7 Days Rongai Route - Kilimanjaro Trekking Tour
Experience the ultimate Kilimanjaro trekking adventure with our professional 7 Days Rongai Route tour. Expert guides, quality equipment, and guaranteed summit success.
7 Days Rongai Route - Tour Overview
7 Days
12+
Shared tour
Budget Accommodation
7 Days Rongai Route - Detailed Overview
Rongai route begins
in the northern side of Kilimanjaro Mountain, 45km from Moshi town or 69km from
Arusha. Rongai is stated to be one of the most beautiful routes that start from
the Northern side, in comparison to others this is the easiest route and its
popularity has been increasing tremendously over the years. The route hosts a
variety of spectacular landscapes together with different plants and animals
species which make it one of the best sought after route of the Northern side.
The typical duration for this trip is 6 days. But mostly the hikers prefer to
take one day more, i.e., the 7 days to make the success rate higher. Rongai is
scenically more beautiful than that of Marangu, and the difference is that when
Marangu offers the hut facilities, the Rongai offers the tents to rest and make
the overnight stay. At the end of each day you would find your tents
7 Days Rongai Route - What's Included
7 Days Rongai Route - Daily Itinerary
You will be picked up from the
airport. From there you will go to the hotel in Moshi for an orientation on
your trek. Your guides will be there to provide you with details on your trek
and will also check your trekking gear.
Drive to the attractive wooden
village of Nale Moru (about 2 hours including a stop to get permits at
Marangu). After signing in and preparing the porters, you will begin the hike
on a wide 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. The forest begins to
thin out and the first camp is at the edge of the moorland zone with extensive
views over the Kenyan plains.
- Elevation: 2000m/6560ft to 2650m/8700ft
- Distance: 6km/4mi
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
The morning hike is a steady
ascent up to the Second Cave with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice
fields on the crater rim.
- Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3450m/11,300ft
- Distance: 6km/4mi
- Walking Time: 3-4 hours
Head out across the moorland on a
smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. The campsite is in a
sheltered valley with giant Senecio nearby.
- Elevation: 3450m/11,300ft to 3600m/11,800ft
- Distance: 9km/5mi
- Walking Time: 2-3 hours
A short but steep climb up grassy
slopes is rewarded by superb views. Leave the vegetation behind shortly before
reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn, 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.
- Elevation: 3600m/11,800ft to 4330m/14,200ft
- Distance: 6km/4mi
- Walking Time: 3-4 hours
Cross the lunar desert of the Saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo campsite at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent very early.
- Elevation: 4330m/14,200ft to 4750m/15,600ft
- Distance: 9km/5mi
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Very early in the morning
(midnight to 2am), commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or
snow up to Gilmans Point located on the crater rim (elev 5700m/18,700ft).
Continuing, we now ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa.
There are unbelievable views at every turn. Have your picture taken at the
summit to show your friends and family. From here we descend, stopping for
lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment.
The beginning of this climb is
done in the dark and requires headlamps or flashlights. It will be very cold
until you start descending, so you will need all of your warm layers. This is
by far the most difficult part of the trek with many switchbacks. Going slowly
pole pole and an optimistic attitude will get you there!
- Elevation: 4700m/15,500ft to 5895m/19,340ft
- Down to 3700m/12,200ft
- Distance: 6km/4mi up / 15km/9mi down
- Hiking Time: 6-8 hours up / 6-8 hours down
After breakfast, a steady descent
takes us down through moorland to the Mandara Hut. Continue descending through
lush forest path to the National Park gate at Marangu. At lower elevations, it
can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts
will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
7 Days Rongai Route - Pricing per Person
| Season | Solo | 2 Persons | 3 Persons | 4 Persons | 5 Persons | 6 Persons | 6+ Persons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
January to December |
$2100 | $1990 | $1950 | $1940 | $1910 | $1885 | $1850 |
