6 DAYS RONGAI ROUTE
Offered by - ROCK TO BUSH ADVENTURES
Tour Features
Rock to bush leads treks up the unique Rongai Route known to be more scenic than the Marangu Route, easier than the Machame Route, and the success rate on the Rongai is very high. Unlike the Marangu Route where you sleep in huts, on the Rongai you sleep in tents (tents are included), and the porters will pitch your tent for you. Meals are served in a dinner tent or on a blanket outside. The Rongai starts on the north side of the mountain just south of the Kenyan border, and is one of the least traveled routes. The Rongai joins the Marangu for the summit climb, then you descend the Marangu Route on the mountain’s southeast side, so you see Kilimanjaro from many viewpoints. There are two versions of this trek – a direct 6-day itinerary, and a 7-day itinerary that takes a longer route. The more expedient 6-day itinerary is described below and the longer variation is described in the extra days section.
Budget tour | This budget tour includes camping and tented camps. |
Can be customized | You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour. |
Shared tour | This tour will be shared with other travelers. Maximum 7 people. |
Solo travel available | Solo travelers can book this tour. |
Can start any day | If availability permits, this tour can start on any day. |
Minimum age required | The minimum age for this tour is 5 years. |
Transportation | This tour uses: Walking. |
Route & Activities
Tanzania
Activities Included
Accommodation & Meals
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost
Day | Accommodation | Meals |
1-7 | Budget Accommodation No images available | All Meals Included |
Arrival (See Getting There for more details)
- A transfer from the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.
- Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.
- Day 1 - Airport to HotelArrive at the Kilimanjaro International Airport. You will be met at the airport and transferred to the Hotel or similar hotel in Moshi for your overnight dinner and Breakfast.
Meals & Drinks: All Meals Included
- Day 2 - Rongai GateAfter breakfast, we will transfer you to Rongai gate passing the wooden village on a path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before reaching the entrance gate, The Rongai Gate. The climb begins from Rongai gate (2,150 m) The track then starts to climb consistently, but gently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife, including the beautiful Kilimanjaro Colobus monkey. These monkeys are black with a long ‘cape’ of white hair and a flowing white tail. The forest begins to thin out and the first camp is at the edge of the moorland zone(2,600 m.) with extensive views over the Kenyan plains. [1h30-2h30 hours walking]
Meals & Drinks: All Meals Included
- Day 3 - Kikelewa CaveThe morning walk is a steady ascent up to the ‘Second Cave’ (3,450 m.) with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim. After lunch, we leave the main trail and strike out across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. Our campsite is in a sheltered valley with giant views near Kikelewa Caves (3.600 m.). Alternatively to the third camp based on your program. [6-7 hours walking]
Meals & Drinks: All Meals Included
- Day 4 - Mawenzi CampA short but steep climb up grassy slopes is rewarded by superb all-around views and a tangible sense of wilderness. We leave vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn (4,330 m.), spectacularly situated in a cirque directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. The afternoon will be free to rest or explore the surrounding area as an aid to acclimatization. [3-4 hours walking]
Meals & Drinks: All Meals Included
- Day 5 - Kibo Crater WallWe cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach School campsite (4,750 m.) at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night! [4-5 hours walking]
Meals & Drinks: All Meals Included
- Day 6 - Uhuru PeakWe will start the final and by far the steepest and most demanding, part of the climb by torchlight around 1 a.m. We plod very slowly in the darkness on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point (5,685 m.) We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the three hour round trip to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m.), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Kibo (4,700 m.) is surprisingly fast and, after some refreshment, we continue the descent to reach our final campsite at Horombo (3,720 m.). [11-15 hours walking]
Meals & Drinks: All Meals Included
- Day 7 - DecendingWake in the morning for a steady descent takes us down through moorland to Mandara Hut (2,700m.), the first stopping path to the National Park gate at Marangu (1,830 m.). [5-6 hours walking. You will be transferred to Hotel for overnight.
Meals & Drinks: All Meals Included
End of tour (See Getting There for more details)
- Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
- A transfer back to the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.
Includes
- Park fees (for non-residents)
- All activities mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional)
- Meals (as specified in the day-by-day description)
- All accommodation mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional upgrade)
- All transportation mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees and other personal items)
Excludes
- A professional driver/guide
- International flights (from/to the client's home country)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips: tipping guideline of $6 per person per day for the guide and crew
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Rates Per Person
May 24, 2023 - May 24, 2026
*n/a = not available. This tour is unavailable for solo travelers.
Includes
- Park fees (for non-residents)
- All activities mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional)
- Meals (as specified in the day-by-day description)
- All accommodation mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional upgrade)
- All transportation mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees and other personal items)
Excludes
- A professional driver/guide
- International flights (from/to the client's home country)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips: tipping guideline of $6 per person per day for the guide and crew
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Getting There
Tanzania is a beautiful East African country with neighbours Kenya to the north and Mozambique to the south and the Indian Ocean to the east. It is known for its vibrant culture, wonderful national parks, diverse fauna and flora and of course the great wildebeest migration. If you are planning a safari trip to Tanzania then you should find out all about flights to Tanzania, passport and visa requirements.
Tanzania’s main airport is Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) located 13km/8mi southwest of Dar es Salaam. The latter is the entry point for visitors to the southern parks.
Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) is situated 46km/29mi east of Arusha, the gateway of Tanzania’s most popular Northern safari circuit.
This tour starts in Moshi and ends in Moshi, Tanzania
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost
Travel Requirements
- All foreign visitors need a passport that is valid for at least six months
- Passports must have a clean and a full visa page for endorsement.
- When arriving from a yellow-fever-infected country in Africa or the Americas a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required.
- Citizens of most countries require a visa. A list of countries that don't need a visa is available.
- Visas are best obtained in advance through an official online visa-application portal (https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/), but they can also be obtained through your local Tanzania Embassy or High Commission.
- Visas can also be obtained on arrival but this is a lengthy process that can take one to two hours.
Getting There
Tanzania is a beautiful East African country with neighbours Kenya to the north and Mozambique to the south and the Indian Ocean to the east. It is known for its vibrant culture, wonderful national parks, diverse fauna and flora and of course the great wildebeest migration. If you are planning a safari trip to Tanzania then you should find out all about flights to Tanzania, passport and visa requirements.
Tanzania’s main airport is Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) located 13km/8mi southwest of Dar es Salaam. The latter is the entry point for visitors to the southern parks.
Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) is situated 46km/29mi east of Arusha, the gateway of Tanzania’s most popular Northern safari circuit.
This tour starts in Moshi and ends in Moshi, Tanzania
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost
Travel Requirements
- All foreign visitors need a passport that is valid for at least six months
- Passports must have a clean and a full visa page for endorsement.
- When arriving from a yellow-fever-infected country in Africa or the Americas a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required.
- Citizens of most countries require a visa. A list of countries that don't need a visa is available.
- Visas are best obtained in advance through an official online visa-application portal (https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/), but they can also be obtained through your local Tanzania Embassy or High Commission.
- Visas can also be obtained on arrival but this is a lengthy process that can take one to two hours.
Offered By

ROCK TO BUSH ADVENTURES

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