Kilimanjaro Rongai Trek
A beautiful and remote northern approach to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro
The Kilimanjaro Rongai Trek is the only trail that starts on the northern side of Mt. Kilimanjaro and is less frequently used than other routes. It's highly recommended for hikers looking for a remote and peaceful trekking experience.
The route passes by Mawenzi, which is one of three volcanic cones on Mount Kilimanjaro, and follows the southern Marangu route for descent, thus giving trekkers a view of both sides of the mountain.
Summary
DURATION
9 days
LOCATION
Tanzania
START & ENDS
Moshi, Moshi
DIFFICULTY
Easy Moderate Challenge Hard
Highlights
Itinerary
FOOD
No Meals
ACCOMMODATION
Hotel
ACTIVITY
Airport transfer
ELEVATION
Moshi (890m)
You will be collected by one of our staff at Kilimanjaro Airport and transferred to your hotel.
Rest up and enjoy the hotel amenities before your journey to the summit begins tomorrow.
FOOD
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
ACCOMMODATION
Tented
ACTIVITY
Hiking 3 - 4 hours
ELEVATION GAIN
Moshi (890m) to Nalemuru Gate (2,020m) to Simba Camp (2,625m)
Your mountain crew will meet you in the morning to discuss the trek. Then you will head out to the northern entrance of Kilimanjaro National Park, Nalemuru Gate.
Once we arrive at the gate we'll acquire all the necessary permits and finalise search and rescue registration.
The trek to Simba Camp is short. Take it easy as this will be your first day trekking to a higher altitude. Alert your guide if you experience any symptoms of altitude sickness.
FOOD
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
ACCOMMODATION
Tented
ACTIVITY
Hiking 3 - 4 hours
ELEVATION
Simba Camp (2,625m) to Second Cave Camp (3,480m) and Kikilewa Camp (3,630m)
We leave early this morning after breakfast towards the second high altitude camp, Second Cave Camp.
The route is not challenging at all and is only about 3 hours of trekking so you will have plenty of time to rest and explore the area once we reach camp.
We have some lunch, take a rest, and then head out to do an acclimatization hike towards Kikilewa Camp.
Doing an acclimatization hike will speed up the acclimatization process and increase your chance of summiting Kilimanjaro.
FOOD
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
ACCOMMODATION
Tented
ACTIVITY
Hiking 3 - 4 hours
ELEVATION
Second Cave Camp (3,480m) to Kikilewa Camp (3,630m)
After breakfast we trek to Kikilewa Camp from where you can see Kibo Volcano at its finest.
This is a relief day meaning you will have time to rest and sleep before the trek to Mawenzi Tarn Camp tomorrow.
After dinner your guide will do a health check on each person and provide the necessary instructions for tomorrow's trail.
FOOD
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
ACCOMMODATION
Tented
ACTIVITY
Hiking 6 - 7 hours
ELEVATION
Kikilewa Camp (3,630m) to Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,310m) and Mawenzi Volcano (4,510m)
After an early morning breakfast, we head to Mawenzi Tarn Camp, situated at the foot of Mawenzi Volcano.
We reach camp and rest for two hours before climbing Mawenzi Volcano, our second acclimatisation hike.
We head back to Mawenzi Tarn Camp where you will have dinner and stay overnight.
FOOD
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
ACCOMMODATION
Tented
ACTIVITY
Hiking 5 - 6 hours
ELEVATION
Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,310m) to Kibo Summit Camp (4,700m)
Today we start trekking to Kibo Summit Camp and you'll notice the landscape changes significantly to a rocky semi-desert.
The trail is moderate but keep a good pace so that you can retain energy for Kilimanjaro's summit.
When you reach camp, we highly recommend avoiding any strenuous activities, drink plenty of water, and have an early sleep. This all helps prepare for the summit push tonight!
FOOD
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
ACCOMMODATION
Tented
ACTIVITY
Hiking 12 - 15 hours
ELEVATION
Kibo Summit Camp (4,700m) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) to Horombo Camp (3,720m)
We leave at night to head for Uhuru Peak. While the gradient is moderate, it takes strength and stamina to make it to the top.
One guide is assigned to two climbers and will check your fitness over the duration of the climb to make sure you are coping.
Upon reaching the summit you'll have the opportunity to walk to the nearest glacier before the descent to Horombo Camp, with a 2 hour rest stop at Kibo Camp.
FOOD
Breakfast
ACCOMMODATION
Tented
ACTIVITY
Hiking 5 - 6 hours
ELEVATION
Horombo Camp (3,720m) to Marangu Gate (1,860m) to Moshi (890m)
Our final descent begins today to Marangu Gate. We start the trek after breakfast.
Take a moment to appreciate what you have just conquered.
You'll receive your certificates of achievement and be transferred to your hotel.
FOOD
Breakfast
ACCOMMODATION
Hotel
ACTIVITY
Airport transfer
ELEVATION
Moshi (890m)
Today we transfer you to Kilimanjaro International Airport and say farewell. Until we meet again!
Dates & Prices
Below are our open group dates for the Kilimanjaro Rongai Trek. Single supplements apply.
Please note: April and May are the rainy months in Tanzania. We don't operate treks during this period.
If the dates below don't suit, please get in touch as we can open a new group on any day as long as you have at least 2 people in your party.
What's Included
Included
Not Included
FAQ
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Packing List
Clothing
- 2-3 x hiking shirt + 3-4 x long-sleeve hiking shirt
- 1 x hiking shorts and 2 x trekking pants
- 1 x warm trousers / storm pants
- Mid-weight fleece jacket
- Hard shell rain jacket
- Warm insulating down or synthetic jacket / gilet
- 2 x thermal underwear
- Light, but warm gloves
Headwear
- Sun hat + Sunglasses
- Beanie
- Neck warmer
Footwear
- Hiking boots
- 4-5 hiking socks + 1 x thermal socks
- Trainers for camp
- Gaiters
Bags
- 20-25L daypack
- 90-100L Duffel Bag (waterproof)
- Plastic bags to protect sleeping bag and other gear from rain
Other Essentials
- Four season sleeping bag
- Trekking Poles
- Headlamp and spare batteries
- Snacks
- Water bottle / hydration bladder
- Water treatment tablets
- Camera
- Sun cream
Rental Gear
There are a number of good rental gear shops in Moshi where one can rent / buy most items listed above.
Travel Insurance
We highly recommend getting travel insurance for your trip. We recommend World Nomads as they provide comprehensive cover for adventurous activities and are very affordable. Get a quote below.
Accommodation
3-Star Hotel in Moshi
In Moshi, you will stay in 3-star hotel accommodation with complimentary breakfast.
Tented Accommodation
During the trek you will be staying in tented accommodation.
Reviews
Best Adventure Yet
Thanks Mountain IQ and Altezza for arranging our climb. It is by far the best adventure holiday I have ever experienced, the toughest too! Our guides and the entire support were truly amazing – I don’t think I would have made it without their support and encouragement! Thanks again!
Tip top trekking experience
Visiting the Annapurna Sanctuary has been one of the highlights of my life. I was very nervous joining this trek as I was a solo female and had never trekked at altitude. The team at Mountain IQ were fantastic at answering all my questions and putting my concerns to rest. Once in Nepal, Upendra and the Himalayan Leisure team were just amazing. Our guide, Dorchi, was an absolute hoot and very caring. The whole experience from beginning to end was awesome. Thanks again!
Simply magnificent!
We joined this trek with short notice. Upendra was very responsive and accommodating to our needs. The tour from pick up to drop off was professional and fun. Would highly recommend joining this tour!
An once in a lifetime experience!
This was by far the most amazing adventure we’ve ever had. We can’t thank the team at Himalayan Leisure and at Mountain IQ enough for arranging such an incredible trek for myself and my girlfriend. From the very get go, the support from Mountain IQ and Upendra was top notch. All our questions were answered quickly and in detail. Once we arrived in Kathmandu we were warmly welcomed. The pre-trek briefing was excellent and we immediately liked our guide Dawa, and felt confident putting our safety in his hands. The trek itself is truly amazing – the views throughout were spectacular. The high pass was a big challenge but the whole group managed it without too much strain. We can’t wait to return to Nepal to complete the EBC trek via Gokyo and will definitely be going with HL again!
Epic experience with Dawa and his team
Just a quick note to say thank you to Himalayan Leisure for an amazing trekking experience to EBC. We felt well looked after throughout and really enjoyed the company of our guide Dawa. I highly recommend booking this adventure!
A superb trekking experience
We had an absolutely amazing experience with Himalayan Leisure on this trek in the Langtang region. The Langtang is a lot quieter than the popular trails to Everest. If you are looking to get off the beaten path then I highly recommend this trek and HL!
Superb Tour!
This tour company is excellent. From the time they met us at Cusco airport, their interaction with us was first class. They were able to accommodate the tour changes we requested. Our guide, Percy, was excellent, very knowledgeable and took the time to explain and answer questions. I highly recommend Inkayni. I would advise anyone who wants to see Cusco and Choquequirao to select this tour company.
A great experience all round!
If you go to Peru and want to visit Machu Picchu I highly recommend this tour. My friends and I went with Jonathan from Inkayni and we loved it! We did a lot of activities and Jonathan was very attentive and available, with insightful explanations about the places we visited and the Peruvian culture. A great experience all round!
Amazing experience!
Touring around Cusco, Salkantay and Machu Picchu with Franco was more like touring around with a friend than someone I had just met! He was extremely personable and knowledgeable. I learned a ton, saw beautiful sights and had great conversation.
Elbrus Normal Route
Absolutely PRO experience! RMH are on top of everything. From organisation before the trip, responses to questions before, during and after, to organisation, security, food, lodging and guiding – they are amazing. Going to Russia to do this is not without insecurity. We felt we were in safe hands throughout the trip. I would highly recommend Vitaly and is team to anyone who desires to climb Elbrus.
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BOOKING TERMS
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LOCAL TOUR OPERATOR
ALTEZZA TRAVEL
This tour is operated by Altezza Travel. The Altezza team are a specialist Mount Kilimanjaro tour operator with an impeccable track-record for safety and summit success. They aim to make your Tanzanian experience as comfortable and memorable as possible.