Overview
The Rongai Route is the only route on the northeastern part of the mountain. This route is gaining popularity because it is the second easiest after Marangu and 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.
The only Kilimanjaro route starting from the mountain’s north, the Rongai Route is one of the least traveled routes.
Due to its north-facing orientation, and a less steep, less crowded, and drier route, the Rongai Route is gaining in popularity with those wanting a unique climbing experience.
Itinerary
Rongai route 6 days
DAY 1 - MOSHI - RONGAI GATE - SIMBA CAMP
You’ll be picked up from your Arusha or Moshi hotel after breakfast and make your way to the Marangu gate for the formalities of climber registration.
You’ll then be transferred overland to the Rongai Gate, which is located roughly 2.5 hours drive away.
You’ll begin your hike from the village of Nale Moru, hiking through gently swaying fields of corn before entering a shady pine forest.
Today’s hiking is a gentle ascent through some breathtaking country before you settle down for the evening at Simba Camp.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 2 - SIMBA CAMP - KIKELEWA CAVE
Today is a more relaxed day, as you’ll acclimatise to life on the mountain with a pleasant day’s hike towards 2nd Cave Camp.
You’ll arrive in time for a hot lunch and have the afternoon to get some rest.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3 - KIKELEWA CAVE - MAWENZI TARN CAMP
Today’s hike is short but steep, taking you from 3,600m at Kikelewa to 4,330m at Mawenzi Tarn Camp.
Your landscape today is one of scrubby alpine moorland dotted with plants you’ll have seen nowhere else in Tanzania.
Mawenzi Tarn boasts a spectacular view and ominous towers of stone, making for a unique camping experience
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4 - MAWENZI TARN CAMP - KIBO HUT
You’ll hike for 4-5 hours today towards Kibo Hut in the Kibo Saddle between the Mawenzi and Kibo peaks.
Today’s hiking takes you through true alpine desert – a place of stark beauty.
You’ll overnight at Kibo Hut ahead of your summit attempt.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5 - KIBO HUT - UHURU PEAK - HOROMBO HUT
You’re starting your day early today – just after midnight, in fact!
Your climbing team will wake you with a cup of hot tea and a light snack for energy as you get dressed and prepare your daypack for the adventure ahead.
You’ll be hiking in utter darkness for the next 5-7 hours, so take it slow and you’ll arrive at Stella Point a few hours before dawn. From here, there’s another two hours of intense hiking before you reach your ultimate goal: Uhuru Peak.
Standing at 5,985m, you’ll be able to experience a spectacular sunrise and take in the panoramic view. You’ve done it!
You’ll then descend back to Horombo Hut via Kibo Hut. At anywhere between 12 and 16 hours of hiking, this is sure to be one of the longest, most gruelling days of your life!
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinne
DAY 6 - HOROMBO HUT - MARANGU GATE - MOSHI
It’s a day of celebration today, as you’ll enjoy one last breakfast on the mountain before descending to the Marangu Gate.
It’s an almost 20km walk today, but the steady downhill makes it a lot easier than the ascent.
Upon arrival at the gate, you’ll get to celebrate with your porters and guides, provide them with their tips for their hard work, and collect your certificate of completion.
Your driver will then whisk you away to your Moshi or Arusha hotel to get some well-earned rest.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cost Breakdown
Included
National Park fees
Including once-off rescue fee of USD $20 per person. Other National Park fees are charged per person and based on the number of days spent in the Park. These other required fees are: entry fee of USD $70 per day and public campsite fee of USD $50 per night. NOTE: in Marangu they don't have public campsites so we supposed to pay Hut fee which is USD 60 per person per night,
VAT
From the government
Wages
For Guides, Assistant Guides, cooks and porters consistent with the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP)
Transport
to and from airport to Hotel
to and from Hotel to National Park Gate (starting point)
Fresh local ingredients for three meals per day during the hiking and filtered drinkable water.
Equipments
such as quality sleeping tents, communal meals tent, portable toilet, and sleeping pad
for your safety and well-being, such as mandatory First Aid Kit, Oxygen tank, Oximeter, and stretcher and handheld radio
Other cost not Included
Equipments
such as sleep bags, hiking poles, head-lamps are not included in the pricing. However, these equipment along with others, like down jacket, rain gear, and hiking shoes are available for rent. See our rental equipment table for the full list
Tipping
is part of the local culture and is an expectation. While our team earns above minimum wage, tips are a key way to support local staff—especially those working in tough conditions like on the mountain. While wages are taxed heavily in Tanzania, tips are not taxed. So in Tanzania, guides, cooks and porters rely on tips to support 5–10 family members. Tips help them achieve their goals and are a meaningful way to say thank you. We ask that you kindly budget for tips
VISA fee and Travel insurance
Additional Hotel night
Laundry service
is not provided during the hike. However, you may use the hotel’s laundry services which they provide for a cost
Cost of meals during your stay at the hotel.
The hotel we’ll organize your stay at has a restaurant. There are also a number of cafes and restaurants located near the hotel within walking distance.