7 Days Kilimanjaro Trekking Rongai Route

Remote and less crowded, this route offers visitors a unique wildlife experience, with the chance to see big game such as antelope, elephants, and buffalo. This side of the mountain is generally less humid, so there is less chance of rain and clearer views to the summit. Although this route is flatter, it is not possible to spend the night at the summit, so it is recommended to give yourself a few days to acclimatize.

The Rongai route is one of the easiest ways to climb Kilimanjaro. Rongai is the only way to approach Kilimanjaro from the north, and the descent is via the Marangu Route. The overnight summit from Kibo Hut is steep and follows the same route as the Marangu Route, via Gilmans Point to reach Uhuru Peak.

There are several options, the one described is the longer route that includes Mawenzi Tarn.

Time required: 5 or 6 days
Difficulty: Medium
Terrain: Very good
Traffic: Low

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met and transferred to the 4-star B&B Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel, where you will stay overnight. Your main guide will meet you for a briefing, gear check and to rent any necessary equipment.

Day 1: Nile Muru Gate – Simba Camp: 7 km/4.3 miles, 3-4 hours, rainforest
Elevation: 1997 meters/6552 feet to 2635 meters/8645 feet
Elevation gain: 638 meters

From Moshi, it’s a 4-5 hour drive through coffee plantations and the village of Nale Muru to the entrance to Kilimanjaro National Park. You’ll wait patiently for your permit to be issued and watch the hustle and bustle of the crew preparing for the journey ahead. Enjoy the beautiful forest scenery and windy trail as your guide tells you about the local flora and wildlife. Simba Camp is located on the edge of a swampy area close to the first cave, offering spectacular views of the Kenyan plains.

Day 2: Simba Camp – Second Cave Camp: 5.8 mi/3.6 km | 5-6 hrs | Heathland
Elevation: 2635 meters/8645 feet – 3487 meters/11440 feet
Elevation gain: 852 meters

After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, continue across the moorland on a steep ascent. From here you’ll get great views of Kibo and your first glimpse of the ice fields on the eastern rim of the crater. As you approach the second cave, the small scrub on the moor thins out. The temperature begins to drop.

Day 3: Second Cave Camp – Kikeleba Camp: 5.95 km/3.7 miles | 2-3 hours | semi-desert
Elevation: 3,487 meters/11,440 feet – 3,675 meters/1,057 feet
Elevation gain: 188 meters

After breakfast and packing, continue your climb through the badlands to the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. This relatively short hike will bring you closer to the Easter Icefields, and you’ll be constantly in awe of their beauty. Pay attention to your body and let your guide know if you have any signs of altitude sickness.

Day 5: Hike from Kikkeleva Camp to Mawenzi Tarn

Day 4: Kikeleba Camp to Mawenzi Tharne: 3.75 km/2.3 miles | 3-4 hours | semi-desert
Elevation: 3487 meters/11440 feet – 4302 meters/14114 feet
Elevation gain: 627 meters

A short but steep climb up a grassy slope rewards you with magnificent views. Just before reaching your next camp, Mawenzi Tharne, leave the vegetation behind and take in the spectacular cirque just below Mawenzi Spire. In the afternoon, you’ll have some free time to relax and acclimatize or explore the surrounding area.
If you choose to spend another day in the mountains, you’ll camp here for two nights and three days. You can acclimatize by hiking around Mawenzi.

Day 5: Mawenzi Tarn to Kibo Hut: 8.9 km/5 miles | 4-5 hours | alpine desert
Elevation: 4,302 meters/14,114 feet – 4,714 meters/15,466 feet
Elevation gain: 412 meters

Cross the Saddlemoon Desert between Mawenzi and Kibo to arrive at Kibo Camp at the base of the Kibo Crater wall. The rest of the day is spent resting to prepare for the final climb on summit night.

Day 6: Kibo Hut – Summit: 4.4 km / 2.5 miles ascent, 5-7 hours – Gorombo Hut: 15.75 km / 9.8 miles descent, 5-6 hours, glacier, snow-capped summit

Excitement is building as morning comes with an early start between midnight and 2 a.m. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.

We continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers trying to stay warm and focused of the amazing sense of accomplishment that lies ahead. With a switchback motion in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. You will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise during your short rest here. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From here on your remaining 1 hour ascent to Uhuru Peak, you are likely to encounter snow all the way.

Congratulations, one step at a time you have now reached Uhuru Peak the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the entire continent of Africa!

After photos, celebrations and maybe a few tears of joy we take a few moments to enjoy this incredible accomplishment. We begin our steep descent down to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch and a very brief rest. We strongly recommend gaiters and trekking poles for uncooperative loose gravel and volcano ash terrain. Well-deserved rest awaits you to enjoy your last evening on the mountain. Overnight Mweka Camp.

DAY 7: HOROMBO HUTS – MARANGU GATE – MOSHI: 20KM/12.5MI |6-7HRS | RAINFOREST

Elevation: 3721m/12,208 to 1905m/6250ft
Altitude lost: 1816m

After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation and team bonding with your crew it’s time to say goodbye. We continue the descent down stopping at the Mandara Huts for lunch. Remember to tip your guides, cooks, and porters, since you will be leaving them here. You return back to the Marangu Park Gate and receive your summit certificates. As the weather is drastically warmer, the terrain is wet, muddy and steep and we highly recommend Gaiters and trekking poles. From the gate, a vehicle will meet you to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 45 minutes). Enjoy a long over due hot shower, dinner and celebrations!!