9 Days Rongai Route Kilimanjaro Trekking

Itinerary Highlight

Rongai is the only route starting on the northern slope of Kilimanjaro. Though this part of the Mountain is rarely visited by hikers, it is not less interesting than the popular southern and western slopes. We recommend Rongai to all those who like reclusive hiking experiences.

Getting to the trailhead – Nalemuru Gate – usually takes 3-4 hours from Aishi Machame Hotel.

Rongai is also the only route that passes by Mawenzi, one of the three volcanic cones of Kilimanjaro and the third highest peak in Africa. The way back lies through Marangu, and thus you will be able to see both sides of the mountain.

Though six and seven-day programs are available, a longer option is recommended for better acclimatization transition.

Day 1 | Arrival

A Tanzania Joyous Time driver who will take you to your hotel will await you at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). The hotels in our programmes offer the comfort of rooms with hot showers, genial service teams, swimming pools and free Internet.

Note: Check-in starts at 2:00 PM.

Day 2 | Trekking from Nalemuru Gate to Simba Camp

You will meet your mountain guides and crew in the morning before setting out for Kilimanjaro National Park’s northern entrance: Nalemuru Gate (2,020 m). Here, the head guide will acquire the necessary permits and finalize search and rescue registration.
This day’s trek through coniferous forest of Kilimanjaro’s northern slope to Simba Camp is moderate, taking you up to 2,625 m. Remember not to hurry and maintain a comfortable pace. By the time you reach the camp, our professional mountain crew will have pitched your tents and started dinner preparations.

It is advisable to adhere to the following rules from the very beginning of your climb:

• Stay away from alcohol and caffeine.
• Make sure you drink a minimum of 4 liters of water every day, taking it frequently and in small doses.
• The use of Diamox tablets is a good idea as it staves off altitude sickness symptoms. These are taken in the morning before the day’s climb. Consult your family doctor to make sure that you can safely take it.

Do not be unduly alarmed if you experience discomfort during the night- high altitude has this effect on the human body. Nausea and headaches are a common occurrence in the mountains. However, make sure you alert your guide to any symptoms of altitude sickness.

Day 3 | Trekking from Simba Camp to Second Cave Camp

Early in the morning after breakfast, the group will depart from Simba Camp to start trekking towards your second high altitude camp: Second Cave Camp (3,480 m). This route is rather easy and will only take around 3 hours, so when you reach the camp you will still have ample time to rest and explore the surrounding area. After lunch you will have a couple hours to rest, followed by an acclimatization hike in the direction of Kikilewa Camp (3,630 m) on a stretch of the Rongai Route at a short distance with a 100-meter gain in altitude, after which you will hike back down to Second Cave Camp.

Note: The acclimatization hike is an easy trek with a slight gain in altitude done in order to speed up the acclimatization process. You should take the acclimatization hikes very seriously. They help increase your chances of successfully summiting Kilimanjaro and save you from the consequences of altitude sickness.

Acclimatization hike:
Change in Elevation: Second Cave Camp (3,480 m) —  Kikilewa Camp (3,580 m)
Hiking distance: 2,5 km
Hiking time: 1–2 hours

Day 4 | Trekking from Second cave Camp to Kikilewa Camp

After breakfast you will begin trekking to Kikilewa Camp (3,630 m), where you can see Kibo Volcano at its finest (barring cloudy weather). This will be a relief day, so after lunch you will have time to sleep before the next trekking towards Mawenzi Tarn Camp. In the evening after dinner the guide will check health conditions of the each person of the group and give the necessary instructions for tomorrow’s trekking.

Day 5 | Trekking from Kikilewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn Camp

Early wakeup, breakfast and the start of trekking to Mawenzi Tarn Camp, which is situated at the foot of Mawenzi Volcano, Kilimanjaro’s second summit. When you reach the camp, you will have lunch and a two-hour rest, after which there will be an acclimatization hike towards Mawenzi Volcano with a 200-meter gain in altitude, followed by a hike back down to Mawenzi Tarn Camp, where you will have dinner in the evening.

Acclimatization hike:
Change in Elevation: Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,310 m) —  Mawenzi Volcano (4,510 m)
Hiking distance: 2 km
Hiking time: 1–2 hours

Day 6 | Trekking from Mawenzi Tarn Camp to Kibo Camp

This day will be spent trekking towards Kibo Summit Camp (4,700 m). The landscape will change significantly to give
way to a rocky semidesert. The actual trekking is not very difficult; just remember to stick with an appropriate pace to
keep up your strength for the trekking to Kilimanjaro’s summit. When you reach the camp, we recommend you sleep
well, avoid strenuous activity, and drink as much as you can, because that very night you will be ascending Uhuru Peak
(5,895 m).

Day 7 | Uhuru Peak Summit Attempt and Descent to Horombo Hut

The team will depart School Hut Camp with its elevation of 4,715 m at night. The trek up to Uhuru Peak’s 5,895 m puts more of a strain on your cardiovascular system than your muscles as the high altitude takes its toll on your body despite the moderate gradient of the climb. One guide will be assigned to every two climbers, constantly evaluating their fitness over the duration of this part of the climb. A walk on the nearest glacier can be undertaken upon reaching the summit. The descent to 3,720 m at Horombo Camp will include a 2-hour rest stop at Kibo Camp. It is highly advisable to keep in mind that 9 out of 10 climbing accident happen on the way down, so watch your step right there!

Day 8 | Final Descent to Marangu Gate

The final descent to Marangu Gate’s 1,860 m starts after breakfast. The stop at the gate presents a good opportunity for a last exchange of impressions and memories of the expedition with the whole of your support crew. The climbers will receive their certificates of achievement at our offices before being driven back to their hotel.

Day 9 | Departure

Rest in the hotel and transfer to the airport.

Note: Hotel check-out is at 11:00 AM. In case you need a late check-out because of an evening flight, there is the option to extend your hotel stay for an extra fee.