6-Day Kilimanjaro Trek Rongai Route
Overview
The Rongai route, unique for its northern approach near the Kenyan border, is the sole pathway to Kilimanjaro from this direction. Despite gaining popularity, this route maintains lower levels of congestion. Notably, Rongai boasts a more gradual slope compared to other routes on the mountain.
Included/Excluded
- All transfers to the mountain and back to your hotel
- Airport transfer on your Arrival day and at your departure day
- Hotel on your arrival day and a day after Kilimanjaro trip. Bed & breakfast
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides
- Guides, Porters, Cook salaries and park fees
- Quality mountain sleeping hut sharing basis)
- Sleeping Mattress
- Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Quality Dinning with table and chairs
- Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Conservation fees (part of park fees)
- Hut fees (part of park fees)
- Rescue fees (part of park fees)
- VAT (18% charged by the Government)
- Kilimanjaro summit certificate
- Tanzania Visa
- International and domestic flight
- Personal trekking equipment such as sleepings bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting)
- Tips for the crew
- Travel insurance
- Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Liquors, beers and bottled beverages
- Surcharge for online payment of advance and balance (5% on each payment)
Tour Plan
Day 1: Nale Moru to Simba Camp
After completing the necessary registration formalities at Marangu National Park gate, We transfer by landrover to Rongai. The climb begins from the attractive wooden village of Nale Moru (1950m) on a small path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering pine forest. The track then starts to climb consistently, but gently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife, including the beautiful Kilimanjaro Colobus monkey. These monkeys are black with a long cape of white hair and a flowing white tail. The forest begins to thin out and our first camp is at the edge of the moorland zone (2600m) with extensive views over the Kenyan plains.
Elevation (ft): 6,400ft to 8,700ft
Distance: 4 miles
Hiking Times: 3 - 4 hours
Habitat: Rain forest.
- Accommodation:
- Simba Camp (Kilimanjaro)
- Budget located in or near Mt Kilimanjaro
- Meals & Drinks:
-
- All meals included
- Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 2: Simba Camp to Kikelewe Caves
The morning is a steady ascent up to the 'Second Cave' (3450m) with a Superb view of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim. After lunch, we leave the main trail and strike out across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. Our campsite is in a sheltered valley with giant senecios near kilelewa Caves.
Elevation (ft): 8,700ft to 11,800ft
Distance: 5.6miles
Hiking Times: 6-7 hours
Habitat: Moorlands.
- Accommodation:
- Kikilewa Camp
- In or near Mt Kilimanjaro
- Meals & Drinks:
-
- All meals included
- Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 3: Kikelewe Cave to Mawenzi Hut
A short but steep climb up grassy slopes offers superb views of this wilderness area. The vegetation zone ends shortly before you reach your next camp at Mawenzi Hut spectacularly situated beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. Spend the afternoon acclimatizing and exploring the area.
Elevation (ft) 11,800ft to 14,210ft
Distance: 3.7 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Heath Zone.
- Accommodation:
- Mawenzi Hut
- Budget mountain hut located in or near Mt Kilimanjaro
- Meals & Drinks:
-
- All meals included
- Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 4: Mawenzi Hut to Kibo Hut
After breakfast we cross the lunar desert of the 'Saddle' between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo campsite, situated at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night.
Elevation (ft): 14,210ft - 15,420ft
Distance: 5.6miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert.
- Accommodation:
- Kibo Hut
- Budget mountain hut located in or near Mt Kilimanjaro
- Meals & Drinks:
-
- All meals included
- Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 5: Kibo hut to Summit to Homboro Hut
Guides rouse climbers before midnight for tea and cookies, preparing for the summit attempt in bitter cold. Setting out at 12 a.m., the trail zigzags up a steep scree slope, headlamps illuminating the climbers in the dark. Placing one foot in front of the other, the ascent under the infinite black sky is an unforgettable experience. Many reach Gillman's Point (18,685 feet) by 6:30 a.m., witnessing the sunrise over the plains of Africa. Some consider this a valid summit, while others continue to Uhuru Peak (19,340 feet). The descent from Gillman's Point is swift, about 2 hours. After a brief rest at Kibo Hut, climbers descend to Horombo Hut, reaching it by late afternoon.
Elevation (ft): 15,520ft to 19,340ft
Distance: 3.5 miles ascent plus 9.5 miles descent
Hiking Time: 8-10 hours ascent plus 4-5 hours descent
Habitat: Arctic.
- Accommodation:
- Horombo Hut
- Budget mountain hut located in or near Mt Kilimanjaro
- Meals & Drinks:
-
- All meals included
- Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 6: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate
Today brings another extensive hike, primarily downhill, lifting our spirits with the satisfaction of yesterday's ascent. Returning to Marangu gate at the park headquarters, we collect our certificates validating our success and bid farewell to numerous porters and guides. Transferring to our hotel in Moshi, a hot shower is a welcome indulgence, followed by enjoying a refreshing cold beverage and commemorating the climb with a celebratory dinner.
Distance: 12.5 miles
Hiking Time: 5 hours.
- Main Destination:
- Mount Kilimanjaro
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
-
- All meals included
- Non-alcoholic drinks






