7 Day Kilimanjaro Climbing Rongai Route

The Rongai Route is the only route on the north-eastern part of the mountain. This route is gaining in popularity, because it is the second easiest after Marangu and it has amazing wilderness conditions. The Rongai Route is recommended for climbers who want to avoid the huge numbers of climbers on other routes. This route can be started from the Tanzanian or the Kenyan side of the mountain and can be achieved in 6 days. The Rongai Route is only used to climb up the mountain and at the final stage it joins up with the Marangu Route, which is also the ascending route. This route has lots of caves, which are partly also used as overnight accommodations.

Day 0 : Arrival Day

You will be picked up from the airport by a Lion King representative and conveyed to your accommodation in Arusha or moshi where you will overnight, relax, and prepare in anticipation of the adventures to come.

Note: Please note your accommodation for this night of  your arrival day is not included in your package price but once you confirm your booking we will share different accommodation that suit your budget.

Day 1

• Trekking to Simba Camp
• Rongai Gate (2,020m/6,627ft) to Simba Camp (2,600m/8,530ft)
• Hiking distance: 6km
• Hiking time: 3–4hrs
• Habitat: Montane Forest

You depart Arusha for Nalemuru Gate, which takes about 5hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Upon arrival at trailhead, you eat lunch, and then commence through wide path winding through fields of maize and potatoes, prior to entering pine forest that is home a various wildlife species. As the forest begins to thin out, you enter the first camp at the edge of the moorland zone (2,625m/8,612ft). This location ghastly extensive view of the Kenyan plains.

Overnight:Simba Camp (All meals included)

Day 2

• Trekking from Simba Camp to Kikelelwa Camp
• Simba Camp (2,600m/8,530ft) to Second Cave (3,450/11,319ft) to Kikelelwa Camp (3,600m/11,811ft)
• Hiking distance: 15km
• Hiking Time: 8-9hrs
• Habitat: Moorland

A longer day’s trekking today, gaining close to 1000 meters. A steady walk in the morning leads to the Second Cave, where we take lunch in sight of the peak of Kibo and the ice fields on the crater rim. After lunch, we turn off towards the jagged summit of Mawenzi and follow a trail across open moorland to a sheltered valley near Kikelewa Caves. Unusual giant tree-groundsels are the dominant plant species on this part of the route.

Overnight: Kikelelwa Camp (All meals included)

Day 3

• Trekking from Kikelewa Cave to Mawenzi Tarn camp
• Kikelelwa Camp (3,600m/11,811) to Mawenzi Camp (4,300m/14,107ft)
• Hiking Distance: 7km
• Hiking Time: 4-5hrs
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

You begin the short steep climb up grassy slopes with stunning views shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn. The Mawenzi Tarn is spectacular with its cirque directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. The afternoon will be free to rest or explore the surrounding area as to aid in the acclimatization process. If you are spending an extra day on the mountain, you will camp for two nights at Mawenzi Tarn. You can hike up and around Mawenzi for your acclimatization hike.

Overnight: Mawenzi Turn Camp (All meals included)

Day 4

• Acclimatization Day at Mawenzi Turn Camp up 4,600m/15092ft.

After breakfast you will go on an acclimatization trek to Mawenzi peak at elevation of 4,600m/15092ft. After energetic lunch, you will have an opportunity to walk around exploring the surroundings with endless photo opportunities. You may also just sleep before the upcoming hiking to Kibo Hut.

Overnight: Mawenzi Turn Camp (All meals included)

Day 5

• Trekking from Mawenzi to Kibo Hut camp
• Mawenzi Camp (4,300m/14,107ft) to Kibo Camp (4,720m/15,485ft)
• Hiking Distance: 11km
• Hiking Time: 5-6hrs
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

Another short day of around 5 to 6 hours, as we cross the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo, to reach our overnight halt at the Kibo Hut an altitude of 4720m. This camp is directly beneath the Kibo crater wall. We spend the afternoon resting and have an early night in preparation for the big day tomorrow.

Overnight: Horombo Hut Camp (All meals included)

Day 6

• Summit Day!
• Kibo Camp (4,720m/14,930ft) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,340ft) to Horombo (3,720m/12,205ft)
• Hiking Distance: 16.5km
• Hiking Time: 11hrs up and down
• Habitat: Ice Cap

A very early start as you set off by the light of our head-torches, on a zigzag trail on rough volcanic scree. It is a tough 5 to 6hrs climb of almost 1000 Meter to the crater rim at Gillman’s Point (5,685m), which is a convenient point to rest and watch the sunrise on Mawenzi. It is a further 2-hour round trip to Uhuru Peak the highest point in Africa. Usually in the early morning, the conditions are clear and there are panoramic views over the crater, to Mawenzi and Mount Meru (4565m), looking very small below us. This part of the route takes us through a moonscape of volcanic rock and remnant glaciers with their impressive ice cliffs. After admiring the summit views and taking the obligatory summit photos we pat ourselves on the back for this awesome Achievement. You then retrace your path around the crater rim you make a rapid descent to the Kibo Hut (4700m). You will have lunch here, before setting off on the long descent to your camp at Horombo (3720m). A long day trekking – but so rewarding.

Overnight: Horombo hut Camp (All meals included)

Day 7

• Descend to Marangu Gate
• Horombo Camp (3,720m/12,205ft) to Marangu Gate (1,800m/5,906ft)
• Hiking Distance: 19km
• Hiking Time: 6-7hrs
• Habitat: Montane Forest

As you descend from Horombo, you begin to encounter more vegetation and the lower part of the route is through pine forest. We pass the traditional first camping place on the Marangu Route at the Mandara Huts and continue our descent to the Marangu Gate (1800m).

You will say fond farewell to our trusty guide, staff and the porters who have helped us during the past week and pick up our certificates of ascent, you will have Lunch with our Mountain Crew before transfer to our hotel.

For the climbers who do have a flight to catch, we will drive back to our office in Arusha for quick shower and short rest before you are transferred to the respective airport for your inbound or outbound flight.

Package Price Includes

• Airport pick and drop off
• Transfer to / from the mountain
• Kilimanjaro National Park Permits, camping / hut fees & rescue fees
• Service of a professional & qualified mountain guide
• Cook and adequate porters to carry both trip provisions & passenger private bags
• Oxygen systems and pulse oximeters
• First Aid Kit
• 3 square meals daily. The menu includes different soups, garnishes, several types of fish and meat, fresh fruit and vegetables; vegetarian options are available upon request
• Spacious tent for camping
• Free walking poles
• Free quality sleeping mats
• Camping equipment (dining tent, table, chairs, crockery and cutlery)
• International certificates for a successful ascent
• Free storage of excess baggage not required on the mountain hike
• Flying Doctors rescue insurance for the time of the tour with us

Package Price Excludes:

• International airfare and related costs such as personal international travel insurance, visas, and vaccinations
• Accommodation before and after the tour
• Any increase in government taxes that occur prior to the start of your trip
• Cost of any client-requested itinerary modifications while the trekking is in progress
• Any expenses of a personal nature such as extra beverages, laundry, etc.
• Personal mountain gears
• Tips & gratuities for your mountain crew.
• Any excess luggage more than 15Kg per client while trekking