7 Days Rongai Route Kilimanjaro
Explore Tours
The Rongai Route is one of the easiest and least-traveled routes on Mount Kilimanjaro, offering a high success rate for climbers. Starting on the northern side of the mountain, near the Kenyan border, this route allows trekkers to see the mountain from unique perspectives. The descent takes climbers down the Marangu Route, providing a full-circle view of Kilimanjaro.
This route can be accessed from Amboseli National Park in Kenya, with a 2-hour drive including the border crossing. The drive from Moshi to the trailhead takes about 2.5 hours.
Included/Exclude
- All transfers to and from the mountain.
- Professional, experienced mountain guides.
- Salaries for guides, porters, and cooks.
- Park, camping, hut, and rescue fees.
- Four-season waterproof mountain tents (twin sharing).
- Sleeping mats.
- Emergency oxygen cylinder.
- All meals while on the mountain.
- Purified drinking water.
- Conservation fees.
- VAT (18%) charged by the government.
- Tanzania visa.
- International and domestic flights.
- Tips and gratuities.
- Travel insurance.
- Personal expenses (e.g., laundry, phone, beverages).
Tour Plan
- Drive: Travel from Arusha to Nale Moru Village (2 hours) with a stop to obtain permits at Marangu.
- Hike: Begin the trek along a wide path that meanders through fields of maize and potatoes before entering pine forest. The route gradually climbs into the moorland zone, offering stunning views of the Kenyan plains.
- Meals: Lunch and Dinner.
- Elevation Gain: 2000m to 2650m.
- Hike: The morning trek ascends steadily to Second Cave, providing panoramic views of Kibo Peak and the Eastern Ice Fields on the crater rim.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
- Elevation Gain: 2650m to 3450m.
- Hike: Continue through the moorland, heading toward the dramatic peaks of Mawenzi. The campsite sits in a sheltered valley surrounded by towering Senecios.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
- Elevation Gain: 3450m to 3600m.
- Hike: A short, steep climb leads to Mawenzi Tarn, located beneath the Mawenzi spires. This is a perfect spot to rest and acclimatize.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
- Hike: Cross the lunar desert known as the Saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo. Reach Kibo Hut at the base of the Kibo Crater Wall for rest before your summit attempt.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
- Elevation Gain: 4330m to 4750m.
- Summit Day: Begin the ascent at midnight to reach Gilman’s Point (5,700 m/18,700 ft) on the crater rim, then continue to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa (5,895 m/19,340 ft). After taking photos at the summit, descend to Kibo Hut for a brief rest before continuing down to Horombo Hut.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
- Elevation Gain: 4700m to 5895m, followed by a descent.
- Hike: After breakfast, descend through moorland to Mandara Hut, then continue down through lush forest to Marangu Gate. From the gate, a vehicle will transport you to your hotel in Moshi.
- Meals: Breakfast.
- Elevation Loss: 3700m to 1700m.
