7 Days Rongai Route Trek

Route Overview

The route is less crowded because of its remote location the route offers trekkers a unique wilderness experience where it is possible to see large wildlife like antelope, elephant and buffalo. While it is flatter, it does not offer the 'climb high, sleep low' option, so it is recommended to allocate more days for acclimatization. The Rongai route is one of the easier routes up Kilimanjaro. Rongai is the only route to approach Kilimanjaro from the north and the descent is via the Marangu Route.

7 Days Trek - Rongai Route

Route Itinerary

Day 1: Rongai Gate (1950m) to Rongai Cave Camp (2830m)

7k /4.3mi | 3-4 hrs | Rainforest
Elevation: 1997m/6552ft to 2635m/8645ft
Altitude gained: 638m

Your chief guide will give you a briefing immediately after your breakfast at the hotel. You will drive for an hour from the hotel to Marangu gate (1860m) where you will do registration for climbing permit. Thereafter, you will drive for about 2 hours to Rongai gate(1950m) through Tarakea road. Guides and potters will take a few minutes to pack your supplies and equipment before you start trekking. You will hike through farmland and pine plantations on the rainforest zone up to 7 kilometers to Simba Camp (2630m) for about 4-5 hours.

Day 2: Simba Camp (2630m) to Kikelelwa Camp (3680)

5.8km/3.6mi | 5-6hrs | Moorland
Elevation: 2635m/8645ft to 3487m/11440ft
Altitude gained: 852m

The hike continues from Simba Camp towards Kibo to First Caves (3482m), Were you will have a picnic lunch before you proceed with the hike. After lunch you will continue trekking until reaching Kikelelwa Camp (3679m). You can see Mawenzi and Kibo peak if there are no clouds then enjoy dinner and spend the night at Kikelelwa camp. The trekking distance is 11 km which takes about 6-8 hours.

Day 3: Kikelelwa Camp (3680m) to Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4310m)

5.95km/3.7mi | 2-3hrs | Semi Desert
Elevation: 3487m/11,440ft to 3675m/12057ft
Altitude gained: 188m

Today is short and steep hike compared to first and second day through grassy slopes on the wilderness area. The hiking starts from Kikelelwa Camp (3680m) through the shortest vegetation on the heath and moorland zone to the Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4310) which is on alpine desert zone. You will have your picnic lunch at Mawenzi Tarn Camp and spend your afternoon for acclimatization. The trekking distance is 6 km which takes 3-4 hours.

Day 4: Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4310m): Acclimatization Day

3.75km/2.3mi | 3-4hrs | Semi Desert
Elevation: 3487m/11440ft to 4302m/14114ft
Altitude gained: 627m

After the late breakfast, you will take 3-4 hours leisure trekking surrounding the area to exercise your lungs and muscles as well as adjusting to the weather and altitude. You will then spend the night at this camp.

Day 5: Mawenzi Tarn camp (4310m) to Kibo hut (4700m)

8.9km /5mi | 4-5hrs | Alpine Desert
Elevation: 4302m/14,114ft to 4714m/15,466ft
Altitude gained: 412m

In day 5 the hiking starts early in the morning, just after breakfast from Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4310m) to Kibo Hut (4700m). The hike is slow and steady towards West and continues ascending on the East side of Kibo through saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo. This day you will hike about 9km which takes 5-6 hours.

Day 6: Kibo Hut (4700m) to Uhuru Peak (5895m) to Horombo Hut (3720m)

15.75km /9.8mi down | 5-6hrs | Glaciers, Snow Capped Summit
Elevation: 4302m/14,114ft to 5895m/19,341ft
Altitude gained: 721m
Descent to 3721m/12,208ft
Altitude lost: 2174m

The hike starts at midnight from Kibo Hut (4700m) to Uhuru Peak (5895m). This is where the going gets really tough. The path will take you through a very steep zigzag trail with a lot of stone screw to the Gilmans point (5680m) which is located on the crater rim. Finally, you will cross to the edge of the rim to Uhuru Peak (5895m). The journey takes about 6km to reach Uhuru Peak for 7 – 8 hours, and about 15km to descend to Horombo Hut for 6 – 8 hours.

Day 7: Horombo Hut (3720m) to Marangu Gate (1860m)

20km/12.5mi |6-7hrs | Rainforest
Elevation: 3721m/12,208 to 1905m/6250ft
Altitude lost: 1816m

This is the last day on this Mountain; you will descend from Horombo Hut passing the Mandara Hut to Marangu Gate (1860m). Your vehicle will be waiting for you at the gate and you will start your trip back to the hotel after finishing registration. The descending distance for this day is 19.7km which takes 6 – 7 hours.