9 Days Rongai Route (7 Days Hiking)

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Home Mountain Climbing 9 Days Rongai Route (7 Days Hiking)

Tour Type

Mountain Climbing

Tour Duration

9 Days 8 Nights

Min. No of Pax

Tour Price

Budget On request

Mid-range On request

Luxury On request

The Price Includes

Airport transfers
Accommodation in Arusha and on the mountain
Meals as specified
Professional mountain guides, porters, and cook
Park fees and camping fees
Camping equipment (tents, sleeping mats, etc.)
Emergency first-aid kit and oxygen
Summit certificate

The Price Excludes

International flights
Tanzanian visa fees
Travel insurance
Personal trekking gear (sleeping bags, clothing, trekking poles, etc.)
Tips for guides, porters, and cook
Personal expenses (laundry, beverages, etc.)

Tour Overview

Embark on an epic adventure with Above & Beyond Photographic Tours and Safaris as we guide you along the Rongai Route, a unique and scenic path to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak. This 9-day, 8-night journey offers a spectacular blend of wilderness, panoramic vistas, and high-altitude trekking, perfect for adventurers and photographers alike.

Starting from your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, our professional team ensures every aspect of your journey is seamless, from comfortable transfers to expert guidance throughout your trek. The Rongai Route is renowned for its gentle slopes, fewer crowds, and sweeping views of Kilimanjaro’s northern face, offering a serene and immersive experience in Tanzania’s remarkable landscapes.

Over the course of seven days on the mountain, you will ascend through lush rainforests, expansive moorlands, and rugged alpine terrain, culminating in a pre-dawn summit attempt at Uhuru Peak (5,895m). Each day is thoughtfully planned with hiking distances, terrain challenges, and accommodation options in mind, ranging from well-equipped campsites to more luxurious lodges. Our all-inclusive package covers permits, meals, and equipment, allowing you to fully focus on the climb, the scenery, and capturing unforgettable moments along the way.

With experienced guides leading the trek, this journey is designed not just to reach the summit but to create an enduring adventure filled with breathtaking views, memorable experiences, and extraordinary photographic opportunities.

Day To day

Day 1: Arrival in Arusha

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by the Above & Beyond Photographic Tours and Safaris team and transferred to your chosen lodge in Arusha. Options include Outpost Lodge (budget), Arusha Planet Lodge (midrange), or Arusha Coffee Lodge (luxury). Spend the evening relaxing, acclimatizing, and preparing for the adventure ahead.
Overnight: Arusha
Meals: Dinner

Day 2: Arusha – Rongai Gate (1,950m) to First Cave (2,600m)

After breakfast, enjoy a scenic drive to Rongai Gate, the starting point of your trek. Complete registration formalities before beginning your ascent through verdant rainforest. Trek approximately 6 km in 3–4 hours, gradually climbing to First Cave, passing through unique flora and wildlife-rich terrain. Capture the early mountain vistas as the sun lights up Kilimanjaro’s northern slopes.
Overnight: First Cave
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: First Cave (2,600m) to Kikelewa Camp (3,600m)

Continue your ascent through dense forest that gradually opens to expansive moorlands. Trek 9 km in 5–6 hours, enjoying panoramic views of Kilimanjaro’s northern slopes and the distant plains below. Arrive at Kikelewa Camp for rest, dinner, and a chance to photograph the surrounding highland scenery.
Overnight: Kikelewa Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Kikelewa Camp (3,600m) to Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,330m)

Today’s trek takes you higher into the alpine zone, approaching the dramatic peaks of Mawenzi. Trek approximately 8 km in 4–5 hours across rocky terrain, passing stunning vistas of the mountain’s rugged landscape. Arrive at Mawenzi Tarn Camp, where you can relax and capture the spectacular sunset over Mawenzi’s jagged peaks.
Overnight: Mawenzi Tarn Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Acclimatization Day at Mawenzi Tarn Camp

Take a well-earned rest day at Mawenzi Tarn Camp to allow your body to acclimatize. Explore the surrounding alpine terrain, enjoy photography of the stunning landscapes, or simply relax and take in the serenity of this high-altitude wilderness.
Overnight: Mawenzi Tarn Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,330m) to Kibo Hut (4,700m)

Resume your trek towards Kibo Hut, the final base camp before your summit attempt. Trek 9 km in 5–6 hours, ascending gradually through rocky, lunar-like landscapes. Arrive at Kibo Hut, enjoy dinner, and rest in preparation for the pre-dawn climb to Uhuru Peak.
Overnight: Kibo Hut
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Kibo Hut (4,700m) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) to Horombo Hut (3,720m)

Rise before dawn for the final ascent to Uhuru Peak, covering 6 km in 6–8 hours through steep and challenging terrain. Witness a breathtaking sunrise from the “Roof of Africa,” capturing unforgettable photographic moments. Descend approximately 12 km to Horombo Hut, passing through diverse alpine terrain on the way.
Overnight: Horombo Hut
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Horombo Hut (3,720m) to Marangu Gate (1,860m) – Arusha

Complete your descent through lush rainforest to Marangu Gate, where you will receive your official summit certificates. Trek 20 km in 5–6 hours, celebrating your achievement along the way. Transfer back to Arusha for a well-deserved rest at your selected accommodation.
Overnight: Arusha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Departure

After breakfast, transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward flight, concluding an extraordinary journey with Above & Beyond Photographic Tours and Safaris.
Meals: Breakfast

At Above & Beyond Photographic Tours and Safaris, every journey is thoughtfully crafted around you. We move beyond rigid schedules to offer flexible, tailor-made itineraries shaped by your interests, preferred pace, and travel style. Our experienced travel specialists work closely with you from the very beginning, designing a personalized adventure that reflects the true spirit of Tanzania. This is not just a trip, it is your journey, your story, and an unforgettable experience that goes above and beyond expectations.

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