Trip overview
The Rongai Route is the only route on the northeastern part of the mountain. This route is gaining in popularity because it is the second easiest after Marangu and it has amazing wilderness conditions.
The Rongai Route is recommended for climbers who want to avoid the huge numbers of climbers on other routes.
The Rongai Route is only used to climb up the mountain and at the final stage it joins up with the Marangu Route, which is also the ascending route.
Tour Highlights
- A remote and quiet climb away from the crowds
- The only route approaching Kilimanjaro from the north
- An excellent option during the rainy season
Rongai route map
Itinerary
6 days Rongai route
Arrive in Tanzania
You will be picked up at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your arranged hotel in Moshi town. Upon arrival, you will meet your mountain guide who will brief you on the upcoming trek and conduct a full equipment check to ensure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Any missing items can be rented on this day. You will spend the night at the hotel on a bed and breakfast basis, allowing time to rest and prepare for the climb.
- Driving distance: 55 km
- Driving time: Approximately 1 hour
- Habitat: Cultivated zone
- Accommodation: Hotel (Bed & Breakfast
DAY 1 - MOSHI - RONGAI GATE - 1ST CAVES CAMP
After breakfast, you’ll be picked up from your Moshi or Arusha hotel and transferred to Marangu Gate for climber registration and park formalities. From there, you’ll continue by road to Rongai Gate, approximately a 2.5-hour drive.
The trek begins with a gentle ascent through fields of corn and lush pine forest, leading you steadily to First Cave Camp, where you’ll settle in for the night.
- Elevation: 2000m/6560ft to 2650m/8700ft
- Distance: 6km/4mi
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Montane Forest
- Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 2 - 1st CAVES CAMP - KIKELEWA CAVE
After a hearty breakfast, you’ll begin the steady ascent toward Kikelewa Cave. The hike includes a stop at Second Cave Camp for lunch before continuing onward. You’ll arrive at Kikelewa Camp in time for a hot lunch and a chance to relax by the fire.
As evening falls, the sense of altitude becomes unmistakable, with brilliant star-filled skies above and sweeping views of the Tanzanian landscape stretching out below.
- Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3450m/11,300ft
- Distance: 6km/4mi
- Walking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
- Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3 - KIKELEWA CAVE - MAWENZI TARN CAMP
Today’s hike is short but steep, ascending from Kikelewa Camp (3,600 m) to Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,330 m). The trail passes through scrubby alpine moorland, dotted with unique plant species found nowhere else in Tanzania.
Set beneath the dramatic towers of Mawenzi Peak, Mawenzi Tarn Camp offers spectacular scenery and a truly memorable high-altitude camping experience.
- Elevation: 3450m/11,300ft to 3880m/12,700ft
- Distance: 9km/5mi
- Walking Time: 2-3 hours
- Habitat: Semi-desert
- Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4 - MAWENZI TARN CAMP - KIBO HUT
Today you will hike for 4–5 hours toward Kibo Hut, located in the Kibo Saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo Peaks. The trail crosses the alpine desert, a stark and dramatic landscape that showcases the raw beauty of Kilimanjaro.
You will overnight at Kibo Hut, resting and preparing for your summit attempt.
- Elevation: 3880m/12,700ft to 4750m/15,600ft
- Distance: 5km/3mi
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
- Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5 - KIBO HUT - UHURU PEAK - HOROMBO HUT
Today begins very early — just after midnight. Your climbing team will wake you with a cup of hot tea and a light snack to energize you as you prepare your daypack for the summit attempt.
You’ll hike in complete darkness for 5–7 hours, taking it steady to reach Stella Point a few hours before dawn. From there, it’s another two hours of challenging hiking along the crater rim to reach your ultimate goal: Uhuru Peak. Standing at 5,895 m, the highest point in Africa, you’ll witness a breathtaking sunrise and enjoy panoramic views — a moment to celebrate your achievement.
After photos and soaking it all in, you’ll begin the descent via Kibo Hut and continue down to Horombo Hut. With a total trekking time of 12–16 hours, this is one of the longest and most demanding days of the climb, but also one of the most rewarding.
- Elevation: 4700m/15,500ft to 5895m/19,340ft
- Distance: 6km/4mi up / 15km/9mi down
- Hiking Time: 6-8 hours up / 15km/9mi down
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
- Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6 - HOROMBO HUT - MARANGU GATE - MOSHI
It’s a day of celebration today, as you’ll enjoy one last breakfast on the mountain before descending to the Marangu Gate.
It’s an almost 20km walk today, but the steady downhill makes it a lot easier than the ascent.
Upon arrival at the gate, you’ll get to celebrate with your porters and guides, provide them with their tips for their hard work, and collect your certificate of completion.
Your driver will then whisk you away to your Moshi or Arusha hotel to get some well-earned rest.
- Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 1700m/5500ft
- Distance: 20km/12.5mi
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Forest
- Meals Provided: Breakfast
Included
- Park fees, camping fees & rescue fees
- 18% VAT on tour fees & services
- 3 Season mountain tents
- Double layered Sleeping Mats
- Transportation to & from the mountain gate
- Professional mountain guides, cooks, and porters
- 3 meals daily while on the mountain
- Filtered water throughout the trek
- Pre & Post Trek accommodation at the Parkview Inn
- Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
- 2- way private airport transfers
- Oxygen cylinder
- Oximeter
Excluded
- Flights
- Tips to mountain crew
- Items of a personal nature
- Laundry Services
- Travel Insurance
