4.RONGAI ROUTE | Rigaro Adventure

4.RONGAI ROUTE

Climb Kilimanjaro on the Rongai route to guarantee you a quiet trek away from the masses. This route is marketed as a remote wilderness experience and for the majority of the year, it still is. However, in the last couple of 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. Rongai is the easiest route up Kilimanjaro (in some respects easier than Marangu). Rongai has excellent success rates. It is also 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, which means you are unlikely to have to slosh through mud and drizzle on the first two days.

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

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

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

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

Day 5: Mawenzi 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

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

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