Rongai Route

rongai route

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Kilimanjaro Climb

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The Rongai Route is the only route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the north, which is also close to the Kenya border. It is also the only route that has lesser crowds. Rongai route has more slope than other Kilimanjaro Routes.

Rongai is one of the preferred routes for those looking for an alternative to other popular routes before Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, for those who would like a more remote hike, and for those who are climbing during the rainy season as the northern circuit has lesser rainfall.

Rongai Route is ideal for one who is confident in their ability to hike over steeper paths. You can avoid the crowd via the Rongai route if you are a quiet trekker.

RONGAI ROUTE 6 DAYS VS.  RONGAI ROUTE 7 DAYS

Rongai Route is the only route that starts from the Northern circuit. It gives you an option to spot the most of wilderness. Rongai route has more slopes compared to other Kilimanjaro Routes.

Rongai Route 6 Days is the standard climbing option and may not give you more days for acclimatization. The 6 days will give you around 80% success rate and also has a bit more crowd comparatively. You may not get more time to sleep in the lower elevations and also not be able to spend more time in the mountains.

However, Rongai Route 7 Days has a longer itinerary and also has more time for acclimatization. It also allows you to sleep more in the lower elevations and also spend more time in the mountains. The success rate compared to Rongai route 6 days is more than Rongai route 7 days. The success rate is more than 90% and can go up to 97% if you follow the right procedure of climbing.

HOW HARD IS RONGAI ROUTE

The Rongai route is moderately a difficult route however it is also a highly recommended route, especially for backpackers. The Rongai route will pass through the high density of wildlife as it starts from the northern side of the mountain.

The Rongai Route 7 Days itinerary will give you an additional day for acclimatization and also allow you to sleep more in the lower elevations and spend more time in the mountains. This helps you to stay away from altitude sickness.

The Rongai route is less crowded and allows you to enjoy the route all alone. 

WHY CHOOSE RONGAI ROUTE

Rongai Route is the only route that starts from the northern circuit. It is an unspoilt route with the most visibility of wildlife. You can spot large antelopes, elephants and Buffalo.

Rongai route has a good success rate and sidesteps unnecessary exertion with lesser altitude problems. It is flatter than the other Kilimanjaro Routes, it allows you to sleep in the low and spend more time in the mountains.

It can be hiked in Rongai route 6 days and also Rongai route 7 days itinerary. The Rongai route 7 days will give you more time for proper acclimatization and is highly recommended.

HOW LONG IS RONGAI ROUTE?

The distance of the Rongai route is exactly 76kms from gate to gate. Here are the details of distance travelled days according to the 7 days itinerary.

  • Day 1: Distance 8 km - The trek begins from Nalemuru Gate and follows entering the rainforest.
  • Day 2: Distance 16 km - Traversing into the low alpine moorland zone where you will notice the vegetation change to shrubs and grasses.
  • Day 3: Distance 3 kms - Climb the Kikelelwa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn Camp.
  • Day 4: Distance 0 km - Acclimatization day.
  • Day 5: Distance 9 km - A gradual hike from Mawenzi Tarn Camp heading west through the saddle.
  • Day 6: Distance 21 km - This day begins at midnight and you will ascend through the rocky path.
  • Day 7: Distance 19 km - The final day from Horombo Camp to Marangu Gate is a long one, nearly 20 km.

WHAT IS THE SUCCESS RATE OF THE RONGAI ROUTE?

The Rongai Route Success Rate is 80% to 85% with a standard Rongai route 6 days itinerary and it has a 90% success rate with Rongai route 7 days itinerary.

The Rongai route 7 days gives you an additional day for proper acclimatization and it also allows you to sleep on lower elevations and spend more time on higher mountains. This is the main reason for its 90% success rate in 7 days itinerary. 

However, the Rongai route 6 days itinerary has an 85% success rate and also will increase the success rate if you add an extra day for the same itinerary.

Jerry Tanzania Tours hopes to provide prospect climbers with an all-inclusive guide about the Rongai Route that contains valuable information to increase one’s chance of a successful summit when Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

Get expert advice on the Best Route To Climb Kilimanjaro, the best times to climb, dates and Kilimanjaro Climb Cost.  Start Kilimanjaro Climb easily with one of the industry leaders!

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Kilimanjaro Rongai Route Packages To Look After

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Day 1 Airport Pick-Up - Drop Off At Hotel

A member of Jerry Tanzania Tours hospitality team greets you upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport. He will drive you to Panama Garden Resort, where you will have all the essentials for a comfortable stay after a long flight, such as: pleasant rooms with hot showers, a restaurant with delicious choices, genial service team and access to the Internet. Your briefing, in the course of which your guides will provide all the details of the forthcoming trek, takes place at the appointed time. They will answer your questions and make sure you are properly equipped for the trek, providing rental gear when necessary.

Accommodation: Panama Garden Resort

Journey time and Distance: 1 hour’s drive, 40 km from Kilimanjaro International Airport to Moshi

Day 2 Moshi – Nalemuru Gate – Simba Camp

After an early breakfast at your hotel, you depart around 08.00hrs, arriving at the Rongai Gate for around 11.00hrs, when you will enjoy your picnic lunch.

You complete the registration formalities and are introduced to the all-important trekking team who will accompany you up the mountain. Your porters will load up, and then you are ready to start the trek! Today’s starting altitude is at 2,364 metres and during your trek you will ascend up to a new altitude of 2,671 metres. The vegetation at first is pine forest, as well as some vegetable fields, but you briefly enter lusher forest where colobus monkeys can sometimes be seen. After the forest, the landscape changes to heathland with its characteristic huge heathers. You aim to reach Simba Camp 2,671 metres by 17.00hrs, your walking distance today is only 7 km/4 miles and your projected walking time is around 3-4 hours. After relaxing on arrival at the camp, you will take your dinner at about 19.00hrs..

Accommodation: In Tents At Simba Camp

Hiking time and Elevation: 3 –4 hours’ walking, from 2,364 m at Rongai Gate to 2,671 m at Simba Camp

Day 3 From Simba Camp To Kikelelwa Camp

Wake up! With your first night on the mountain complete, you are served breakfast and then can expect to depart about 08.00hrs. You will walk further today, approximately 16 km/10 miles and have an ascent of around 929 metres. Your expectation is that this will involve about 6.5 to 7 hours of actual walking. At the start, notice how the once-large heathers become smaller as you climb, and the trees become fewer and further between. Behind you, you can see over the border to Kenya if the weather is good. The path is a steady, steep and often dusty ascent. A picnic lunch is eaten at about 13.00hrs, before you continue in a south-easterly direction with the craggy peak of Mawenzi in front of you.

The path crosses moorland and there is less ascent than you have experienced this morning, but this is certainly a long, tough day. At the end of the afternoon’s walk, you should reach camp at around 17.00hrs and dinner will be served at 18.00hrs.

Accommodation: In Tents At Kikelelwa Camp

Hiking time and Elevation: 6.5 – 7 hours’ walking, from 2,671 m at Simba Camp to 3,600 m at Kikelelwa Camp

Day 4 From Kikelelwa Camp To Mawenzi Tarn Camp

An hour extra to enjoy in bed, as you schedule a slightly later departure. Why? Well, your distance today is short at only 3 km/2 miles, though you do have to ascend over 600 metres so you may come to appreciate that extra sleep! As you continue to climb today, you will notice how you leave the vegetation behind you: it definitely thins out rapidly at this altitude! But the views on Rongai are truly exceptional. You aim to arrive at Mawenzi Tarn Camp 4,315 metres nice and early, probably around 13.00hrs, in time for acclimatization in this beautiful setting. In clear weather, the views up to Kibo 4,720 metres are exceptional. Dinner tonight will be served around 18.00hrs.

Accommodation: In Tents At Mawenzi Tarn Camp

Hiking time and Elevation: 3.5 – 4 hours’ walking, from 3,600 m at Kikelelwa Camp to 4,315 m at Mawenzi Tarn Camp

Day 5 Mawenzi Tarn Camp – Mawenzi Ridge – Mawenzi Tarn Camp

This is an extra day meant for acclimatization and after breakfast you will begin hike in the direction of Mawenzi Ridge with a 74-metres gain in altitude. You will spend one or two hours at higher altitude in order to properly acclimatize yourself, so the lunch break will take place at Mawenzi Ridge itself before you hike back down to Mawenzi Tarn. Dinner is once again scheduled for 18.00hrs.

Accommodation: In Tents At Mawenzi Tarn Camp

Hiking time and Elevation: 2-3 hours, 4,315 m at Mawenzi Tarn Camp to Mawenzi Ridge at 4,389 m and return to Mawenzi Tarn Camp 4,315 m

Day 6 From Mawenzi Tarn Camp To Kibo Camp

You are back to your early breakfast schedule again, to ensure you are ready to depart Mawenzi by 08.00hrs. From your starting altitude at 4,315 metres, you will ascend today to Kibo Camp, which sits at 4,720 metres. On the way, you head westwards before crossing the ridge and continue towards along the edge of the so-called “saddle”. While there is little vegetation to admire, don’t be too surprised if you see an eland – quite astonishing, really, at this lofty altitude. Your objective is to arrive at Kibo Camp 4,720 metres at around 15.00hrs, having stopped for your midday picnic lunch. This evening, as you prepare for tomorrow’s summit attempt, you will be served dinner at an early hour (around 17.30hrs) which will allow you to retire to bed at a good time!

Accommodation: In Tents At Kibo Camp

Hiking time and Elevation: 4.5 – 5 hours’ walking, from 4,315 m at Mawenzi Tarn Camp to 4,720 m at Kibo Camp

Day 7 Ascent To Uhuru Peak And Descent To Horombo Camp

Your schedule for your ‘Summit Day’ is very different. Rising at 23.00hrs, you take your tea and biscuits (23.30hrs) before a midnight departure. Today, you have 1,192 metres to climb, on what will be your toughest day, with around 10-13 hours of actual walking time and a total distance of 22 km/14 miles.

Your expectation is to reach the summit from 07.00hrs onwards. You begin on a rocky path, and then climb via a series of zig-zags which get ever tighter as you climb.

Your reference points on your ascent today are, first, William’s Point (5,000 metres), Hans Meyer Cave (5,151 metres) and then Gilman’s Point (5,685 metres). The focus today is on walking pole pole – that is, slowly. On reaching the top (5,895 metres), you take time to celebrate the successful climb, take photos and congratulate yourself, then make the descent to return to Kibo Camp (4,703 metres) for about 11.00hrs and take a very well-deserved, two-hour rest and enjoy a welcome brunch. Setting off again at 14.00hrs, you continue your descent until you reach the now-familiar Horombo Camp (3,720 metres) for about 17.00hrs. Dinner today will be served at 19.00hrs.

Accommodation: In Tents At Horombo Camp

Hiking time and Elevation: 11-13 hours’ walking, from 4,703 m at Kibo Camp to the summit at 5,895 m, then down to 3,720 m at Horombo Camp

Day 8 Descent From Horombo Camp To Marangu Gate – Moshi

After breakfast at your now-familiar time of 07.00hrs, you take the chance to thank your hard-working guides and porters at the important ‘Tipping Celebration’. Afterwards, you depart from Horombo Camp and start your descent down towards Marangu Gate, stopping at Mandara around midday for a cooked lunch.

Marangu Gate 1,879 metres is usually reached by 16.00hrs, and today’s section is approximately 20 km/ 12 miles which takes you between 6.5 to 7 hours of walking time. Having reached Marangu Gate, you will be presented with your certificate, a fitting souvenir recognizing your tremendous effort. You then return by vehicle to Moshi, to the comfort of your hotel, for your overnight stay and some deserved relaxation. Or perhaps, if you still have some energy, you can celebrate your wonderful achievement. After all, you have just climbed Africa’s highest mountain!

Accommodation: Panama Garden Resort

Hiking time and Elevation: 6.5 – 7 hours’ walking, from Horombo Camp to Marangu Gate, descending from 3,720 m to 1,879 m, then return by vehicle from Marangu Gate to your hotel 1 hours’ drive.

Day 9 Departure - Kilimanjaro International Airport

After a good night’s rest at your hotel, you will take breakfast ready for the scheduled check-out by 10.00hrs.(If you wish to remain in the hotel during the day, please advise us of this when you book your trip and we will inform you of the cost for a ‘day room’ which allows you to stay until 18:00hrs, and then make the booking on your behalf.)

As the transfer services have been already included in this package, you will be collected from your hotel and dropped off at the airport. For those travellers who have booked to go on safari, our Jerry Tanzania Tours guide will be meeting you in the afternoon to provide you with a pre-safari briefing.

Prices For Rongai Route

The Kilimanjaro Rongai Route Cost & Price from Jerry Tanzania Tours! Get a great Kilimanjaro Rongai Route packages with affordable prices. Find, compare, book and climb.

* All payments in Tanzania are in USD only. The prices in other currencies are given for comparison only.

7 Day Rongai Route

1 pax

2 pax

3 pax

4 pax

5 pax

6 pax

7 pax

8+ pax

Rongai Route

$3,752

$2,940

$2,658

$2,561

$2,537

$2,447

$2,373

$2,315

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7 Days Rongai Route

1 pax

2 pax

3 pax

4 pax

5 pax

6 pax

7 pax

8+ pax

Rongai Route

€3,430

€2,687

€2,430

€2,341

€2,319

€2,237

€2,169

€2,116

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7 Days Rongai Route

1 pax

2 pax

3 pax

4 pax

5 pax

6 pax

7 pax

8+ pax

Rongai Route

Zł16,057

Zł12,582

Zł11,375

Zł10,960

Zł10,857

Zł10,472

Zł10,155

Zł9,907

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7 Days Rongai Route

1 pax

2 pax

3 pax

4 pax

5 pax

6 pax

7 pax

8+ pax

Rongai Route

£3,007

£2,356

£2,130

£2,053

£2,033

£1,961

£1,902

£1,855

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7 Days Rongai Route

1 pax

2 pax

3 pax

4 pax

5 pax

6 pax

7 pax

8+ pax

Rongai Route

$5,599

$4,387

$3,966

$3,822

$3,786

$3,651

$3,541

$3,455

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Include

Jerry Tanzania – Transfers:

  • Return transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport to accommodation in Moshi;

  • Return transfer from accommodation in Moshi to the entry gate into Kilimanjaro National Park.

Jerry Tanzania Trip Safety:Helicopter Rescue

A helicopter rescue service will be provided to air transfer you (during daylight hours only) in an emergency from the mountain to hospital in Moshi. Note that this service will only be applicable if you have medical insurance which covers high altitude trekking up to 6,000 meters, and this service is always subject to weather conditions.

Jerry Tanzania – Trip Crew:

  • Professional guides, licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park. All our guides are well-equipped to handle medical emergencies as they have undergone various High-Altitude Medical Emergency Training to save the lives of climbers who fall sick on the mountain.

  • Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp master, porters, cooks, etc.).

Accommodation:

  • One night at 3* hotel (Panama Garden Resort or Altezza Lodge) before the expedition and one night after; The hotels have everything for your comfortable stay - caring staff, nice rooms, reliable Wi-Fi, restaurant and swimming pool).

  • Tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro (modern, comfortable 4-Season tents North Face VE-25 or Jerry Kilimanjaro Tents).

Please Note:

All hotel accommodation is based on a sharing basis (i.e. you will be sharing with your travel companion a twin/double room. If you travel solo on a group expedition, we will room you with a same-sex participant. Single occupancy in a hotel is available upon request and extra chargers apply.

Meals:

  • Breakfast in the hotel before and after the trek.

  • All meals on the trek. Our Kilimanjaro diet includes energy-rich and highly nutritious meals prepared by our professional high-altitude cooks. In our menu you will find different soups, garnishes, several types of fish and meat, fresh fruit and vegetables; vegetarian/gluten-free/halal options are available at no extra cost.

  • All drinks on the trek (juices, coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water).

  • We send a resupply of fresh food from our office to your camp on Day 4.

Entrance Fees:

All park fees collected by the Kilimanjaro National Park (conservation fees, camping fees, crew fees, rescue fees and all other fees collected by the Tanzania National Parks Authority).

Hiking and safety equipment:

  • 2-inches thick and comfortable sleeping mattresses.

  • All group equipment (spacious and comfortable dining tent, camping table and chairs, crockery and cutlery).

  • Dry bag (to protect your duffel bag).

  • Portable toilets (one unit can be comfortably shared between up to 3 people).

  • Bottled oxygen and pulse oximeter.

  • GPS-tracking service.

  • Complete medical kits including Diamox.

Award:

Of course, we have a high success rate and your trip includes a Certificate of Achievement if you make it to the summit at Uhuru (5,895 metres). But your trip includes a Certificate of Achievement even if you only reach Gilman’s Point (5,685 metres).

Exclude

Travel Insurance:

We advise you to purchase Travel insurance for your Kilimanjaro trek as it protects you from accidents and unforeseen circumstances, you’d never dream of happening on your once-in-a-lifetime trek.

Make sure your travel insurance covers you for:

  • Emergency Rescues

  • Overseas Medical expenses

  • Delays in flights and other delays, etc.

Entry visa for Tanzania:

$100 per person for USA Citizens and $50 per person for All Other Nationalities. You can find out more about Kilimanjaro Visa

Personal & Medical items:

  • Locks for bags

  • Money belt

  • Sewing kit

  • Wet wipes

  • Antibacterial gel

  • Prescription medication

Tips for the trip crew:

We would like to suggest an amount of $305 - $345 per person which is shared with the entire trekking team. It is perfectly acceptable to give more or less than that amount.

Personal Gear:

  • Though all group camping equipment is included in our Kilimanjaro packages, your personal outfit (mostly clothes for climbing) is not. Thus, you should bring all personal gear for your Kilimanjaro adventure. Our consultants will let you know what you will need for the expedition.

  • If you do not have certain gear, you may hire everything necessary from us. All equipment is new (we renew our stock every six months). However, remember that personal gear hire is not included in your tour price and extra fees apply.

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Rongai Route Faq’s

Top most Frequently Asked Questions guide about Kilimanjaro Rongai Route. Jerry Tanzania Tours Has Collected All In the following Kilimanjaro Rongai Rotue FAQs List & have tried to solve them In the best Possible Way. Read On To Find Out.

June-September is the Best Time To Climb Kilimanjaro, as the weather is best. That said, since it is close to the equator it is possible to climb the mountain at any time of the year. April and May are the rainy season so most climbers avoid these months. November is a short rainy month, however the northern side of Kilimanjaro is in a rain shadow so if you are confined to this month then the Rongai Route is a good option.

The Rongai Route is considered to be one of the easier routes up Kilimanjaro, offering a gradual and steady climb. However, the route does not offer a "climb high, sleep low" acclimatization day, therefore it could be perceived as more difficult than the Machame or Lemosho routes which offer such an acclimatization opportunity. It's a good idea to work on your aerobic fitness before taking on the trek.

Rongai Route is a reasonably difficult route, and is highly recommended, especially for those with less backpacking experience. Although the scenery is not as varied as the western routes, Rongai makes up for this by passing through true wilderness areas for nearly the entire way.

Rongai Route Preparation includes any physical activity you can participate before your ascent. It depends upon how hard you train before the climbing, whether you're aiming for the Uhuru Peak or embarking on a shorter journey and this will be different for everyone.

The Rongai Route is considered to be the easiest route up Mount Kilimanjaro. The climb is both gradual and steady. However, the Rongai Route does not have a great climb high sleep low profile which makes it arguably more difficult than the Machame or Lemosho routes. The 7 days Rongai Route option is highly recommended as it allows for better acclimatization. No technical climbing is required however level of fitness is required.

The Rongai Route Success Rate are greatly increased with the longer trek option. The average success rate across all operators is 80% for the 7 days Rongai Route and a 65% success rate for the 6 days Rongai Route. However, we have a 95% summit success rate for both Rongai route climb.

The Rongai Route is the only route that approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the north, near the Kenyan border. It is probably the only route where seeing wildlife in the first days is possible. After passing through rainforest you ascend through moorlands and then up into the high alpine zones before reaching the glacial zone.

The Rongai Route is the least frequented of the Kilimanjaro routes. It's the only route to approach the summit from the northern side of the mountain. Climber often don't consider the Rongai route because of the perception that it's not as beautiful. However, it's actually a very beautiful Kilimanjaro route. We think it's a good choice if you're looking for a quieter, more relaxed climb.

Jeremiah Kimambo

Managing Director

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