The Famous Rongai Route, Kilimanjaro
Out of the several official Kilimanjaro trails, the Rongai Route is one of the less frequented. The upside is there are very few climbers on the same path as you, adding to the vast, open wilderness and the incredible scenery. The downside? Because of how the route is, it isn’t as easy to acclimatize as you can’t readily follow the “climb high, sleep low” principle. BUT, we take this into consideration on our tour by adding an acclimatization stage on the fourth day.
Trip Details
Important Details
Price
$2,649 USD
Meeting point
We’ll pick you up at Kilimanjaro International Airport and then transfer you to your hotel in Moshi, Tanzania. You will then stay overnight and in the morning, we’ll drive to the gate where we will start our Kilimanjaro trek. Please note: the hotel and transfers are included in the price.
Availability
January through mid-March
Mid-June through October
December
Duration
7 days, 6 nights + 2 days at hotel
Group size
2 min. – 12 max.
Included
- Dedicated Customer Satisfaction Associate
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- Hotel lodging the night before and the night after the climb
- Breakfast before and after the climb
- All meals and water on the mountain
- All park fees and taxes
- Transportation to and from the hotel and trailhead
- Tents (3-person mountaineering tent)
- Sleeping mat
- Private toilet tent
- Support team (certified guides, porters, and cooks)
- Kilimanjaro SAR evacuation insurance
Not included
- Airfare to and from Tanzania
- Personal travel insurance
- Visa
- Tips for the support team
- Sleeping bags and other personal gear
- Rental gear
- Lunch and dinner at the hotel
- Drinks and snacks
Gear list
- Top thermal layer
- Bottom thermal layer
- 1-2 pairs of hiking pants
- 1 hardshell jacket
- 1-2 short-sleeved t-shirts
- 1 pair of warm trekking pants
- 1-2 long-sleeved hiking shirts
- 1 softshell insulated winter jacket
- 4-5 pairs of underwear
- 1 cozy fleece jacket
- 1 pair of worn-in sturdy hiking boots
- 3-4 pairs of socks. Merino wool is recommended
- Rain coat
- Rain pants
- Day backpack
- Duffel bag (recommended size 90L)
- Sleeping bag
- Headlamp
- Snacks
Meals
On all of our Kilimanjaro tours, all of our meals are freshly prepared on the mountain by our talented chef, so when we arrive to camp after a long day of hiking, we have a delicious hot meal waiting for us.
Please note: we can accommodate any dietary needs, so please let us know what your meal requirements are and we will be sure to have our chef whip you up something yummy!
About your guide
All of our guides have extensive experience and training, certification, and knowledge of the area and all of the routes. You’ll be in great hands from top to bottom and by the end of the trip, you’ll be sad to say goodbye!
Depending on the number of hikers, there will be generally 1 guide for every 2 people and 3 porters per person.
Highlights
What Sets This Route Apart
Itinerary
7-Day Rongai Route
Hotel to Nale Moru Simba Camp
Departing from Moshi, we’ll drive about 2 hours to Nale Moru village where registration will start. The trek from the village is a gradual trail through the lush rainforest. Keep your eyes open for colobus monkeys in the trees while taking in the beautiful surroundings. The first day’s hiking is easygoing and you will arrive at Rongai First Cave where you’ll have a chance to freshen up and have dinner.
Rongai/Simba Cave to Kikelelwa Camp 3
After breakfast, our hike continues through the moorland zone where you will notice the vegetation changes to shrubs and grasses. You will stop for lunch at the second cave where we meet the junction to the third cave and the Kikelelwa Camp. We will then turn east towards Kikelelwa Camp and here we will stay overnight.
Kikelelwa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn
This is a short day but with a steep climb/hike. Today, you will have a spectacular view of Lake Chala and the Kenyan border. When we arrive at Mawenzi Tarn, you will be able to see the Dendrosenecio plant (an endemic species of Mt Kilimanjaro) and experience the impressive shadow of the magnificent Mawenzi Peak. You will arrive in time for lunch and then have the whole afternoon to explore the surrounding area and acclimatize.
Acclimatization Day at Mawenzi Ridge
This is an important day for acclimatization. You can enjoy a short hiking excursion to explore the surrounding area and see the spectacular views over the Kibo Ridge.
Mawenzi Tarn Camp to Kibo Hut
Day five is a long but gradual hike through the saddle area which is formed between the Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. The air is dry and the route is barren, but once you arrive at the Kibo Hut, the area provides spectacular views over the plains. You will then be served a hot dinner, prepare your gear for the following day’s summit push, and get some much-needed rest.
Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut
Day 6 begins at midnight. You’ll be woken up with a hot cup of tea and a biscuit before you begin your ascent in the dark. Once we reach Hans Meyer Cave, you’ll be able to have a break and refuel with an energy bar. We’ll then continue zigzagging our way as the terrain steepens coming onto Gilman’s Point. Standing on this crater rim, you’ll take a short break, take on some sugar/electrolytes and rest a little before you cross the crater to Stella Point. Our porters will have arrived ahead and heated up some ginger tea for us to drink and warm our insides before the final push.
We’ll then gradually make our way to Uhuru Peak, where you will be able to soak up the incredible views, stay for a picture, and enjoy your great achievement while standing on Africa’s highest point! We will then descend straight down the mountain towards the Kibo Hut where we will stop for a rest, lunch, and a celebration before heading back down towards Horombo Hut.
Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate
Good to Know
Rongai Route in 7-Day — Dates & Prices
Below is a table of our available Kilimanjaro climb dates and prices. All of our climbs are great value for money and we strive to provide each person with a fun, successful, and unforgettable experience. Join us at the summit today!
Looking to enhance your climb with a full moon?
Every tour date that has a moon icon indicates a climb where the lunar spectacular is in full swing! When the peak of Kilimanjaro and magnificent glaciers are lit up by the full moon, the view is absolutely stunning. For this reason alone, some climbers schedule their trek to coincide with this celestial event. Aside from the lunar spectacular, another reason to choose to climb during a full moon is that the bright light will improve visibility during the climb, and it will be especially beneficial during the summit attempt.
( 
= Full Moon)
2025 Dates & Group Rates
2025 Christmas & New Year's Summit Treks
| Tour | Start Date | End Date | Price (USD) | Summits On | Have a Question? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8-Day Lemosho Route | Dec 18 | Dec 27 | $2,849 | Christmas | Inquire |
| 9-Day Northern Circuit Route | Dec 18 | Dec 28 | $3,199 | Christmas | Inquire |
| 7-Day Machame Route | Dec 20 | Dec 28 | $2,649 | Christmas | Inquire |
| 8-Day Lemosho Route | Dec 26 | Jan 2 | $2,849 | New Year's | Inquire |
| 9-Day Northern Circuit Route | Dec 25 | Jan 2 | $3,199 | New Year's | Inquire |
| 7-Day Machame Route | Dec 27 | Jan 2 | $2,649 | New Year's | Inquire |
| 7-Day Rongai Route | Dec 27 | Jan 2 | $2,649 | New Year's | Inquire |
