Kilimanjaro Climb: Explore the Majestic Rongai Route in a 7-day Adventure

Embark on an epic 7-day Kilimanjaro Rongai hiking adventure and experience thrilling scenic vistas and pristine wildlife on the way to the peak of Africa. Join us now!

Duration: 9 days
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights

ARRIVAL

Altezza Travel - Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where you will meet an Altezza Travel 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.

TREKKING FROM NALEMURU GATE TO SIMBA CAMP

Mount Kilimanjaro - 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.

TREKKING FROM SIMBA CAMP TO SECOND CAVE CAMP

Mount Kilimanjaro - 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.

NB: 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 SECOND CAVE CAMP TO KIKILEWA CAMP

Mount Kilimanjaro - 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.

TREKKING FROM KIKILEWA CAMP TO MAWENZI TARN CAMP

Mount Kilimanjaro - 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.

TREKKING FROM MAWENZI TARN CAMP TO KIBO CAMP

Mount Kilimanjaro - 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).

UHURU PEAK SUMMIT ATTEMPT AND DESCENT TO HOROMBO HUT

Mount Kilimanjaro - 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!

FINAL DESCENT TO MARANGU GATE

Mount Kilimanjaro - 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.

DEPARTURE

What's Included
  • All meals provided, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and special diets (vegetarian, gluten-free, halal, kosher) catered for.
  • Quality group equipment: dining tent, sleeping pads, tables, chairs, and full dining set.
  • Complimentary airport transfers to and from JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport).
  • Expert guidance with certified Wilderness First Responder guides.
  • Optional single accommodation available.
  • Inclusive of all Kilimanjaro National Park fees.
  • Experienced climbing team including porters, camp masters, and cooks.
  • Medical support: kits and check-ups provided.
  • 2-night stay at Aishi Machame Hotel with amenities like Internet, hot water, and swimming pool.
  • Comfortable tented accommodation on the hike (2 hikers per tent).
  • Safety equipment: oxygen tanks and altimeters.
  • A variety of drinks available: tea, coffee, juices, soda, etc.
What's Not Included
  • The costs of getting to Tanzania
  • Visa fees
  • Personal equipment & gear (your hiking outfit, boots, sleeping bag, etc.) that you need for the hike. Available for hire
  • Lunch and dinner at the hotel
  • Insurance to cover trekking up to 6000 m/19685 m and helicopter evacuation - Highly recommended!
  • Tips for the mountain support crew
  • Single accommodation at the hotel and in a tent is available at extra charge
Additional Information

Embark on this epic 7-day Kilimanjaro Rongai hiking adventure and enjoy thrilling scenic vistas and pristine wildlife on the way to the peak of Africa. This most picturesque, least crowded route with the smoothest acclimatization transition is an ideal choice for the beginners and experienced hikers alike. You will cross several climatic zones (from heath on Shira Plateau to Arctic desert in the summit area), each different, unique and captivating. Our professional climbing crews will take care of your safety and comfort. Overnight stays are in our special walk-in tents, the “kitchen” team will surprise you with their cooking skills, and the porters will carry the equipment. The guides will be leading your way, excitedly sharing their knowledge of this amazing Mount. Pre and post-climb accommodation (included) will be in a cosy hotel in the foothills of Kilimanjaro. Airport transfers included.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
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(30 Ratings)
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Sarahrv5841va
Aug 4, 2024
Top organization end-2-end with competent, motivating support until the summit! - We were at the beginning of Aug on the Rongai route on the way to Mount Kilimanjaro. Ascent and scenery were breathtaking! We were very lucky to be only two in our group on the as well as little frequented Rongai route. Our guides were great and brought so much momentum and motivation to the round! Also the whole team around all Porter, our chef and and and ! We were safe and well looked after from the beginning, which contributed to a successful ascent! Every day there were medical check-ups, it was made sure that the equipment worked and we were fantastically fed! If Kilimanjaro then only so and with Altezza! We can highly recommend this tour and the dedicated team!
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Gj10044
Jul 31, 2024
Family trek to Kilimanjaro - We are a family of four, and we booked a seven-day climb to Kilimanjaro on the Rongai route with Altezza Travel. After spending a week with the Altezza crew, we became a family. No words are good enough to describe how well-organized and pleasant the trip was. Our boys are generally picky with food, but the meals served at the mountain were amazing, and the chef deserves the utmost respect and compliments.
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Sydneyk235
Jul 18, 2024
Great Time on Altezza 7-day Kilimanjaro Rongai Route - My friend and I did the 7-day Rongai Route to summit Kili last week. We have nothing but amazing things to say about every aspect of our trip (run by Altezza). From very efficient and helpful email communication before the trip with our trip advisor, Maria, to a smooth pick up at the airport and an easy briefing and equipment check at the hotel, to the trip itself, with our expert guides, everything went smoothly! On the mountain, we felt SO taken care of and supported with our amazing team of guides. Our main guide, Elia, was incredibly knowledgable, encouraging, and we we felt so safe with him at the lead. Our assistant guides, Paschal and Tumaini, were also excellent and helped make every day fun while teaching us fun facts about the mountain, the nature surrounding us, and the region. We summited successfully and had a truly wonderful experience. We even did a one day tour with Altezza our last day back in Moshi, led be our driver Michael, who was also incredibly professional, knowledgable, and helpful. Cannot recommend Altezza and this kili experience more!!
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E6214jfhannahs
Jul 12, 2024
Kilimanjaro - Rongai 7 Day - AMAZING TRIP with a great company - My roommate from college and I just got home from the 7 day Rongai route up Kilimanjaro. We had the most amazing trip up the mountain, successfully summiting at Uhuru Peak, and I cannot say enough good things about Altezza and the incredible crew that led us there. To set the stage - we are both 30, female, and have never done anything like this before - we're not really campers, and never spent multiple days climbing a mountain. The whole Altezza team, led expertly by our main guide Elia (who is basically a superhero - He's climbed over 300 times and is knowledgeable, fun, runs a really smooth operation, and keeps you feeling safe and motivated the whole way up) were an absolute joy to spend 7 days with. While we could highlight so many amazing people in our group, a special shoutout go to the junior guides Pascal and Tuma, who kept us energized and entertained all the way up, to Jan - who specifically helped the two of us with our extra heavy bags and personal attention on summit night and will make an excellent guide someday, and to Ismael and chef John, who kept us fed with healthy, filling and fresh food all the way up. On a funny note - if you are on the fence about renting a portable toilet (we hemmed and hawed about it, feeling silly having one on a camping trip), I have never been happier about a decision. All in all, I am so proud to have this monumental achievement, and am so grateful to the whole Altezza team for helping me along the way!!!
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1adventurelovertexas
Jul 9, 2024
Kilimanjaro Dream Team! - We just completed the seven day Rongai route to the top of Kilimanjaro, Uhuru Peak.  To say the physical experience to the top was a challenge is a complete understatement. Having previously only been up to 14,000 ft, 19,340 ft was intense! That said, I would do it all over again just to spend 7 more days with the AMAZING team at Altezza. Jackson and his 21 man team were unbelievable.  From day  one, they welcomed us to their family. They made us feel safe, encouraged us, supported us. The extent that they went to make us feel comfortable was above and beyond all of our expectations. Jackson's knowledge of everything from medical checkups to the flora and fauna on the mountain was impressive. Jackson was AMAZING! Joseph was Jackson's right-hand man and his daily encouragement was what we needed to get us to the top. The support he provided our 12 year daughter on summit night was invaluable. We can't thank him enough for his support! We were served amazing food the entire trip. Three meals a day plus tea and snacks on the trail. Chef Evance and his team went above and beyond for us. Ivan greeted us every morning with a positive attitude and smile. His hospitality was over the top and we miss him already! I can't forget to mention our camp crew led by William. His team with Simon and Leonard gave us our home away from home. Lastly, summit night, we owe everything to Leonard, Kenja, Moises, Joseph and Jackson. We would not have made it without these guys. We owe so much to them! Altezza has thought of everything. They hire the best guides. Provide the best food. Give you a home away from home. I recommend them to anyone looking to experience Kilimanjaro with an amazing team. You are family when you go with Altezza. If you go with Altezza, I hope you are lucky enough to get the team led by Jackson and Joseph. They are the kindest, most genuine people. It was extremely difficult making it to the top but even harder saying goodbye.
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Michaelka7436sq
Jul 9, 2024
"AMAAAAAZING" - We made it!😁🤙 This was one of the best experiences hiking I have ever been a part of! The guides, Jackson and Joseph were "AMAAAAAZING". These two really supported my 12 yo when it got tough on summit night. Ivan and Evance with the cooking and serving were fantastic. Food was great. Pizza at 3700m is pretty cool! All the other support guys were awesome and super friendly. Highly recommend Altezza for this adventure. "ONE TEAM ONE DREAM.....AMAAAAAZING!"
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Z9038kcjoannas
Jul 9, 2024
“We made it to the roof of Africa!” - Jackson, Joseph and their team were AMAZING! Every morning we were greeted by Ivan with a big smile to start our day. Leonard filled our filled our water bladders and bottles. Evance made us 3 delicious meals a day, plus cakes for our chai breaks along the trail. William kept our tents clean and set up, waiting for us at every camp. We felt the entire team had our back the entire way. Jackson and Joseph’s knowledge of the mountain made me confident that we had the best guides to get us to the top! Their encouragement and support truly made my dreams come true. I thank them with all my heart! I will tell anyone who wants to experience trekking Kilimanjaro to use Altezza. They are simply the best!
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147happynessm
May 9, 2024
Marvelous hike to the Great Kili 🗻 with the Unmatched Travel Agency, Altezza Travel. - Thank you so much Altezza Travel Fam for the amazing opportunity to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, 🗻🥰 Honestly speaking, it was truly the most amazing moments of my life so far. Something so great that pushed me off of my limits🙌🏼. I didn’t know how strong I am, nor how so wonderful and adventurous the nature is, until I climbed Kilimanjaro, 5,895m, up high in the altitude above sea level. It was incredible and such an unforgettable experience 🥳🍾 The entire hike was nothing short of exquisite. We had such a great time together as a group, with the whole crew. I got to experience one of the most remarkable moments of my life. Seeing the hard-work of the crew and team really made me realize how Altezza is indeed the most outstanding travel agency in Tanzania, and also a place where most dreams come to life. Major regards to you all Altezza Family. Our requests were received and dealt with on spot, every service was top notch . The summit night was indeed the hardest and most scary part, some of us almost gave up but the guides and summit porters kept reminding us how magnificent we will feel when we make it to the top, and they went above and beyond to help us in each and every way to ensure we get to our destination, Uhuru Peak, The Roof of Africa. The food was delicious along with the gears came in handy and I can’t thank you enough for making sure we were well equipped to complete the mission. Thanks again and again to the team, led by Victor as chief guide, his assistants Bosco, Imran, Elia, and the most immediate crew members like Dickson, Frank (chef), Emmanuel (waiter), Joseph (camp master) and the rest esteemed porters who played a key role to ensure we achieve our mission. You all are phenomenal, we recognize and acknowledge your good spirits the entire time 🥰🫶🏽. Can’t wait to do many more hikes and climbs with Altezza in the near future. It is exceptionally praiseworthy, big ups💪🏾🥂
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Relax65780823953
Feb 27, 2024
Amazing!!!!! - We had a truelly wonderful time with Altezza on the 7 day Rongai route. Our guides Frank, Athumani and Amos where absolutely incredible. We can't rate them highly enough. It was thanks to them we got up to the summit. They also took very good care of one of our team mates who became very unwell with altitude sickness and had to be medi- evacuated off the mountain. Highly recommend!!!
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Victoriabp8039sp
Feb 27, 2024
Trip of a lifetime!!! - Amaaaaaazing. Wouldn't go with anyone else. So professional from start to finish. Frank was the perfect group leader. Will post big review later.
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