Compare 7-day Rongai tours & realize an 80% Kilimanjaro summit guarantee when you hike this Rongai route 7 day itinerary. This especially applies if you’re under 30 years of age and have no experience hiking at high altitudes.
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Difficulty:
Low
Distance:
81km/50mi
Duration:
7 Days
Success Rate:
80%
The Rongai route 7 days itinerary ranks second as one of the easiest of all the seven official routes to trek on Kilimanjaro. Though this is the case, the route lags behind in acclimatization opportunities. Aside from being one of the shortest routes on the mountain, it also happens to be the least frequented. This is great if you’d prefer to trek in solitude.
If this is your first-time hiking at high elevations (above 3,000m/9,900ft), you should know that the most effective way to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro is to properly acclimatize during your hike. Long and relatively gradual routes like the 7-day Rongai route are good for acclimatization systems to be utilized. See, on Kilimanjaro, there are 2 systems that prevent altitude sickness:
- The first method, Pole Pole (Slow-Slow in English), requires you to be on the mountain long enough for your body to acclimate to various altitudes.
- The second method, Trek-High & Sleep-Low, calls for trails to have gradual inclines in order for you to trek to high elevations and sleep at lower altitudes. This method conditions your body to anticipate elevation changes while helping you adjust during your sleep.
Unless you find yourself between the ages of 12 and 29, you should seriously consider trekking Lemosho route’s 8-day variation. This will give you ample time to adjust to elevation changes and will make for a much better hiking experience. The 8-day Lemosho program, unlike the 7-day Rongai hike, performs extremely well with hikers that are under 40 years of age.
Highlights From This Long-Distance Trail
Best Time To Hike Rongai Route
Dietary Food Menus Served On Mount Kilimanjaro
All of your meals on Kilimanjaro are freshly cooked by excellent chefs and served according to your dietary preference.
Meet Your Tanzanian Tour Guide
Oscar (Cheni)
Cheni is technical and has extensive knowledge of Mount Kilimanjaro. He is one of our best lead guides and is well trained to handle emergencies on the mountain.
Safety Trekking Materials & Hiking Equipment
High-Altitude Kits
Medication & Sanitary Treatments
Wraps, Splints & Wound Coverings
Tools & Supplies
Evacuation Protocols On This Walking Tour
Transportation & Meeting Points
Departure Time
10:00 AM
Kilimanjaro National Park Fees
| Kilimanjaro National Park fees | |
| Conservation Fees | $70/Per Day |
| Camping Fees | $50/Per Night |
| Rescue Fees | $20/Per Hiker |
| Guide and Porter Entrance Fees | $2/Per Supporting Crew |
| Forest Entry Fees | $10/Per Hiker |
| Forest Vehicle Entry Fees | $20/Per Vehicle |
| Forest Support Crew Entry Fees | $1/Per Supporting Crew |
| Tourism Value Added Tax (VAT) | 18% |
| Retail Value Added Tax (VAT) | 18% |
| Total | $1,194.68 |
Compare Rongai Route’s 7-Day Prices & Package Tours
Open Group Treks
Save Costs Hiking 7 Days Up Rongai Route With A Kilimanjaro Tour Group. The Escorted Tour Includes:
$2,840
Private Treks
Get Kilimanjaro Privacy & Flexibility Hiking Rongai Route’s 7 Days Private Package. The Escorted Tour includes:
$3,150
Package Tours Exclude
How To Book A Package Tour
Payment Process
Paying For Group Treks
Paying For Private Treks
Planning To Climb Kilimanjaro?
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7-Day Mountain Climbing Itinerary & Cumulative Elevation Gains
DAY 1 — KILIMANJARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
All trekkers will have to arrange their own flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and apply for their own visas through the online immigration portal. Visa guidelines are also available on the official immigration website.
Note, if you’re arriving from a country subject to yellow fever, you will be required to show proof of vaccination. A 72-hour PCR test is required for entry.
A transfer will be arranged to drop off you and your luggage at the hotel to unwind from your travels. Briefing will take place in the evening or early morning.
Airport Pick-Up
Car Transfer
Hotel Drop-Off
DAY 2 — RONGAI GATE TO RONGAI CAVE
After breakfast, at your hotel, you’ll be driven to the Rongai gate via Marangu gate. The path winds through corn and potato fields before gently ascending into a forest that is home to black and white colobus monkeys.
Elevation: 6,398ft-9,300ft
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Distance: 5 mi/8 km
Habitat: East African Montane Forests
DAY 3 — RONGAI CAVE TO SECOND CAVE
In the morning, you’ll begin with a steady incline up the second cave.
Elevation: 9,300ft-11,300ft
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Distance: 4 mi/6 km
Habitat: Heath & East African Montane Moorlands
SECOND CAVE TO KIKELEWA CAVE
You’ll continue trekking through moorland, past the jagged peaks of Mawenzi until finally arriving at Kikelewa Cave for the night.
Elevation: 11,300ft-11,811ft
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Distance: 4 mi/6 km
Habitat: Heath & East African Montane Moorlands
DAY 4 — KIKELEWA CAVE TO MAWENZI TARN
Today’s hike is short and steep. The slopes are grassy and offer a stunning view of the wilderness area. The landscape changes drastically after you exit the heath zone. The camp is beneath the jagged spires of Mawenzi.
Elevation: 11,811ft-14,160ft
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Distance: 3 mi/5 km
Habitat: Alpine Tundra
DAY 5 — MAWENZI TARN TO MAWENZI RIDGE
This day is solely designed for acclimatization. The unique landscape offers captivating views of Kibo and Mawenzi from this interval.
Elevation: 14,160ft-14,400ft
Hiking Time: 1-2 hours
Distance: 1 mi/2 km
Habitat: Alpine Tundra
MAWENZI RIDGE TO MAWENZI TARN
You’ll spend the day hiking to Mawenzi ridge and back to Mawenzi tarn for camp.
Elevation: 14,400ft -14,160ft
Hiking Time: 1-2 hours
Distance: 1 mile/2 km
Habitat: Alpine Tundra
DAY 6 — MAWENZI TARN TO KIBO HUT
After breakfast you’ll gradually trek across the Luna desert of the “Saddle” which is surrounded by Mawenzi and Kibo. Once at Kibo hut, you have an early dinner and rest as you prepare for the summit day.
Elevation: 14,160ft-15,430ft
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Distance: 5 mi/8 km
Habitat: Alpine Tundra
DAY 7 — KIBO HUT TO UHURU PEAK (SUMMIT)
Around midnight, you’ll begin your push toward the summit. You’re required to be mentally and physically keen as this will be the most challenging section of your trek. Expect extreme wind and cold weather as you ascend in darkness for several hours. You’ll have frequent breaks along the path past Stella Point before arriving at your summit at Uhuru Peak.
Elevation: 15,430ft-19,341ft
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Distance: 4 mi/6 km
Habitat: Arctic
UHURU PEAK (SUMMIT) TO HOROMBO HUT
Once you make your way to the highest point of the mountain, you’ll be guided down to Horombo Hut after having your lunch at Barafu.
Elevation: 19,341ft-12,205ft
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Distance: 10 mi/16 km
Habitat: East African Montane Forests
DAY 8 — HOROMBO HUT TO MARANGU GATE
This day, you’ll mostly trek downhill as you descend down through the tropical forest until you reach the park headquarters at Marangu gate. There, you’ll receive your certificate and be driven to your hotel at Moshi town.
Elevation: 12,205ft-6,046ft
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Distance: 12 mi/20 km
Habitat: East African Montane Forests
DAY 9 —KILIMANJARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT/NEXT TOUR
If you have booked a Wildlife Safari or Zanzibar Beach Holiday package with us, you’ll be transferred to the next chapter of your journey. If you have not booked an additional trip with XPATS International, you’ll be transferred to the airport.
Hotel Pick-Up
Car Transfer
Next Expedition
Lodging
Overnight Stays At The Hotel Before & After Your Hike
Camping Tents At The Mountain’s Campsites
Trekking Map Of The Rongai Route On Kilimanjaro
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