Full-moon & event summits 2026–2028 · join a group departure →
Trek Up Kilimanjaro
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. Full data is given in the table below. 2,000 m 3,000 m 4,000 m 5,000 m 6,000 m Simba Camp 2,625 Second Cave 3,450 Kikelewa Ca 3,600 Mawenzi Tar 4,330 Kibo Hut 4,700 Uhuru Peak 5,895 Horombo Hut 3,720
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

01

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)
Highest point
2,625 m
02

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)
Highest point
3,450 m
03

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)
Highest point
3,600 m
04

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)
Highest point
4,330 m
05

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)
Highest point
4,700 m
06

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
07

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
Sleeping altitude
1,860 m (6,102 ft)
Highest point
1,860 m

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.

N Mawenzi Nalemuru Gate1,950 m Simba Camp2,625 m Second Cave Camp3,450 m Kikelewa Caves3,600 m Mawenzi Tarn Camp4,330 m Kibo Hut4,700 m Uhuru Peak5,895 m Horombo Hut3,720 m Marangu Gate1,860 m
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 / Hut fees - depending on the selected route
  • 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 on camping routes

Camping equipment

  • Quality four-season mountain tents - on camping routes
  • 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.

These are the scheduled dates for this itinerary. See every group departure across all our routes, or ask about your own dates.

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

Plan this climb