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Explore the Beautiful, Unique Habitats

360° Views From Kilimanjaro’s Peak

A Gradual, Steady Climb

Fitness level: Able to hike 5-15km at a time

Trek Begins & Ends in Moshi, Tanzania

Maximum Altitude: 5,895m/19,341 ft

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

Look out over Africa as you relish your accomplishment

Experience the peaceful beauty of Mount Kilimanjaro

The route crosses several diverse climate zones (keep an eye out for monkeys in the rainforest)

Enjoy the quiet serenity on one of the lesser-used Kilimanjaro routes

Itinerary

7-Day Rongai Route

Hotel to Nale Moru Simba Camp

Elevation: 900m/2,900ft to 2,100m/6,890ft to 2,626m/8,610ft

Distance: 6km/3.5 miles

Hiking time: 3-4 hrs

Habitat: Mountain forest

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

Elevation: 2,620m/8,600ft

Distance: 9km/5.5 miles

Hiking time: 6-7 hrs

Habitat: Moorland/alpine zone

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

Elevation: 3,200m/10,500ft

Distance: 4km/2.5 miles

Hiking time: 4-5 hrs

Habitat: Alpine desert

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

Elevation: 4,300m/14,100ft

Distance: 2km/1.2 miles

Hiking time: N/A

Habitat: Alpine desert

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

Elevation: 4,300m/14,100ft

Distance: 9km/5.5 miles

Hiking time: 5-6 hrs​

Habitat: Alpine desert

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

Elevation: 4,700m/15,400ft to 5,895m/19,340ft to 3,720m/12,200ft

Distance: 6km to 15km/3.7 miles to 9.3 miles

Hiking time: 6-8 hrs to the summit then 6 hrs to Horombo Hut

Habitat: Alpine desert/arctic/moorland

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

Elevation: 3,720m/12,000ft to 1,870m/6,100ft

Good to Know

Kilimanjaro’s daily temperatures change drastically. They range from the high 20°C (68°F) right down to -15 °C (5°F) at night. To cope with this huge range in temperature, you will need to combine thin layers of clothing.

Please note that Tanzania implemented a ban on single-use plastic bags on 1st June 2019. Please ensure that none of the items in your luggage are packed in plastic bags. Please also be aware that disposable plastic bottles are not permitted on Kilimanjaro. Reusable plastic bags are generally acceptable.

Kilimanjaro National Park operates an absolutely strict limit of 15kg per porter for your main equipment bag, which includes your sleeping bag. This is more than sufficient for your needs on the mountain. Your bag will be weighed before you leave the hotel to start the climb and if it is overweight you will have to take items out and leave them at the hotel.

Safety procedures: twice daily (morning and evening), our expert guides will perform health checks for all trekkers. This is an important protocol to ensure the wellbeing of all our guests. Our lead guide will test oxygen levels using a pulse oximeter and run through a checklist of health measures as a means of determining that everyone can proceed safely. This is crucial in preemptively assessing any symptoms related to altitude sickness. Health and safety are our utmost priorities!

On top of that, we design our treks so that we are walking at a slow pace. You will hear the guides advise everyone to take it “pole pole”, which means easy-going in Swahili. While at times you may be excited and want to rush ahead, it is very important to listen to the guides who are skilled in navigating the mountain, its terrain and weather patterns, and understanding how altitude sickness can quickly incapacitate a person. Going “pole pole” may seem frustratingly slow for those very eager to reach the top, but rest assured, it is the best way to be confident of making it to the summit in good health.

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-icon = Full Moon)

 

2024 Dates & Group Rates

2024 Christmas & New Year's Summit Treks