9-Day Kilimanjaro Rongai Route Climb
The only route that climbs Kilimanjaro from the north, near the Kenyan border, with a full acclimatisation day at Mawenzi Tarn beneath the spires of Mawenzi.
- Length
- 9 days, 8 nights (7 days on the mountain)
- Starts and ends
- Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
- Route
- Rongai up, Marangu down
- Sleeping
- Tented camps on the mountain; hotel before and after
- Summit
- Uhuru Peak, 5,895 m, via Gilman’s Point
- Group size
- From 1 climber
- Fitness
- We advise when you enquire
- Best months
- We advise when you enquire
From
US$2,955
per person
Starting price per person.
Prices are a guide. Park fees and availability change, so we always confirm your exact price in a personal quote before you book. Your price depends on your group size and travel dates. Request a quote at any time, with no obligation to book.
Includes park fees, guides, crew, meals on the mountain and hotel nights before and after. A 30% deposit confirms your booking; the balance is due 30 days before you travel.
Overview
The Rongai Route starts on Kilimanjaro’s northern side, through maize fields and pine forest near the village of Nale Moru, and feels wilder and quieter than the southern routes. The views open early, and an extra day at Mawenzi Tarn (4,330 m), in a cirque beneath Mawenzi’s towers, helps your body adjust before you cross the Saddle to Kibo Camp and climb to the summit. You descend by the Marangu Route.
Highlights
- A quiet start from the northern slopes
- Second Cave and the open views from Kikelewa Camp
- A full acclimatisation day at Mawenzi Tarn
- The lunar desert of the Saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo
- Gilman’s Point and the summit, Uhuru Peak
Route
Kilimanjaro Airport → hotel → Marangu Gate (registration) → Rongai trailhead → First Cave → Kikelewa → Mawenzi Tarn (2 nights) → Kibo Camp → Uhuru Peak → Horombo Hut → Marangu Gate → hotel → Kilimanjaro Airport
Day by day
Arrival
All trekkers need to organise their own flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). From JRO we will arrange a private transfer to your hotel. That night or early the next morning you will meet your local Ecolegacy Africa representative and have a full pre-climb briefing.
Rongai trailhead to First Cave Camp
Transfer from your hotel to Marangu Gate for registration and then a further transfer to the Rongai trailhead (approx. 2½ hours). Our porters prepare and pack our supplies and luggage before we start our ascent through the village of Nale Moru. The small winding path crosses maize fields before climbing gently through a pine forest until we reach First Cave Camp at about 2,600 m.
First Cave Camp to Kikelewa Camp
The trail continues up towards Kibo, passing Second Cave (about 3,450 m) en-route, and reaching Kikelewa Caves at 3,600 m. From here the views start to open up and you will see for yourself how huge a mountain Kilimanjaro really is. We camp here overnight.
Kikelewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn
A short but steep climb up grassy slopes is rewarded by superb all-round views and a tangible sense of wilderness. We leave the vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn (4,330 m), 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 acclimatisation.
Acclimatisation at Mawenzi Tarn
We will spend a full day at and around Mawenzi Tarn as part of the acclimatisation process. There will be plenty to do, with several paths leading up the ridges and towers of Mawenzi, and our crew will help arrange short excursions to explore the area.
Mawenzi Tarn to Kibo Camp
We cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo Hut camp (4,703 m) at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent tomorrow.
Summit day: Uhuru Peak, then down to Horombo Hut
You will be woken around 23:30 and after some tea and biscuits we will start our ascent. This is where the going really gets tough. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (about 5,150 m). We then zigzag up to Gilman’s Point (5,685 m) on the crater rim. This section is very steep with much stone scree and is the most demanding section of the route. From Gilman’s Point we could encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), the highest point in Africa. Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long we can spend taking photographs before we descend back to Kibo Campsite and then Horomobo Hut where we will stay overnight. Later in the evening we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate
After breakfast we continue our descent, passing Mandara Hut, down to the Marangu Gate. Transfer to your hotel for a well-earned shower and celebration.
Departure
After a much needed night’s rest, we will bid you goodbye. If you have arranged airport transfers with us or a safari / Zanzibar trip, we will collect you in the morning for your onward journey.
Where you sleep
| Night | Camp, hut or hotel | Altitude |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hotel near Kilimanjaro | (named in your personal itinerary) |
| 2 | First Cave Camp | 2,600 m |
| 3 | Kikelewa Camp | 3,600 m |
| 4–5 | Mawenzi Tarn | 4,330 m |
| 6 | Kibo Hut camp | 4,703 m |
| 7 | Horombo Hut | 3,720 m |
| 8 | Hotel near Kilimanjaro |
Included
- Hotel nights before and after your climb
- Airport transfers
- Transfers to and from the mountain
- National park entry, camping, climbing and rescue fees
- A fully supported climb (an average of four support staff to each climber)
- All meals and drinking water on the mountain
- A clean, private portable toilet
- A dining tent and sleeping tents with foam mattresses
- Emergency oxygen and a first aid kit
- A certificate for your summit
Not included
- International flights and visas
- Tips for your guide and crew
- Travel insurance covering trekking up to 6,000 m
- Your personal trekking gear
- Snacks on the mountain
- Meals and drinks off the mountain
Make it yours
Add a safari
Add Zanzibar
Warm up on Mount Meru
Request a quote for this climb
Tell us your dates and how you like to travel. We will confirm availability and an exact price for your group. No obligation to book.
We reply within 24 hours.
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