6 Days Trekking Rongai Route

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Overview

Duration:6 days 5 nights
Tour Type:Daily tour
Language:English, French, German, Italian

Route Description

The Rongai route is the only trail that approaches Kilimanjaro from the north, This remote and less-traveled route offers a unique wilderness experience, starting through coniferous forests and passing through a variety of climatic zones. The ascent is gradual and steady, The descent is made via the Marangu route on the southeast side of the mountain.

Duration: 5 Days Difficulty: Medium Acclimatization: Low Traffic: Low Scenery: Good

Highlights

Remote and quieter trail
Approaches Kilimanjaro from the north
Great chance of seeing wildlife on lower slopes
Offers views towards Kenya
Ideal in rainy season due to its dry nature

Includes/Excludes

Airport transfers (pick up & drop off)
Transport to/from Marangu Gate
Park entry fees & camping/hut fees
Rescue fees
2 nights accommodation in Moshi/Arusha (before & after the climb)
Accommodation in mountain huts during the trek
Professional mountain guide(s), cook & porters
All meals on the mountain
Drinking water during the trek
Salaries for the crew
Government taxes
Certificate of achievement

International or local flights
Visa fees
Travel insurance
Tips for guides, porters, and cook
Mountain gear (can be rented)
Snacks & personal items
Additional accommodation or meals outside the itinerary
Alcoholic or soft drinks during the trek

Day to Day Section

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Day 0: Arrival and Pre-climb Briefing

Program Summary: Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport JRO (time to be confirmed) , you will be met and transferred for overnight accommodation – B&B. Your head guide will meet you for your briefing, and gear check, and arrange for you to hire any equipment you may need.
Accommodation: La Mama Hotel or Panama Hotel

Day 1: Rongai Gate – Simba Camp

After breakfast, a 3-4 hour drive takes you to the Rongai (Nalemoru) Gate. After completing park formalities, the trek begins on a narrow path winding through fields of maize and potatoes before entering a pine forest. The forest begins to thin out as you reach Simba Camp on the edge of the moorland zone.

Elevation: 2364m/7756ft to 2671m/8763ft
Stats: Duration: 3 hours. Altitude Gained: 307m. Distance: 7 km. Zone: Montane Forest
Accommodation: Simba Camp

Day 2: Simba Camp – Second Cave Camp

The morning walk is a steady ascent through moorland with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields. This shorter day allows for better acclimatization as you reach Second Cave by lunchtime.

Elevation: 2671m/8763ft to 3450m/11319ft
Stats: Duration: 2-3 hours. Altitude Gained: 779m. Distance: 8 km. Zone: Moorland
Accommodation: Second Cave Camp

Day 3: Second Cave Camp – Third Cave Camp

Today’s trek continues through the moorland, heading toward the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. The terrain becomes more rugged and the vegetation sparser as you climb. You will arrive at Third Cave in the early afternoon, offering plenty of time for rest and acclimatization before the higher altitudes of the following day.

Elevation: 3450m/11319ft to 3800m/12467ft
Stats: Duration: 3 hours. Altitude Gained: 350m. Distance: 3 km. Zone: Alpine Desert
Accommodation: Third Cave Camp

Day 4: Third Cave Camp – Kibo Hut

Today you cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo. The trek is a steady incline across a barren landscape that feels like another planet.

Elevation: 3800m/12467ft to 4720m/15485ft
Stats: Duration: 3-4 hours. Altitude Gained: 920m. Distance: 8 km. Zone: Alpine Desert
Accommodation: Kibo Hut

Day 5: Kibo Hut – Summit (Uhuru Peak) – Horombo Huts

Program Summary: We wake at 11:30 PM for tea/biscuits and begin the steep climb passing Gilman’s Point to Uhuru Peak. After a brief photo opportunity, we descend back to Kibo Huts for a rest and snack, then continue down to Horombo Huts.

Elevation: 4,720m/15,485ft to 5,895m/19,341ft to 3,720m/12,204ft
Stats: Duration: 10-14 hours. Altitude gained: 1,175m. Altitude lost: 2,175m. Distance: 6 km up / 16 km down. Zone: Arctic/Alpine Desert/Moorland.
Accommodation: Horombo Huts

Day 6: Horombo Huts – Marangu Gate – Moshi

Program Summary: After a good night’s rest and a hearty breakfast, we make the final descent to Marangu Gate. We will sign out, and a certificate of achievement will be given to you by the National Park. We then drive back to Moshi.

Elevation: 3,720m/12,204ft to 1,879m/6,164ft
Stats: Duration: 5 hours. Altitude lost: 1,841m. Distance: 19 km. Zone: Montane Forest.
Accommodation: La Mama Hotel or Panama Hotel