Rongai route Overview

Starting from the northeastern side of the mountain near the Kenyan border, the Rongai Route rises above the Amboseli plains and approach the summit of Kilimanjaro west of the Mawenzi peak. It is an unfrequented route and is also the easiest camping approach to Uhuru Peak. The descent normally uses the Marangu Route. There are two variations to this route. Rongai route is best option during the rainy season, due to its location, which receive little rain. This route can be climbed for 6days, although 7days is recommend for better acclimatization.

6-DAYS CLIMB + 2 DAYS IN HOTEL 1 pax 2 pax 3 pax 4 pax 5 pax 6 pax 7 pax 8+ pax
 RONGAI ROUTE $2,832 $2,239 $2,105 $1,991 $1,945 $1,880 $1,837 $1,817

Itinerary

  • 1
    Day 1 - Arrival.
    Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where you will meet an Aris Treks & Safaris representative, and transfer to the hotel under the rate. The hotel will provide all the essentials for a comfortable stay: cozy rooms, hot water, polite staff, a swimming pool, and Internet access. In the evening there will be a briefing with our managers, who will also make sure you are ready to begin the climb.

    Note: Check-in starts at 2:00 PM.
  • 2
    Day 2 Trekking from Nalemuru Gate to Simba Camp
    A guide and a mountain support crew will arrive at the hotel in the morning in order to meet you and hold a quick briefing, after which you will travel by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park's northern entrance: Nalemuru Gate (2,020 m). After the quick formality of acquiring climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, the group will start trekking up to Simba Camp (2,625 m). Your trek this day will be moderate and take you through coniferous forest up Kilimanjaro's northern slope. Remember not to hurry and always keep a comfortable pace. By the time you reach the camp, our professional mountain crew will prepare everything necessary, put tents and cook dinner for you.

    This will be your first day at this altitude, so it is strongly recommended you heed the following instructions from this point on:

      - Abstain from consuming alcohol and caffeine.
      - Drink over 4 liters of bottled water daily (little by little, frequently).
      - Take a Diamox pill to help alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness. Most mountain climbers take Diamox in the morning, before they start their ascent, in order to reduce discomfort associated with altitude sickness. We recommend you consult your doctor prior to the trip in case of potential allergies.
      At night you may experience discomfort associated with acclimatization to the high altitude: because of a reduction in your waking breathing pattern, your body gets less oxygen than during the day. Taking altitude into account, you may therefore start feeling sick and have a headache. Pay attention to your own body and tell your guide if you start feeling any symptoms of altitude sickness.

      Change in Elevation: Nalemuru Gate (2,020 m) — Simba Camp (2,625 m)
      Hiking distance: 8 km
      Hiking time: 3–4 hours
  • 3
    Day 3 Trekking from Simba Camp to Kikilewa Camp
    Early in the morning after breakfast, the group will depart from Simba Camp to start trekking towards your second high altitude camp: Kikilewa Camp (3,630 m) where you can see Kibo Volcano at its finest (barring cloudy weather). This trekking is more physically demanding than the previous one, so once you are in the camp, full rest is recommended.

    Change in Elevation: Simba Camp (2,625 m) — Kikilewa Camp (3,630 m)
    Hiking distance: 10 km
    Hiking time: 5–6 hours
  • 4
    Day 4 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.

    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.

    Trekking from Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp:
    Change in Elevation: Kikilewa Camp (3,630 m) — Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,310 m)
    Hiking distance: 6 km Hiking time: 4–5 hours

    Acclimatization hike:
    Change in Elevation: Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,310 m) — Destination point en route to Mawenzi Volcano (4,510 m)
    Hiking distance: 2 km
    Hiking time: 1–2 hours
  • 5
    Day 5 Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,310 m) — Destination point en route to Mawenzi Volcano (4,510 m)
    This day will be spent trekking towards School Hut Camp (4,715 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).

    Change in Elevation: Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,310 m) — School Hut Camp (4,715 m)
    Hiking distance: 9 km
    Hiking time: 5–6 hours
  • 6
    Day 6 Trekking to Uhuru Peak and Descent to Horombo Camp
    Night departure from School Hut Camp (4,715 m) and the start of your trekking to Kilimanjaro's summit: Uhuru peak (5,895 m). The trekking will be moderate from a physical standpoint, but the altitude presents a much more serious problem. For the entire length of the trekking each pair of climbers will be accompanied by their own guide, who will be monitoring your stamina and mental resolve. After your successful ascent to Uhuru Peak, you can descend to the nearest glacier if desired. Then you will return to Kibo Camp and after a two-hour rest continue your descent to Horombo Camp (3,720 m).

    Note: Don't forget that 90% of all accidents occur during the descent, including all broken arms and legs. Please pay attention to your feet, as there is a high risk of damaging your toenails. Change in Elevation: School Hut Camp (4,715 m) — Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) — Horombo Camp (3,720 m)
    Hiking distance: 21 km
    Hiking time: 12–14 hours
  • 7
    Day 7 Descent from Horombo Camp to Marangu Gate
    You will be offered a warm breakfast in the morning, after which we will head for the Kilimanjaro National Park's exit: Marangu Gate (1,860 m). After your descent the whole group will gather to congratulate you, and then you will have the chance to share your opinions on the trip in the guestbook. Lastly, we will present you with your commemorative certificates (in our office) and provide you a transfer back to the hotel.

    Change in Elevation: Horombo Camp (3,720 m) — Marangu Gate (1,860 m)
    Hiking distance: 18 km
    Hiking time: 5–6 hours
  • 8
    Day 8 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.
7-DAYS CLIMB + 2 DAYS IN HOTEL 1 pax 2 pax 3 pax 4 pax 5 pax 6 pax 7 pax 8+ pax
 RONGAI ROUTE $2,832 $2,239 $2,105 $1,991 $1,945 $1,880 $1,837 $1,817

Itinerary

  • 1
    Day 1 - Arrival.
    Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where you will meet an Aris Treks & Safaris representative, and transfer to the hotel under the rate. The hotel will provide all the essentials for a comfortable stay: cozy rooms, hot water, polite staff, a swimming pool, and Internet access. In the evening there will be a briefing with our managers, who will also make sure you are ready to begin the climb.

    Note: Check-in starts at 2:00 PM.
  • 2
    Day 2 Trekking from Nalemuru Gate to Simba Camp
    A guide and a mountain support crew will arrive at the hotel in the morning in order to meet you and hold a quick briefing, after which you will travel by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park's northern entrance: Nalemuru Gate (2,020 m). After the quick formality of acquiring climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, the group will start trekking up to Simba Camp (2,625 m). Your trek this day will be moderate and take you through coniferous forest up Kilimanjaro's northern slope. Remember not to hurry and always keep a comfortable pace. By the time you reach the camp, our professional mountain crew will prepare everything necessary, put tents and cook dinner for you.

    This will be your first day at this altitude, so it is strongly recommended you heed the following instructions from this point on:

      - Abstain from consuming alcohol and caffeine.
      - Drink over 4 liters of bottled water daily (little by little, frequently).
      - Take a Diamox pill to help alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness. Most mountain climbers take Diamox in the morning, before they start their ascent, in order to reduce discomfort associated with altitude sickness. We recommend you consult your doctor prior to the trip in case of potential allergies.
      At night you may experience discomfort associated with acclimatization to the high altitude: because of a reduction in your waking breathing pattern, your body gets less oxygen than during the day. Taking altitude into account, you may therefore start feeling sick and have a headache. Pay attention to your own body and tell your guide if you start feeling any symptoms of altitude sickness.

      Change in Elevation: Nalemuru Gate (2,020 m) — Simba Camp (2,625 m)
      Hiking distance: 8 km
      Hiking time: 3–4 hours
  • 3
    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.

    Trekking from Simba Camp to Second Cave Camp: Altitude gain: Simba Camp (2,625 m) — Second Cave Camp (3,480 m)
    Walking distance: 4 km
    Duration: 2–3 hours

    Acclimatization hike: Altitude gain: Second Cave Camp (3,480 m) — Kikilewa Camp (3,580 m)
    Walking distance: 2.5 km
    Duration: 1–2 hrs

    Note: Check-in starts at 2:00 PM
  • 4
    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.

    Altitude gain: Second Cave Camp (3,480 m) — Kikilewa Camp (3,630 m)
    Walking distance: 5 km Duration: 3–4 hours
  • 5
    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.

    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.

    Trekking from Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp:
    Change in Elevation: Kikilewa Camp (3,630 m) — Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,310 m)
    Hiking distance: 6 km Hiking time: 4–5 hours

    Acclimatization hike:
    Change in Elevation: Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,310 m) — Destination point en route to Mawenzi Volcano (4,510 m)
    Hiking distance: 2 km
    Hiking time: 1–2 hours
  • 6
    Day 6 Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,310 m) — Destination point en route to Mawenzi Volcano (4,510 m)
    This day will be spent trekking towards School Hut Camp (4,715 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).

    Change in Elevation: Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,310 m) — School Hut Camp (4,715 m)
    Hiking distance: 9 km
    Hiking time: 5–6 hours
  • 7
    Day 7 Trekking to Uhuru Peak and Descent to Horombo Camp
    Night departure from School Hut Camp (4,715 m) and the start of your trekking to Kilimanjaro's summit: Uhuru peak (5,895 m). The trekking will be moderate from a physical standpoint, but the altitude presents a much more serious problem. For the entire length of the trekking each pair of climbers will be accompanied by their own guide, who will be monitoring your stamina and mental resolve. After your successful ascent to Uhuru Peak, you can descend to the nearest glacier if desired. Then you will return to Kibo Camp and after a two-hour rest continue your descent to Horombo Camp (3,720 m).

    Note: Don't forget that 90% of all accidents occur during the descent, including all broken arms and legs. Please pay attention to your feet, as there is a high risk of damaging your toenails. Change in Elevation: School Hut Camp (4,715 m) — Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) — Horombo Camp (3,720 m)
    Hiking distance: 21 km
    Hiking time: 12–14 hours
  • 8
    Day 8 Descent from Horombo Camp to Marangu Gate
    You will be offered a warm breakfast in the morning, after which we will head for the Kilimanjaro National Park's exit: Marangu Gate (1,860 m). After your descent the whole group will gather to congratulate you, and then you will have the chance to share your opinions on the trip in the guestbook. Lastly, we will present you with your commemorative certificates (in our office) and provide you a transfer back to the hotel.

    Change in Elevation: Horombo Camp (3,720 m) — Marangu Gate (1,860 m)
    Hiking distance: 18 km
    Hiking time: 5–6 hours
  • 9
    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.


The climb cost includes:

- Meeting at Kilimanjaro International Airport;
- Transfer to the hotel*;
- Accommodation prior to the climb (including breakfast; sharing a twin room);
- Transfer to the trail head;
- Professional mountain crew. All guides have "Wilderness First Responder" and "Wilderness First Aid" certificates, along with over 7 years of experience in climbing. Each participant will be provided with a porter (who can carry up to 15 kg of personal baggage);
- Kilimanjaro National Park permits;
- Kilimanjaro National Park rescue fees;
- Camping/hut fees;
- 3 square meals daily. The menu includes different soups, garnishes, several types of fish and meat, fresh fruit and vegetables; vegetarian options are available upon request;
- Modern The North Face VE-25 tents**;
- Oxygen systems and pulse oximeters;
- First aid kit;
- Warm and comfortable sleeping pads (2 inches thick);
- Group equipment (dining tent, table, chairs, crockery and cutlery);
- Meeting the group at the National Park exit and transfer to the hotel;
- Accommodation after the climb (including breakfast; sharing a twin room);
- International certificates for a successful ascent;
- Return transfer to Kilimanjaro airport.

The climb cost excludes:

- Airline tickets;
- Visa fee;
- Lunch and dinner at the hotel (before and after the ascent);
- Personal gear rentals;
- Tips for the mountain crew (200–250 USD per person);
- Mountaineering insurance.