RONGAI ROUTE
RONGAI ROUTE

Although the scenery is not as varied as the western routes, Rongai makes up for this by passing through true wilderness areas for days before joining the Marangu route at Kibo camp. It is a moderately difficult trail, but easier as compared to the routes. It is preferred by those looking for an alternative to the crowded Marangu & Machame routes, with a more remote hike, and for those who are climbing during the rainy season (the north side receives less precipitation).

Uniqueness of Rongai Route

SCENIC VIEWS

The Rongai route offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes, including the Maasai Mara plains, Mount Kilimanjaro, and other neighboring peaks.

WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS

In the first 2 days Rongai route passes through areas that are rich in wildlife, giving hikers an opportunity to spot animals like elephants, giraffes, buffalos, and more.

LESS RAINS

Due to its position on the northern leeward side of the mountain, Rongai trail receives less rains than other routes. Chose this route in the smaller rainy season.

LESSER CROWDS

Rongai is a less crowded alternative to the more popular Machame and Marangu routes, making it ideal for those seeking a more private and intimate Kilimanjaro experience.

GRADUAL ASCENT

The Rongai route is known for its gradual ascent, making it ideal for those who want to acclimate to the altitude gradually.

Day 1 – Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport,

Day 2 – Rongai Start Point (1,950 meters) to Simba Camp (2,620 meters)

Day 3 –Simba Camp (2,620 meters) to 3rd Cave (2,620 meters) 

Day 4 – 3rd Cave (2,620 meters) to Kikelewa Camp (3,600 meters)

Day 5 – Kikelewa Camp (3,600 meters) to Mawenzi Tarn (4,300 meters)

Day 6 – Mawenzi Tarn (4,300 meters) to Kibo Hut (4,700 meters)

Day 7 – Kibo Hut (4,700 meters) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters) and then Horombo Hut (3,720 meters)

Day 8 – Horombo Hut (3,720 meters) to Marangu Gate (1,870 meters) to the Hotel

Day 9 – Moshi/Arusha/Departure

Day 1 – Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport,

Met upon Arrival and transfer to hotel in Moshi,

Activities: Transfer

Accommodation & Meals: Salsanero Hotel, B, B.

 

Day 2 – Rongai Start Point (1,950 meters) to Simba Camp (2,620 meters)

On day one Rongai Route trekkers are driven from either Moshi or Arusha to Rongai Gate for registration to the Rongai Start Point at 1,950 meters. The trek begins from Rongai Gate and follows a gradual. The first day’s hiking is easy going and you will arrive at Simba Camp (2,620 meters) around mid-afternoon, where you can freshen up and have dinner.

Estimated Trekking distance: 4km / 2.5 miles

Estimated Trekking time: 3-4 hours

Zone: Rainforest zone

Activities: Hiking/Trekking

Accommodation & Meals: Simba Camp (2,620 meters). B, L, D.

 

Day 3 – Simba Camp (2,620 meters) to 2nd Cave (2,620 meters) 

On day two the hike continues from Simba Camp through the rainforest before transitioning into the low alpine moorland zone where you will notice the vegetation change to shrubs and grasses. You will stop for lunch at Rongai Second Cave (3,450 meters), 6km from the First Cave Camp, before turning east to Kikelewa Camp (3,600 meters) for your overnight stay. Depending on your tour operator, eight day trekkers might stop at Rongai Second Caves for the night before proceeding to Kikelewa Camp.

Estimated Trekking distance: 5km / 2.5 miles

Estimated Trekking time: 4-5 hours

Zone: Moorland Zone

 

Day 4 – 2rd Cave (2,620 meters) to Kikelewa Camp (3,600 meters)

On day three the hike continues from 2rd Cave through the moorland zone where you will notice the vegetation change to shrubs and grasses. You will stop for lunch at Rongai Second Cave (3,450 meters), 6km from the 2rd Cave Camp, before turning east to Kikelewa Camp (3,600 meters) for your overnight stay. Depending on your days of trekking, trekkers might stop at Rongai Second Caves for the night before proceeding to Kikelewa Camp.

Estimated Trekking distance: 10km / 5.5 miles

Estimated Trekking time: 4-5 hours

Zone: Moorland Zone

Activities: Hiking/Trekking

Accommodation & Meals: Kikelewa Camp (3,600 meters). B, L, D.

 

Day 5 – Kikelewa Camp (3,600 meters) to Mawenzi Tarn (4,300 meters)

Day three on the Rongai Route is a short, but steep climb from Kikelewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn (4,300 meters) which sits in the shadow of the magnificent Mawenzi Peak. You will arrive at Mawenzi Tarn in time for lunch and then have the whole afternoon to explore the surrounding area and acclimatize.

Estimated Trekking distance: 4km / 2.5 miles

Estimated Trekking time: 3-4 hours

Zone: Low alpine zone / High alpine zone

Activities: Hiking/Trekking

Accommodation & Meals: Mawenzi Tarn (4,300 meters). B, L, D.

 

Day 6 – Mawenzi Tarn (4,300 meters) to Kibo Hut (4,700 meters)

Day four is a long but gradual hike from Mawenzi Tarn heading west through the Saddle which is formed between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi, and up to Kibo Hut (4,700 meters). The route is dry, barren and rather inhospitable, but provides spectacular views of Kibo. At Kibo Hut you will get served dinner and will go to bed early as you will be awoken around 23:30 to begin your summit attempt. Trekkers should remember to prepare their gear, including headlamp, camera, insulated water and warm weather clothes before they go to sleep.

Note: Seven and Eight day trekkers typically hike from Mawenzi Tarn to Kibo Hut and back on day four. They then trek to Kibo Hut again on day five before continuing to Uhuru peak on day six / seven.

Estimated Trekking distance: 9km / 5.5 miles

Estimated Trekking time: 8-10 hours

Zone: High alpine zone

Activities: Hiking/Trekking

Accommodation & Meals: Kibo Hut (4,700 meters). B, L, D.

 

Day 7 – Kibo Hut (4,700 meters) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters) and then Horombo Hut (3,720 meters)

Day five begins at midnight, after being awoken with tea and biscuits you will begin your ascent in the dark across a rocky path to the first check point, Hans Meyer Cave at 5,150 meters. You should have a break here and refuel on an energy bar. The path then zigzags and increases in steepness as you approach Gilman’s Point 2-3 hours later at 5,681 meters. You are now on Kibo’s crater rim, a huge achievement! But you still have a 200 meter ascent to trek to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters). Dig deep to find the reserves and mental stamina to push yourself up the final slopes. At Uhuru Peak you will be able to stay briefly before descending back to Kibo Hut and on to Horombo Hut. In total you will be trekking upwards of 12-16 hours. It will be one of the longest days of your life but well worth it! Here’s the good news, beers can be bought at Horombo Hut!

Estimated Trekking distance: 5.5km / 3 miles ascent and then 15km / 8 mile descent

Estimated Trekking time: 6-8 hours to the summit and then 5-8 hours to Horombo Hut

Zone:  Glacial zone, high alpine zone and low alpine zone

Activities: Hiking/Trekking

Accommodation & Meals: Horombo Hut (3,720 meters). B, L, D.

 

Day 8 – Horombo Hut (3,720 meters) to Marangu Gate (1,870 meters)

The final day from Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate (1,870 meters) is a long one, approximately 20km! Your knees will be sore from the previous days hike so go slowly and make sure of your footing as you descend, using your trekking poles to limit the impact on your joints. At Marangu Gate, the place where you signed in 6 days ago, you will now sign-out and certificates will be awarded. Those who got as far as Gilman’s Point but no further will be presented with a green certificate. Trekkers who made it all the way to Uhuru Peak will receive a gold certificate. Most trekkers present their trekking team with their hard earned tips at this stage before being driven back to your hotel for a well-deserved hot shower!

Estimated Trekking distance: 20 km / 13 miles

Estimated Trekking time: 6-8 hours

Zone: Low alpine zone and Rainforest zone

Activities: Hiking/Trekking

Accommodation & Meals: Salsanero Hotel, B, L.

 

Day 9 – Moshi/Arusha/Departure

Transfer to Kilimanjaro airport for your return flight, B. or Proceed with safari with us.

Activities: Transfer

Accommodation & Meals: B, B.

Prices are quoted in $ per person

Number of people in a groupDays1Pax2Pax3Pax4Pax5Pax6Pax10Pax+
Validity: 01 Jan – 31 Dec, 202472,9552,2802,2142,2082,1102,1232,100
Validity: 01 Jan – 31 Dec, 202483,2632,5672,4862,4492,3722,3712,370
Optional: Add: Cost for Extra Night at any camp350350350350350350350
 
Price includes:
  • Arrival and departure Kilimanjaro airport transfers
  • Accommodation in Town
  • Scheduled Riverside bus shuttle transfer Nairobi-Arusha-Nairobi if arriving/departing from Nairobi.
  • Transport from the hotel to the mountain and back to the hotel
  • Accommodation as indicated
  • Sleeping tent and mattresses on the mountain
  • Dining tent on the mountain
  • Meals as indicated above (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
  • All park fees, including mountain rescue fees, government taxes and all applicable fees and taxes.
  • Services of a Professional Leading Guide who is medically trained, certified, licensed and English speaking.
  • Services of English-speaking assistant guide (s) and enough number of porters for your luggage, food, and water, and a skilled cook.
  • Transport from your hotel to the mountain, and back to your hotel.
  • Group average of 4~6 climbers, maximum of 15.
  • Oxygen bottle and pulse oximeter
 
Price excludes:
  • International airfare
  • Items of a personal nature such as passport, and visa,
  • Climbing gears (can be rented on arrival)
  • Tips (recommended in USD, Cash)
  • Medical Equipment which can be rented well in advance for the following costs: $250/group for hyperbaric chamber, and $140/group for a stretcher. Please note these prices include a porter to carry the equipment.
  • Any new imposed fee/tax that is out of our jurisdiction

Note:

  • The pack that the porters carry is limited to 35 pounds (i.e. 15kgs)
  • Overweight or extra luggage will require an extra porter at $10/day

You can leave extra luggage in Hotel in Arusha (if you leave any valuable items like cash, jewelry, etc) make sure you get a receipt for that.

*If you add that day, instead of just staying at the hotel, we can offer a day trip to the nearby Arusha National Park for game drives for $180pp inclusive of 1to 2 hours hiking on mount Meru. Starting from 4 pax in a group.

1. HOW DIFFICULT IS THE RONGAI ROUTE?

The Rongai Route on Kilimanjaro is considered a moderately easy. It has a gentle gradient, and the 7 day itinerary provides ample time to acclimatize. However, it does not have a great “climb high, sleep low” profile which makes Machame and Lemosho such good routes.

2. HOW LONG IS THE RONGAI ROUTE?

The Rongai Route on Kilimanjaro is approximately 79 kilometers (49 miles) long and typically takes 6-7 days to complete. The average daily altitude gain is about 660 m. On the summit night you will climb 1100m from Kibo hut to Uhuru peak.

3. WHAT IS RONGAI ROUTE’S SUMMIT SUCCESS RATE?

The summit success rates for the Rongai Route are greatly increased with the longer trek option. Whilst there are no official statistics, the average success rate across all operators is 80% for the 7 day trek and a 65% success rate for the 6 day trek. However, we have a 95% summit success rate for both Rongai route treks.

4. HOW IS THE SCENERY ON THE RONGAI  ROUTE?

The Rongai Route is the only route that approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the north, near the Kenyan border. The Rongai route has low crowds and passes through remote wilderness areas.

It is probably the only route where seeing wildlife in the first days is possible. After passing through rainforest you ascend through moorlands and then up into the high alpine zones before reaching the glacial zone.

 
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