6 Day Rongai Route
The Rongai route is the only route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the north, close to the Kenyan border. Though gaining popularity amongst climbers, Rongai has low traffic. It is the preferred route for those looking for an alternative to the crowded Marangu route, for those who would like a more remote hike, and for those who are climbing during the rainy season (the north side receives less precipitation).
The minimum number of days required for this route is six days, and seven days are recommended.
Although the scenery is not as varied as the western routes, Rongai makes up for this by passing through true wilderness areas for days before joining the Marangu route at Kibo camp. This route descends down the Marangu route. Rongai is a moderately difficult route, and is highly recommended, especially for those with less backpacking experience.
You are about to climb the tallest mountain in Africa, and maybe Meru as well! Before your hiking boots hit the ground, we thought you might like to know what it is going to be like up there.
What to expect while climb Kilimanjaro
Typical Daily Routine
Before the hike – wake up around 6:30 am and pack gear. Around 7:00 am a hot breakfast will be provided.
After Breakfast – guides will do a health check and review the day’s climb.
Start hiking – @ 8:30 am, duration of hike will depend on the day and the speed of the group.
Lunch – depending on the route there will be a hot lunch if you have reached the campsite, or a packed lunch if it is a longer day.
Reach next campsite – the campsite will already be set up when you arrive, the staff will be waiting with hot drinks and snacks.
Acclimatization hike – depending on the trek, you will have the opportunity to take a short walk to a higher altitude. This will help acclimatize you for the next day and decrease risk of altitude sickness.
Dinner – a hot dinner consisting of three courses will be served.
After dinner – guides will do the second health check, discuss any concerns, talk about the next day’s trek. Each night a talk will also be given by the guides. The talks consist of history, language, folklore, and culture.
Day Pack and Duffel Bag
Each morning you will pack up your day pack and duffel bag. The porters will transport up to 15 kg (33lb) of your personal belongs in your duffel bag, and when you reach the campsite your tent will have already been erected, with your duffel bag inside. Your duffel bag will have everything you are bringing on the trek, with the exception of the items you will need for the day – these items will be brought with you in your day pack.
The items in your day pack may vary depending on the day’s climb, but you can ask your guide if you want specific suggestions for the next day’s activities. In general you will want to bring the following in your day pack:
valuables such as your passport, money, & phone
- ¬ waterproof jacket and pants
- ¬ soft jacket
- ¬ knit hat
- ¬ gloves
- ¬ sunglasses
- ¬ trekking poles
- ¬ water bladder 2-3 liters
- ¬ snacks and electrolytes
- ¬ snacks and electrolytes
- ¬ camera
- ¬ toilet paper or wet wipes
- ¬ first aid kit
- ¬ lip balm
- ¬ sunscreen
- ¬ prescriptions
But remember to review everything you need to pack for Kilimanjaro, Meru, or a Safari.
Accommodation
On all routes, with the exception of Meru & the Marangu Route, there will be two people per tent. The tents are modern three person trekking tents with enough room for the sleeping pads and all your gear to be inside. Each campsite will also have a dining tent, with tables and chairs, and portable toilet. If you prefer a personal toilet, Kilimanjaro and Beyond can arrange it, with an upgrade.
All the accommodations are broken down, carried, and set up again by our amazing porters.
On the Marangu Route, Lightening Week, there are simple huts. The initial huts are arranged to accommodate four people each, while the last hut is much larger, with bunk beds.
Food
Staying hydrated and well-fed on your climb is absolutely vital. This is especially true in conditions when you might not want to eat or drink as much as you should. Because so many climber experience a loss of appetite at high altitudes, Kilimanjaro and Beyond’s head chef has developed special menu plans that are appealing, healthy, and filled with all the energy you need to make it to the summit. The meals include fresh fruit and vegetables every day and you will have fresh meat for the first part of the trek. Before you leave the mountain, you will also be treated to a sample some of the local Tanzanian cuisine such as Machalari, Njegere, Pilau and Ugali.
If you have special dietary requirements, just alert Kilimanjaro and Beyond to your needs when booking, and we will ensure there are healthy meals on the adventure for you.
Tipping
Tipping is a universal custom on Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru. Sadly, without regulation, tipping is a vital source of income for many guides and porters.
At Kilimanjaro and Beyond we are committed to paying our staff higher than average wages. That being said, we still believe it is important to tip the phenomenal guides and porters that will help you summit the Roof of Africa. The vast majority of our climbers are more than willing to tip according to the guidelines below. After meeting and seeing the incredible work put in by the Kilimanjaro and Beyond staff, to bring you successfully and safely up the mountain, we are confident you will agree.
If the tip amount adds too much to your trip expense, we are more than happy to customize a tour that meets your needs better.
The average recommended tip per group per day:
Guides: $20-$25 per guide per day from the group
Cook: $15-$20 per cook per day from the group
Waiter: $12-$15 per waiter per day from the group
Porters: $8-$10 per porter per day from the group
The tipping ceremony occurs the last night on the mountain to give the climbers a formal chance to thank the guides and porters. It is usually a fun ceremony with singing and dancing. Your group will receive a form with the names and roles of the staff. As a group, you will fill in the amount of the tip money* for each staff member, and envelopes which you will place the tips in. You will then choose one person to be the representative for the climbers. The guide will assemble the entire staff and the spokes person will say a few words of thanks before announcing the tip amounts. The staff members sign a tip report which is reviewed after the climb to ensure everyone has been tipped correctly. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
*large denomination bills fetch a better exchange rate and are therefore preferred
The itinerary below is for a six day Rongai Route trek. Seven and eight day trekkers usually spend an additional day at Mawenzi Tarn (4,300 meters) to acclimatise. Eight day trekkers also stop on day two at Rongai Second Cave (3,450 meters) before proceeding to Kikelewa Camp (3,600 meters).
Day 1 – Rongai Start Point (1,950 meters) to Rongai First Cave (2,620 meters)
Distance: ~6.5km / 3.5 miles
Trekking time: 3-4 hours
Zone: Rainforest
On day one Rongai Route trekkers are driven from either Moshi or Arusha to Marangu Gate for registration before being shuttled a further 70 kilometres on poor roads to the Rongai Start Point at 1,950 meters. The trek begins from Nale Moru village and follows a gradual and winding trail that first crosses maize fields before entering the rainforest. The first day’s hiking is easy going and you will arrive at Rongai First Cave (2,620 meters) around mid-afternoon, where you can freshen up and have dinner.
Day 2 – Rongai Cave (2,620 meters) to Kikelewa Camp (3,600 meters)
Distance: ~12km / 6.5 miles
Trekking time: 6-8 hours
Zone: Rainforest / Low Alpine Zone
On day two the hike continues from Rongai First Cave through the rainforest before transitioning into the low alpine moorland zone where you will notice the vegetation change to shrubs and grasses. You will stop for lunch at Rongai Second Cave (3,450 meters), 6km from the First Cave Camp, before turning east to Kikelewa Camp (3,600 meters) for your overnight stay. Depending on your tour operator, eight day trekkers might stop at Rongai Second Caves for the night before proceeding to Kikelewa Camp.
Day 3 – Kikelewa Camp (3,600 meters) to Mawenzi Tarn (4,300 meters)
Distance: ~4km / 2.5 miles
Trekking time: 3-4 hours
Zone: Low alpine zone / High alpine zone
Day three on the Rongai Route is a short, but steep climb from Kikelewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn (4,300 meters) which sits in the shadow of the magnificent Mawenzi Peak. You will arrive at Mawenzi Tarn in time for lunch and then have the whole afternoon to explore the surrounding area and acclimatise.
Day 4 – Mawenzi Tarn (4,300 meters) to Kibo Hut (4,700 meters)
Distance: ~9km / 5.5 miles
Trekking time: 8-10 hours
Zone: High alpine zone
Day four is a long but gradual hike from Mawenzi Tarn heading west through the Saddle which is formed between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi, and up to Kibo Hut (4,700 meters). The route is dry, barren and rather inhospitable, but provides spectacular views of Kibo. At Kibo Hut you will get served dinner and will go to bed early as you will be awoken around 23:30 to begin your summit attempt. Trekkers should remember to prepare their gear, including headlamp, camera, insulated water and warm weather clothes before they go to sleep.
Note: Seven and Eight day trekkers typically hike from Mawenzi Tarn to Kibo Hut and back on day four. They then trek to Kibo Hut again on day five before continuing to Uhuru peak on day six / seven.
Day 5 – Kibo Hut (4,700 meters) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters) and then Horombo Hut (3,720 meters)
Distance: ~5.5km / 3 miles ascent and then 15km / 8 mile descent
Trekking time: 6-8 hours to the summit and then 5-8 hours to Horombo Hut
Zone: Glacial zone, high alpine zone and low alpine zone
Day five begins at midnight, after being awoken with tea and biscuits you will begin your ascent in the dark across a rocky path to the first check point, Hans Meyer Cave at 5,150 meters. You should have a break here and refuel on an energy bar. The path then zigzags and increases in steepness as you approach Gilman’s Point 2-3 hours later at 5,681 meters. You are now on Kibo’s crater rim, a huge achievement! But you still have a 200 meter ascent to trek to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters). Dig deep to find the reserves and mental stamina to push yourself up the final slopes. At Uhuru Peak you will be able to stay briefly before descending back to Kibo Hut and on to Horombo Hut. In total you will be trekking upwards of 12-16 hours. It will be one of the longest days of your life but well worth it! Here’s the good news, beers can be bought at Horombo Hut!
Day 6 – Horombo Hut (3,720 meters) to Marangu Gate (1,870 meters)
Distance: ~20km / 13 miles
Trekking time: 6-8 hours
Zone: Low alpine zone and rainforest
The final day from Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate (1,870 meters) is a long one, nearly 20km! Your knees will be sore from the previous days hike so go slowly and make sure of your footing as you descend, using your trekking poles to limit the impact on your joints. At Marangu Gate, the place where you signed in 6 days ago, you will now sign-out. Those who got as far as Gilman’s Point but no further will be presented with a green certificate. Trekkers who made it all the way to Uhuru Peak will receive a gold certificate.
This trekking package includes;
- Transport from/to park gate & airport transfer
- Pre and post climb accommodation (B&B) in Moshi
- Park, camping & rescue fees
- Mountain tent & mattress
- Professional English speaking guide(s), porters & chef
- breakfasts, lunches and dinners
- Water; tea and coffee with meals
This trekking package excludes;
- Flights
- Lunch & dinner in Moshi
- Travel insurance
- Visa and passport fees
- Increases in park fees where applicable
- Personal equipment
- Sleeping bag
- Tips for guide(s), porters & cook
- Soda and Alcoholic beverages