Climbers ascending with the Kibo peak behind them

Rongai Route

The only approach from the north, the driest option in the wetter months, and consistently the quietest of the mainstream routes.

7 days
On the mountain: 73 km
Total distance: 5,895 m
Highest point: Camping
Sleeping

Rongai Route altitude profile, in brief
Day	Location	Altitude (m)	Distance (km)	Overnight
1	Rongai Gate	1,950	0	No
1	Simba Camp	2,625	8	Yes
2	Second Cave	3,450	14	Yes
3	Kikelewa Camp	3,600	20	Yes
4	Mawenzi Tarn	4,330	25	Yes
5	Kibo Hut	4,700	33	Yes
6	Uhuru Peak	5,895	43	No
6	Horombo Hut	3,720	53	Yes
7	Marangu Gate	1,860	73	No

Sleeping altitudes, night by night

In short

Rongai climbs the northern side near the Kenyan border, through terrain that is drier and more open than the southern rainforest, before joining the Marangu descent.

What it does well

The northern side sits in a rain shadow, so it stays drier when the south is wet.
Far fewer climbers than the southern routes.
A gentler, more consistent gradient on the way up.
The optional Mawenzi Tarn detour is one of the finest camps on the mountain.

What to weigh up

A long transfer around the mountain to reach the trailhead.
Less varied scenery than Lemosho or Machame on the ascent.
Fewer natural climb-high-sleep-low opportunities, so the itinerary length matters more.

Route facts

7 days
Recommended length: 73 km
Total distance: 5,895 m
Highest point: North
Approach side: Marangu
Descent route: Camping
Sleeping: Moderately challenging
Difficulty: Jan · Feb · Mar · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Nov
Best months

The altitude profile

Circles mark sleeping altitudes. Those are what your body adapts to — the high points you walk over during the day matter far less.

Rongai Route elevation profile Route Sleeping altitude

Rongai Route elevation profile
Day	Location	Altitude (m)	Distance (km)	Overnight
1	Rongai Gate	1,950	0	No
1	Simba Camp	2,625	8	Yes
2	Second Cave	3,450	14	Yes
3	Kikelewa Camp	3,600	20	Yes
4	Mawenzi Tarn	4,330	25	Yes
5	Kibo Hut	4,700	33	Yes
6	Uhuru Peak	5,895	43	No
6	Horombo Hut	3,720	53	Yes
7	Marangu Gate	1,860	73	No

The route, camp by camp

As walked on our 7 Days Rongai Route itinerary, with the altitudes it gives.

Ascent Descent Overnight camp Schematic map, not to scale: positions are approximate and not for navigation. Altitudes are from our itineraries. Terrain: SRTM (NASA), via Terrain Tiles on AWS.

Day by day

These are the days of our 7 Days Rongai Route.

Rongai Gate to Simba Camp

1,950 m → 2,625 m
8 km
4–5 hrs
Forest / heath

↑ 675 m gained

Begin on the quieter northern side through cultivated land, forest and open heath.

From: Rongai Gate
To: Simba Camp
Sleeping altitude: 2,625 m (8,612 ft)

Simba Camp to Second Cave

2,625 m → 3,450 m
6 km
3–4 hrs
Heath

↑ 825 m gained

A steady climb with increasingly open views across the northern plains.

From: Simba Camp
To: Second Cave
Sleeping altitude: 3,450 m (11,319 ft)

Second Cave to Kikelewa Camp

3,450 m → 3,600 m
6 km
3–4 hrs
Moorland

↑ 150 m gained

Traverse southeast toward the jagged Mawenzi massif. The modest sleeping gain supports acclimatization.

From: Second Cave
To: Kikelewa Camp
Sleeping altitude: 3,600 m (11,811 ft)

Kikelewa to Mawenzi Tarn

3,600 m → 4,330 m
5 km
4–5 hrs
Alpine desert

↑ 730 m gained

Climb beneath Mawenzi’s dramatic spires to one of Kilimanjaro’s most striking camps. Optional acclimatization walk if appropriate.

From: Kikelewa
To: Mawenzi Tarn
Sleeping altitude: 4,330 m (14,206 ft)

Mawenzi Tarn to Kibo Hut

4,330 m → 4,700 m
8 km
5–6 hrs
Alpine desert

↑ 370 m gained

Cross the lunar Saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo to the final summit base.

From: Mawenzi Tarn
To: Kibo Hut
Sleeping altitude: 4,700 m (15,420 ft)

Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut

4,700 m → 3,720 m
20 km
12–16 hrs
Arctic summit to moorland

↑ 1,195 m gained ↓ 2,175 m descended Sleeps 3,720 m

Climb via Gilman’s Point and the crater rim to Uhuru Peak, then make the long descent to Horombo Hut.

From: Kibo Hut
To: Horombo Hut
Sleeping altitude: 3,720 m (12,205 ft)
Highest point: 5,895 m

Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate

3,720 m → 1,860 m
20 km
5–7 hrs
Moorland / rainforest

Descend through Mandara and forest to Marangu Gate, then transfer to Moshi.

From: Horombo Hut
To: Marangu Gate

Dates, prices and booking Take the itinerary with you (PDF)

What is and is not included

As listed on our 7 Days Rongai Route. What the crew does and what we carry is the same on every itinerary we run here. The number of nights is not, and park fees are charged per night, so each climb page carries its own list.

What is included

Transfers

Airport pick-up and drop-off - Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to/from your hotel
Private transfers to/from the mountain gate - Hotel to Kilimanjaro trailhead and exit gate to hotel

Meals & water

Pre & post-climb accommodation - 2 nights in Moshi (1 night before and 1 night after the climb) on Bed & Breakfast basis
Three freshly prepared meals per day on the mountain - breakfast, lunch and dinner
Nutritious snacks during the trek
Clean, purified drinking water throughout the climb
Hot water for washing each morning and evening where practical

Permits & park fees

Kilimanjaro National Park entrance fees
Camping fees
All applicable government taxes & VAT
Kilimanjaro summit certificate for successful climbers

Safety equipment

Kilimanjaro National Park rescue fees
Emergency supplemental oxygen
Pulse oximeter for monitoring blood oxygen saturation and pulse during the climb
First-aid kit and mountain emergency equipment
Daily health monitoring by the mountain guide
24/7 emergency communication support between the mountain team and operations office

Guides & crew

Professional, licensed English-speaking Kilimanjaro mountain guide
Assistant mountain guides - according to group size
Professional mountain chef/cook
Porters - to carry group equipment, food and clients permitted duffel luggage
All mountain crew wages and salaries
Cooking tent and complete camp equipment
Private portable flush/chemical toilet with dedicated toilet tent and porter - throughout the trek

Camping equipment

Quality four-season mountain tents
Comfortable sleeping mattresses
Dining/mess tent with tables and chairs

Also included

Pre-climb briefing and equipment check
All logistical and operational support throughout the expedition

What is not included

International and domestic flights
Tanzania entry visa
Travel and medical insurance - clients should have appropriate coverage for high-altitude trekking up to at least 6,000 metres
Helicopter/air evacuation or specialist medical evacuation unless specifically included by the client insurance policy
Personal trekking equipment and clothing, including hiking boots, sleeping bag, down jacket, trekking poles, daypack and other personal gear
Equipment rental, unless specifically included in the quotation
Tips/gratuities for mountain guides, assistant guides, cook and porters
Lunch and dinner at the hotel before or after the climb unless specified
Soft drinks, alcoholic beverages and bottled drinks outside those specifically included
Personal snacks and energy bars brought by the client
Laundry services
Telephone calls, SIM cards, internet/data charges and other communication expenses
Additional hotel nights or transfers caused by flight changes, early arrival or late departure
Single-room or single-tent supplement, where applicable
Extra porter required for luggage exceeding the permitted mountain weight
Personal expenses such as souvenirs and shopping
Any activities, accommodation, meals, transfers or services not specifically stated in the itinerary
Costs arising from itinerary changes requested by the client or circumstances outside the company control

What it costs

Our 7 Days Rongai Route, per climber. A smaller group pays more each because the crew, the vehicles and the camp cost the same however many of you there are.

Private climb prices by party size
Party size	Per person
1 climber Private Solo Expedition — Maximum privacy.	US$3,115

Scheduled group prices by party size
Party size	Per person
2–4 climbers Small Group Rate — Shared value.	US$2,870
5–7 climbers Group Discount Rate — Preferred group rate.	US$2,625
8–10 climbers Best Group Rate — Best value per climber.	US$2,450