Rongai Route ascends Mt. Kilimanjaro from the northeastern side of the mountain, along the boarder of Tanzania and Kenya. This is the only route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the north. It is one of the most remote and untouched trails on the magnificent mountain. It offers hikers a lot of advantages which is why it appeals to many Kilimanjaro climbers. On this route, you will find much solitude. 

Please make travel plans adding a day before the trek begins and a day after you leave the mountain. (Arrival day & Departure Day)

You will have two nights, arrival night & the night you come down from the mountain at our host hotel in Moshi, the Chanya Lodge.  The price for these nights are already included in your balance due. To learn more about the Chanya Lodge, go to their website at: Chanya Lodge

On the mountain, this route requires tent sleeping. Winrica Adventures, provides all tents for our guests. 

Kilimanjaro Recommended Packing List

Sleeping Gear: 

• Sleeping bag rated 0° - 15°F (Also available to rent once you are here)
• Sleeping bag liner (for extra warmth. Can also be rented here)
• Compression sack for sleeping bag

Pack & Bags

• Waterproof duffel bag (80L- 100L)
• Daypack 25L- 35L
• Waterproof pack cover
• (Optional) Packing cubes to organize duffel bag
• (Optional) Bag lock for duffel bag

Footwear & Trekking Poles

• Hiking boots- waterproof mid-weight
• Running shoes/ light hikers (for wearing around camp)
• Gaiters
• 5- 6 pairs liner socks (wool or synthetic, no cotton)
• 4- 6 pairs thick socks (no cotton) - thermal socks for summit day
• Spare laces for hiking boots
• Trekking poles (Can be rented here)

Gloves

• Thin gloves (wool or synthetic, no cotton)
• Thick waterproof gloves or mitten

Clothing: Lower body

• Underwear 4- 5 pairs (no cotton)
• 1 Convertible pants or shorts
• 1- 2 light medium weight base layer
• Hiking pants (no cotton)
• Winter hiking pants
• Waterproof shell pants (recommend size zippers)

Clothing: Upper body

• Comfortable sports bra (ladies only)
• 1- 2 light weight t-shirts (no cotton)
• 1- 2 light weight long-sleeved t-shirts (no cotton)
• 2- 3 light to mid-weight base layer shirts
• 1- 2 fleece (for insulation layer)
• 1 heavy base layer (no cotton, smart wool recommended) for summit day
• Insulated shell jacket
• Down jacket (approx 750-fill)
• Waterproof shell jacket that fits over all layers

Headwear

• Brim hat or cap with neck protection
• Warm hat with ear flaps
• Neck gaiter or “Buff”
• Sunglasses (rated 100% UV protection)

Water & Snacks 

• 2- 3L hydration bladder (Platypus or Camelback or similar)
• 1- 2 One-Liter wide-mouth bottle (Nalgene or similar)
• Electrolyte/Sports drink powder for adding to your water
• Snacks: Energy bars, jerky, nuts, etc.
• Water purification tablets or filter pen, if desired (We provide boiled/ filtered water)

Personal Health & Comfort

• Toiletries: toothbrush & paste, hairbrush/comb, foot powder, hand cream, deodorant, soap
• “Baby wipes” and anti-bacterial, hand sanitizer wipes
• “Dude wipes” for washing
• Any regular medication you are taking
• Anti-bacterial hand sanitizer gel such as Purell
• Fingernail brush
• Nail clippers
• Ear plugs
• Sunscreen SPF 40+
• Small microfiber quick-dry towel
• Pee-bottle for night time “calls of nature”
• Small flashlight
• Headlamp
• Spare contact lenses/ glasses
• Toilet paper - 1-2 rolls. (Take out the cardboard center for easier packing)
• Camera/ phone/ ipod/ Kindle
• Spare batteries

Personal First-Aid Kit

• Blister bandaids- assorted sizes
• Antibiotic cream or ointment
• Bandaids for minor cuts & scrapes
• ibuprofen/Tylenol
• Skin healing ointment such as Aquaphor (Highly recommended)
• Anti-nausea medication
• Immodium for diarrhea
• Any prescription medications
• Diamox (To help prevent Altitude sickness)
• Portable oxygen for high altitude like Boost Oxygen

Ladies Only: 

• During menstrual period, plan to change tampon or pad 3- 4 times daily
• Ziplock bags for used tampons/pads (these must be carried off the mountain)
• Heavy duty wipes for washing
• Pee funnel: If you’ve ever wanted to pee standing up, now is your chance!! :)

Weight of duffle bag should be below 15Kg/ 25lbs

Travel size toiletries recommended to save weight of bags because the duffle bags will be carried by our porters. 

What we provide: 

• Tent

• Sleeping Mats

• Oximeters to check Oxygen levels at altitude for health and safety

• Oxygen tanks for emergency

• Water that has been boiled and purified to refill water bottles and water bladders, daily.

As mentioned in list, some gear can be rented as well as portable toilets for a fee. If you are interested in renting any gear or portable toilet please let us know and we will provide pricing for your planning purposes. 

You can also find this list on our website by clicking HERE

It is very important to Winrica Adventures that our clients understand the importance of our tipping policy. It is one of our missions to raise awareness, advocate for and to help improve the lives and working conditions of our guides, porters, cooks and other staff members who are local Tanzanians.  In doing so, we have established a tipping guideline and process to help ensure all of our staff is advocated for and to safeguard their fair and ethical treatment. 

We recommend you take note and read our guidelines which are provided here. 

If you would like to find out more about our terms & conditions, including our refund policy, please click HERE. 

Please make travel plans adding a day before the trek begins and a day after you leave the mountain. (Arrival day & Departure Day) 

Day 1

Arrival Day: Kilimanjaro International Airport - Moshi

Arrive at Kilimanjaro airport and after making your way through customs, you will meet your transfer team. From there you will travel to Moshi to check into the Chanya Lodge. where you will meet your Kilimanjaro Guide and have a brief run down of your adventure. You will also have an inspection of gear and equipment before retiring to your room for a good night's rest. 

Day 2 

Trekking Day 1: Moshi to Rongai Gate to Simba Camp 

Elevation Gain: 6, 398ft to 9, 300ft Hiking Time: 4 hours 

After breakfast you will meet the rest of your Kilimanjaro Crew and embark on your journey to Kilimanjaro National Park. After registering at Marangu Gate, you will be transferred to the Rongai Route starting point at Nale Moru village through fields of potatoes and maize before you enter the rainforest region of Kilimanjaro. While in the rainforest you will have the opportunity to see various wildlife and flora and fauna. You will spend your first night at Simba Camp. 

Day 3

Trekking Day 2: Simba Camp to 2nd Cave Camp 

Elevation Gain: 9,300ft to 11,300ft Hiking Time: 3-4 hours (4 miles) 

After waking up and having breakfast in the mess tent, you will start your hike towards Kibo. For most of the day you will be hiking up slopes with a nice view of the twin peaks of Kilimanjaro, Mawenzi and Kibo. We will reach the second cave and spend some time relaxing at 2nd Cave Camp where you will spend your second night. 

Day 4

Trekking Day 3: 2nd Cave Camp to Kikelewa Camp 

Elevation gain: 11,300ft to 11,811ft Hiking Time: 3-4 hours (4 miles) 

From the 2nd Cave our hike will turn southeast where you will begin to see Mawenzi Peak. You will hike through the vast moorland region, reaching Kikelewa Camp, which is located by a couple of caves on the Kikelewa River. You will spend the night camping at Kikelewa Camp. 

Day 5

Trekking Day 4: Kikelewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn Hut 

Elevation gain: 11,811 ft to 14,160 ft Hiking Time: 4 hours (3 miles) 

Although this stage of your hike is relatively short in distance it is very steep in it's elevation gain. The Mawenzi Tarn Hut is located in a cirque right underneath the jagged peak of Mawenzi. In the afternoon you will have a choice to walk up the ridge with your guide for extra acclimatization. 

Day 6

Trekking Day 5: Mawenzi Tarn Hut to Kibo Hut 

Elevation Gain: 14,160 ft to 15,430 ft Hiking Time: 5-6 hours (5 miles) 

Your day will begin retracing some of your steps before heading west, crossing the ridge and hiking down the slope to the beautiful Saddle's northern edge. During your hike, you will see the most magnificent views to the east and west. Your final destination for the day will be Kibo Camp. We will arrive early to camp and you will be served a hot lunch. After lunch your guide will give you a brief to prepare you for summit day. You will then be given time to relax and make sure you have everything prepared for summit. You will have an early dinner and then be advised to get some good rest early, around 6:30-7 pm so that you can be rested when you are awaken around 11:30pm to start your summit. 

Day 7 

Trekking Day 6: Kibo Hut to Gilman's Point to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut 

Elevation Gain: 15,430 ft to 19,341 ft to 12,205 ft Hiking Time: 6-8 hours ascent (4 miles ascent, 10 miles descent), 4-5 hours descent 

You will be awakened and offered a hot drink around 11:30pm, with a midnight departure. Your initial 6 hour climb begins in the dark with assistance from your guides & headlamps only, for light. This is where you will hike "pole pole" (Swahili for slowly, slowly). At Gilman's Point you will see what might be the most majestic sunrise ever, then we will continue on the Marangu route to the summit sign for 1-2 hours. 

Congratulations! You have reached Uhuru Peak, the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro! You will be able to take pictures and enjoy this huge achievement before starting your descent towards Horombo Camp, first stopping back at Kibo Hut to enjoy a hot lunch and take a short break. After this long day, you will arrive at Horombo where you will enjoy a hot dinner and the last night on the mountain. 

Day 8

Trekking Day 7: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate to Moshi 

Elevation 12,205 ft to 6,046 ft. Hiking Time: 5-7 hours (12 miles) 

You will be awaken by your Kilimanjaro Crew for the final morning on the mountain where you will be thanked and congratulated for your huge accomplishment! You will enjoy breakfast and then begin your final descent to Marangu Gate. There you will be greeted by your transfer team where you will load up your equipment and head back to your accommodations at the Chanya Lodge for a hot shower, celebration of your accomplishment, certificate ceremony and the memorable tipping ceremony, where you can show your appreciation to your Kilimanjaro Crew! Now you can enjoy a good night's rest after this huge accomplishment. 

Day 9 

Departure Day: Chanya Lodge (Moshi) to Kilimanjaro Airport 

You will transferred from the Chanya Lodge to the Kilimanjaro airport for your departure from Tanzania, unless you have chosen to extend your stay with us. We are grateful to have lead you on your Tanzanian adventure, and if this is your last day with us, we thank you for choosing Winrica Adventures.

If you have booked and extended stay for one of our safaris or a day trip, we will be there to assist you in the next steps for your extended stay.  

Hakuna Matata!!