Arrival Date: March 24, 2025
Climbing from: March 25 to March 31, 2025
Departure Date: April 1, 2025
The 7 Days Rongai Route stands out as a captivating trail on Kilimanjaro, offering breathtaking panoramic views from various angles of the mountain. Opting for the Rongai Route is an excellent decision for your climb, representing a well-balanced choice with its combination of limited crowds, picturesque landscapes, and a high summit success rate. Tanzania Horizon Safaris specializes in guiding climbers on the Rongai Route, ensuring an enriching and unforgettable experience. Many of our clients embark on their Kilimanjaro journey through this route and consistently express their satisfaction, making the Rongai Route a highly recommended option.
This route initiates its ascent to Mount Kilimanjaro from the north, commencing with a scenic drive from Moshi to the Rongai Gate, close to the Kenyan border with views of Amboseli National Park. The initial two days involve trekking through the captivating rainforest, leading to the spectacular Rongai Caves. The Rongai Route then traverses the entire Mawenzi Ridge, presenting a spectacular hike from north to east. Crowd levels remain very low until the route reaches Kibo Hut before summit night to Uhuru Peak via Gilman’s Point. The descent follows the Mweka route or Marangu Route during rain season.
Tanzania Horizon Safaris extends the opportunity to conquer Kilimanjaro through the Rongai Route, providing an immersive experience through our seven-day Rongai Route group climbs. This expedition is meticulously crafted to ensure a perfect balance between adventure and comfort. For those seeking a more intimate journey, Tanzania Horizon Safaris also offers the Rongai Route as a seven to eight-day private climb. This flexibility allows climbers to tailor their experience according to personal preferences and timelines.
As you embark on your Kilimanjaro climb, Tanzania Horizon Safaris stands as your trusted partner, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable journey. Whether you choose the seven-day group climb or opt for the flexibility of a private climb, Tanzania Horizon Safaris guarantees an unparalleled experience, blending expertise with a commitment to crafting extraordinary moments on the Rongai Route.
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town; you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented on this day.
This morning we will drive to the village of Nale Moru for the starting point of the Rongai route. The first stage of the trek is through farmland and pine forests. You may have a chance to see the beautiful Colobus monkeys or if you’re lucky enough, elephants or buffalos en route. Our first camp will be the Simba Camp located at the edge of the moorland zone at 2625m.
Distance covered: 8km / 5mi
Approx. time taken: 4 – 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
The morning hike is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave Camp located in the moorland zone with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim. After lunch we will continue with our hike to Kikelelwa camp.
● Distance: 12km/8miles
● Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
● Eleven: 9,300 ft to 11,811 ft
● Habitat: Heath
After breakfast, we start a short and steep grassy slope hike to Mawenzi Tarn hut camp, with a stunning view of the wilderness area. The landscape will be changing dramatically as the Heath zone becomes Alpine desert zone. You will overnight at mawenzi tarn camp situated at jagged spires of Mawenzi.
● Distance: 5km/3miles,
● Hiking Time: 3-4 hours,
● Eleven: 11,811 ft to 14,160 ft
● Habitat: Alpine Desert
Today is acclimatization day of which we spent a few hours hiking to Mawenzi Ridge and returning to the original camp for relaxation. Here there is a unique landscape which offers a motivating view of Kibo and mawenzi. After spending few moments of exploring the area we head back to the camp
● Distance: 2km/1miles,
● Hiking Time: 1-2 hours,
● Eleven: 14,160 ft to 14,400 ft
● Habitat: Alpine Desert
We leave our campsite and cross the lunar desert of the ‘saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo After a couple hours trekking, reach this spectacular place, with the summit of Kilimanjaro in the background and our trail to the high camp stretched out before our eyes. Upon reaching our camp the remainder of the day will be spent resting in preparation of the final ascent after a very early night!
● Distance: 8km/5miles,
● Hiking Time: 5-6 hours,
● Eleven: 14,160 ft to 15,430 ft
● Habitat: Alpine Desert
Today is “The Big Day” – the summit stage. You will begin your final ascent around midnight which will be long and strenuous. Passing the Hans Meyer Cave at 5220m, the climb slowly but surely goes upwards. At sunrise, you will reach Gillman’s Point (5681m) – the crater rim of Kilimanjaro – where the sun will slowly start to warm up the land. You will have soon forgotten the cold of the night and after a further hike of 1 – 2 hours, you will reach Uhuru Peak at 5895m. On your return to Kibo Hut, a warm meal awaits you followed by a 1 – 2-hour break before proceeding back down to Horombo Hut.
● Distance: 6km/4miles and 16km/10miles
● Hiking Time: 6-8 hours & 4-5 hours
● Eleven:15,430 ft to 19,341 to 12,250 ft.
● Habitat: Arctic and Heath
The last stage passes through the heath and moor zone to the Mandara Hut (2700m) where a warm lunch is waiting for you. Soon, you will once again pass the tropical rainforest and after a total time of 6 hours trekking, you will be back at the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (1860m). After saying goodbye to your mountain guides, a short transfer follows to take you back to your hotel in Moshi. Once there, you can take a warm and relaxing shower and celebrate your success in reaching the summit of the Kilimanjaro.
● Distance: 20km/12miles
● Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
● Eleven:12,205 ft to 6,046
● Habitat: Rain Forest
The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport.
*Safari, Zanzibar and other add-ons are available if you wish to continue exploring Tanzania.
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town; you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented on this day.
This morning we will drive to the village of Nale Moru for the starting point of the Rongai route. The first stage of the trek is through farmland and pine forests. You may have a chance to see the beautiful Colobus monkeys or if you’re lucky enough, elephants or buffalos en route. Our first camp will be the Simba Camp located at the edge of the moorland zone at 2625m.
Distance covered: 8km / 5mi
Approx. time taken: 4 – 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
The morning hike is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave Camp located in the moorland zone with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim. After lunch we will continue with our hike to Kikelelwa camp.
● Distance: 12km/8miles
● Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
● Eleven: 9,300 ft to 11,811 ft
● Habitat: Heath
After breakfast, we start a short and steep grassy slope hike to Mawenzi Tarn hut camp, with a stunning view of the wilderness area. The landscape will be changing dramatically as the Heath zone becomes Alpine desert zone. You will overnight at mawenzi tarn camp situated at jagged spires of Mawenzi.
● Distance: 5km/3miles,
● Hiking Time: 3-4 hours,
● Eleven: 11,811 ft to 14,160 ft
● Habitat: Alpine Desert
Today is acclimatization day of which we spent a few hours hiking to Mawenzi Ridge and returning to the original camp for relaxation. Here there is a unique landscape which offers a motivating view of Kibo and mawenzi. After spending few moments of exploring the area we head back to the camp
● Distance: 2km/1miles,
● Hiking Time: 1-2 hours,
● Eleven: 14,160 ft to 14,400 ft
● Habitat: Alpine Desert
We leave our campsite and cross the lunar desert of the ‘saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo After a couple hours trekking, reach this spectacular place, with the summit of Kilimanjaro in the background and our trail to the high camp stretched out before our eyes. Upon reaching our camp the remainder of the day will be spent resting in preparation of the final ascent after a very early night!
● Distance: 8km/5miles,
● Hiking Time: 5-6 hours,
● Eleven: 14,160 ft to 15,430 ft
● Habitat: Alpine Desert
Today is “The Big Day” – the summit stage. You will begin your final ascent around midnight which will be long and strenuous. Passing the Hans Meyer Cave at 5220m, the climb slowly but surely goes upwards. At sunrise, you will reach Gillman’s Point (5681m) – the crater rim of Kilimanjaro – where the sun will slowly start to warm up the land. You will have soon forgotten the cold of the night and after a further hike of 1 – 2 hours, you will reach Uhuru Peak at 5895m. On your return to Kibo Hut, a warm meal awaits you followed by a 1 – 2-hour break before proceeding back down to Horombo Hut.
● Distance: 6km/4miles and 16km/10miles
● Hiking Time: 6-8 hours & 4-5 hours
● Eleven:15,430 ft to 19,341 to 12,250 ft.
● Habitat: Arctic and Heath
The last stage passes through the heath and moor zone to the Mandara Hut (2700m) where a warm lunch is waiting for you. Soon, you will once again pass the tropical rainforest and after a total time of 6 hours trekking, you will be back at the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (1860m). After saying goodbye to your mountain guides, a short transfer follows to take you back to your hotel in Moshi. Once there, you can take a warm and relaxing shower and celebrate your success in reaching the summit of the Kilimanjaro.
● Distance: 20km/12miles
● Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
● Eleven:12,205 ft to 6,046
● Habitat: Rain Forest
The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport.
*Safari, Zanzibar and other add-ons are available if you wish to continue exploring Tanzania.
• Private transport to & from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your accommodations in Moshi
• 2 nights of accommodation in Moshi
• Transportation to & from the Kilimanjaro gate
• Park entry fees
• Camping fees
• Team Kilimanjaro Rescue fees
• 18% VAT on tour fees & services
• Mountain tents
• Sleeping Mats
• Friendly and professional mountain guides, cook and porters
• 3 hot meals daily while on the mountain
• Enough treated & filtered drinking water throughout the trek
• Hot water for washing
• Fair wages for the mountain crew
• Government taxes
• Emergency first-aid kit
Lunches, dinners and drinks at your hotel before and after climb.
– Travel insurance
– Portable flush toilet with a toilet tent is available for extra charges $ 80 for the entire trek.
– Flights
– Laundry (Available at hotel)
– Personal items and toiletries
– Tips for guides, porters and cook
Tipping on Kilimanjaro from the trekking group (not per climber):
Read more about tipping here
PRICE OVERVIEW
Group Size | Price per person |
1 person | USD 1990/person |
2-3 people | USD 1900/person |
4-5 people | USD 1875/person |
6-7 people | USD 1850/person |
8-9 people | USD 1825/person |
10-12 people | USD 1790/person |
Absolutely yes. We will arrange all airport transfers for you from and to the airport so that you don’t have to worry about how to get to your hotel. One of our drivers or guides will come to pick you up and take you back to the airport. This is already included in our offers and services.
Absolutely yes. Our handpicked hotels all offer you to safely store your luggage during your climb. In this way you can leave all gear that you won’t need during your climb at the hotel. That is very convenient if you are planning to go on a safari or to Zanzibar after your hike.
Tanzania Horizon Safaris has worked out a very transparent cancellation policy. In most cases we can offer a voucher if you have to postpone your travel. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Please note that deposits are non-refundable as they have to be used for making reservations for your hotel and transport.
*If a booking is cancelled the client is subject to a cancellation fee as follows:
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