7-Day Rongai Route Kilimanjaro Climbing
The “desert route” has its own very special charm
The Rongai route leads across the rarely used, rain-poor northeast flank of Kilimanjaro. The route starts near the Kenyan border, and offers great views of the Kenyan savannah and rugged Mawenzi. The trail leads first through fir forest and lighter rainforest, whilst at the Mawenzi Tarn Camp you will pass the only mountain lake on Kilimanjaro. The mountain massif is exceeded during this tour, and the descent is via the Marangu route. Due to the drier climate, the route is also suitable for ascents during the rainy season. The route is relatively easy, but some rock passages in the summit area require a certain degree of surefootedness.
We recommend the Rongai route as a 7 day tour. For very fit mountain hikers, the 6 day tour is also suitable. The second day of the 6 day tour walks directly from the Simba Camp to the Kikelewa Camp, as the
intermediate stage over the Second Cave Camp is omitted.
Highlights:
- Exceeding the Kilimanjaro
- Ascent via the Rongai route, descent via the Marangu route
- Very varied route from the dry north to the lush south
- Great views in the savannah and on the Mawenzi, on the route is the only mountain lake at
Kilimanjaro - Total distance about 70 km
Daily stages/walking times:
Day | Overnight stays in tents | Hours | Kilometers |
1 | Nalemoru Gate (1990m) – Simba Camp (2625m) | 3-4h | 7 |
2 | Simba Camp (2625m) – Second Cave Camp (3450m) | 3-4h | 4 |
3 | Second Cave Camp (3450m) – Kikelewa Camp (3650m) | 3-4h | 5 |
4 | Kikelewa Camp (3650m) – Mawenzi Tarn Hut (4330m) | 3-4h | 6 |
5 | Mawenzi Tarn Hut (4330m) – Kibo Hut (4700m) | 4-5h | 9 |
6 | Kibo Hut (4700m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo Hut (3700m) | 12-14h | 20 |
7 | Horombo Hut (3700m) – Marangu Gate (1860m) | 4-6h | 19 |
Itinerary
Day 1 Transfer from the hotel to Nalemoru Gate (1990m) – Simba Camp (2625m)
After breakfast and a general briefing for your upcoming ascent (including equipment check), we will drive around Kilimanjaro on its east side. After a 3 to 4 hour ride, which passes some small villages, we reach the park entrance. Once the formalities are completed and your luggage is distributed to the carriers, the tour can start. First you pass cultivated fields, then the way leads through the pine forest into the light rainforest. With some luck you will see the black and white colobus monkeys. After a 3-4-hour hike, you will arrive at the Simba Camp, which is surrounded by a beautiful landscape and offers a view of the Kibo. Here you spend your first night at Kilimanjaro.
Lunch; Dinner
Day 2 Simba Camp (2625m) – Second Cave Camp (3450m)
Today’s section of the route leads through both heath and moorland landscapes. In good weather you have a great view of the savannah. At noon you will reach Second Cave Camp where you will spend the night. After lunch, you can take a short hike towards the Third Cave – this supports your acclimatization.
Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 3 Second Cave Camp (3450m) – Kikelewa Camp (3650m)
Today we continue upwards through heath and moorland to Kikelewa Camp. The camp is located in a
protected sink surrounded by senecios. You will arrive around noon and have plenty of time to explore the surrounding area and enjoy the views.
Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 4 Kikelewa Camp (3650m) – Mawenzi Tarn Hut (4330m)
Today’s stage continues through heath and moorland landscape, the senecios typical for the Kilimanjaro are your companion. The landscape soon becomes more barren and we move towards the Mawenzi. After
crossing some rocky sections, the way leads over a moraine ridge to today‘s destination – the Mawenzi Tarn Hut. The camp is protected by the Mawenzi and is located at the only mountain lake on Kilimanjaro. It is one of the most beautiful camps on the mountain.
Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 5 Mawenzi Tarn Hut (4330m) – Kibo Hut (4700m)
After breakfast the trail leads steady uphill. Once you have reached the mountain ridge, you will have a clear view of the Kibo saddle and your day’s destination. The trail continues over the saddle which connects the Mawenzi to the main summit Kibo. Here the landscape changes into an alpine desert, only a few plants can survive in the dry and low oxygen environment. The Kibo Hut is located at the foot of the main peak of the same name, and it is here that you will spend the last night before the ascent to the summit. Tonight is for gathering your strength and sleeping early, as the night will be short and tomorrow will be exhausting.
Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 6 Kibo Hut (4700m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo Hut (3700m)
At around 11pm it will be time to leave your sleeping bag, and after warming up with a cup of tea or coffee, you will start your ascent of the summit at around midnight. At an even tempo, using the light of your
headlamp, the trail leads upwards. After about two hours you will reach the Hans Meyer Cave, the first
milestone to the summit. The further climb is increasingly steep, and just before sunrise you will reach the crater rim at Gilman’s Point. From here you will walk along the crater rim, pass the Stella Point ,and after
1-2 hours, reach the Uhuru Peak. You did it and are now on the roof of Africa! But the long descent is still ahead of you. In the warm midday sun the trail leads back to Kibo Hut, where refreshments will be waiting for you. After a short rest, you will continue to your camp for the night, the Horombu Hut. On arrival here, and after further refreshments, you will probably fall quickly into deep but contented sleep.
Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 7 Horombo Hut (3700m) – Marangu Gate (1860m) – Transfer to the hotel
Your last day on Kilimanjaro takes you back through the heath and moorland to the Mandara Hut (2700m), where you will enjoy lunch with views of the rainforest. After your break, you will continue your walk through the tropical rainforest, where you can spot blue monkeys and the black and white colobus monkeys. After a total walking time of 6 hours, you will arrive back to the entrance of the national park. Here it will be time to say goodbye to your mountain team. After enjoying a shower at the hotel and a little relaxation, your guide will present you with your summit certificate. During a communal drink, you can remember the adventures of the past few days and celebrate your summit success.
Breakfast; Lunch
Services included:
- Kilimanjaro trekking according to the itinerary
- Professional, English-speaking guide
- Mountain crew (cook & porters)
- Overnight stays in tents
- Camping equipment (tents, sleeping mats, tables, chairs, etc.)
- Meals according to the itinerary
- Drinking water, tea & coffee
- All national park fees
- Transfer from the hotel to the National Park gate and back
Not included services:
- Alcohol and soft drinks
- Sleeping bag
- Flights
- Visa fees
- Tips
- Personal spending money for souvenirs etc.
- Travel insurance
Day 1: Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Rongai Gate (Nale Moru), Hike to Simba Camp (LD)
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 the 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
— Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Simba Camp
Day 2: Hike Simba Camp to Second Cave (BLD)
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
— Habitat: Moorland
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Second Cave Camp
Day 3: Hike Second Cave to Kikelewa Camp (BLD)
Head out across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. The campsite is in a sheltered valley with giant senecios nearby.
— Elevation: 3450m/11,300ft to 3600m/11,800ft
— Distance: 9km/5mi
— Walking Time: 2-3 hours
— Habitat: Semi-desert
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Kikelewa Camp
Day 4: Hike Kikelewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn (BLD)
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. If you are spending an extra day on the mountain, you will camp for two nights here. You can hike up and around Mawenzi for your acclimatization hike.
— Elevation: 3600m/11,800ft to 4330m/14,200ft
— Distance: 6km/4mi
— Walking Time: 3-4 hours
— Habitat: Semi-desert
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Mawenzi Tarn Camp
Day 5: Hike Mawenzi Tarn to Kibo Hut (BLD)
Cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach the 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
— Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Kibo Hut Camp
Day 6: Kibo Camp to Summit and Horombo Hut (BLD)
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman’s 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 having 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 / 15km/9mi down
— Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Horombo Hut Camp
Day 7: Hike Horombo Hut to the trailhead, drive to Arusha (B)
After breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through moorland to the Mandara Hut. Continue descending through a 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). A vehicle will meet you at Marangu village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha (about 1 hour). Don’t forget to tip your guides and porters. It is time for celebration!
— Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 1700m/5500ft
— Distance: 20km/12.5mi
— Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
— Habitat: Forest
Meals included: Breakfast