Rongai Route Kilimanjaro Trekking

Rongai Route 6 Days

Arrival

Arusha

Departure

Arusha

Duration

6 Days

This 6-day itinerary takes you to the summit of Kilimanjaro using the Rongai Route. Tranquil Kilimanjaro offers treks up the Rongai Route, which is recognized for being more picturesque than the Marangu Route, easier than the Machame Route, and with a high success rate. Unlike the Marangu Route, where you sleep in huts, the Rongai Route requires you to sleep in tents (tents are provided) that are pitched by porters. For the summit ascent, the Rongai meets the Marangu, and then you descend the Marangu Route on the mountain’s southeast flank, giving you magnificent views of Kilimanjaro.

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Trip Highlights

This Rongai expedition is available in two versions: a 6-day straight route and a 7-day one that takes a lengthier path.
The shorter 6-day schedule is detailed here, while the lengthier variant is detailed in the additional day’s section.
The summit success rate for the six-day Rongai route is only 65 percent while the seven-day Rongai route has a higher summit success rate of 80 percent.
Because the 7-day route option provides an additional day for acclimatization, the success percentage is significantly higher than the 6-day route.

Essential trip information

TRIP Itinerary

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Tour Timeline

1

Day 1: Rongai Gate to Simba Camp

Distance: 6km

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Montane Forest

You will be driven from your hotel in Arusha or Moshi for about 5 hours to the Rongai Gate near the Kenya border. After registering at the gate, we take the first hike through forests where you may see and hear wildlife. Eat lunch on the trail before continuing to the first campsite. Rongai ascends via the less forested northern side of the mountain.

The Rongai Route is one of the least crowded routes on Kilimanjaro because of the long drive to the gate. The Rongai trail is thought to have the best chance of viewing wildlife.
2

Day 2 : First Cave Camp to Kikelewa Camp

Distance: 9km

Walking Time: 6-7 hours

Habitat: Moorland

Hike through Kilimanjaro’s moorland. The Rongai route is relatively short and steep, making for shorter hiking times. During the hike, view Mawenzi Peak ahead.
3

Day 3 : Kikelewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn Camp

Distance: 6km

Walking Time: 4 hours

Habitat: Moorland

This more leisurely acclimatization day starts with a morning hike followed by a rest in the afternoon and evening. The hike is relatively short but steep. The Mawenzi Tarn campsite is situated below Mawenzi Peak and offers stunning views of both Mawenzi and Kibo.
4

Day 4: Mawenzi Tarn Camp to Kibo Camp

Distance: 4km

Walking Time: 3 hours

Habitat: Alpine desert

Cross the lunar landscape of the saddle on this day to arrive at the final campsite. Kibo Camp is situated directly below the Kibo cone, giving you stunning uninterrupted views of your final destination.
5

Day 5: Kibo Camp to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut

Distance: 6 km ascent/16km descent

Walking Time: 6-8 hours

Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

Around midnight, begin the final ascent to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. Hike by the light of your flashlight for the next six hours. The ascent to the crater rim is the most challenging part of the entire trek. The trail is very steep until you reach the crater rim at Gilman’s Point.

The hike from Gilman’s to Uhuru Peak is a gradual climb and, as far as hikes go, not very difficult. The altitude, however, makes the hike long and tiring. The crater rim hike takes about two hours. Upon reaching Uhuru, take photos of your guide and group at the peak before beginning the descent to Horombo Hut.
6

Day 6: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate

Hiking time: 6 – 8 hours

Distance: 20km

Walking Time: 5-7 hours

Habitat: Moorlands

After breakfast, finish the trek with a descent to Marangu Gate. Your last hike on Kilimanjaro is a beautiful one, passing through Kilimanjaro’s cloud forest. Watch your step during the descent, as the trail can be slippery. Our vehicles will be waiting at Marangu Gate to take you back to your hotel.