Seven Day Rongai Route

7-Day Rongai Route – Mount Kilimanjaro

$1750-2500 USD

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Safari summary

The Rongai Route is the only major Kilimanjaro route that approaches the mountain from the northern side, close to the Kenyan border. It offers a quieter trekking experience, open landscapes and beautiful views of Mawenzi Peak and the Kenyan plains. After reaching the summit, trekkers descend on the southern side via the Marangu Route, allowing you to experience different sides of Mount Kilimanjaro.

The 7-day itinerary allows more time for acclimatization, including an additional night around Second Cave and time at Mawenzi Tarn before crossing the Saddle toward Kibo Hut.

About this tour

	Tour type	Custom, tailor-made, private
	Main focus	None
	Activity level	Strenuous activity
	Best months	All months
	Countries	Tanzania
	Parks	Kilimanjaro

Fine details

Safari highlights

Photography safari—with professional guide
Sightseeing | shopping | markets
Hiking | trekking

What’s included?

Accommodation
Airport transfers
All drinks
Laundry
Meals
Park fees
Private vehicle and driver

What’s not included?

Alcoholic beverages
Hot air balloons
Internal flights
International flights
Premium alcoholic beverages
Spa treatments
Tips and gratuities
Visas

Itinerary

Rongai Gate – Simba Camp

Kilimanjaro

Altitude: 1,950 m → 2,625 m Trekking Time: 3–4 hours After breakfast, we drive from Moshi to the Rongai/Nalemoru Gate near the Kenyan border. After completing park registration and meeting our mountain crew, we begin our trek through farmland and forest. The trail is relatively gentle, allowing you to settle into the Kilimanjaro environment. We continue toward Simba Camp, where we have dinner and spend our first night on the mountain.

Simba Camp

Simba Camp – Second Cave Camp

Kilimanjaro

Simba Camp – Second Cave Camp Altitude: 2,625 m → 3,450 m Trekking Time: 3–4 hours After breakfast, we continue climbing through open moorland toward Second Cave Camp. As the vegetation becomes thinner, we begin to enjoy wider views of Kibo and the surrounding landscape. The relatively short trekking day allows your body to begin adjusting to the increasing altitude. Dinner and overnight at Second Cave Camp.

Second Cave Camp

Second Cave – Kikelewa Camp

Kilimanjaro

Altitude: 3,450 m → 3,630 m Trekking Time: 3–4 hours Today we leave the main Rongai trail and head toward the dramatic slopes of Mawenzi Peak. The trail becomes quieter and more remote as we cross the moorland. We arrive at Kikelewa Camp, where we enjoy spectacular views of Mawenzi and the surrounding high-altitude landscape. Dinner and overnight at Kikelewa Camp.

Kikelewa Camp

Kikelewa Camp – Mawenzi Tarn Camp

Kilimanjaro

Altitude: 3,630 m → 4,330 m Trekking Time: 4–5 hours After breakfast, we climb toward Mawenzi Tarn, located beneath the impressive cliffs and spires of Mawenzi Peak. This is an important acclimatization day. After reaching camp, we can take a short acclimatization walk before returning to camp to rest. The dramatic setting of Mawenzi Tarn makes this one of the memorable sections of the Rongai Route. Dinner and overnight at Mawenzi Tarn Camp.

Mawenzi Tarn Camp

Mawenzi Tarn – Kibo Hut

Kilimanjaro

Altitude: 4,330 m → 4,703 m Trekking Time: 4–5 hours Today we cross the spectacular Saddle, the high-altitude desert between Mawenzi and Kibo. The landscape becomes increasingly rocky and barren as we approach Kibo Hut, the final camp before the summit. After arriving at Kibo Hut, we have an early dinner and rest. Our guide will provide a summit briefing, and you will prepare your equipment for the midnight ascent.

Kibo Hut

Kibo Hut – Uhuru Peak – Horombo Hut

Altitude: 4,703 m → 5,895 m → 3,720 m Trekking Time: 12–15 hours Begin the summit climb around midnight, trekking by torchlight toward Gilman’s Point and Stella Point before continuing along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), the highest point in Africa. After celebrating at the summit and taking photos, descend to Kibo Hut for a short rest, then continue to Horombo Hut for dinner and overnight.

Horombo Hut

Horombo Hut – Marangu Gate – Moshi

Kilimanjaro

Horombo Hut – Marangu Gate – Moshi Altitude: 3,720 m → 1,640 m Trekking Time: 5–6 hours After breakfast, we begin our final descent through the beautiful moorland and rainforest of the Marangu side of Kilimanjaro. We continue to Marangu Gate, where we complete the park procedures and receive our Kilimanjaro summit certificates. Our vehicle will then meet you and transfer you back to Moshi, marking the end of your Kilimanjaro adventure with Mkalibala Adventures.

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