9 Days Kilimanjaro Trekking Safaris via 7 Days Rongai Route
- Best Time To Go : January – March and July - December
- Holiday Length : 7 Days / 6 Nights
- Holiday type : Trekking
Trekking Overview
7 Days Rongai Route – A Scenic and
Less Crowded Way to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro
Unlike the other trails on the mountain, the Rongai Route begins on the quiet northern side of Mount Kilimanjaro, close to the Kenyan border, offering climbers a more remote and peaceful starting point for their adventure.. This unique starting point gives climbers a quieter and more remote experience compared to other popular trails. Although it has grown in popularity over the years, Rongai remains one of the least crowded routes on the mountain.
This route is ideal for trekkers who want to avoid the busier paths like the Marangu Route. It’s perfect for those seeking solitude, wide-open landscapes, and a true wilderness adventure. Because the northern side of Kilimanjaro receives less rainfall, Rongai is also an excellent choice during the rainy season.
How Long Does the Rongai Route Take?
The minimum recommended duration for the Rongai Route is 6 days, though most climbers choose a 7-day itinerary. The extra day allows for better acclimatization, increasing your chances of reaching the summit successfully and safely.
Day by Day Itinerary
DAY 1: Arrival
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town; you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented on this day.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
DAY 2: Nalemoru Gate (1990m) to Simba Camp (2625m)
This morning we will drive to the village of Nale Moru for the starting point of the Rongai route. The first stage of the trek is through farmland and pine forests. You may have chance to see the beautiful Colobus monkeys or if you’re lucky enough, elephants or buffalos en route. Our first camp will be the Simba Camp located at the edge of the moorland zone at 2625m.
Distance covered: 8km / 5mi
Approx. time taken: 4 – 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
DAY 3: Simba Camp (2625m) to 2nd Cave Camp (3480m)
The morning hike is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave Camp located in the moorland zone with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim.
Distance covered: 5km / 3.1mi
Approx. time taken: 3 – 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Include
DAY 4: Kikelewa Cave (3679m) – Mawenzi Tarn camp (4303m)
A short but steep climb up grassy slopes offers superb views of this wilderness area. The vegetation zone ends shortly before you reach your next camp at Mawenzi Tarn spectacularly situated beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. Spend the afternoon acclimatizing and exploring the area.
Distance covered: 8km / 5mi
Approx. time taken: 4 – 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
DAY 5: Mawenzi Tarn camp (4303m) – Kibo hut (4730m)
After breakfast we head west and continue ascending on the east side of Kibo crossing the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo taking 4 to 5 hours to reach Kibo Hut. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent, which begins around midnight. Overnight at Kibo hut.
Distance covered: 8km / 5mi
Approx. time taken: 5 – 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
DAY 6: Kibo hut (4730m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo hut (3705m)
You will rise around 23h20, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night, and this is where the going really gets tough. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), also a good resting spot.
The path then zigzags up to Gillman’s point (5 681m), which is located on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot of stone scree, requiring a great physical and mental effort. This is probably the most demanding section of the entire route. Do the Kili shuffle and move slowly. From Gillmans Point you will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru Peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa.
Total exhilaration and satisfaction – you made it
Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long you will be able to spend, taking photographs, before the 3-hour descent back to Kibo hut. After a short rest at Kibo Hot, you gather all the gear you left behind for the ascent and head down to Horombo hut (3 hours) for your overnight. The return to Horombo hut will seem surprisingly fast compared to the ascent. The total time spent walking on this day is around 14 hours, so be prepared for a very tough day. Later in the evening, you enjoy your last dinner (with soft drinks and beer for sale at the camp office) on the mountain and a well-earned sleep, filled with memories and stirring emotions.
Approx. time taken: 7 to 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, 6 to 8 hours to descend to Horombo
Distance: Approxim 12 – 15 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
DAY 7: Horombo hut (3705m) – Marangu Gate (1860m)
After breakfast you continue your descent (6 hours), passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate. It is strongly recommended not to pay your porters any tips until you and all your gear have reached the gate safely.
At Marangu gate you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Gillman’s Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m), receive gold certificates.
You now drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower, dinner descent bed and celebrations!!
Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: Approximately 29 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
DAY 8: Depart Tanzania
The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport.
*Safari, Zanzibar and other add-ons are available if you wish to continue exploring Tanzania.
Meals: Breakfast
Combine Your Trek with Tanzania Safari Tours
After conquering Kilimanjaro, extend your adventure with unforgettable Tanzania safari tours. Explore world-famous wildlife destinations such as:
We create seamless mountain-to-safari packages, giving you the ultimate Tanzania experience in one journey.
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1 Person - 2625/Person
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2 - 4 People - 2275/Person
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5 - 7 People - 2100/Person
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8 - 10 People - 1925/Person
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11 & Above - 1750/Person
Enquire This Trekking
Related Trekking Safaris
Includes and excludes
What is included in this trekking?
Items that are included in the cost of the trekking price.
- All transfers to the mountain and back to your hotel
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides
- Porters, Cook salaries and park fees
- Quality, waterproof, four-season mountain sleeping tents (on twin sharing basis)
- 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, purified drinking water
- Conservation fees (part of park fees)
- Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees)
- Rescue fees (part of park fees)
- VAT (18% charged by the Government)
What is included in this trekking?
Items that are not included in the cost of the trekking price.
Tanzania Visa
International and domestic flights
Hotel (available as an optional addon)
Transfers (available as an optional addon)
Personal trekking equipment such as sleepings bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting)
Tips and gratuities
Travel insurance
Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
Meals not listed in the itinerary
Liquors, beers and bottled beverages
