Book a 7 days Rongai Route Trek Itinerary in Kilimanjaro Tanzania.

Book this Rongai Route Trek Itinerary in Kilimanjaro Tanzania, and start tour trek from the northeastern side of the mountain near the Kenyan border...

The Rongai Route Trek is regarded as the easiest camping route, starts from the northeastern side of the mountain near the Kenyan border...

It has a beautiful view of the northeastern slopes with plains of Amboseli and it approaches the summit of Kilimanjaro from the west of Mawenzi Cone (peak).
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There are two variations to this route, via Mawenzi Torn Hut or via School Hut, which is also known as outward bound hut and Kibo hut. 

The descend is the same as on the Marangu route. The summit via Mawenzi Torn is popular and longer. Acclimatization is recommended in order to attempt the summit.

Wildlife including big games can be seen. 

Rongai Route 7 days itinerary:

DAY 1:

• Rongai Gate to Rongai Cave

• Elevation (ft): 6,398 ft to 9,300 ft

• Distance: 7 km

• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

• Habitat: Rain Forest

We take a ride to Marangu to complete the necessary registration formalities, before to Rongai.

The climb begins from Nale Moru (6,400 ft) on a small path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering a pine forest.

The track then starts to climb consistently, but gently through an attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife, including the Colobus monkey.

These monkeys are black with a long ‘cape’ of white hair and a flowing whitetail. The forest begins to thin out at the edge of the moorland zone.

Then, we take in the expansive views over the Kenyan plains as we arrive at our first campsite at Rongai One (8,500 ft), dinner and overnight. [3-4 hours walking] 

DAY 2:

• Rongai Cave to 2nd Cave to Kikelewa Cave

• Elevation (ft): 9,300 ft to 11,811 ft

• Distance: 12 km

• Hiking Time: 6-8 hours

• Habitat: Health

The morning walk is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave (11,300 ft) with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern Icefields on the crater rim.

After lunch, we leave the main trail and strike out and head southeast across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi.

Our campsite is in a sheltered valley, decorated with giant senesces near Kikelewa Caves (11,800 ft). [6-7 hours of walking].

Dinner and overnight at Rongai two Camp. 

DAY 3:

• Kikelewa Cave to Mawenzi Tarn

• Elevation (ft): 11,811 ft to 14,160 ft

• Distance: 5 km

• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

• Habitat: Alpine Desert

A short but steep climb is rewarded by superb all-round views and a tangible sense of wilderness.

We leave vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn hut (14,200 ft), spectacularly situated in a cirque directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi.

The afternoon will be free to rest or explore the surrounding area as an aid to acclimatization. [3-4 hours walking].

Dinner and overnight at Kikelelwa Camp. 

DAY 4:

• Mawenzi Tarn to Mawenzi Ridge to Mawenzi Tarn

• Elevation (ft): 14,160 ft to14,400 ft to 14,160 ft

• Distance: 4 km

• Hiking Time: 2-4 hours

• Habitat: Alpine Desert

A day to acclimatize with a walk up onto the Saddle towards Camel’s Back. Camp at Mawenzi Tarn Hut (14,200 ft). [2-3 hours walking]  

DAY 5:

• Marwenzi Tarn to Kibo Hut

• Elevation (ft): 14,160 ft to 15,430 ft

• Distance: 8 km

• Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

• Habitat: Alpine Desert

We cross the lunar desert of the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo Hut (15,400 ft) at the bottom of the crater wall.

The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for an early morning final ascent. [5-6 hours walking].

Dinner and overnight at Kibo Hut.

DAY 6:

• Kibo Hut to Uhuru Point to Horombo Hut

• Elevation (ft): 15,430 ft to 19,341 ft to 12,205 ft

• Distance: 22 km

• Hiking Time: 10-13 hours

• Habitat: Arctic

We start the final and most demanding part of the climb by torchlight around 1 a.m.

We trek very slowly in the darkness on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point (18,600 ft).

We rest here for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi.

Those who are still feeling strong can make the three-hour round trip to Uhuru Peak (19,345 ft), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area.

The descent to Kibo Hut (15,400 ft) is surprisingly fast and, after some refreshments, we continue the descent to Horombo Hut for dinner and overnight (12,200 ft). [11-15 hours walking] 

DAY 7:

• Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate

• Elevation (ft): 12,205 ft to 6,046 ft

• Distance: 20 km

• Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

• Habitat: Rain Forest

A steady descent takes us down through moorland to Mandara Huts (8,900 ft).

We then continue descending through lovely lush forest on a good path to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate at Marangu (6,000 ft), where we are transferred back to the hotel in Moshi. [5-6 hours walking]  

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