6 Days Rongai Route
Why choose the Rongai Route for trekking Kilimanjaro?
- Less Crowded: It is one of the quieter routes, offering a more peaceful trekking experience with fewer climbers.
- Scenic Variety: The route offers diverse landscapes, starting in the dry northern side and passing through rainforests, moorlands, and alpine deserts.
- Gentle Ascent Profile: The gradual ascent profile provides a better chance for acclimatization, reducing the risk of altitude sickness.
- Dryer Conditions: The north side of the mountain tends to be drier, making it a good choice during the rainy season.
- Wildlife Sightings: The initial stages of the route pass through wilderness areas where trekkers might see wildlife.
However, note that the descent follows the Marangu Route, so the experience of the quieter ascent route may be contrasted with a busier descent.
Overview: 6 Days on the mountain
Arrival
Day 1: Moshi to Nalemoru Gate to Simba Camp
Day 2: Simba Camp to Kikelewa Camp
Day 3: Kikelewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn Camp
Day 4: Mawenzi Tarn Camp to Kibo Hut
Day 5: Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut
Day 6: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate
Departure
Detailed Itinerary
Arrival at the airport
Upon arrival at the Kilimanjaro airport, you will be met by GATE’s representative who will take you to your accommodation in Moshi for an overnight stay.
- Destination: Moshi
- Accommodation: Pre-booked accommodation
- Meal plan: Not included
DAY 1: Nalemoru Gate to Simba Camp
After breakfast at your hotel, our driver will pick you up and you can enjoy travelling through charming rural villages before you stop in Nale Moru where you will complete the paperwork. When you hit the trail it will be a wide and pleasant slope through farm fields and into the pine forest teeming with wildlife. You’ll reach and spend the night at Simba Camp which sits at the edge of the trees and has gorgeous views of the vast plains across the border with Kenya.
- Hiking time: 4 hours
- Distance: About 7 km
- Habitat: Montane forest
- Elevation: From 2,000m at Nalemoru Gate to 2,620m at Simba Camp
DAY 2: Simba Camp to Kikelewa Camp
Today you will continue your hike through the moorland, allowing open views as you trek through the heather. We will break for lunch at First Cave which is about 5 km away. During this trek, you’ll have a beautiful view of Kibo and the eastern ice fields from Second Cave Camp
- Hiking time: 5-7 hours
- Distance: About 11.8 km.
- Habitat: Moorland
- Elevation: From 2,620m at Simba Camp to 3679m at Kikelewa Camp
DAY 3: Kikelewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn Camp
This morning, we have a brief but steep climb up grassy slopes, rewarded with stunning views of the Kenyan plains. We leave vegetation behind as we reach Mawenzi Tarn Hut, situated below Mawenzi’s towering cliffs. This afternoon, you can rest or explore the area to aid acclimatization
- Hiking time: 2-3hours
- Distance: About 3.7km
- Habitat: Semi-desert
- Elevation: From 3679m at Kikelwa Camp to 4303m Mawenzi Tarn Camp
DAY 4: Mawenzi Tarn Camp to Kibo Hut
The rocky landscape that stretches between the Kibo and Mawenzi peaks is known as the “saddle.” You’ll enjoy breathtaking views as you cross this space and end your day at the foot of Kibo. You’ll notice that the solitude of your route has disappeared as you arrive at the much busier Kibo Hut Camp. Head to bed early as you’ll be back on the trail around midnight for your big day!
- Hiking time: 5 hours
- Distance: About 9km
- Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit.
- Elevation: From 4303m at Mawenzi Tarn to 4730m at Kibo Hut
DAY 5: Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut
This day will by far be the toughest one. You will be woken just before midnight and soon head off into the cold night up a rocky path towards the Hans Meyer Cave at 5150 metres – you may take a short rest here before continuing your ascent up to Gillman’s Point at 5685 metres. This is probably the most demanding section of the entire route as it is very steep and stony, there go slowly and carefully here. From Gillman’s Point, you will more than likely be walking through snow for the next 2 hours to reach the summit of Uhuru Peak at 5895 metres. Cold and fatigue will set in quickly, so take a moment to enjoy your Kilimanjaro conquest and take some pictures before starting the long descent.
Your descent will follow the southern Marangu Route, which will be noticeably different from the ascent route, with more people and probably more mud. You’re likely to see monkeys and various birds along the way. The first part of the descent to Kibo Hut takes about 3 hours. After a short rest and brunch, you will continue for another 4 hours to Horombo Hut where you arrive in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay, feeling proud and exhilarated.
- Hiking time: 13-16 hours
- Distance: About 21km
- Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
- Elevation: From 4730m at Kibo Hut to 5895m at Uhuru Peak, down to 3705m at Horombo Hut
DAY 6: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate
After an early and well-deserved breakfast, you continue your descent passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate – this will take the best part of seven hours. At Marangu gate, you will sign your name and details in a register. To make your achievement official, you will receive a summit certificate. If you reached Gillman’s Point you will be presented with a green certificate, and if you made it to Uhuru Peak you will have earned yourself a gold certificate. You will have a hot lunch at the gate, and a celebration with your mountain crew.
After signing out at the park gate, GATE’s driver will transfer you to a hotel in Moshi or Arusha for a hot shower, dinner and overnight. Otherwise, you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport to catch your flight back home
- Hiking time: 7 hours
- Distance: About 19 Km
- Habitat: Moorland + Rain Forest
Departure
Booking Info
-
2 people- $2,500/person
-
3 people- $2,350/person
-
4 people- $2,250/person
-
4> people- $2,200/person
Included:
- Two nights’ accommodation at your pre-booked hotel in Moshi double or triple occupancy (before and after the climb)
- First night meals not included but, you have the option to get your lunch/dinner at the hotel or at a restaurant in Moshi
- Last night includes dinner & breakfast
- National park fees
- Hut/camping fees and tents
- Tents foam sleeping pads, cooking equipment, and (Cutlery / Crockery) eating utensils.
- Pulse oximeters
- First aid kit
- Drinking water on the mountain
- Airport transfers (JRO – Kilimanjaro International Airports)
- All meals on the mountain (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
- Guides, porters, waiter, cook accommodation and entry fees on the mountain
Excluded:
- Single rooms supplement at Kiliwonders Hotel.
- Guides, Porters, Cook & Waiters tips
- Meals and drinks not specified
- Mountain equipment (eg sleeping bags)
- Gear for your climb, Some equipment is available for rent
- Emergency Oxygen
- Additional nights beyond the two standard hotel nights included
- Extra activities (waterfall tour, cultural village visit).
- Visa fees & travel insurance.
- Flight tickets.
