9 Days Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Via The Challenging 6-Day Rongai Route : Climb Mount Kilimanjaro on this 6 Day Rongai Route, the challenging Rongai Route is particularly a popular route among experienced climbers. It is the only route to summit of Kilimanjaro that begins on the northern part, near the Kenyan border. It is windier and drier on the northern side of the mountain. Therefore, it has less vegetation here and you can often see far – overlooking the beautiful Kenyan landscape.
The descent is via the Marangu Route (south) so you get to see both sides of Mount Kilimanjaro. The entire ascent including descent via the Rongai Route takes six days. If you want to, you can add an additional day of trekking. This is even highly recommended! An extra day gives your body more time to get used to the altitude and increases the chance for you to reach the top of Mount Kilimanjaro without experiencing any altitude sickness.
Highlights of 9 Days Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Via The Challenging 6-Day Rongai Route
- Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport for your climb
- Day 2: Rongai Route (1/6) | Rongai Gate (1,950 m/6,398 ft) – First Cave Camp (2,650 m/8,694 ft)
- Day 3: Rongai Route (2/6) | First Cave Camp (2,650 m/8,694 ft) – Kikelewa Camp (3,660 m/12,007 ft)
- Day 4: Rongai Route (3/6) | Kikelewa Camp (3,660 m/12,007 ft) – Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,305 m/13,238 ft)
- Day 5: Rongai Route (4/6) | Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,305 m/13,238 ft) – Kibo Huts Camp (4,720 m/15,485 ft)
- Day 6: Rongai Route (5/6) | Kibo Huts Camp (4,720 m/15,485 ft) – Uhuru Peak (5,895 m/19,340 ft) – Horombo Huts (3,720 m/12,204 ft)
- Day 7: Rongai Route (6/6) | Horombo Huts (3,720 m/12,204 ft) – Marangu Gate (1,860 m/6,102 ft) – Hotel
- Day 8 – 9: Flight home from Kilimanjaro International Airport after the climb
Detailed itinerary of 9 Days Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Via The Challenging 6-Day Rongai Route
Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport for your climb
When you arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport our representative (your guide) is there waiting for you. He then drops you off at your hotel, where you can relax from your flight. Preparation for your climb: You meet your guide before the start of your climb, where he briefs you and offers advice on what to wear, what to pack, and other important tips to make your climb as comfortable as possible.
Day 2: Rongai Route (1/6) | Rongai Gate (1,950 m/6,398 ft) – First Cave Camp (2,650 m/8,694 ft)
Your adventure begins when your guide picks you up at your hotel and drives you for about two hours to the Rongai Gate. You then start this exciting adventure ascending through beautiful lush forests filled with diverse animal sounds.
After lunch break, you continue until the first camp on the Rongai Route, which is on the less forested north side of the mountain. This quieter route gives you plenty of chances to spot different kinds of wildlife.
Day 3: Rongai Route (2/6) | First Cave Camp (2,650 m/8,694 ft) – Kikelewa Camp (3,660 m/12,007 ft)
Today’s hike takes 5-6 hours, starting with a steep climb where you might begin to feel the altitude as you catch your first glimpse of Kilimanjaro’s Mawenzi Peak. After a while, you arrive at the first cave, where you have some time to explore. Lunch is taken in the second cave. In the afternoon, the climb gets less steep and you finish the hike towards the camp in a sheltered valley near Kikelewa or the third cave.
Day 4: Rongai Route (3/6) | Kikelewa Camp (3,660 m/12,007 ft) – Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,305 m/13,238 ft)
Today, you can admire some breathtaking views as you continue your route through this steep hike. You walk for about 4-5 hours in the morning, to keep the afternoon and evening to rest and to give your body a chance to adapt to the altitude. You go until Mawenzi Tarn, where you soend the night. It is just below the Mawenzi Summit, with amazing views of both Kilimanjaro peaks, Mawenzi and Kibo.
Day 5: Rongai Route (4/6) | Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,305 m/13,238 ft) – Kibo Huts Camp (4,720 m/15,485 ft)
On this 4th day on the mountain, be fascinated by the lunar landscape you come across on the way to the higher camp. Kibo Camp, located right below Kibo Summit, offers spectacular views of the Kenyan plains. You walk for 5-6 hours through the alpine desert environment, then rest after lunch in the afternoon, as the next day is the summit push to the peak of Kilimanjaro!
Day 6: Rongai Route (5/6) | Kibo Huts Camp (4,720 m/15,485 ft) – Uhuru Peak (5,895 m/19,340 ft) – Horombo Huts (3,720 m/12,204 ft)
At midnight, you start the final summit push to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa! Be prepared, it is about 12 hours of walking on this intense day. After reaching Gilman’s Point through a steep climb with your flashlight, Uhuru Peak is a relatively easy to reach. Witness one of the most beautiful sunrises and celebrate your achievement, then head back down to the Kibo Hut Camp for a meal before continuing the descent to Horombo Huts for an overnight stay.
Day 7: Rongai Route (6/6) | Horombo Huts (3,720 m/12,204 ft) – Marangu Gate (1,860 m/6,102 ft) – Hotel
On this final day, you descend through a beautiful rainforest to the exit of Kilimanjaro International Airport, the Marangu Gate. This is a delightful 5 to 6 hours walk at the end of which the whole group comes together to congratulate each other. Your driver then takes you back to your hotel where you get a well-deserved rest.
Day 8 – 9: Flight home from Kilimanjaro International Airport after the climb
This is the end of your holiday and the time to go home has arrived. Enjoy your last hours in Tanzania before our drive comes to pick you up and takes you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home.
Included
- Park fees
- 9 days
- Pickup and transfer airport
- Porters who carry your luggage
- Private cook speaking fluently English
- Private guide speaking fluently English
- Chairs and tables for breakfast, lunch and dinner
- High quality tents (including dinner-tent)
- Portable toilet
- Rescue fee (up to 11.483 feet above sea level by car)
Excluded
- International flights and visas
- Travel insurance
- Accommodation on day of arrival and departure