Rongai Route
The Rongai Route climbs Kilimanjaro from the drier north, away from the crowds. What to expect on the route, and our Rongai climbs.
Also on this route: 7 Days Rongai Route
Kilimanjaro climb
6 Days Rongai Route
Overview
Mount Kilimanjaro has six established routes to the top: Marangu, Machame, Lemosho, Shira, Rongai, and Umbwe. Marangu, Machame and Umbwe start from the south. Lemosho and Shira start from the west. Rongai is the odd one out: it starts from the north, near Kenya. Every route except Marangu and Rongai comes down via Mweka.
The 6 Days Rongai Route: a quiet trail and a gentle climb
Rongai is remote, so you meet far fewer people than on the busier routes. You may also see bigger animals here, such as antelope, elephants and buffalo. It sits on the drier side of the mountain, so you get less rain and clearer views of the peak.
The trail is fairly flat, but it doesn’t follow the ‘climb high, sleep low’ pattern, so you need extra days to acclimatize. Even so, it counts as one of the easier routes up Kilimanjaro. It is the only route that starts in the north and comes down the Marangu Route. On summit night you leave Kibo Hut and climb steeply on the same path as the Marangu Route, past Gilman’s Point to Uhuru Peak.
In short, you set off from the north and then go round before ascending from the east for the summit bid.
Route itinerary
-
Day 1 Nale Muru Gate – Simba Camp Distance 7km / 5miHiking 3-4 hrsZone Rainforest
From Moshi it is a 4-5 hour drive through coffee farms and the village of Nale Muru to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate. While we wait for the permits, you can watch the crews getting ready for the climb. The trail winds through pretty woodland, and your guide will point out the local plants and the animals you are likely to see. Simba Camp sits near the first cave, at the edge of the moorland zone, with wide views over the plains of Kenya.
- Elevation
- 1997m/6552ft to 2635m/8645ft
- Altitude gained
- 638m
-
Day 2 Simba Camp – Second Cave Camp Distance 5.8km / 3.6miHiking 5-6hrsZone Moorland
After a good night’s sleep and a big breakfast, you walk on through the moorland on a steady uphill path. You get great views of Kibo and your first look at the ice fields on the eastern crater rim. The small moorland shrubs thin out as you get closer to the Second Cave, and it starts to get colder.
- Elevation
- 2635m/8645ft to 3487m/11,440ft
- Altitude gained
- 852m
-
Day 3 Second Cave Camp – Third Cave Camp Distance 3.3km / 2miHiking 3-4hrsZone Semi Desert
After breakfast you pack up and keep climbing steadily into semi-desert. It is a fairly short day, and the eastern ice fields get closer as you go; it is hard to stop looking at them. Listen to your body and tell your guide about any signs of altitude sickness.
- Elevation
- 3487m/11,440ft to 3936m/12,913ft
- Altitude gained
- 449m
-
Day 4 Third Cave Camp – Kibo Huts Distance 6.7km / 4.2miHiking 4-5hrsZone Alpine Desert
You leave Third Cave early in the morning and walk out of the semi-desert into the alpine desert, where you stay for the rest of the climb. Today’s hike ends just below the Kibo crater wall at the Kibo Huts. Here you join the Marangu Route, which you follow to the summit. Get your clothes and gear ready (put fresh batteries in your headlamp and camera), go to bed by 7 PM and try to sleep a few hours before the summit attempt.
- Elevation
- 3936m/12,913ft to 4714m/15,466ft
- Altitude gained
- 1238m
-
Day 5 Kibo Huts – Summit – Horombo Huts Distance 4km / 2.5 mi up; 15.75km / 9.8mi downHiking 5-7hrs; 5-6hrsZone Glaciers, Snow Capped Summit
Elevation: 4714m/15,466ft to 5895m/19,341ft
Altitude gained: 1181m
Descent to 3721m/12,208ft
Altitude lost: 2174mYou wake very early and set off between midnight and 2 a.m. This is the hardest part of the trek, for both mind and body.
The path climbs the steep slope above Kibo Huts. Stay warm and keep your mind on the goal. You zigzag up heavy scree to Gilman’s Point on the crater rim, and during the short rest there you usually get a lovely sunrise. Faster hikers may see the sunrise from the summit. From Gilman’s Point it is about 1 hour more to Uhuru Peak, and you will probably walk on snow the whole way.
Well done. One step at a time, you have reached Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and in all of Africa.
After photos, hugs and maybe a few happy tears, take a few minutes to enjoy what you have done. Then the steep descent begins, back to Kibo Huts for lunch and a very short rest, and on down to Horombo Huts on the Marangu side. We strongly recommend gaiters and trekking poles, because the loose gravel and volcanic ash slip under your feet. Your last evening on the mountain is a well-earned rest. Overnight Horombo Huts.
- Elevation
- 4714m/15,466ft to 5895m/19,341ft
- Altitude gained
- 1181m
-
Day 6 Horombo Huts – Marangu Gate – Moshi Distance 20km / 12.5miHiking 6-7hrsZone Rainforest
After breakfast there is a small thank-you ceremony with your crew, and then it is time to say goodbye. You carry on down and stop at the Mandara Huts for lunch. Remember to tip your guides, cooks and porters here, because this is where you leave them. Back at the Marangu Park Gate you receive your summit certificates. It gets much warmer on the way down, and the path is wet, muddy and steep, so gaiters and trekking poles really help. At the gate a vehicle meets you and drives you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 45 minutes). Then it is time for a long hot shower, dinner and a celebration.
- Elevation
- 3721m/12,208ft to 1905m/6250ft
- Altitude lost
- 1816m
Tour price includes
- Kilimanjaro trekking according to the itinerary
- Professional, English-speaking Wilderness First Responder & CPR certified Guide
- Proper Ration of Mountain crew (Cook & Porters)
- Pre and Post accommodations (2 nights Bed and Breakfast)
- Airport Transfers
- Meals according to the itinerary
- Drinking water and Full Board Meals
- All National Park & Hut Fees, Crew Permits and VAT
- Quality Imported Equipments
Tour price excludes
- Travel or Medical Insurance is required and you should ask for Recommendation
- beverages, alcoholic and soft drinks
- Personal hire gear such as trekking poles, sleeping bags, etc.
- Additional lodge nights if early descent from the mountain $150 per room
- Flights, Visa fees, Gamow Bag, and Medication
Before you go
Route guide
About the Rongai Route
You might also like
