Trek remote Rongai to experience the northern side of Kilimanjaro
Begin your guided trek on the Rongai Route just south of the Kenyan border, approaching Kilimanjaro from the north. You’ll love this route as it is considered one of the easiest and least travelled paths up the mountain. Expert guides, porters, and cooks will be accompanying you on your hike to make sure that you have an incredible time and the best chance at reaching the summit!
The views of the vast Kenyan plains won’t be with you long as you hike up through the moorland and finally into the alpine desert. The extra day for you to acclimatize also allows for a spectacular detour to Mawenzi, where you’ll be camping at one of the most scenic spots on the mountain. You’ll need to push yourself through the scree and snow to reach Gilman’s Point and the summit. The views in the early dawn light from the top will be worth it. On your descent, you’ll get to hike down the other side of the mountain, where the lower rainforest is home to monkeys and an amazing array of birds. You’ll be met at the bottom with a summit certificate and a ride back to your hotel in Moshi.
Highlights of the 7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro on Rongai Route
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7-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 hiking Kilimanjaro’s north side
Enjoy the drive through charming rural villages before you stop in Nale Moru to complete some registration papers. When you hit the trail it will be a wide and pleasant slope through farm fields and into the pine forest teeming with wildlife. You’ll be stopping at Simba Camp which sits at the edge of the trees and has gorgeous views of the vast plains in Kenya.
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 to Second Cave
The hike this morning will continue up through the moorland, allowing open views as you trek through the heather. You’ll have a beautiful view of Kibo and the eastern ice fields from Second Cave Camp.
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 Continue your hike to Mawenzi and Kikelewa Camp
There are a few different paths from here, so you may find different hikers splitting off in different directions. You’ll be taking the small path towards Mawenzi as you continue hiking towards Kikelewa Camp.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (3,630m / 11,909’)
Distance: 2 to 3 hours, 9 km, 180m of elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4 Trek to beautiful Mawenzi Tarn
This morning’s path leads you by gorgeous views of Kibo as you hike through the last verdant section of your path. You’ll have the afternoon free to explore the area at the base of Mawenzi or to relax and revel in the majestic views.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (4,310m / 14,140’)
Distance: 3 to 4 hours, 6 km, 680m of elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5 Cross the saddle to the base of the Kibo Crater wall
The rocky landscape that stretches between the Kibo and Mawenzi peaks is known as the “saddle.” You’ll enjoy breathtaking views as you cross this space and end your day at the foot of Kibo. You’ll notice that the solitude of your route has disappeared as you arrive at the much busier Kibo Hut Camp.
Head to bed early as you’ll be back on the trail around midnight for your big day!
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (4,703m / 15,430’)
Distance: 4 to 5 hours, 9 km, 393m of elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6 Trek under the stars to Gilman’s Point and reach the summit
It will be hard to leave your warm tent for the cold, dark trail around midnight. The low temperature and lack of oxygen will make the hike through heavy scree to Gilman’s Point a challenge. As the dawn breaks it will be time for you to begin your final climb to the summit. After some celebrating and photos of your accomplishment and the epic views from the top, you’ll have to start your descent quite quickly.
It’s a long trek down to a more comfortable altitude where you can spend the night. Horombo Hut is a lively spot to spend your final night on the mountain.
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 7 Hike through the rainforest and return to Moshi
Your trail down will be on the southern Marangu Route. You’ll notice a big difference from your climb on the first day, as you’ll notice a lot more people and a lot more mud! There’s a good chance you’ll see monkeys and many types of birds. Collect your summit certificate at Marangu Gate before you meet your driver for the trip back to Moshi.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: 4 to 5 hours, 20 km, 2000m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro on Rongai Route Price and Dates
Pricing for this guided hiking tour of Mount Kilimanjaro depends on whether you choose to join an existing group on a specific date or if you prefer a private tour for your group only.
Prices below are per person:
- Guided group of 4: from $2,095 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 7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro on Rongai Route
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.
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.
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.
Kikelewa Camp
Sheltered in the valley below the saddle, Kikelewa camp is near a group of small caves.
Mawenzi Tarn
On the bank of a tiny lake, this camp has stunning views of Mawenzi towering above you.
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 7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro on Rongai Route Tour?
Meals
6 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners, and purified drinking water are included.
Accommodations
Camping accommodations for 6 nights are included.
Transportation during the Tour
This tour includes the transfers between Moshi and the trailhead before and after the tour. Airport transfers 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
- International and domestic flights
- 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 7-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 More7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro on Rongai Route Map
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