6 Days Kilimanjaro Trekking Rongai Route

  • 5.0/5 (20 + Reviews)
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The Rongai Route

A Scenic and Less Crowded Path to Kilimanjaro’s Summit

The Rongai route is one of the seven main routes used to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. It is known for its scenic beauty and less crowded trails compared to other popular routes. This trek is perfect for those seeking a more serene and nature-immersed journey to Kilimanjaro’s summit.

Duration: The Rongai Route typically takes 6-8 days to complete, depending on the itinerary and acclimatization schedule. This gradual approach to the summit ensures a safer and more enjoyable trekking experience.

Difficulty Level: The Rongai Route is considered to be a moderate difficulty trek. The route is less steep and less physically demanding than some of the other routes, making it suitable for trekkers with average fitness levels.

Terrain: The Rongai Route starts on the northern side of Kilimanjaro and passes through a range of different landscapes, including dense forests, heathlands, and moorlands. The diverse terrain provides trekkers with a constantly changing and captivating environment.

Highlights: The Rongai Route offers stunning views of Kilimanjaro’s rugged terrain and wildlife, including buffalo, monkeys, and a variety of birds. The route also provides trekkers with an opportunity to see the Mawenzi peak, the second highest peak on Kilimanjaro.

Accommodation: Trekkers on the Rongai Route can stay in tents or mountain huts along the way. The huts offer a more comfortable option, with beds and basic amenities, while the tents provide a more authentic camping experience.

Overall, the Rongai Route is a great choice for those looking for a less crowded and more scenic trek up Kilimanjaro, while still experiencing the beauty and challenges of the mountain.

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Day 1

  • Arrival
  • ✈️ Airport Pick-Up: We’ll greet you at Arusha or Kilimanjaro airport and provide transportation, including your return trip to the airport.
  • 🏨 Hotel Accommodation: Enjoy your first night in a comfortable hotel.

🛌🏻 Spend the night in a hotel, the same one as your first night’s stay.

🚌 Note: Transportation to the airport is included after your last night spent in the hotel.

Day 2

  • Rongai Gate – Simba Camp
  • Elevation: 1,950m to 2,625m
  • Distance: 8km
  • Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

After enjoying your breakfast, our team will collect you from your hotel in either Moshi or Arusha. You will then be driven to the Rongai Gate, situated at the Nalemoru village on the northern side of Kilimanjaro. Following registration with the park authorities, your trek commences, leading you through a lush rainforest teeming with opportunities to spot monkeys and other wildlife along the way. By early evening, you will reach your inaugural campsite, Simba Camp, located on the cusp of the moorland zone, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.

Day 3

  • Simba Camp – Second Cave Camp
  • Elevation: 2,625m to 3,600m
  • Distance: 12km
  • Hiking Time: 6-7 hours

Following breakfast, your journey continues through the heather and moorland zones, occasionally granting you glimpses of Kibo peak in the distance. The trail remains relatively gentle, though the altitude may pose some hiking challenges. By mid-afternoon, you will reach your second campsite, Kikelewa Camp, nestled in a sheltered valley, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks.

Day 4

  • Second Cave Camp – Third Cave Camp
  • Elevation: 3,600m to 4,330m
  • Distance: 6km
  • Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Today’s trek guides you through the saddle, a high-altitude desert nestled between the towering peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. You’ll journey across the alpine desert landscape and arrive at your third campsite, Mawenzi Tarn, in the early afternoon. This campsite is beautifully positioned on the tranquil shores of a small lake, affording magnificent views of Mawenzi Peak.

Day 5

  • Third Cave Camp- Kibo Huts
  • Elevation: 4,330m to 4,700m
  • Distance: 8km
  • Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Following breakfast, your journey continues toward Kibo Hut, which serves as the base camp for the ultimate ascent to the summit. The trail remains moderately gentle, but the higher altitude can add to the hiking challenge. You’ll reach Kibo Hut in the mid-afternoon, and there, you’ll enjoy an early dinner before resting in preparation for the summit day.

Day 6

  • Kibo Huts – Summit
  • Elevation: 4,700m to 5,895m to 3,720m
  • Distance: 22km
  • Hiking Time: 12-16 hours

On this crucial summit day, your ascent begins around midnight. The trail leads you along a steep and rocky path, ultimately reaching Gilman’s Point on the crater rim, where you’ll witness a breathtaking sunrise over the surrounding landscape. From Gilman’s Point, your journey continues along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. After savoring the remarkable views and celebrating your achievement, you will commence your descent towards Horombo Hut, where you will spend your final night on the mountain.

Day 7

  • Horombo Huts – Marangu Gate – Moshi
  • Elevation: 3,720m to 1,830m
  • Distance: 20km
  • Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

Following breakfast, your descent begins, leading you through the heather and moorland zones as you make your way towards the Marangu Gate. You’ll once again journey through the rainforest, with the opportunity to spot some of the wildlife you encountered on your first day. Upon reaching the gate and completing the necessary formalities with the park authorities, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha, where you can enjoy a well-deserved rest and celebrate your remarkable journey.

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RONGAI ROUTE 6 DAYS 5 NIGHTS : Price/per

No. of Persons Days Luxury($) Mid-Range($) Budget($)
1 6 2,400 2,200 1,575
2 2,100 1,900 1,340
3-4 1,950 1,650 1,314
More than 4

1,900

1,600

1,291

Your Package Categories:

Luxury Mid-Range Budget
Park fees Park fees Park fees
Rescue Fee Rescue Fee Rescue Fee
Transportation: pick up and drop off at the airport in Arusha (transportation from/to further airports is possible for an extra charge) Transportation: pick up and drop off at the airport in Arusha (transportation from/to further airports is possible for an extra charge) Airport transportation is not included, can be arranged for an additional fee.
Two-night stay at a luxurious hotel such as the Mount Meru Hotel

Two-night stay at a mid-range hotel such as the Tulia Boutique Hotel

Accommodation before and after the climb is not provided and can be arranged for an additional fee. For budget-friendly options, consider Merves Hotel for accommodation

3 luxury meals per day for all days spent in the mountain

3 mid-range meals per day for all days spent in the mountain

3 budget meals per day for all days spent in the mountain

Equipment offered: oxygen tank, private toilet, big luxury tents, luxury tent table and chairs, luxury mattress and camping beds  Equipment offered: oxygen tank, private toilet, mid-range tents, mid-range tent table and chairs and mid-range mattress Equipment offered: budget tent, tent with table and chair. Add-ons available for extra charges: oxygen tank, private toilet.
camping fees for guides, cooks and porters camping fees for guides, cooks and porters camping fees for guides, cooks and porters
  • If you would like to have an overview about all our price packages, please check our entire price package list.
  • Click here to get more details about the price categories.
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Included

Excluded

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  • Book your flights to the airport in Arusha or Kilimanjaro and share with us your flight details
  • Transfer from and back to the hotel is included in your package and we will organize it to you.

$1,291 to $2,400 pp. (USD)

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Excellent
Based on 15 reviews
Tom M
Tom M
2023-06-25
Incredible experience made all the more special by Honest and his team We couldn’t endorse Honest and his team more. Immediately after meeting, we were made to feel extremely welcome, safe, and informed, which remained throughout the duration of our adventure.We first climbed Mount Meru where Honest took us to spots to see Giraffes in the wild as well as many monkeys, warthogs, and other animals. This served as the perfect preparation for Kilimanjaro.The team we had for Kili was exemplary. The whole time there was a real bond between the entire group. We’d regularly spend time beyond meal times talking with Honest and Justin about life and the adventure we were currently on which was extremely insightful. The food also far surpassed our expectations with exactly the type of fuel we needed such as pastas, fruits, eggs, etc. Our chef was called the “stomach engineer” for very appropriate reasons!Throughout the climb, Honest ensured we maintained an enjoyable tempo and there wasn’t a moment we felt too slow or rushed. The culmination of this was being fresh for summit morning and being the first team to summit, just as the sun was rising. With minor altitude sickness in the team on descent, Honest gave appropriate nutrition and instruction to manage the situation. Thereafter, there was a party atmosphere within the group, even having music and dancing on the last morning of the descent where we exchanged gifts and final stories.Overall, it was the trip of a lifetime made all the more special by Honest and his team. Perfectly prepared and executed that set us up for success. The relationship with Honest was tremendous, so much so that we are still in regular contact today and when a return trip is due, there are no hesitations in going straight to Zanzi Trekking and Safaris.
Toumi I
Toumi I
2023-05-23
The amazing trip We had an amazing experience with zanzi trekking and safaris ,they took care of every detail of our trip .we are so delighted to have organised everything with them .
Ghizlane Z
Ghizlane Z
2023-05-20
Professional and amazing Organizers very professional trip organizers. The guides are all ear and take care of every single details. Zanzibar was an amazing adventure full of adrenaline, new experiences and heartwarming people. I only can recommend and will definitely plan a Safari with Zanzibar trekking. The best is yet to come Much love !
Slim M
Slim M
2023-02-25
Wonderful experience! It was an amazing experience! We had so much fun, everything was very well organised.Thank you Zanzi
Eero
Eero
2022-11-18
Kilimanjaro Professional, yet easy going and well organized trek, with fantastic main guide Honest and his crew. Lots of good memories, laughter anf singing. Hieno kokemus kaikenkaikkiaan, asante sana!
renata C
renata C
2022-08-13
Wonderful adventure The climb to Kilimanjaro was well organized, all the people were very friendly and acommodating. A safari to remember. I would love to repeat this adventure😊
Laurent D
Laurent D
2022-07-20
Expérience parfaite ! Honest et son équipe ont été d’excellents guides, très sympathiques et très professionnels. Ils nous ont conduit au sommet du Kilimandjaro sans le moindre problème. Merci encore Honest pour cette magnifique ascension !
Benoit_JPA
Benoit_JPA
2022-07-19
Super guide et équipe ! Super expérience avec Honnest et son agence. L’accompagnement était top du début a la fin aussi bien pour l’ascension di Kilimandjaro que le safari. Un grand merci a notre guide et son équipe.
Steph M
Steph M
2022-07-17
Wonderful experience We had a wonderful experience with Honest back on 2017 who organized a trip for the ascent of Kilimanjaro and two Fays of safaris
Hemery Chris
Hemery Chris
2022-07-14
Best expedition of kilimandjaro Que du bon souvenir ! Honest nous a accueilli avec beaucoup d’attention, une équipe pour l’expédition de preniere ordre, la qualité aux services de l’ascension du plus haut sommet d’Afrique, le fameux kilimandjaro !A faire avant qu’il n’y ait plus de glacier en haut Et dans la foulee, nous sommes allee dans la jungle avec Honest pour voir ces anomaux en libertéJe recommande vivement !