp, our professional mountain crew will have prepared everything necessary, put up tents, and begun preparing dinner.

Day 3 Simba Camp (2570m) to 2nd Cave Camp (3450m)

Distance covered: 5 km

Approximate time taken: 3 hours

Habitat: Moorland

Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Continue hiking up to second camp located in the moorland zone. On this day you will have a good view of Kibo and the eastern ice fields on the crater rim. Then overnight at 2nd Cave Camp (3450m).

Day 4 - 2nd Cave Camp (3480m) to KikelelwaCamp (3630m)

Distance covered: 5 km

Approximate time taken: 3 hours

Habitat: Moorland

Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Another beautiful day with super views of the eastern ice field on the crater rims of Kibo, the highest of the three volcanoes which form the mountain. It will take us 3 hours to cross the moorland zone on a smaller path towards the jugged peaks of Mawenzi (5140 m) to reach at Kikelelwa for lunch and overnight.

Day 5 Kikelelwa Camp (3630 m) to Mawenzi Tan Hut (4330m)

Distance covered: 8 km

Approximate time taken: 4 hours

Habitat: Semi desert

Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Today prepare yourself for a short day but steep climb that will take up grassy slopes where you will be rewarded by stunning all-round views and a tangible sense of wilderness. The camp is spectacularly located in a cirque directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. You have free time in the afternoon that you can either use to rest or explore the surrounding areas as an aid to acclimatization. Overnight at Mawenzi Tan Hut (4330m).

Day 6 Mawenzi Tan Hut (4330m) to Kibo Hut (4700m)

Distance covered: 8 km

Approximate time taken: 5 hours

Habitat: Alpine desert

Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Today you will cross the lunar desert of the saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi to reach Kibo Hut. You will spend your afternoon for lunch and resting at Kibo while waiting for the final ascent to summit at midnight.

Day 7: Summit Day

Distance covered: 22 km

Approximate time taken: 13 hours

Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

The final part you will start climbing around 00:00. The part is considered the steepest and most demanding. Your guide will set a very standard pace to you (walk slowly). In the darkness it will take us 5 hours to reach the crater rim at Gilman’s Point (5685 m) where you will have a short rest with a cup of tea while you enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. Afterwards you continue for almost 1 hour to UHURU Peak (5895 m). You will be passing close to the spectacular glacier and ice diffs that still occupy most of the summit area. After taking photos at the top of Africa you will start walking down to Kibo Hut for a short rest and hot lunch before descending to Horombo Hut. Stay overnight at Horombo hut.

Day 8 Horombo Hut (3720m) to Marangu Gate (1860m)

Distance covered: 20 km

Approximate time taken: 7 hours

Meal: Breakfast, and lunch included

On the last day you will pass through heath and moorland zone to Mandara Hut (2700 m) and have a hot lunch there. Then continue going down through a tropical rain forest up to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. You will collect your certificates and after completing other park formalities the car will be ready to take you to your hotel in Moshi where you will have warm shower. It’s definitely time to celebrate!

Day 9 Departure

Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time to explore Moshi or relax at the hotel. When it's time, you'll be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure flight, marking the end of your unforgettable adventure.

Meals: Breakfast

Included/Exclude

Transfers: Round-trip airport transfers and transportation to/from the mountain gate.
Accommodation: 2 nights in a hotel (pre- and post-trek) with breakfast. Quality, waterproof, four-season mountain tents with sleeping mats.
Meals: 3 nutritious meals daily while on the mountain; breakfast at the hotel.
Water: Filtered and purified drinking water throughout the trek.
Professional Team: Experienced, English-speaking guides certified in wilderness first aid. Cooks and porters to support the trek.
Equipment: Dining tent with tables and chairs. Emergency oxygen cylinder and oximeter.
Permits and Fees: Kilimanjaro National Park entry, camping, and rescue fees. 18% VAT on tour fees and services.
Support Staff Compensation: Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by relevant authorities.

Flights: International and domestic airfare.
Visa: Tanzania entry visa fees.
Personal Expenses:
Travel insurance (mandatory).
Tips for guides, cooks, and porters.
Personal trekking gear (available for rent upon request).
Meals not specified in the itinerary (e.g., lunch and dinner in Moshi).
Beverages, laundry, and other personal items.
Optional Add-ons: Portable flush toilet with a toilet tent.
Additional hotel nights or excursions (e.g., safaris, Zanzibar trips).

Tour Map

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Mode of Travel:

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Max Guests

120

Min Age

12+

Tour Location

Mount Kilimanjaro

Languages Support

English, French, German, Spanish

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Photography

You should always ask permission before taking anyone’s photograph. Many of the people in places that receive a steady stream of travelers are used to having their pictures taken and some may ask for money. You can usually tell the people who will ask for money, as they pose for pictures as their “job” and will be standing around looking for tourists, asking if you want to photograph them.

Do we need a tourist visa to enter Tanzania?

A valid visa is required for travel to Tanzania. A passport with a minimum validity of 6 months prior to expiry is required.

A single-entry visa is valid for 3 months from the date of issue. Visas-on-arrival are available at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)for US$50. (For U.S. Citizens, the cost is US$100 for a multiple entry visa.) However, it is advised that visitors traveling from a country where visa services are available should obtain a visa prior to arrival in order to avoid potential delays at the airport.

When is the best time to climb Kilimanjaro?

Mount Kilimanjaro can be climbed anytime throughout the year. Most travelers prefer climbing during the dry seasons: December to March, June to October. Many consider the best months to climb Kilimanjaro to be January, February, and September.

Will I see wildlife?

Prior to the climb, you’ll enjoy an acclimatization day with wildlife viewing and nature walks. Trekking through the rain forest, you’re likely to spot black-and-white Colobus monkeys, tropical birds and more.

What kind of food will I eat?

Highly-trained chefs prepare three hot nutritious meals daily, as well as trail snacks and afternoon tea each day. You’ll eat all your meals in a solar-lit dining tent with your fellow trekkers and head guide. Delicious vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other specialty meals can be provided (with advance request). We’re happy to send you a sample menu—just ask!

What are the Kilimanjaro accommodations like?

Your mountain camps are set up and broken down each day by expert camp porters. You’ll stay in double occupancy all-weather tents with full-ground pads to keep you and your gear dry. Private toilet tents, solar-lit dining tents with tables and chairs, and basins of hot water for washing are provided in every camp. Grand Traverse treks include upgraded solar-lit walk-in-height sleeping tents with mountaineering beds and mattresses for additional comfort.

How high is Kilimanjaro?

Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest freestanding mountain in the world and the highest mountain in Africa. Its highest point is Uhuru Peak on the Kibo crater at 5895m above sea level.

What kind of experience do I need?

None, but previous hiking or climbing experience will help. You need to be fit and healthy and have a good pair of worn-in hiking boots. The fitter you are the more you are likely to enjoy it.

How long is the hike?

There are at least six routes to the top, Uhuru peak. You will hike between 53 and 73km depending on which route you choose. The shortest and toughest is the 5-day Umbwe route. Allowing extra days will help you to acclimatize better and improve your chances of reaching the summit. The easiest and most popular route is Marangu (which can be done in five), but we use six days for this route.