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

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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: 24 hours

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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…

ARRIVAL

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…

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…

Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings

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Gcohenimach

Aug 15, 2025

A Truly Perfect Experience with Altezza Travel! - A Truly Perfect Experience with Altezza Travel! From the moment we arrived at the Altezza lodge, everything was perfect! The attention to detail and impeccable service were simply incredible. Then came our Rongai Route climb. Our guides—Nelson, Mongi, Lema, and Eleakim—made us feel safe and cared for every step of the way. They were attentive, patient with all our questions, and expertly guided us "pole pole" (slowly, slowly) to the summit of Kilimanjaro. Without them, it would have been impossible. The entire team, including Ezequiel, Maturo, Frederick, the amazing chefs, and all the porters, were always smiling and ready to help without us even asking. There are no words to thank them enough! As a company, Altezza exceeded all our expectations. The entire experience was first-class—you truly can't ask for more. I would give everything an 11 out of 10 if I could! This company is 100% recommended. — Gustavo Cohen Imach

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Usha240

Aug 12, 2025

EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME - EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME I, along with my family (10 trekkers in total), completed the Kilimanjaro trek a couple of weeks ago. We successfully summited on the Rongai Route. We had a team of 50 to get the 10 of us to the summit. This team made sure we had clean water, clean tents and toilets, and delicious, freshly cooked food — all of which was delivered with the warmth and friendliness that I have come to understand is part of Tanzanian culture. The team was led by our four guides: Abraham, Nolasco, Mark, and Exaud. We were so lucky to have these four as our guides, each bringing a different personality to the group. Abraham (nicknamed Abs & Chief) was a natural leader. We called him the village elder, as he had wisdom beyond his years and was a true people person. He was perceptive, knowledgeable, and charismatic, with a cheerful warmth that elicited trust straightaway. Favourite phrase: “Pain is temporary, pride is forever” — this will stay with me always. Nolasco (The Mountain God & Tanzanian Bob Marley) was the motivator of the guides. The singing and chants alone would have got us to the summit, but to boot, he is also an experienced guide. He summited four times on our summit day — twice with our group and twice more with another group. He said he did this because he can’t say “one team, one dream” and not help people when needed. That kind of work ethic speaks for itself. A mixture of technical experience and fun made him a key part of the team. Favourite phrase: “One team, one dream.” Exaud (The Headteacher) — on the surface, a strict, speaks-his-mind type, but underneath, a principled and knowledgeable guide. You don’t question Exaud; you just do as he says, but of course that comes with trust, which is earned quickly. Marky Mark (The Joker) — always with a smile and a friendly word to greet you, he was a joy to have in the team. All four guides are exceptionally experienced, and none of us would have summited without them. They were supported by the assistant guides: Mousa, Peter, Suleman, and Joseph. Together, they made our experience a truly amazing one. Every day, we felt like we were part of a Tanzanian family. Special mention to Mousa, who was a godsend for me on summit night. I could not have summited without Mousa and Abraham. Mousa needs to be fast-tracked to becoming a guide, because no doubt he will make a great one. This was a camping trip, but with luxury service. Maturo was in charge of the camp setup (tents, toilets, luggage, etc.). He and his team did an impeccable job. The clean tents and toilets were always ready before we arrived at camp, and the Kilimanjaro shoe shine (they would clean our shoes when we reached camp) was a lovely touch. Coordinating living arrangements and possessions for a team of 10 at altitude, was no mean feat. The food service was handled by the chefs: Justin and Benson, and the waiters: Reggie and Emmanuel. The menu was clearly thought out and planned to give us the best nutritional inputs we needed, while also being delicious. How they achieved this at altitude in freezing temperatures was truly impressive. Reggie and Emmanuel were the best waiters — always smiling, friendly, and making our mealtimes really fun. A mix of skill, professionalism, humour, and warmth from our Altezza team made this journey a truly amazing experience that will stay with me for a long time. The whole team were true professionals — nothing was too much effort, so hardworking, and I cannot speak highly enough of them.

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Jordanlz6540ef

Aug 10, 2025

Most incredbile experience and trip of a lifetime! - I can’t speak highly enough about Altezza Travel. They made this trip an unforgettable experience! From start to finish, they were the most organized, professional, and supportive team I’ve ever traveled with. If you’re considering climbing Kilimanjaro, I highly recommend the Rongai route. It’s much less crowded than other routes, and we were fortunate enough to see some wildlife along the way, which is rare on the more popular routes. Our team leaders, Mosha and Jackson, were absolutely incredible. They were attentive and made sure both my son and I were well looked after every step of the way. Their guidance and encouragement played a huge part in us successfully reaching the Uhuru Summit. The rest of the team, including Ezekiel and Godfreed, were a breath of fresh air! They always greeted us with smiles during our tea breaks and at the campsite, keeping the mood light and positive. A huge shoutout to our chef as well, the meals were incredible and exactly what we needed to stay energized and nourished for the climb. If you follow Altezza’s program, your chances of making it to the summit are incredibly high. They claim a 98% success rate, and it’s no surprise why. Thank you so much to the entire team for an experience of a lifetime for me and my son! If you want a seamless, supportive, and memorable experience, Altezza Travel is the way to go! Highly recommended.

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W2552xm_

Aug 4, 2025

Above Expectations! - Dear Altezza Team, Finally, I have time to write a review about my Kilimanjaro expedition! In one phrase, it was: Above Expectations! You can do it! – Justin (super guide) and Amani (super training guide) will support you. You're doing great! – Wilson (super guide) will cheer you on. Eat as much as you can! – Patrick (super waiter) will kindly insist. One friend recommended Altezza to me, and the information on your website was just perfect, so I went for it. After booking, I was contacted by Natalia (Altezza manager). We had about an hour-long conversation, and she answered all my questions. Special thanks to Natalia – she helped me understand which route to choose. Initially, I wanted to take a shorter one, but Natalia convinced me to go with a longer route, and it turned out to be excellent advice. So, when choosing a route – take it seriously and trust the professionals! All the necessary equipment can be rented, and you don't have to worry about your personal items during the climb – Altezza takes care of everything. I took the Rongai Route, which was just perfect. The weather was great, though a bit cold all the time. We were lucky to have no rain during all 7 days of the climb. If you prefer more privacy, this route is ideal – you won’t meet many other tourists. I’ve already mentioned the guides – they are true professionals. They took great care of us and gave us so much attention and support. Our summit was on 14.07.25 – and it was NOT easy at all – but we made it with the 200% support of guides Justin, Wilson, and Amani, and, of course, the whole team who organized perfect camps for us. I don’t remember all the team members' names, but everyone from the Rongai Route team (09.07–15.07) was brilliant. Special thanks to our chef Evans! The food was amazing – truly perfect. I couldn’t have expected anything better. The menu was well-balanced and very tasty. I didn’t even need extra snacks. Chef Evans personally checked in to see if we liked the food – that was very thoughtful and attentive. Overall, the adventure was not easy at all, but I’m incredibly happy I did it! If you're planning to go – yes, you will be cold, yes, you will feel the altitude, and yes, you will be tired – but you will also love it! If reaching the summit is your goal – trust Altezza's professionals! P.S. The hotels before and after the climb were great, and the food at the restaurants – 5 stars! Good luck to everyone planning a Kilimanjaro climb! Elizaveta

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K5535knaaronm

Aug 4, 2025

Unforgettable mountain experience!!! - What an amazing week we have had thanks to the incredible team at Altezza. From start to finish everything was impeccable, from the level of professionalism and friendliness of the guides/porters, to the high quality equipment. Nothing was too big of an ask for Altezza, who were able to help facilitate everything we could possibly have asked for to make sure we had an enjoyable time. There could not be a single fault I find with their service from start to finish. The guides Nolasco, Mark, Abraham and Exaude made sure we made it to the summit whilst keeping us entertained along the way. Assistant guides Moussa, Peter, Joseph and Jackson always were there with a big smile on their face encouraging us with each step, whilst working tirelessly to carry our equipment up the mountain. Special mention to Reggie and Emanuel alongside chefs Justin and Benson who cooked and served the most incredibly tasty, nutritious food every single day. Each of the porters all had a role to play, and each were clearly happy to be with our group and assisting us with our expedition. Also to mention that the entire team (50+ for our group of 10) had top quality hiking boots/rucksacks/clothes, a good touch from Altezza looking after their employees.

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Adam

Jul 30, 2025

Kilimanjaro climb with Altezza - Excellence at every step!! - UNFORGETTABLE! I’ve just returned from the adventure of a lifetime — a 7-day trek up Mt. Kilimanjaro via the Rongai Route, organized by the incredible team at Altezza Travel and I honestly don’t have enough superlatives to do it justice. From the beginning, the care, professionalism, and warmth of the crew were beyond anything I’ve ever experienced. We were a group of 10 trekkers, supported by a dream team of 50 guides, porters, cooks, and camp staff, all working seamlessly to ensure our safety, comfort, and success on the mountain. It's humbling to witness that kind of dedication and effort. Our lead guides — Abraham, Nolasco, Exaud and Mark were nothing short of phenomenal. Their years of mountain experience blended with humor, wisdom and encouragement culminated in razor-sharp expertise to every step of the journey. These guys are true heroes, going above and beyond to ensure others on the mountain were safe and summited alongside our group. There were moments when we each struggled, and yet somehow, they always knew exactly what to say or do to keep us moving forward, one step at a time (polepole). Special mention to Joeseph, Peter, Suleman and Musa - Assistant guides, who effortlessly made our summit journey seamless. Offering a helping hand at every opportunity, these guys are Legends. This crew alongside the rest created an unmatched family spirit that was the heartbeat of this journey. And yes — the camp songs each evening were pure magic. Every detail was thought through: clean facilities, warm water for washing thanks to camp managers Mauturo and William who’s vibrant and caring personalities made reaching each camp feel rewarding and homely. It’s clear that this team doesn’t just get people to the summit — they care about the way you get there. A special mention to chefs Justin and Benson who’s nourishing hot meals (even at altitude!) were sublime everyday. The choice and nutritional planning prepared our bodies in the best way to summit with ease. Each morning greeted by the best camp waiters there are Reggie and Emmanuel with a warm drink to start the day. Both are the warmest and friendliest people I’ve met. With smiles that will brighten up your day, they will ensure you’re well fed at each meal to enhance your climbing experience. I will never forget these guys!! If you’re considering hiking Kilimanjaro — do it. But do it with Altezza, if possible with those mentioned above. They are elite-level operators with true heart, and their reputation as the best on the mountain is absolutely deserved. This trip changed me. The summit was just part of it. The real gift was meeting all of the wonderful people who got us there. Asante sana, team. Hakuna matata always.

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718umam

Jul 28, 2025

Awesome Altezza 🤩 - Incredible team lead by the four guides - Abraham, Nolasco, Mark and Exaud got our group of ten to summit. Our exceptional experience on the 7 day hike was due to the team’s dedication, professionalism with great attention to detail in everything they did for us. From setting up our tents, toilets and feeding us great freshly cooked food with options for breakfast, lunch and dinner, filling our water bottles, water for cleaning, cleaning our shoes, getting our bags ready, medical checkups twice a day and daily briefings, the porters worked tirelessly every day with big smiles. We had a team of 50 to take care of us and they were all amazing but impossible to have got to know them all. So the ones that made my 7 days awesome are- Nolasco (Ziggy Marley) was my hero, Abraham a fab leader with Mark just gorgeous and Exaud so caring! Reggie’s cheeky smile first thing in the morning with a cup of tea. Justin’s awesome food, Emanuel waitressing, Maturo’s shoeshine, Moussa, Peter, Joseph, William were just wanting to help with anything and everything all the time!!! Thank you Altezza and will be talking about you for a very long time 🙏🏾

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Jonm232

Jul 28, 2025

Non Stop to the top with Altezza - AMAZING!! I recently completed an incredible 7 day adventure to the top of Kilimanjaro (Rongai gate to marangu gate) with my family on an Altezza Travel company trip and wow what an experience. I cannot speak highly enough of the Altezza team. In total there were 50 people (yes 50) to get 10 of us up and down safely, well fed, with great food, clean facilities and great team spirit. The guides were Nolasco (the philosopher), Mark(y) (the joker), Exaud (the teacher), and Abraham (the boss). A finer bunch of high altitude guides you will not find. I will never forget you! A great mixture of personalities and skill sets, that helped all our team summit under tough circumstances. Great motivators with incredible physical and mental endurance, with decades of Kilimanjaro experience. A big shout out to Peter and Joseph who helped me with my backpack below Gillman’s point - I will never forget that. Tough guys, selfless and happy, incredible. Too many names to name but Reggie, Matoro stand out, but a big thank you all 50 involved - amazing! Genuine warmth from the whole team, great team ethos and greater songs! Each day we hiked higher and higher the porters would pass us with tents, tables, food, cookers, toilets etc on their shoulders and head with big smiles on their faces, and the phrase Jambo Jambo on their lips. Amazing. If you are thinking of hiking Kilimanjaro, it’s a tough and dangerous pursuit, but possible, I would strongly recommend Altezza. They are very professional and highly competent, totally genuine. I will never forget the songs, the warmth of the Tanzanian team spirit that help us complete the most incredible adventure. I would 100% recommend Altezza for anybody wanting to hike Kilimanjaro, their reputation as the best hiking company on Kilimanjaro is well founded and reflected in their trip advisor review ratings. Keep up the great work - “Hakuna matata" Jon Mays

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I4930hebillw

Jun 29, 2025

Military precision... - The trek led by Richard our guide was organised to perfection. The entire team of guides, porters and camp staff made the trek an unforgettable experience. We felt encouraged and supported the entire way, I cannot fault how well it was organised. Altezza Travel appears to stand out from the other groups trekking up to Kilimanjaro, highly recommended.

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432janneg

Jun 28, 2025

The best adventure ever! - This 7-day hike has been absolutely amazing! I came as a solo traveler and left with what feels like a new Tanzanian family. Our guides Richard & Paul did an absolute wonderful job! As well as their help guides Jackson & Solomon! Reaching the top together with Paul & Solomon and our group was a dream coming true! They carried my backpack, took care of me when I experienced some mountain sickness and made sure there was no panic needed at all. Not to forget all the porters and extra help we got from these 24 crew members! The camp was always ready when we arrived, we had wonderful meals and everybody was always positive, always laughing, always happy to help! Also the organisation before departure was great, very fast communication. They literally take care of everything! I can definitely recommend this to everybody! Thank you so much Altezza travel, a week to never forget!

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