Trek the gentler northern approach to Mount Kilimanjaro
Your guided trek on the Rongai Route begins on the northern side of Mount Kilimanjaro. This approach is not as busy as other routes and provides unique views of Kenya on your first day. Your experienced guides, porters and cooks will help you along your trek as you hike the highest peak in Africa.
Rongai Route has a reputation for being the easiest path to hike Kilimanjaro, but it’s not without its challenges. The strenuous climb through heavy scree to Gilman’s Point will banish the word easy from your vocabulary. You’ll be trekking through wildly different landscapes and experiencing everything from the lush rainforest to majestic moorlands and dramatic alpine deserts. None of the amazing sights along the way will be able to compare to the incredible views from the top of Uhuru Peak! Your guided trek will be complete at the Marangu Gate, where you’ll meet your ride back to Moshi.
Highlights of the 6-Day Mount Kilimanjaro on Rongai Route
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6-Day Mount Kilimanjaro on Rongai Route Itinerary
Day 0 Arrive for your pre-trek briefing
If you have opted for the optional airport transfers, you will be picked from Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi.
Pre-trek briefing at your Moshi hotel. You should be planning to arrive at least one day before the start of the trek. Today you will spend time having a pre-trek briefing. The team will also review your equipment and rent any equipment which is needed.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 1 Begin your trek to Simba Camp
You’ll be picked up from your hotel in Moshi for the drive to the charming wooden village of Nale Moru. On your way to the trail, you’ll stop at the Marangu Gate to complete the registration forms, then your hike begins. This path is drier than some of the other routes, so you’ll be quite comfortable as you hike through fields and a pine forest. You’ll break through the trees when you arrive at Simba Camp and enjoy expansive views of the Kenyan plains.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (2,650m / 8,695’)
Distance: 3 to 4 hours, 6 km, 652m of elevation gain
Meals: Lunch, dinner
Day 2 Hike through the moorland to Second Cave
This morning you’ll trek through the heather of the moorland and up to Second Cave Camp. This is your stop for the night, so you can enjoy the stunning view of Kibo Peak and the eastern ice fields.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (3450m / 11,318’)
Distance: 3 to 4 hours, 6 km, time, km, 800m of elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3 Trek from Second Cave to Third Cave Camp
There are a few different paths from here, so you may find different hikers splitting off in different directions. Enjoy the quiet wilderness as your trail steadily ascends to Third Cave Camp. You’re now at nearly 4000m elevation, so make sure to stay hydrated and pay attention to any side effects you might be feeling from the altitude.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (3,930m / 12,983’)
Distance: 2 to 3 hours, 9 km, 430m of elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4 Hike to the bottom of the Kibo Crater
Today you’re crossing the rocky alpine desert towards Kibo. Its snowy crater wall will be looming above you when you arrive at Kibo Hut Camp. Dinner will be served early so you can squeeze in as many hours of sleep as you can. Tomorrow will be an early morning and a long day!
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (4,703m / 15,430’)
Distance: 3 to 4 hours, 5 km, 870m of elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5 Midnight trek to Gilman’s Point and final ascent to the summit
Have your warm layers and your headlamp ready, it will still be dark and cold when you leave your tent around midnight. It’s a challenging hike through heavy scree or snow all the way to Gilman’s Point. As dawn breaks, you’ll begin your final push to the top of Uhuru Peak. When you’ve celebrated climbing the tallest mountain in Africa, it’s time to take some photos and start the hike down. Your day is only halfway over, as it’s a long way down to Horombo Hut Camp.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (3,720m / 12,303’)
Distance: 12 to 16 hours, 21 km, 1195m of ascent and 2175m of descent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6 Descend to Marangu Gate and drive back to Moshi
Today you’ll be descending from the arid alpine desert through the familiar moorland and into the forest. The trail will be dramatically different from the one you experienced on your first day, as now you’re in the rainforest. It can be wet and very muddy on the last section of trail, so be prepared. You may catch a glimpse of some monkeys if you keep your eyes on the trees. After you’ve collected your summit certificate at Marangu Gate your driver will be waiting to drive you back to your hotel.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: 4 to 5 hours, 20 km, 2000m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
6-Day Mount Kilimanjaro on Rongai Route Price and Dates
Pricing for this guided hiking tour up Mount Kilimanjaro depends on whether you choose to join an existing group on a specific date or if you prefer a custom tour for your group only.
Prices below are per person:
- Guided group of 4: from $1,890 USD* per person
Please note that the price depends on the size of your group. Please contact us to get the exact quote.
Book NowAccommodation on the 6-Day Mount Kilimanjaro on Rongai Route Tour
All the included accommodations are camping tents at designated camps along the trail. Tents are good quality and waterproof with a sleeping pad. The provided tents are double occupancy. Private tents and private toilets can be rented as additional gear. Small group mess tents with tables and chairs are provided as well.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other, comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement to have a private tent (please enquire for more information).
Hotels on Standard Tour
Simba Camp
Simba is a smaller camp that is on the quieter north side. There's a good chance you'll see some wildlife as it's just on the edge of the forest.
Second Cave Camp
Stay in the moorland near a cave that used to be used for sleeping. Its use has been banned for safety, but you can still camp nearby.
Third Cave Camp
Situated on the remote northern approach, this small site feels like you're camping in true wilderness.
Kibo Hut
There are 60 beds with mattresses in communal huts at this camp. The bathroom facilities are basic vault toilets.
Horombo Hut
This scenic site is an energetic hub. There are bunk houses for those on Marangu Route, with everyone else camping in tents.
What’s Included in the 6-Day Mount Kilimanjaro on Rongai Route Tour?
Meals
5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners, and purified drinking water are included.
Accommodations
Camping accommodations for 5 nights are included.
Transportation during the Tour
The tour ends with a transfer back to Moshi. Airport transfers or extra nights in Moshi can be booked as a supplement.
Also Included
- Experienced mountain guides
- Porter and cook salaries
- Park fees
- Quality four-season tents (based on twin share)
- Sleeping mattress
- Emergency oxygen cylinder
- Mess tents with table and chairs
- Conservation, camping and rescue fees
- VAT (18% charged by the government)
Not included
- Visas if required
- Flights to and from Tanzania
- Personal equipment such as sleeping bag, trekking poles, etc. (rental options are available)
- Tips and gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Alcoholic beverages
Optional Extras
- Extra nights in Moshi or Arusha
- Private toilet rental added to your gear
- Additional equipment rentals (available locally)
- Private tent rental
- Add-on bundles are available
- Airport transfers
Frequently Asked Questions about 6-Day Mount Kilimanjaro on Rongai Route
Monkey Adventures is an East African (Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda) operator offering Safari Tours, Kilimanjaro climbs, and Gorilla tracking (Uganda). They have offices in Kenya, Tanzania & Uganda. The company offers Kilimanjaro climbs over different routes with a duration of 5 days to 9 days and all their departures are guaranteed. You can opt for a group joining trek (depending on if there is a group on that day) or a private trek just for your group.
Monkey Adventures is proud to share that the Tanzania National Parks Authority, Government of Tanzania recently presented them with the "Best Tour Operator" award for 2018/2019 and the company has also been recognized as the Travellers' Choice Winner - 2020 by Tripadvisor. In the past, Monkey Adventures have also won the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for 2018 and 2019.
Monkey Adventures guides hold certifications such as Kilimanjaro Guide Licence, Wilderness First Aid Responder, Tourism College Certificates, Kilimanjaro search and rescue, High altitude Medicine Skills Acquisition Program for Mountain Guide, and more.
Learn More6-Day Mount Kilimanjaro on Rongai Route Map
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