Rongai Route, 7 Days
ITINERARY DESCRIPTION
The Rongai path climbs Mount Kilimanjaro from the north-eastern side of the peak, near the Tanzania-Kenya border. The Rongai path maintains the feeling of being in the middle of nothing.
Kilimanjaro can only be approached from the north through the Rongai path. The Rongai path is undoubtedly one of the mountain’s most lonely and wild trails. Despite this, there are several advantages to this route, making it a highly enticing alternative for anyone seeking a unique experience on Africa’s highest mountain.
The Rongai Route is one of the least traveled paths on Mount Kilimanjaro due to its isolated location. This way offers solitude and quiet for much of the journey, with few other climbers encountered until reaching Kibo Camp, when the track connects with the Marangu Route for the last push to the summit.
Prior to then, hikers would frequently have the trail to themselves for hours or even days at a period, making this a fantastic alternative for those seeking isolation in a unique wilderness setting.
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Rongai Route, 7 Days
Itinerary by Day
Overview of the Rongai Route’s 7-Day Itinerary
Starting at Rongai Gate and ending at Marangu Gate, this hike will take you from Rongai Gate to the peak. Please see this website for a day-by-day itinerary of the Rongai Route: The Rongai Route is a seven-day journey.
The following is a six-night, seven-day plan for climbing Kilimanjaro through the Rongai route. To cut the schedule below down to six days, skip the night in the 3rd Cave and trek directly from the Mawenzi Turn Hut.
Climbing time: 6 nights/7 days
Day 1: Simba Camp – Nale Muru
The journey begins with a drive through towns and coffee farms to Nale Moru, a magnificent wooden settlement. On the mountain’s northeast flank, where you’ll meet the porters. The path begins in a densely forested area and immediately changes to a drier environment on the north side. You’ll soon be at the heather zone. Overnight in a tent at 9,300 feet altitude in the First Cave Camp (Simba Camp). Simba Camp is adjacent to First Cave and offers a spectacular view of Kenya’s plains.
Hiking time: 4 to 5 hours
9,300′ Overnight Altitude
Simba Camp – Second Cave, Day 2
The day begins with a tough climb up to Second Cave in the morning. The walk passes through a lengthy stretch of heathland with heather, wildflowers, and rocky pathways. Enjoy the vista of Kibo and the east-facing glaciers on the crater rim as you stroll. After lunch, you’ll leave the main track and follow a smaller road towards Mawenzi’s craggy peaks. Finally, you’ll arrive to ‘Second Cave,’ which is nestled in a secluded valley near Kikelewa Caves and surrounded by massive senecio plants.
3–4 hours of hiking
11,300′ Overnight Altitude
Day 3: Second Cave – Third Cave
This day has been set aside for acclimatization in order to increase your chances of reaching the peak and lessen the danger of altitude sickness. Spend the morning unwinding and simply taking in the scenery. It’s time to leave the camp about midday and make your way across the heath, following a small road towards Mawenzi’s craggy peaks and Third Cave.
3–4 hours of hiking
11,811′ Overnight Altitude
Day 4: Mawenzi Tarn Hut – Third Cave
The stage today will take you to Mawenzi Tarn Hut. After a short but hard trek up a grassy slope, you’ll be rewarded with a spectacular panoramic vista. The heathland gives way to stony hills, which are covered with huge and tiny volcanic stones from a past eruption. After a few more hours on the route, you’ll arrive at your overnight destination, which is nestled in a valley between Mawenzi’s towering spires and boasts a stunning setting.
Hiking time: 4 to 5 hours
14,160′ Overnight Altitude
Mawenzi Tarn Hut – Kibo Huts, Day 5
Now you’ll be going across the nearly lunar scenery called as ‘The Saddle,’ which connects Mawenzi and Kibo. It’s time to get your gear and warm clothes ready for the following day’s walk to the top when you arrive at Kibo Huts, which are located at the base of the Kibo crater wall. To keep your drinking water from freezing solid, keep it in a Thermos. Then relax for the remainder of the day and go to bed early to ensure your ‘human batteries’ are completely charged for the final challenge of Kilimanjaro.
Hiking time: 6 to 8 hours
15,430′ Overnight Altitude
Day 6: Horombo Huts – Kibo Huts – Gilman’s Point – Uhuru Peak
You’ll be roused up at midnight, and you’ll only have enough time to have a quick lunch before heading out into the night. The most difficult stretch of the climb, when the route is filled with loose stones, is considered by most to be the challenging terrain. The goal is to get to Gilman’s Point before sunrise so that you may make it to Uhuru Peak, Kibo’s highest point, just after sunrise. Before continuing along the crater rim to Uhuru, you’ll stop short at Gilman’s Point to take in the breathtaking views. The final portion of the ascent has a consistent gradient.
Depending on the season, snow may be encountered on the last stretch of the trek to Uhuru Peak, the summit of Kilimanjaro and Africa’s highest point. When you reach the summit at 5,895 meters above sea level, give yourself a pat on the back, take in the breathtaking views, and get your photo taken in front of the Uhuru Peak sign as a memento of your success.
After that, it’s time to begin the descent to Kibo Huts, which you’ll discover goes quite fast. You’ll pause for a well-deserved lunch in Kibo Huts before continuing on to Horombo Huts, where you’ll get a much-needed night’s sleep.
Hiking time: 4 to 5 hours
12,205′ Overnight Altitude
Horombo Huts – Marangu Gate – Arusha, Day 7
We make the last descent to Marangu Gate via the rain forest. Before departing Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, we’ll have lunch and say our goodbyes to our mountain team. Return to Arusha for a relaxing shower and a celebration meal.
Hiking time: 5 to 7 hours
1,843′ Overnight Altitude