Rongai Route (6 Days)
The quiet northern approach: drier trails, fewer climbers, and a gradual, scenic ascent.
This is a sample day-by-day breakdown of the 6-day Rongai route, the only route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the drier northern side near the Kenyan border. Pace and timing are adjusted for your group, but this is what a typical climb looks like from gate to gate.
Duration
6 days / 5 nights
Difficulty
Gradual approach, challenging summit night
From
$2,050 per person
Day by day
1
Rongai Gate to Simba Camp
Start from the Rongai (Nalemuru) Gate on the mountain’s northern side, walking through pine forest and moorland to Simba Camp. Around 3 hours, a gentle first day.
2
Simba Camp to Kikelewa Camp
Continue across open moorland with wide views toward Kenya, reaching Kikelewa Camp beneath Mawenzi Peak. Around 7 hours.
3
Kikelewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn
A shorter climb to Mawenzi Tarn, camped beneath the dramatic jagged spires of Mawenzi Peak. Around 4 hours, with the afternoon free to acclimatise.
4
Mawenzi Tarn to Kibo Hut
Cross the barren, high-altitude “saddle” between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo Hut (4,700m). Around 5 hours. Early dinner and rest before a midnight start.
5
Summit night: Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak, then down to Horombo Hut
Depart around midnight, reaching Uhuru Peak (5,895m) around sunrise. Descend via the Marangu route side to Horombo Hut. The longest day, typically 12–14 hours.
6
Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate
A final descent through moorland and rainforest to Marangu Gate, around 6 hours, where you’ll receive your summit certificate before transferring back to Arusha or Moshi.
What’s included
- Park and camping fees
- Licensed mountain guides, porters and cook
- All meals and drinking water on the mountain
- Camping equipment (tents, mess tent)
- Transfers from Arusha or Moshi
Not included
- Tips for the mountain crew ($250–350 typical)
- Personal hiking gear
- Flights, visa and travel insurance
- Sleeping bag rental (available locally)
- Hotel nights before or after the climb
Questions about this route
Why choose Rongai over other routes?
Rongai is drier and quieter than the western and southern routes, making it a good choice during the wetter months or for climbers who prefer a less-crowded trail. Its gradual ascent profile is also gentle on the body in the early days.
Is Rongai less scenic than other routes?
It’s different rather than less scenic: you get dramatic close-up views of Mawenzi Peak that other routes don’t offer, though it lacks the varied ecological zones of routes like Machame and Lemosho since you approach and descend on different, more direct paths.
Does Rongai see fewer climbers?
Yes, it’s one of the quieter routes on the mountain, appealing if you’d rather not share camps and trails with large groups.