6 Days Rongai Route Kilimanjaro Hiking

From $2250 /person

Duration 6 Days

Private Tour

Tour Overview

The 6-Day Rongai route is a faster, more challenging version of the northern approach, suitable for strong hikers with some previous high-altitude experience. It offers the same benefits of a quieter trail and a drier climate but with a more demanding acclimatization schedule. The ascent is still more gradual than the southern routes, but by skipping an extra acclimatization day, it becomes a tougher climb with a lower success rate. This itinerary is for those who are confident in their fitness and ability to adapt to altitude quickly, offering a swift journey through a unique and remote landscape.

Includes

Pick up and drop off at Kilimanjaro International Airport
Park fees, camping fees, rescue fees
18% VAT on tour fees & services
4-Season mountain tents
Camping Facilities
Sleeping Bag & Pillows
Transportation to & from the mountain gate
Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
3 meals daily while on the mountain
Filtered water throughout the trek
Fair wages for the mountain crew
Portable flush toilet can be provided for free upon client’s request.

Flights (International)
Visa fees
Travel or medical insurance
Gamow Bag
Medication
Tips for porters and mountain crew
Personal spending money for souvenirs, etc
Energy food & beverages, alcoholic and soft drinks
Personal hire gear such as trekking poles, sleeping bags, etc.

Full Tour Details

Day 1: Rongai Trailhead - Simba Camp

Transport: Private transfer (3 – 4 hours, 90 km)
Hiking time: 4 – 5 hours (8 km)
Ascent: 650 m
altitude: 2600 m
Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Transfer from your hotel to Marangu Gate for registration and then a further transfer to the Rongai trailhead (approx. 2½ hours). Our porters prepare and pack our supplies and luggage before we start our ascent through the village of Nale Moru. The small winding path crosses maize fields before climbing gently through a pine forest until we reach First Cave Camp at 2,600m altitude.

Day 2: Simba Camp - Kikelewa Camp

Hiking time: 5 – 6 hours (6 km)
Ascent: 1000 m
altitude: 3600 m
Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

The trail continues up towards Kibo, passing Second Cave (3450m) en route, and reaching Kikelewa Caves at 3600m. From here the views start to open up and you will see for yourself how huge a mountain Kilimanjaro really is. The small shrubs of the moorland became thinner as you approve the Second Cave. Temperatures begin to drop.

Day 3: Kikelewa Camp - Mawenzi Tarn

Hiking time: 4 – 5 hours (5 km)
Ascent: 730 m
altitude: 4330 m
Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

A short but steep climb up grassy slopes is rewarded by superb all-around views and a tangible sense of wilderness. We leave the vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn (4330 m), 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.

Day 4: Mawenzi Tarn - Kibo Camp

Hiking time: 5 – 6 hours (8 km)
Ascent: 420 m
altitude: 4750 m
Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

We cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo Campsite (4750m) at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent tomorrow.

Day 5: Kibo Camp – Uhuru Peak - Horombo Hut

Hiking time: 13 – 14 hours (20 km)
Ascent: 1145 m
Descent: 2175 m
altitude: 5895 m
Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

You will be woken around 23:30 and after some tea and biscuits we will start our ascent. This is where the going really gets tough. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m). We then zigzag up to Gilman’s Point (5681m) on the crater rim. This section is very steep with much stone scree and is the most demanding section of the route. From Gilman’s Point we could encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru Peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa. Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long we can spend taking photographs before we descend back to Kibo Campsite and then Horombo Hut where we will stay overnight. Later in the evening we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Day 6: Horombo Hut - Marangu Gate

Transport: Private transfer (1 hour, 40 km)
Hiking time: 6 – 7 hours (18 km)
Descent: 1740 m
altitude: 3720 m
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch

After breakfast we continue our descent, passing Mandara Hut, down to the Marangu Gate. Transfer to your hotel for a well-earned shower and celebration.

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