- Arusha/Moshi Town
- Mount Kilimanjaro National Park
- Rongai Route
Overview of the Rongai Route
Conquer Africa’s Highest Peak via The Remote Kilimanjaro Route
The 6-Day Rongai Route is the only route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the north, near the Kenyan border. This lesser-traveled path offers a quiet, scenic experience, passing through wild, untouched landscapes. It is known for its gradual ascent, making it an excellent choice for beginners and those who prefer a less crowded trek. The descent follows the Marangu Route, providing diverse scenery on both ascent and descent.
6-Day Rongai Route Itinerary
Day 0: Arrival in Moshi/Arusha
Your adventure begins with your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where you’ll be met by our team and transferred to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha. In the evening, you’ll meet your experienced mountain guide for a detailed trek briefing, final gear check, and packing recommendations. This is also your last chance to rent any missing gear before the climb. Overnight at a comfortable hotel in Moshi or Arusha..
- Meals Included : None
- Overnight Moshi : Stella Maris Executive Lodge
- Overnight Arusha : Malkia Trees Lodge
Day 1: Rongai Gate (1,950m) to Simba Camp (2,625m)
After breakfast, we drive to Rongai Gate, where we complete registration before starting the trek. The trail winds through dense pine forest, home to black-and-white colobus monkeys. We reach Simba Camp in the late afternoon, where we rest for the night.
- Meals Included : Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
- Trekking Distance: ~8km (~4–5 hours)
- Accommodation: Simba Camp
Day 2: Simba Camp (2,625m) to Second Cave (3,450m)
Today’s trek offers stunning views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks as we ascend through moorland terrain. We reach Second Cave Camp in the afternoon, where we rest and enjoy the quiet, remote atmosphere.
- Meals Included : Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
- Trekking Distance: ~6km (~3–4 hours)
- Accommodation: Second Cave Camp
Day 3: Second Cave Camp (3,450m) to Kikelewa Camp (3,600m)
We continue toward the eastern slopes of Kibo, trekking past rocky outcrops and alpine meadows. Upon reaching Kikelewa Camp, we rest while enjoying breathtaking views of the Mawenzi Peak.
- Meals Included : Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
- Trekking Distance: ~6km (~3–4 hours)
- Accommodation: Kikelewa Camp
Day 4: Kikelewa Camp (3,600m) to Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,315m)
A steep but rewarding climb leads us to Mawenzi Tarn Camp, nestled beneath the towering Mawenzi Peak. This is one of the most scenic camps on the route. We take an acclimatization hike in the afternoon.
- Meals Included : Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
- Trekking Distance: ~5km (~3–4 hours)
- Accommodation: Mawenzi Tarn Camp
Day 5: Mawenzi Tarn (4,315m) to Kibo Hut (4,720m)
This day will be spent trekking towards Kibo Hut Camp (4,720 m /15,482 f). The landscape will change significantly to become a rocky semi-desert. The actual trek 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 /19,336 f).
- Meals Included : Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
- Trekking Distance: ~9km (~5–6 hours)
- Accommodation:Kibo Hut
Day 6: Kibo Hut (4,720m) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) and Descent to Marangu Gate (1,860m)
We begin our summit attempt at midnight, hiking through the night towards Gilman’s Point at the crater rim. From here, we continue to the summit of Uhuru Peak (5,895m), the highest point in Africa. After celebrating our achievement, we descend to Horombo Hut, and then further to Marangu Gate, where we’ll be awarded a summit certificate. A vehicle will transport us back to Moshi or Arusha for a celebratory meal.
- Meals Included : Breakfast and Lunch. Dinner is not included.
- Trekking Distance: ~20km (~5–6 hours)
- Overnight Moshi : Stella Maris Executive Lodge
- Overnight Arusha : Malkia Trees Lodge
Day 7: Departure Date/Flight Day
A long or short safari and Zanzibar beach holiday adventure can seamlessly be arranged before or after your Kilimanjaro trek with us. For those wishing to explore Moshi Town and immerse themselves in its vibrant culture, including visits to local attractions, markets, and communities, we recommend adding an extra overnight stay. We’ve curated a dedicated guide to Moshi’s top destinations to enhance your experience. Explore Our Moshi Destination Guide Here.
If you prefer to conclude your journey after the trek, we’ll arrange a timely transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home or onward travel.
- Meals Included : Breakfast Only.
Tour Includes
Here’s a clear breakdown of what’s covered in your trekking package.
- Park fees, camping fees, rescue fees and 18% VAT.
- 4 Season mountain tents
- Camping Equipments. Tables, Chairs etc
- Transportation to & from the mountain gate
- Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
- All Meals (as specified in the itinerary) While On Mountain
- Hot Water For Wash on all days
- Drinking water on all day
- Fair wages for the mountain crew.
- Pick up & Drop Off at Kilimanjaro International Airport
- All accommodation before and after your trek (Bed & Breakfast ONLY)
Tour Excludes
Here’s a clear breakdown of what you’ll need to plan independently.
- Portable chemical toilet - $150 per toilet (including tent & porter)
- Lunch and dinner before and after trek
- Domestic and International flights (from/to home)
- Personal Climbing Gear. You can rent from us See Rental Prices or See Packing List
- Laundry Services
- Travel Insurance (Recommended – Travel insurance with medical cover of 6,000m and above)
- Spending a night in the crater - $200 per person
- Western breach approach without a night at the crater camp - $100 per person
- Tanzanian mountain doctor - $200 per group per day
- Tips to mountain crew
- Tip on Mountain Kilimanjaro is recommended for group sharing as following:
- Guide $20/guide/day
- Cook $15/day
- Porters $10/porter/day.
- Tip on Mountain Kilimanjaro is recommended for group sharing as following:
Rongai Route Frequently Asked Questions
The distance of the Rongai route is approximately 81 km or 50 miles.
The Rongai route is considered a moderate route. The elevation gain is gradual and not strenuous. However, because it is one of Kilimanjaro’s shorter routes, some climbers may succumb to altitude sickness due to its less than ideal route profile.
The 7-day Rongai Route has a high summit success rate of around 70%–80% due to its good acclimatization profile. If you book a private expedition and need more time to adjust to the altitude, it’s possible to add an extra rest day at any of the camps along the route. Please note that extending the expedition incurs an additional cost, covering extra park fees, staff wages, and related expenses. Nevertheless, this adjustment can enhance your likelihood of a successful summit especially if you feel that the classic itinerary might be too difficult.
You will stay in mountain tents that are well-maintained and provide comfort. Sleeping mats and pillows are included, and our team sets up camp, so you can focus on your trek.
The answer largely depends on your preferences. If you’re looking for a more quiet experience without crowds, or want to climb Kilimanjaro during the rainy season, Rongai can be a great option. On the other hand, Lemosho is famous as the most scenic route for climbing Kilimanjaro with very high summit success rates.
Both Rongai and Northern Circuit are among the least crowded routes to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. The Northern Circuit is longer both in distance and time, requiring at least 8 days on the mountain, while Rongai is available as 6 and 7-day expeditions. One advantage of the Northern Circuit is that you will get to see all sides of the mountain and enjoy a longer itinerary. However, the extended daily hikes might get tiring for some. Rongai stands out as the shorter option and is also great if you don’t want to see many groups of other trekkers on your expedition.
The Rongai route has several variations and can be completed in 6 to 8 days. The standard itinerary is the preferred variation which requires 7 days.
Kilimanjaro Trekking Routes Comparison: Rongai vs. Other Routes
| Feature | Marangu Route | Machame Route | Lemosho Route | Rongai Route | Northern Circuit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate | Strenuous | Challenging | Moderate | Moderate-Strenuous |
| Duration | 5-6 Days | 6-7 Days | 6-9 Days | 6-7 Days | 8-9 Days |
| Success Rate | 85-90% | 85-95% | 90-99% | 70-80% | 90-95% |
| Accommodation | Mountain Huts | Camping | Camping | Camping | Camping |
| Scenery | Rainforest, Moorland | Rainforest, Shira Plateau, Barranco Wall | Remote Wilderness, Lava Tower | Alpine Desert, Less Crowded | 360° Views, Remote Trails |
| Crowd Level | High | High | Moderate | Low | Very Low |
| Best For | Beginners, Budget Travelers | Adventure Seekers | Scenery Lovers | Rainy Season Treks | High Success Seekers |
What Our Customers Are Saying
Emma Thompson
8 Days Lemosho Route
The team was extremely profesional: 1 guide per person and 6 porters (including a cook). We were taken care of with a lot of attention, the team treated us really well (including hot water bags before sleeping for the cold, a gentle a nice touch we were not seeing with the other groups). We had medical checks twice per day.
Michael Chen
9 Days Lemosho Route
Special thanks to our chief guide Wisen. He was brilliant in leading the group, check on us daily and made sure we were in good spirits. He was equally aided by assistance guides Joseph and Starson. They were joined by summit porters Humprhey and John on our last day. I thank them all for looking after our safety on that final accent day and getting us up and down safely (the decent was so much fun!) The team of porters were so professional and helpful.
Sophia Rodriguez
5 Days Marangu Route
Our chef Bakari cooked amazing meals in such extreme conditions - so filling - the soups were delicious! Thanks to the rest of the BantuPori team: Goodluck, Joseph, Mussa, Jackson, Iddi, Richard, Abdul and Richard (apologies if I have left any one out). The entire team were brilliant and and I cannot thank them enough for looking after us through out our expedition and keeping our spirits up.
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