7 days Rongai Route Kilimanjaro Climbing 2024

About Rongai Route

The Rongai route is the only route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the north, close to the Kenyan border. Though gaining popularity amongst climbers, this route still experiences low crowds. Rongai has a more gradual slope than the mountain’s other routes. It is the preferred route for those looking for an alternative to the popular Marangu route, for those who would like a more remote hike, and for those who are climbing during the rainy season (the north side receives less precipitation). Rongai is a moderately difficult route, and is highly recommended, especially for those with less backpacking experience. Although the scenery is not as varied as the western routes, Rongai makes up for this by passing through true wilderness areas for nearly the entire way. Descent is made via the Marangu route. Burigi Chato Safaris® offers Rongai as a seven days group climb or a six days climb. The six day variation does not have an acclimatization day on day four at Mawenzi Tarn.

DAY 1: Rongai Gate to Simba Camp

We take a ride to Marangu to complete the necessary registration formalities, before transferring by SUV to Rongai. The climb begins from Nale Moru (6,400 ft) on a small path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering a pine forest. The track then starts to climb consistently, but gently through an attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife, including the Colobus monkey. These monkeys are black with a long ‘cape’ of white hair and a flowing white tail. The forest begins to thin out at the edge of the moorland zone. Then, we take in the expansive views over the Kenyan plains as we arrive at our first campsite at Rongai One Camp (8,500 ft).

  • Distance covered: 4.3 miles
  • Time to be used: 3 - 4 hours
  • Meals: Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation: Simba campsite
  • DAY 2: Simba Camp to Second Caves Camp

    The morning walk is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave(11,300 ft) with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern Icefields on the crater rim. After lunch, we leave the main trail and strike out and head southeast across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. Our campsite is in a sheltered valley, decorated with giant senecios near Kikelewa Caves (11,800 ft).

  • Distance Covered: 5.7 miles
  • Time to be used: 6 - 7 hours
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Second Caves Camp
  • DAY 3: Second caves Camp to Kikelewa Caves

    A short but steep climb is rewarded by superb all-around views and a tangible sense of wilderness. We leave vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn(14,200 ft), spectacularly situated in a cirque directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. The afternoon will be free to rest or explore the surrounding area as an aid to acclimatization.

  • Distance Covered: 2.3 miles
  • Time to be used: 3 - 4 hrs
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Kikelewa Caves
  • DAY 4: Kikelewa Caves to Mawenzi Tarn

    We have an additional day to acclimatize. The day will be spent exploring the area with a walk up onto the Saddle towards Camel’s Back. Afterwards, we will return to camp at Mawenzi Tarn (14,200 ft).

  • Time to be used: 2 - 3 hours
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Mawenzi Tarn
  • DAY 5: Mawenzi Tarn to Kibo Hut

    We cross the lunar desert of the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo Hut (15,400 ft) at the bottom of the crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for an early morning final ascent.

  • Distance Covered: 5.5 miles
  • Time to be used: 5 - 6 hrs
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Kibo Hut
  • DAY 6: Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut

    At 1 am we will begin the most demanding part of the climb by headlamp. First, we will plod very slowly in the darkness on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point (18,600 ft). Here we will rest here for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the three-hour round trip to Uhuru Peak (19,345 ft). You will pass close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Kibo Hut (15,400 ft) is surprisingly fast and, after some refreshments, we continue the descent to Horombo Huts (12,200 ft).

  • Distance Covered: 12.3 miles
  • Time to be used: 11 - 15 hours
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Horombo Hut
  • DAY 6: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate to Moshi

    At 1 am we will begin the most demanding part of the climb by headlamp. First, we will plod very slowly in the darkness on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point (18,600 ft). Here we will rest here for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the three-hour round trip to Uhuru Peak (19,345 ft). You will pass close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Kibo Hut (15,400 ft) is surprisingly fast and, after some refreshments, we continue the descent to Horombo Huts (12,200 ft).

  • Distance Covered: 12.4 miles
  • Time to be used: 5 - 6 hours
  • Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
  • Rongai Route Price Inclusion

    General

  • Guide
  • Park Fees
  • Tax
  • Gate transfer
  • Crew wages
  • Environment fees
  • Accommodation

    During the climb you will spleep in Tents

    Food

  • 6 Breakfasts
  • 7 Lunches
  • 6 Dinners
  • Drinking Water
  • Other

  • Guide
  • Porters
  • Cook
  • Not Included

  • Flights
  • Crew Tips
  • Visas
  • Kilimanjaro Rongai Route Cost Per Person for 2024 and 2024

    The cost of a 7 days Rongai Route trek on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania can vary depending on a number of factors such as the time of year and the level of service provided. However the the price for the normal packages are:

    No of paxAdultChild
    1 pax$1539$949
    2-4 pax$1514$924
    5-9 pax$1489$899
    10-16 pax $1464$874
    16+ pax$1439$849

    Group joining price

    AdultChild
    $1514$924

    Extra inclusions for the Luxury Tour

  •  Special Kilimanjaro guide with Wilderness First Responder certification
  •   Personal porter for carrying day pack
  •   Food resupply (once on trek)
  •  Solar panel for charging USB devices (charges battery, which charges devices)
  •   Solar lights
  •   Hyperbaric pressure bag
  •   Oxygen
  •   Portable toilet (1 per 5 people)
  •   Camp shower (1 per 5 people)
  •   Large comfortable dining tent
  •   Dining chairs with backs and arms
  •   Hot lunches on the mountain
  •   Solar lighting in dining tent and personal tent
  •   Camp pillow
  •   Extra sleeping pad or 1 double thick pad
  •   Filtered water with Katadyn filter
  •   Kilimanjaro map for the group
  •   Celebration dinner at hotel after returning from trek
  •   Walk-in tent (4-person, 4-season) for 2 people
  •   Camp beds
  •   Resupply of fresh food (2-3 times on trek)
  •   Hot water bottle for sleeping bag
  • 7 days Rongai route Luxury tour Prices

    No of paxAdultChild
    1 pax$2539$1949
    2-4 pax$2514$1924
    5-9 pax$2489$1899
    10-16 pax $2464$1874
    16+ pax$2439$1849

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