Kilimanjaro · Rongai Route

6 Days Rongai Route

Duration: 6 Days
Route: Rongai Route
Price: From $1,700

Tour Overview

The 6 Days Rongai Route is the only route that starts on the northern side of Mount Kilimanjaro, close to the Kenyan border. It’s known for drier weather, a gentle slope and few other climbers, so it’s a good choice if you want a quieter, more remote climb.

The lower slopes are less scenic than on the western routes, but Rongai has other things going for it: views out over the plains of Kenya, a chance to see wildlife early in the trek, and big views of the summit from Mawenzi Tarn. This 6-day version suits fit climbers who want a more direct ascent with a moderate amount of acclimatization.

You come down on the Marangu Route on the southeastern side, so on the way down you see a different side of the mountain and its landscapes.

Good for:

Climbers who like quiet trails
Climbing in the wet season, because the north side is drier
Anyone looking for a non-technical, scenic route with a different view of the mountain

Rongai Route Map – Kilimanjaro’s Quiet Northern Approach — Route map · open full size

Itinerary

Pre day Arriving in Tanzania

All trekkers need to organize their own flight to Kilimanjaro international Airport [JRO]. From JRO you will be met by our staff and transferred to Moshi in the peaceful surrounds of our comfortable pre and post trek accommodation from where there are great views of the mountain. You can relax by the pool before your briefing with the Guides, who will provide the essential information for your trek to the roof of Africa.

The Hotel we are using is between these

Parkview Inn Hotel

Panama Garden Resort

Weruweru River Lodge
Day 1 Rongai Gate (1950m) – 1st Caves Camp (2600m)
After an early breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up from Arusha (1400m) and driven to the Marangu Gate (1980m). At the gate, the porters will organize and pack the belongings for the hike while you and your guide register with the Tanzania National Park (TANAPA). You will then be transferred by vehicle to the Rongai trailhead, which is 2.5 hours away from the Managu Gate. The trail begins in the tall cornfields then leads into the pine forest. This trail has a gradual ascent and allows hikers to enjoy their surroundings. About halfway up the trail you will have a lunch break and you will reach the 1st Caves Camp (2600m) in the late afternoon or early evening. The porters and chef, who move very fast up the mountain, will reach camp before you and set up your tents, boil drinking water, and prepare snacks for your arrival. After washing up, a hot dinner will be served. For overnight, mountain temperatures may drop to freezing so be prepared!
- Hiking time: 5 hours
Distance
Approximately 8 kilometers
Habitat
Montane Forest
Day 2 Machame camp (2980m) – Shira camp (3840m)
Following a hot breakfast, hikers will continue their ascent to Kikelewa Cave (3600m). The trail passes Second Cave (3450m) and this is a good spot to take a lunch break. Similar to the first night, your tents will be set up prior to arriving at camp and the porters will prepare drinking and washing water for you. You will enjoy evening snacks then dinner prepared by our chef. Be prepared for a cold night as temperatures drop below freezing at this exposed camp.
- Hiking time: 6-7 hours
Habitat
Moorlands
Day 3 Kikelewa Cave (3600) – Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4330m)
On this day, hikers will enjoy a short, yet steep trail to Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4330m). In the moorland, you will spot exotic plants, including giant lobelia and groundsel. At camp, hikers will enjoy spectacular views and allow their bodies to acclimate. Hot dinner and washing water will be prepared for hikers as they enjoy the magnificent sunset.
- Hiking time: 3-4 hours
Habitat
Moorlands
Day 4 Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4330m) – Kibo Hut (4700m)
After breakfast, hikers will continue ascending east for a half-day hike to Kibo Hut. Kibo is located in the “Saddle,” which refers to the area located between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo in an alpine desert. There is no water at this camp, but hikers can buy mineral water and soft drinks at the camp office. An early dinner will be served so hikers can rest before attempting the summit the same night. Your guide will brief you in detail on how to prepare for summit night. Get to sleep by 19:00!
- Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Habitat
Alpine desert
Day 5 (Summit Attempt) Kibo Hut (4700m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo Hut (3720m)
Your guide will wake you around 23:30 for tea and biscuits. You will then begin your summit attempt. The trail is rocky up to Hans Meyer Cave (5150m). You continue your ascent to Gillman’s point (5681m). Reaching this section is an impressive achievement as the trail is steep, rocky, and at high altitude. Gillman’s is located on the crater rim. From this point, you will usually experience a snow covered trail until you reach the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). Reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro is a lifetime accomplishment! You will be able to spend a short time on the summit taking photographs and drinking tea before the descent to Barafu begins. The hike down to Kibo Hut takes about 3 hours.

At Kibo Hut, you will rest and enjoy a hot lunch in the sun. After eating, you will continue descending down to Horombo Hut (3720m). You will have a dinner, wash, and rest soundly at the hut after a strenuous day.
- Kibo Hut (4700m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo Hut (3720m)
- Hiking time: 8 hours to Uhuru and 6 hours to Horombo
Habitat
Stone scree / ice-cap summit
Distance
Approximately 6 kilometers ascent and 21 kilometers descent
Day 6 Horombo Hut (3720m) – Marangu Gate (1980m)
Following a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. It is here on the mountain that you will present your tips to the guide, assistant guides, chef(s), and porters. After celebrating, you will descend for 6 hours back to Marangu Gate (1980m). The National Park requires all hikers to sign their names to receive certificates of completion. Hikers who reached Gillman’s Point (5681m) receive green certificates and hikers who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. After receiving certificates, you will drive back to Moshi Town for long overdue showers and more celebrations.
- Hiking time: 6 hours
Depart Tanzania

This day left for your next destination. If you have safari, then might be used to beginning your safari or fly to Zanzibar or fly back home. Our vehicle will be ready to take you to the airport at your time.
Distance
Approximately 27 kilometers
Meals
Breakfast Included

Places on This Trip

Mountain Kilimanjaro National Park

Include

6 Days 5 Nights Rongai Route
Private transport from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your accommodations in Moshi.
Private transport to Kilimanjaro International Airport after trek to catch your flight back home
Transportation to & from the Kilimanjaro gate
National Park entry fees, camping fees, rescue fees
18% VAT on tour fees & services
4 Season Mountain tents with comfortable Sleeping Mattress
2 nights of your hotel stay before and after trek in Moshi.
Friendly and professional mountain guides, cook and porters [average ratio of support staff to climber is 4:1 in a group]
3 hot meals daily while on the mountain
Enough treated & filtered drinking water throughout the trek
Hot water for washing
Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
Government taxes
Portable oxygen tanks & ox meter
Emergency first-aid kit

Exclude

Lunches, dinners and drinks at your hotel before and after climb.
Travel insurance
Portable flush toilet with a toilet tent is available for extra charges $ 100 for the entire trek shared in a group.
Flights
Laundry (Available at hotel)
Personal items and toiletries
Tips for guides, porters and cook (this is a guide to tipping on the
Mountain: http://www.kiliporters.org/tipping_recommendations.php
Guides: $20/day/guide
Cook: $15/day
Porter: $10/day/porter

Prices

Standard Package Price For 6 Days Rongai Route + 2 Nights in Hotel

People in Group	1-2	3-5	6-8	9+
Standard Package	$1,850	$1,800	$1,780	$1,700

Prices in US dollars.

Trekking Preparation

Testimonials

What Our Travelers Say About Our Tours

Highly Experienced and Wonderful Crew
The 7 days Lemosho route Kilimanjaro trek exceeded our expectations. The route is so beautiful and we enjoyed tackling the mountain with experienced guides - Bakari and Nickson. They were supportive from start to finish in all the aspects of the trek, starting with the technical strategy on the speed, rests and ensuring that we were healthy through regular checks.
SteveRead on TripAdvisor (Steve’s review)
Absolutely Beautiful Memories For My Family
Traveling with my 6 members of my family of ages between 8 and 73 is always a complex task with many moving parts. We had to arrange for Mama and Poppas dietary restrictions, accommodations, easy access for Mama and off-course places with a pool and kids activities for Lil Poppa and his teenage sister Anna.
Martina_EaghanRead on TripAdvisor (Martina_Eaghan’s review)
Awesome Trekking
My bothers and I shared one of the most incredible experiences in Tanzania as we trekked up Kilimanjaro. Our host Naick of Kilisa Tours & Safaris is the man behind our success.
TobiasRead on TripAdvisor (Tobias’s review)
Fun & Adventure On Our Christmas Vacation
Our safari to Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and Serengeti with Kilisa Tours and Safaris for exceeded all our expectations in every way. We were impressed by the high standards set right from our pickup at the airport, during the trip to the good byes. Nothing was left to chance as every detail had been well planned for.
MauriceRead on TripAdvisor (Maurice’s review)
The Best Experience Absolutely
We could not have asked for a better experience on Kilimanjaro. Everything about this trip with this local operator was top notch. Starting with the booking with Naick who made it smooth and easy with his timely responses and advice. Payment was easy and they took care of all the logistics that all we had to do was present ourselves at the KIA.
LokiRead on TripAdvisor (Loki’s review)
Hike Mt Kilimanjaro
We have visited Tanzania before, but this was our first time trekking Kilimanjaro. We are truly thrilled with our decision to choose Kilisa Tours & Safaris for our adventure, as they provided exceptional support throughout the trek.
Tephia SRead on TripAdvisor (Tephia S’s review)