Rongai Route Overview

The Rongai route is an excellent alternative to the Marangu route, offering more shelter from the weather and high winds. It is particularly advantageous during the rainy season due to its location, which receives less rain and typically has lower traffic than other routes. This route is generally considered the easiest of the quality routes on the mountain, making it ideal for those seeking a decent quality experience without being highly confident in their fitness or mountain climbing experience. Although it can be climbed in 6 days, a 7-day trek is recommended for better acclimatization.

Arrive in Tanzania

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met by an Pasema Adventures representative. You will be transferred to either the Parkview Hotel or Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel in Moshi town. There, you will meet your guide for a briefing on your upcoming trek and an equipment check to ensure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Any missing gear can be rented on this day.

Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast

DAY 1: NALEMORU GATE (1990 METERS) TO SIMBA CAMP (2625 METERS)

This morning, a guide and the mountain support crew will meet you at the hotel for a quick briefing. Afterward, you’ll travel by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park’s northern entrance. Following the acquisition of climbing permits and registration, you’ll start your trek to Simba Camp, located at the edge of the moorland zone at 2,625 meters. The trek today is moderate, taking you through coniferous forest up Kilimanjaro’s northern slope. Remember to keep a comfortable pace. By the time you reach the camp, the professional mountain crew will have set up tents and prepared dinner for you.

Simba Camp

  • Distance: 8 km / 5 miles
  • Approx. Trekking Time: 4 – 5 hours
  • Zone: Rainforest
  • Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

DAY 2: SIMBA CAMP (2625 METERS) TO KIKILEWA CAMP (3630 METERS)

After breakfast, the hike continues from Simba Camp to Kikelewa Camp (3,630 meters). Enjoy superb views of the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim of Kibo, the highest of Kilimanjaro’s volcanoes. The trail deviates from the main path, crossing moorland towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi, the second volcano. This trek is more physically demanding than the previous day. The crew will set up camp and prepare dinner for you in the sheltered valley near Kikelewa Caves.

Kikelewa Camp

  • Distance: 10 km / 6 miles
  • Approx. Trekking Time: 6 – 7 hours
  • Zone: Rainforest / Low Alpine Zone
  • Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

DAY 3: KIKILEWA CAMP (3630 METERS) TO MAWENZI TARN HUT (4310 METERS)

Early this morning, after breakfast, you’ll start the trek to Mawenzi Tarn Hut. The route is short but involves a steep ascent up grassy slopes, rewarded by stunning views of the Kenyan plains to the north. Upon reaching the camp, you’ll have lunch and a two-hour rest. Later, enjoy an acclimatization hike towards Mawenzi Volcano with a 200-meter altitude gain before returning to Mawenzi Tarn Hut for dinner.

Mawenzi Tarn Hut

  • Distance: 8 km / 5 miles
  • Approx. Trekking Time: 4 – 5 hours
  • Zone: Rainforest / Low Alpine Zone
  • Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

DAY 4: MAWENZI TARN HUT (4310 METERS) TO KIBO HUT (4700 METERS)

Day four involves a long but gradual hike from Mawenzi Tarn Hut across the lunar desert of the ‘saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo. After a few hours, you’ll reach Kibo Hut, with the summit of Kilimanjaro visible in the distance. Spend the rest of the day resting and preparing for the final ascent, with an early night to follow.

Kibo Hut

  • Distance: 8 km / 5 miles
  • Approx. Trekking Time: 5 – 6 hours
  • Zone: Low Alpine Zone
  • Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

DAY 5: KIBO HUT (4700 METERS) TO UHURU PEAK (5895 METERS) TO HOROMBO HUT (3700 METERS)

Summit day begins around midnight with a challenging ascent. Passing Hans Meyer Cave at 5,220 meters, you’ll continue upwards. At sunrise, you’ll reach Gillman’s Point on the crater rim at 5,681 meters, where the sun warms the land. After a final push of 1-2 hours, you’ll reach Uhuru Peak at 5,895 meters. Return to Kibo Hut for a warm meal and a break before descending to Horombo Hut.

Horombo Hut

  • Distance: 22 km / 13.7 miles
  • Approx. Trekking Time: 12 – 15 hours
  • Zone: Glacial Zone, High Alpine Zone, Low Alpine Zone
  • Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

DAY 6: HOROMBO HUT (3700 METERS) TO MARANGU GATE (1860 METERS)

On the final day, trek from Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate (1,860 meters), a distance of nearly 20 km. After passing through the tropical rainforest, you’ll reach the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate in about 6 hours. Bid farewell to your mountain guides and transfer back to your hotel in Moshi. Enjoy a warm shower and celebrate your Kilimanjaro summit success.

Marangu Gate

  • Distance: 20 km / 12.9 miles
  • Approx. Trekking Time: 8 hours
  • Zone: Low Alpine Zone and Rainforest
  • Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

DAY 7: DEPART TANZANIA

Today, you’ll depart for your next destination. A vehicle will transfer you back to your hotel in Moshi for a celebratory time. Depending on your plans, you might start a safari or head to Zanzibar’s beaches. If you’re flying home, our vehicle will be ready to take you to the airport at your convenience.

Moshi

  • Meals: Breakfast

DAY 1: NALEMORU GATE (1990 METERS) TO SIMBA CAMP (2625 METERS)

This morning, a guide and the mountain support crew will meet you at the hotel for a briefing. Afterward, you’ll travel by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park’s northern entrance. Following the acquisition of climbing permits and registration, you’ll start your trek to Simba Camp, located at the edge of the moorland zone at 2,625 meters. The trek today is moderate, taking you through coniferous forest up Kilimanjaro’s northern slope. Maintain a comfortable pace and remember not to hurry. Upon reaching the camp, the professional mountain crew will set up tents and prepare dinner for you.

Simba Camp

  • Distance: 8 km / 5 miles
  • Approx. Trekking Time: 4 – 5 hours
  • Zone: Rainforest
  • Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

DAY 2: SIMBA CAMP (2625 METERS) TO 2ND CAVE CAMP (3480 METERS)

After breakfast, begin a steady ascent to the Second Cave Camp located in the moorland zone. Enjoy superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim.

2nd Cave Camp

  • Distance: 5 km / 3 miles
  • Approx. Trekking Time: 3 – 4 hours
  • Zone: Rainforest
  • Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

DAY 3: 2ND CAVE CAMP (3480 METERS) TO KIKILEWA CAMP (3630 METERS)

Following breakfast, continue your hike towards Kikilewa Camp (3,630 meters), where you can enjoy fantastic views of the Eastern ice fields and Kibo’s crater rim. The trail deviates from the main route, crossing moorland towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. This trek is more physically demanding than previous days. The mountain crew will set up camp and prepare dinner for you near Kikelewa Caves.

Kikelewa Camp

  • Distance: 5 km / 3 miles
  • Approx. Trekking Time: 4 – 6 hours
  • Zone: Rainforest / Low Alpine Zone
  • Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

DAY 4: KIKILEWA CAMP (3630 METERS) TO MAWENZI TARN HUT (4310 METERS)

After an early wake-up and breakfast, trek to Mawenzi Tarn Hut. The route involves a short but steep ascent up grassy slopes, offering a superb view of the Kenyan plains to the north. Upon arrival, have lunch and a two-hour rest. There will be an acclimatization hike towards Mawenzi Volcano with a 200-meter altitude gain, followed by a return to Mawenzi Tarn Hut for dinner.

Mawenzi Tarn Hut

  • Distance: 8 km / 5 miles
  • Approx. Trekking Time: 4 – 5 hours
  • Zone: Rainforest / Low Alpine Zone
  • Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

DAY 5: MAWENZI TARN HUT (4310 METERS) TO KIBO HUT (4700 METERS)

Day five features a long but gradual hike from Mawenzi Tarn Hut across the lunar desert of the ‘saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo. After a few hours, you’ll reach Kibo Hut, with the summit of Kilimanjaro visible in the distance. Spend the rest of the day resting and preparing for the final ascent, with an early night to follow.

Kibo Hut

  • Distance: 8 km / 5 miles
  • Approx. Trekking Time: 5 – 6 hours
  • Zone: Low Alpine Zone
  • Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

DAY 6: KIBO HUT (4700 METERS) TO UHURU PEAK (5895 METERS) TO HOROMBO HUT (3700 METERS)

Summit day begins around midnight with a challenging ascent. Passing Hans Meyer Cave at 5,220 meters, the climb continues upwards. At sunrise, you’ll reach Gillman’s Point on the crater rim at 5,681 meters, where the sun warms the land. After a further 1 – 2 hours, you’ll reach Uhuru Peak at 5,895 meters. Return to Kibo Hut for a warm meal and a rest before descending to Horombo Hut.

Horombo Hut

  • Distance: 22 km / 13.7 miles
  • Approx. Trekking Time: 12 – 15 hours
  • Zone: Glacial Zone, High Alpine Zone, Low Alpine Zone
  • Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

DAY 7: HOROMBO HUT (3700 METERS) TO MARANGU GATE (1860 METERS)

On the final day, trek from Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate (1,860 meters), a distance of nearly 20 km. After passing through the tropical rainforest, you’ll reach the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate in about 6 hours. Bid farewell to your mountain guides and transfer back to your hotel in Moshi. Enjoy a warm shower and celebrate your Kilimanjaro summit success.

Marangu Gate

  • Distance: 20 km / 12.9 miles
  • Approx. Trekking Time: 8 hours
  • Zone: Low Alpine Zone and Rainforest
  • Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

DAY 8: DEPART TANZANIA

Today is for your departure to the next destination. A vehicle will transfer you back to your hotel in Moshi for a celebratory time. Depending on your plans, you might begin a safari or fly to Zanzibar’s beaches. If you are returning home, the vehicle will be ready to take you to the airport at your convenience.

Moshi

  • Meals: Breakfast

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Price Included

  • Two nights accommodation in Hotel
  • Private transport to / from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your hotel in Moshi
  • professional guides with mountain crew
  • National park fees
  • 18% VAT on tour fees and services
  • All camping equipment; mountain tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mats
  • All camping equipment; mountain tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mats
  • Transport & rescue fees
  • Guides and porters’ accommodations and their entry fees on the mountain
  • First aid kit, emergence oxygen & Pulse oximeter
  • Fair wages to guides and porters as approved by Kilimanjaro National Park Authorit

Not Included in Price

  • Flights
  • Visa
  • Insurance
  • Tips to mountain crew
  • Personal items
  • Laundrary services
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