Rongai Route

The Rongai route ascends Kilimanjaro from the north-eastern side of the mountain, along the border between Tanzania and Kenya. This route retains a sense of unspoilt wilderness and offers a different perspective on Kilimanjaro by approaching it from the north.
The topography of the route does not allow for the application of the climb high and sleep low principle and hikers generally suffer more from altitude sickness on the Rongai route compared to other routes (an additional acclimatization day is highly recommended on this route). The Rongai route use the scree summiting path from Kibo hut to Gilman’s point and descend via the Marangu route.

The minimum duration for the Rongai route is 6 days, however since the biggest cause of altitude sickness is going too high too fast and it affects every person differently irrespective of their age, fitness levels etc, do we strongly recommend hiking the route in 7 days.  

Hiking time: 4 hours
Distance: Approximately 6.7 km
Habitat: Forest (Montane)

 We drive from Moshi to Marangu Gate for permits before taking a short transfer to the Rongai Gate trailhead. The path winds through corn and potato fields and then climbs gently through the forest which is home to a variety of wildlife, including the black and white colobus monkey. 

Hiking time: 6 – 7 hours
Distance: Approximately 11.8 km
Habitat: Moorlands

We hike from Simba camp up towards Kibo till 3 482m for lunch at First Caves, a distance of 5.8km. After lunch we continue trekking until reaching Kikelewa Camp at about 3679 metres. 

Hiking time: 3 hours
Distance: Approximately 3.7 km
Habitat: Moorlands

A short but steep climb up grassy slopes offers superb views of this wilderness area. The vegetation zone ends shortly before you reach your next camp at Mawenzi Tarn spectacularly situated beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. Spend the afternoon acclimatizing and exploring the area.

Spend an acclimatization day at Mawenzi Tarn camp, with acclimatization hikes to higher altitudes along Mawenzi. All meals and overnight at the Mawenzi Tarn Camp.

Hiking time: 7 to 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, 6 to 8 hours to descend to Horombo
Distance: Approximately 5.4km ascent and 15 km descent

Habitat: Stone scree / ice-cap summit

 Shortly after midnight, we will commence our climb to the summit of Kilimanjaro, since it is easier to climb the scree slope to Gillman's Point (5,861m) on the crater rim when it is frozen and an early start for the six-hour hike improves our chances of reaching the summit in time for sunrise. From Gilman's Point, it is a further two-hour round trip along the crater's edge to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. From the summit, it is downhill all the way to Horombo Hut where we will spend our last night on the mountain. 

Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: Approximately 19.7 km
Habitat: Moorland & Montane Forest

 On our last day, we have a long trek mostly downhill through the tropical rainforest. Once at the park headquarters at Marangu gate, we collect our summit certificates. A vehicle will meet us here and drive us back to the hotel in Moshi.