Route Description
- DURATION : 7 Days, 6 Nights
- DIFFICULTY : Medium
- TRAFFIC : Low
- SCENERY : Excellent
Route Overview
The Rongai Route is one of the easiest routes and the success rate is very high. The route starts on the north side of the mountain just south of the Kenyan border and is one of the least traveled routes. The descent is down the Marangu Route on the south side of the mountain, so climbers see the mountain from many viewpoints.
The drive to the trailhead takes about 3 hours from Moshi through many villages and coffee plantations, including a stop to register climbing permits at Marangu.
The Rongai Route can also be accessed from Amboseli National Park in Kenya. Allow 2 hours including border crossing. We will need copies of passports ahead of time.
Trek Itinerary
DAY 1: Rongai Gate (Nale Moru), Hike to Simba Camp
Drive to the attractive wooden village of Nale Moru (about 2 hours including a stop to get permits at Marangu). After signing in and preparing the porters, you will begin the hike on a wide path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering pine forest. The track then starts to climb consistently but gently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife. The forest begins to thin out and the first camp is at the edge of the moorland zone with extensive views over the Kenyan plains.
- Elevation: 2000m/6560ft to 2635m/8645ft
- Distance: 7km
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Montane Forest
DAY 2: Rongai Cave to 2nd Cave to Kikelewa Cave
After breakfast we begin the morning hike with a steady incline and reach 2nd Cave while en-route to Kikelewa Cave. Views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim begin to emerge.
- Elevation (ft): 9,300 ft to 11,811 ft
- Distance: 12 km
- Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
- Habitat: Health
DAY 3: Kikelewa Cave to Mawenzi Tarn
The hike today is short and steep, up a grassy slope. Views of the wilderness area are stunning. As we exit the heath zone and emerge into the alpine desert zone, the landscape changes dramatically. Camp is situated beneath the jagged spires of Mawenzi. The remainder of the day can be spent relaxing or exploring the area.
- Elevation (ft): 11,811 ft to 14,160 ft
- Distance: 5 km
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
DAY 4: Mawenzi Tarn to Mawenzi Ridge to Mawenzi Tarn
This is an acclimatization day. We hike steadily up a ridge with fantastic views on both sides; the landscape is rugged and rocky. After spending a few moments exploring Mawenzi Ridge, we head back to Mawenzi Tarn for camp. Extra days on the trail give our bodies the opportunity to acclimatize and assist with summit day.
- Elevation (ft): 14,160 ft to14,400 ft to 14,160 ft
- Distance: 4 km
- Hiking Time: 2-4 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
DAY 5: Marwenzi Tarn to Kibo Hut
The trail climbs gradually across the rocky lunar landscape as we traverse the “Saddle” between Mawenzi and Kibo Peaks. Our campsite for the night sits at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting and preparing for the final ascent in the early morning.
- Elevation (ft): 14,160 ft to 15,430 ft
- Distance: 8 km
- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
DAY 6: Kibo Hut to Uhuru Point to Horombo Hut
We wake in the middle of the night and begin the final push to reach the Roof of Africa. The trail to Gilman’s Point is very steep and the ascent will be slow and steady. From Gilman’s, it is a traverse along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak. We stay at the summit for a short time, to take photos and enjoy the views, before retracing our steps to all the way back to Horombo Hut.
- Elevation (ft): 15,430 ft to 19,341 ft to 12,205 ft
- Distance: 22 km
- Hiking Time: 10-13 hours
- Habitat: Arctic
DAY 9: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate
A long trek is in store for today, however it is mostly downhill. Once at the park headquarters at Marangu Gate we pick up our certificate that proves our achievement and catch our vehicle transfer to hotel in Arusha or Moshi.
- Elevation (ft): 12,205 ft to 6,046 ft
- Distance: 20 km
- Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
- Habitat: Rain Forest
Trek Inquiries & Costing
Inquire about this Trek
Costing Terms
Cost Includes
- All Entrance fees and Government taxes
- Airport Transfers (upon Arrival and Departure)
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Fair wages for the mountain crew.
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Salaries for Porters, Cook, and Guides
- Oxygen Tanks, Pulse Oximeter, and First Aid Kit
- Rescue fees, entrance and Government Taxes;
- Transfers from Hotel to Kilimanjaro entrance gate and from Kilimanjaro exit gate to the hotel.
Cost Does not Include
- International and local airfare.
- Yellow fever vaccinations
- Passport, Visa, and Travelers Insurance
- Personal expenses eg. Laundry, beverages, etc
- Personal expenses eg. Laundry, beverages, etc
- Tips for the support team
- Private Toilet and hot shower tent
- Bed, Sleeping Bag, and walking Poles.
- Local transportation before and after the climb.