Climbers ascending with the Kibo peak behind them

7 Days Rongai Route

The quiet northern approach

7 days
Duration: 5,895 m
Highest point: Moderately challenging
Difficulty: Rongai
Route: Rongai Gate → Marangu Gate
Start / finish

Overview

Approaching Kilimanjaro close to the Kenyan border, Rongai offers a quieter perspective of the mountain and a gradual early profile. The route crosses the Saddle toward Kibo Hut and descends via Marangu, creating a satisfying north-to-southeast traverse.

This trip is best for

Climbers seeking a quieter trail, northern scenery and a route that is often relatively sheltered from southern-slope rainfall.

The altitude profile

Circles mark where you sleep. Those are the altitudes that decide how you feel, not the high points you walk over during the day.

7 Days Rongai Route elevation profile Route Sleeping altitude

7 Days 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

Day by day

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

Route map

Where this itinerary goes, night by night. Every camp and altitude on the map is the one in the day-by-day above.

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.

What is and is not included

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

Dates and prices

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

This climb runs on your dates

There is no fixed departure calendar for this itinerary — it runs as a private climb whenever suits you, which for most parties is the better arrangement anyway.

Ask about your dates

If you would rather join an existing group on a fixed date, our scheduled departures run on the Lemosho and Machame routes, each built around a full moon or an event summit.

This itinerary runs on your dates rather than to a calendar. See the dates we have scheduled on other routes, or tell us when you want to climb.

What to bring

You will walk through five climate zones in a week, from humid rainforest to sub-zero arctic. Layering is the whole strategy — no single garment solves it.

The full packing list What you can rent locally

From

US$2,450 Per person. The rate falls as the group grows.

See the full price table

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From

US$2,450

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