Tour Overview
The Rongai Route is a unique and less-traveled trail to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, offering trekkers a quieter and more scenic adventure. Starting on the northern slopes near the Kenyan border, this 7-day trek takes you through diverse landscapes, from lush coniferous forests to the high-altitude alpine desert.
Along the way, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of Mawenzi and Kibo peaks, spot rare wildlife, and experience stunning sunrises over the African plains. Unlike the busier southern routes, Rongai provides a peaceful and intimate trekking experience with significantly fewer climbers.
The descent follows the Marangu Route, allowing you to witness Kilimanjaro’s contrasting ecosystems. Ideal for those seeking solitude and spectacular scenery, this route offers an unforgettable journey to Africa’s highest peak.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Tanzania
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be met by our professional guide and transferred to your hotel in Arusha. Settle into your comfortable accommodation, where you can enjoy essential amenities such as a cozy room, hot showers, a swimming pool, and WiFi. In the evening, you will meet your climbing team for a detailed briefing on the trek ahead, covering safety procedures, gear checks, and expectations for the climb.
Note: Hotel check-in begins at 2:00 PM
Day 2: Moshi to Rongai gate – Simba Camp
You will have an early breakfast. Transfer by our vehicles through many villages and coffee and plantations for 2-3 hour drive to Rongai gate (1,950 m/6,398 ft). After signing in and preparing the porters, you will start hiking on a wide path winding through fields of maize and potatoes, and then enter into montane forest. You will then start to climb gently but consistently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife. The forest begins to thin as you arrive at Simba Camp (2,600 m/8,530ft) with fantastic views over the Kenyan plains.
Day 3: Simba Camp – Kikelewa Camp
After an early breakfast you will have a steady ascent to the second cave where you will stop for lunch. You leave the direct trail at this point and strike out across the moorland on a smaller path toward Mawenzi side peak.to Kikelewa Camp in a sheltered valley. At the Kikelewa Camp you will settle for your dinner and overnight rest.
Day 4: Kikelewa camp – Mawenzi turn hut
After breakfast you will face a short, steep climb up grassy slopes; rewarded by superb all-round views, immersed in the vast surrounding wilderness. Soon after, you leave the vegetation behind and arrive at the Mawenzi Tarn Camp, which is situated in a spectacular cirque directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi Peak. After this hike, you will reach to the Mawenzi turn hut camp where you will also see the amazing undried Lake with no inlet as well as outlet here you will have lunch and rest then dinner and overnight at this camp.
Day 5: Acclimatization day
This is your extra day on the mountain, and you will spend two nights at Mawenzi Tarn. You will hike up towards Mawenzi for a splendid acclimatization hike. Then after return back to the camp for lunch the dinner and overnight.
Day 6: Mawenzi Tarn hut – Kibo Huts camp
After an early breakfast you will cross the lunar desert of the saddle between Kibo peak and Mawenzi peak to Kibo Huts at the bottom of Kibo’s crater wall. You should spend the remainder of the day resting and preparing for your summit climb.
Day 7: Summit Day! Kibo Huts camp – Uhuru Peak to Horombo Huts camp
Wake at midnight to a light breakfast and then prepare for your summit ascent. The goal is to climb before dawn so that you can reach Uhuru Peak shortly before or after sunrise. Leave to the peak at 12; 00AM, switchback up steep scree or possibly snow, and reach Gilman’s Point on the crater rim at 5,861 m/18,640 ft between 4 and 6 AM. At this point, you will have views of the fabled crater and its icecaps facing you.
Then after 2 hours of hiking along the Kibo crater rim near the celebrated snows takes you to Kilimanjaro’s true summit, Uhuru Peak here you will spend some times for taking photo’s but it will depend on how you feel. After your summit activities done, descend back to the Kibo Huts, have lunch, rest, collect your equipment, and continue on down, re-crossing the saddle to the Horombo Huts. Have dinner and overnight at Horombo camp.
Day 8: Descent to Mweka Gate
After a long and enjoyable sleep you will be awaked for breakfast and pack up, start descend through the moorland to Mandara Huts. Here you will have lunch then preceede with your triumphant recessional down through lush forest to Marangu park gate. Here you will sign out then after a vehicle will take you to back to the hotel where it is definitely time for certificate presentation and celebration!
Day 9: Departure from Tanzania
After a restful night at your hotel, enjoy breakfast before being transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward journey. If you have a late flight, an extended hotel stay can be arranged at an additional cost.
Note: Standard hotel check-out is at 11:00 AM.M.
Tour Inclusions
- Transport: Return transfers
- Accommodation: Full/Half Board Accommodations.
- Meals: Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner as per the itinerary.
- Park Fees: Entrance fees to National Parks and Game Reserves.
- Safari Activities: Guided game drives.
- Professional Guide: Services of an experienced English-speaking safari guide.
- Drinking Water: Complimentary bottled water during activities.
- Government Taxes: All applicable taxes and levies.