Kilimanjaro Rongai route

9 Days Climbing Kilimanjaro – Rongai Route in 6 Days

From $2064 USD* / Park fees / 9 days

*Price p.p. incl. transfers, accommodation, food, drinks, guides, tents and park fees. Excl. International flight (based on six persons)

Background mask

9 Days Climbing Kilimanjaro – Rongai Route in 6 Days

The Rongai Route is particularly popular among experienced climbers. It is the only route to the summit of Kilimanjaro that begins on the northern part, near the Kenyan border. It’s windier and drier on the northern side of the mountain. Therefore, it has less vegetation here and you can often see far – overlooking the beautiful Kenyan landscape.

The descent is via the Marangu Route (south) so you get to see both sides of Kilimanjaro . The entire ascent (including descent) via the Rongai Route takes six days. If you want to, you can add an additional day of trekking. This is even highly recommended! An extra day gives your body more time to get used to the altitude and increases the chance for you to reach the top of Kilimanjaro without experiencing any altitude sickness.

Tanzania Specialist offers a unique service throughout the climb

Climbing Kilimanjaro is the ultimate challenge! You will be accompanied by professional guides, porters and a cook during your ascent to Uhuru Peak via the Rongai route. Our crew will take care of you and perform a health check every morning and evening to make sure everything is in order. In addition, the accompanying cook will serve you delicious food during this tour. The quality of the food is at the top of our priority list, as you depend on good food during the strenuous climb. If you would like to have a look at the menu in advance, we will be happy to send it to you.

Mountaineering is a relatively primitive sport. You will sleep in simple but high-quality tents during the ascent. Our customers experience climbing Kilimanjaro via the Rongai route as an unforgettable experience! As soon as you have confirmed your booking with us, we will send you a comprehensive document to prepare for the trip.

How fit do you need to be to climb Kilimanjaro via the Rongai Route?

Climbing Kilimanjaro is a real challenge due to the altitude, rate of ascent and different temperatures. During an average climbing day you will walk six to seven hours per day. If you are healthy and fit it is absolutely within reach. There are many things you can do to increase your chances to reach the summit and to make sure you enjoy the trek.

  1. It’s important you take your time. Don’t hike too fast so your body has time to adapt and acclimatize.
  2. Prepare. Being in good shape also makes the climb much easier. Go hiking a few months before the climb, especially multiple day hikes are excellent training. But also running and aerobic exercise are a good preparation.
  3. Add an extra day. It is always difficult to predict who will be affected by altitude sickness. By adding one extra day to your climb, you will reduce this risk. Since you spread the climb over more days and your body gets more time to get used to the higher altitude. We do really advice to do this to increase the chance of making it to the top.

If you like advice on how to prepare yourself for climbing Kilimanjaro, you can always contact us or read our blog How to prepare for climbing Kilimanjaro?

Make your dream trip come true with Tanzania Specialist

At Tanzania Specialist, you can customize your trip. Our sample itineraries are adjustable to your preferences. Our specialists work together with you to create your dream journey!

Request this trip now

Itinerary

  • Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro Int. Airport for your climb
  • Day 2: Rongai Route day 1: Rongai Gate (1800 m) - First Cave Camp (2600 m)
  • Day 3: Rongai Route day 2: First Cave Camp (2600 m) - Kikelewa Camp (3600 m)
  • Day 4: Rongai Route day 3: Kikelewa Camp (3600 m) - Mawenzi Tarn (4330 m)
  • Day 5: Rongai Route day 4: Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4330 m) - Kibo Camp (4700 m)
  • Day 6: Rongai Route day 5: Kibo Camp (4700 m) - Uhuru Peak (5895 m) - Horombo Hut (3720 m)
  • Day 7: Rongai Route day 6: Horombo Hut (3720 m) - Marangu Gate (1830 m) - to the hotel
  • Day 8 - 9: Flight home from Kilimanjaro (JRO) after the climb

Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro Int. Airport for your climb

When you arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport our Tanzania Specialist guide will be there waiting for you. He will will drop you off at your hotel, where you can relax from your flight.
Preparation for your climb: You will meet your guide before the beginning of your climb. He will brief you and give you details, like what to wear, what to put in your backpack and other important tips to make the climb as comfortable as possible for you.

Day 2: Rongai Route day 1: Rongai Gate (1800 m) - First Cave Camp (2600 m)

Today, your guide will pick you up at your hotel and drive you to the Rongai Gate in about 2 hours. You then start this exciting adventure ascending through beautiful lush forests listening to varied animal noises. After a lunch break, you continue until the first camp on the Rongai route, which is on the less forested north side of the mountain. This route is quieter and allows viewing of a lot of wildlife.

Day 3: Rongai Route day 2: First Cave Camp (2600 m) - Kikelewa Camp (3600 m)

On the second day, you hike for 5-6 hours with a steep climb to begin with and you will start to feel the altitude with the first mountain peak of Kilimanjaro in sight, Mawenzi peak. After some time, you reach a first cave where you get some time to explore. Lunch is taken in the second cave. In the afternoon, the climb gets less steep and you finish the hike towards the camp in a sheltered valley near Kikelewa or the third cave.

Day 4: Rongai Route day 3: Kikelewa Camp (3600 m) - Mawenzi Tarn (4330 m)

Today, you will admire some breath-taking views as you continue your route through this steep hike. You will walk for about 4-5 hours in the morning, to keep the afternoon and evening to rest and to give your body a chance to adapt to the altitude. You go until Mawenzi Tarn, where you will spend the night. It is located just below the Mawenzi summit, with amazing views of both Kilimanjaro peaks, Mawenzi and Kibo.

Day 5: Rongai Route day 4: Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4330 m) - Kibo Camp (4700 m)

On this 4th day, you will be fascinated by the lunar landscape you will cross on the way to the higher camp. Kibo camp is located right below Kibo summit, from where you will admire spectacular views of the Kenyan plains. You walk for 5-6 hours through the alpine desert environment and then rest after lunch in the afternoon because the next day will be the summit push to the peak of Kilimanjaro!

Day 6: Rongai Route day 5: Kibo Camp (4700 m) - Uhuru Peak (5895 m) - Horombo Hut (3720 m)

At midnight you start the final summit push to the Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa! Be prepared, you will walk for about 12 hours on this intense day! Once you have reached Gilman’s Point through a steep climb with your flashlight, Uhuru Peak is relatively easy to reach. You will witness one of the most beautiful sunrises and celebrate your achievement, then go back down to the Kibo huts to have a meal before continuing the descent to Horombo huts for an overnight stay.

Day 7: Rongai Route day 6: Horombo Hut (3720 m) - Marangu Gate (1830 m) - to the hotel

On this final day, you descend through a beautiful rainforest to the exit of Kilimanjaro National Park, the Marangu Gate. This is a delightful 5 to 6 hours walk at the end of which the whole group comes together to congratulate each other. Your driver then brings you back to your hotel where you get a well-deserved rest.

Day 8 - 9: Flight home from Kilimanjaro (JRO) after the climb

Sadly, this is the end of your holiday and the time to go home has arrived. Enjoy your last hours in Tanzania before our driver comes to pick you up and takes you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home. Still longing for more? It's also possible to add a few days of safari or a beach holiday to your Kilimanjaro adventure!

Make your dream trip come true with Tanzania Specialist

At Tanzania Specialist, you can customize your trip. Our sample itineraries are adjustable to your preferences. Our specialists work together with you to create your dream journey!

Request this trip now

Why Tanzania Specialist?

  • Highest service
  • Quickest response time
  • 100% specialized in Tanzania
  • Skilled travel consultants living in Tanzania
  • World class safari guides
  • Competitive rates
  • Top rated private safaris
Take a look at our excursions

Let us create your tailor-made trip

Receive a free, no obligation quote

Start planning your dream trip

Call an expert

Our specialists are here to assist you

+1 518 634 1139