7 Days Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro Rongai Route | Climb Mount Kilimanjaro

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Daily Tour 7 day Availability: 2019-01-01
Mt Kilimanjaro, Tanzania Tanzania Tour Guide: 7 Days Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro Rongai Route | Climb Mount Kilimanjaro

7 Days climbing Mt Kilimanjaro or a 6 day climb is a hiking adventure you can’t miss, due to the few people on Rongai 7 days climbing route. This 6 night Kilimanjaro hike and trek passes through very remote and exclusive trails avoiding the crowds. The Rongai seven day Kilimanjaro climb is very interesting for campers and very scenic.

Here are some facts about 7 days climbing mt kilimanjaro 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, this route still experiences low crowds. Rongai has a more gradual slope than the mountain’s other routes. It is the preferred route for those looking for an alternative to the popular 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). Rongai is a moderately 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. Descent is made via the Marangu route.

Sojourn Safaris offers Rongai as a seven day group climb or a six or seven private climb. The six day variation does not have an acclimatization day on day four at Mawenzi Tarn.

To climb Mount Kilimanjaro on the Rongai route used to guarantee you a quiet trek away from the masses.
The Rongai route is marketed as a remote wilderness experience and for much of the year it still is.

But watch out: over the last years Rongai has seen a surge in popularity.

If you climb Kilimanjaro on the Rongai route during the main season (August to mid October) and if your climb starts on the usual group departure day, you may find yourself in the middle of a pretty big crowd.

(Most groups depart Sunday, so people can finish work Friday, arrive Saturday, start climbing on Sunday and be back in the office the Monday after.)

Still, Rongai remains much quieter than the popular Machame or Marangu trails. It also has several other advantages that should make it one of your first choices:

  • Rongai is the easiest route up Kilimanjaro, in some respects easier than Marangu. Rongai has excellent success rates.
  • Rongai is the only route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the north. You have to descend on the Marangu route on the southern side, so you get to see both sides of the mountain.
  • The northern side of Kilimanjaro is drier. You are unlikely to have to slosh through mud and drizzle on the first two days (not unusual on any of the other routes).

A drawback is that to get to the other side of Kilimanjaro you have to drive for a couple of hours, and that costs extra. So Rongai is more expensive than a six day trail on Machame or Marangu.

The other drawback is that the Rongai route has a reputation as being less scenic than other routes.

However, that applies mostly to day one, when you will be trekking through fairly open country instead of the dense rainforest. But you’ll see the rainforest on your descent! You are not missing out on anything.

As for the rest of the Kilimanjaro climb on the Rongai route, read the detailed Itinerary above.

Other Mt Kilimanjaro Climbing Routes

5 Days Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro Marangu Route

6 Days Machame Route Climbing Kilimanjaro

8 Days Mt Kilimanjaro Climb Lemosho Route

7 Days climbing Mt Kilimanjaro or a 6 day climb is a hiking adventure you can’t miss, due to the few people on Rongai 7 days climbing route. This 6 night Kilimanjaro hike and trek passes through very remote and exclusive trails avoiding the crowds. The Rongai seven day Kilimanjaro climb is very interesting for campers and very scenic.

DAY 1. Rongai Gate to Rongai Cave

Elevation: 6,398 ft to 9,300 ft
Distance: 8 km/5 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest

We drive from Moshi to Marangu Gate for permits before taking a short transfer to the Rongai Gate trailhead. The path winds through corn and potato fields and then climbs gently through the forest which is home to a variety of wildlife, including the black and white colobus monkey.

DAY 2. Rongai Cave to to Second Cave

Elevation: 9,300 ft to 11,300 ft
Distance: 6 km/4 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Heath

Second Cave to Kikelewa Cave
Elevation: 11,300 ft to 11,811 ft
Distance: 6 km/4 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Heath

We begin this morning with a steady incline up to Second Cave. We continue trekking though moorland, leaving the main trail for a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi, before finally arriving at Kikelewa Cave for the night.

DAY 3. Kikelewa Cave to Mawenzi Tarn

Elevation: 11,811 ft to 14,160 ft
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

The hike today is short and steep up a grassy slope. Views of the wilderness area are stunning. As we exit the heath zone and emerge into the Alpine Desert zone, the landscape changes dramatically. Our camp is situated beneath the jagged spires of Mawenzi, at Mawenzi Tarn. The remainder of the day can be spent relaxing or exploring the area.

DAY 4. Mawenzi Tarn to Mawenzi Ridge

Elevation (ft): 14,160 ft -14,400 ft
Distance: 2 km/1 mile
Hiking Time: 1-2 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Mawenzi Ridge to Mawenzi Tarn
Elevation (ft): 14,400 ft -14,160 ft
Distance: 2 km/1 mile
Hiking Time: 1-2 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

This is an extra day meant for acclimatization and can be spent day hiking on Mawenzi Ridge. The unique landscape offers motivating views of Kibo and Mawenzi. After spending a few moments exploring the area we head back to Mawenzi Tarn for camp.

DAY 5. Marwenzi Tarn to Kibo Hut

Elevation (ft): 14,160 ft to 15,430 ft
Distance: 8 km/5 miles
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

We climb gradually, then cross the lunar desert of the “Saddle” between Mawenzi and Kibo. Our camp, Kibo Hut, sits at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. Once here we rest, enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day.

DAY 6. Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak

Elevation (ft): 15,430 ft to 19,341 ft
Distance: 6 km/4 miles
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Arctic

Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut
Elevation (ft): 19,341 ft to 12,250 ft
Distance: 16 km/10 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Heath

Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. At Gilman’s point (18,600 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.

After spending a few moments taking in the plains of Africa and your accomplishment, we descend to Horombo Hut. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

DAY 7. Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate

Elevation (ft): 12,205 ft to 6,046 ft
Distance: 20 km/12 miles
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest

On our last day, we have a long trek mostly downhill through the tropical rainforest. Once at the park headquarters at Marangu gate, we collect our summit certificates. A vehicle will meet us here and drive us back to the hotel in Moshi.

Contact us by filling in the form top right or send us a whatsapp message on +254722661827

Other Mt Kilimanjaro Climbing Routes

5 Days Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro Marangu Route

6 Days Machame Route Climbing Kilimanjaro

8 Days Mt Kilimanjaro Climb Lemosho Route

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