Overview
The 7-day Rongai route is the only trail that approaches Mount kilimanjaro from the remote northern side near the Kenyan border, offering a quiet, gradual and scenic trek with lower crowd levels and drier conditions during rainy seasons. Over seven days,hikers traverse pine forests, heather moorlands and alpine deserts,passing unique features like Mawenzi tarn while benefiting from a steady elevation profile that aids high-altitude acclimatization. After a midnight push from Kibo hut to reach Uhuru peak (5,895 meters) at sunrise, the journey concludes with a descent down the southern slope via the Marangu route, making for a comprehensive cross-mountain experience.
Tour Features
Hut Camping
This is a camping route
Private Tour
This safari is arranged privately for your group.
Solo Travelers
Suitable for solo travelers.
Customizable
This itinerary can be customized.
Children Policy
Minimum age accepted is 12 years and above.
Start Date
This safari can start on any day.
Highlights
Arrive in Tanzania
Moshi to Nalemoru gate (1,950 m) to Simba camp (2,671 m)
Simba camp (2,671 m) to 2nd Cave camp (3,480 m)
2nd Cave camp (3,480 m) to Kikelelwa camp (3,600 m)
Kikelelwa camp (3,600 m) to Mawenzi tarn hut (4,330 m)
Mawenzi tarn hut (4,330 m) to Kibo hut (4,720 m)
Kibo hut (4,720 m) to UHURU PEAK (5,895 m) and down to Horombo hut (3,720 m)
Horombo hut (3,720 m) to Marangu gate (1,860 m) to Moshi
Depart Tanzania
Your Safari Map
Kilimanjaro National Park
Kilimanjaro National Park
Kilimanjaro National Park
Kilimanjaro National Park
Kilimanjaro National Park
Kilimanjaro National Park
Kilimanjaro National Park
Kilimanjaro National Park
Kilimanjaro National Park
Safari Itinerary
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town; you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented on this day.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Accommodation
Park View Inn
This morning we will drive to the village of Nale moru for the starting point of the Rongai route. The first stage of the trek is through farmland and pine forests. You may have chance to see the beautiful Colobus monkeys or if you’re lucky enough, elephants or buffalos en route. Our first camp will be the Simba camp located at the edge of the moorland zone at 2,671 m.
Distance covered: 8km / 5mi
Approx. time taken: 4 - 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Accommodation
Simba Camp
The morning hike is a steady ascent up to the Second cave camp located in the moorland zone with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim.
Distance covered: 5km / 3.1mi
Approx. time taken: 3 - 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Include
Accommodation
Second cave camp
Leaving the pine forest behind us carry on with a steady ascent walking though moorland. There are superb views of the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim of Kibo, the highest of the three volcanoes which form the mountain. We will leave the main trail and strike out across moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi, the second of Kilimanjaro's volcanoes. We will set up camp today in the sheltered valley near Kikelewa caves at 3600 m
Distance covered: 5km / 3.1mi
Approx. time taken: 3 - 4 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Accommodation
Kikelelwa Camp
This morning we have a short but steep ascent up grassy slopes which is rewarded by a superb view of the Kenyan plains to the north. We leave vegetation behind shortly before reaching our next camp at Mawenzi Tarn Hut directly below the towering cliffs of Mawenzi. This afternoon you have chance to rest or explore the surrounding area to aid acclimatization.
Distance covered: 8km / 5mi
Approx. time taken: 4 - 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Accommodation
Mawenzi tarn camp
We leave our campsite and cross the lunar desert of the ‘saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo After a couple hours trekking, reach this spectacular place, with the summit of Kilimanjaro in the background and our trail to the high camp stretched out before our eyes. Upon reaching our camp the remainder of the day will be spent resting in preparation of the final ascent after a very early night!
Distance covered: 8km / 5mi
Approx. time taken: 5 - 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Accommodation
Kibo Hut
Today is “The Big Day” - the summit stage. You will begin your final ascent around midnight which will be long and strenuous. Passing the Hans Meyer Cave at 5220m, the climb slowly but surely goes upwards. At sunrise, you will reach Gillman’s Point (5681m) – the crater rim of Kilimanjaro – where the sun will slowly start to warm up the land. You will have soon forgotten the cold of the night and after a further hike of 1 - 2 hours, you will reach Uhuru Peak at 5895m. On your return to Kibo Hut, a warm meal awaits you followed by a 1 - 2 hour break before proceeding back down to Horombo Hut.
Distance covered: 22km / 13.7mi
Approx. time taken: 12 – 15 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Accommodation
Horombo Hut
The last stage passes through the heath and moor zone to the Mandara Hut (2,720 m) where a warm lunch is waiting for you. Soon, you will once again pass the tropical rainforest and after a total time of 6 hours trekking, you will be back at the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (1,860 m). After saying goodbye to your mountain guides, a short transfer follows to take you back to your hotel in Moshi. Once there, you can take a warm and relaxing shower and celebrate your success in reaching the summit of the Kilimanjaro.
Distance covered: 20.8km / 12.9mi
Approx. time taken: 8 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Accommodation
Park View Inn
The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some gift shops before heading to the airport. Hotel check out is at 10:00AM. Meals: Breakfast Included
Tanzania