The Rongai route is one of the easiest and most commonly used routes on Mount Kilimanjaro, approaching from the northern side. It is less crowded, remote, has good scenery, and can be used by first-time hikers.
This is the 7 days Rongai Route which follows the Rongai Route on the northern side of the Mount Kilimanjaro. The Rongai route is one of the easiest and most commonly used routes on Mount Kilimanjaro, approaching from the northern side. 7 Days Rongai has a very high success rate due to a relatively slow pace and enough acclimatization on the mountain.
All meals will be provided while on the mountain, including accommodation. The Rongai route can easily be accessed through the Amboseli National park in two hours after crossing the border and it is just a 3 hours’ drive from Moshi through the villages and coffee plantations.
The route starts from the north side of Mount Kilimanjaro, using the Marangu route during the descent. The advantage of using this route is that it is long giving chance for proper acclimatization, it is a less crowded route and it is possible to see a few wildlife while using Rongai like buffalos, antelopes, and elephants among others. Note that while using the Rongai route, summit day is similar to the Marangu route starting from Kibo hut through Gilman’s point to Uhuru peak.
Arrival day is when you will be picked up and transferred from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your hotel in Moshi. Once you have settled in, our head guide will then inspect your equipment, hire what is missing, and also give you your briefing.
Arrival into Kilimanjaro Airport - Transfer to Moshi
You will be picked up from the airport by our guide and driven to your hotel, where you will spend the night. After settling in, the guide will then check the equipment to make sure that it is in place and in good condition, and a briefing for the next day and what to expect during the climb will also be carried out.
Moshi, Marangu Gate - Nale Muru - Hike to Simba Camp
Zone: Rainforest
Distance: 7km
Duration: 3 to 4 hours
Elevation: 1997 m to 2635 m
The drive from Moshi is about 4 to 5 hours to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate, where registration is done and climbing permits are given to all participants. We shall then head off through the woodlands until we get to Simba camp, located near the first cave just right at the edge of the rainforest and moorland zones. The camp has great views of the vast plains in Kenya, and this is where we spend the night.
Simba Camp - Hike to 2<sup>nd</sup> Cave Camp
Zone: Moorlands
Distance: 5.8km
Duration: 3 to 4 hours
Elevation: 2687 m to 3487 m
The second day on the mountain starts with a hearty breakfast in your tent, and the hike starts on the steep trails leading to Kibo. This is when you start getting the view of Kibo and Mawenzi and the Eastern Crater Rim. We get to the Second Cave Camp, where you get a hot lunch, shower, and spend the rest of the day exploring the camp and its surrounding areas. Note that temperatures begin to drop while at the Second Cave Camp.
From Second Camp Hike to Kikelewa Camp
Zone: semi-desert
Distance: 6km
Duration: 2 to 3 hours
Elevation: 3487 m to 3675 m
The second camp hike path goes towards Mawenzi Peak when you turn in the southeastern direction into the moorland meadows where the Kikelewa Camp is located. The camp is situated near several caves, the Kikelewa River, and the giant grasslands. It is a short hike, and it is at the camp that you start feeling the impact of how big Mount Kilimanjaro is. We set camp at Kikelewa for our dinner and spent the night here.
Kikelewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn
Zone: semi-desert
Distance: 3.75km
Duration: 3 to 4 hours
Elevation: 3487 m to 4302 m
As soon as breakfast is done, we set off from Kikelewa Camp for Mawenzi Tarn, which is just a few kilometers away. It is a steep climb with an altitude gain of about 660m. We cross from the moorland vegetation into the semi-desert zone till we get to Mawenzi Tarn for our lunch. We then take another walk to the western ridge to get better acclimatization and get a clear view of Kibo, but only if the sky is clear.
Mawenzi Tarn, Hike to Kibo Huts Camp
Zone: Alpine Desert
Distance: 8.9km
Duration: 4 to 5 hours
Elevation: 4302 m to 4714 m
We cross from Mawenzi tarn to Kibo after crossing the saddle desert and the stretch between Mawenzi and Kibo. The Kibo campsite is located right at the bottom of the Kibo Crater wall, and after getting to the camp, we get the much-needed rest, an early dinner, and an early night to fully prepare for summit night.
Kibo hut to Uhuru Peak (the Summit) - Descend to Horombo Huts
Distance: 4 km to the peak and 15,75 km to Horombo Hut.
Duration: 5 to 7 hours to the peak and 5 to 6 hours down to Horombo.
Elevation: 4302 m to 5895 m (ascent) and 3721 m (descent)
The hike to the summit starts between midnight and 2:00 a.m., after a light meal. It is a challenging hike due to the constant cold and heavy snow, making it a harder route to take on. We shall go through the two glaciers, Rebmann and Ratzel, which help in keeping us warm, before heading to the northwestern part towards Stella Point for a little bit of rest and enjoying the magnificent sunrise from Stella Point. It is approximately an hour’s hike from Stella Point to get to Uhuru Peak, and you are likely to encounter lots of snow on your way up.
After taking photos celebrating this milestone on the highest point in Africa, it is time to start the descent. The steep descent towards Horombo is not a smooth one, and this is where your trekking poles come in handy. We make a stopover at the Barafu Camp for lunch and then continue to the Mweka Camp for an overnight.
Horombo Huts to Marangu Gate. Transfer to Moshi / Arusha
Zone: Rainforest
Distance: 20km
Duration: 6 to 7 hours
Elevation: 3721 m to 1905 m
We set off for the Marangu Gate after breakfast and said goodbye to the crew that has helped us on our 7-day journey. As we get to the Marangu Gate, we shall receive our summit certificates and sign out, and then a guide will drive you back to your hotel in Moshi for a well-deserved shower, rest, and celebration for conquering Uhuru Peak.
7 Days Rongai Route Mount Kilimanjaro prices, Inclusions and exclusions
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