8 hours
Mount Kilimanjaro
Starting at USD 1,923
Wed, 24 Dec, 2025 at 08:00 am to 04:00 pm (GMT+03:00)
Mount Kilimanjaro
Moshi, Tanzania
Rongai Kilimanjaro hiking route begins in the northern side of Kilimanjaro Mountain, 45km from Moshi town or 69km from Arusha. Rongai is stated to be one of the most beautiful routes that start from the Northern side, In comparison to others this is the easiest route and its popularity has been increasing tremendously over the years. The route host a variety of spectacular landscapes together with different plants and animalās species which make it one of the best sought after route of the Northern side. The typical duration for this trip is 6 days. But mostly the hikers prefer to take one day more, i.e., the 7 days to make the success rate higher. Rongai is scenically more beautiful than that of Marangu, and the difference is that when Marangu offers the hut facilities, the Rongai offers the tents to rest and make the overnight stay. At the end of each day you would find your tents pitched by the porters.
This route starts on the north side of the mountain just south of the Kenyan border and is one of the least traveled routes. The route merges with the Marangu for the summit climb. The descend follows the Marangu route on the mountainās southeast side, so you will be able to Kilimanjaro from many points. There are two versions of this trek- a direct 6 day itinerary and a 7 day itinerary that takes a longer route. You can choose to attempt the summit via Mawezi Tarn Hut or via School Hut which is also referred to as the Outward Bound Hut. The former is longer and more popular. Prior acclimatization is suggested in order to attempt the latter successfully.
Info: Climbing via Rongai, takes extra miles from Moshi town hence, your day should start in the morning by being picked up by your driver and your mountain guides and takes a leave drive from Moshi town to Rongai gate. At the gate, the porters will collect your luggage packed together and you will remain with your daypack for your on-walk necessities as you will meet your porter at the camp, our guide will explain to you that you should carry in your daypack during briefing. After the park formalities at the gate, you will then start your hike with your mountain guide walking through the cypress plantations of the montane forest where you can expect to see the wild animals like colobus monkey and some bird species. The hike will be of 3 to 4hrs which is a distance of 6.5 kilometers from Rongai gate to the first cave camp. Time and distance: 3 to 4hrs which is a distance of 6.5km Elevation: 1,800m/5,900ft to 2,600m/8,400ft
Info: The day will begin with your breakfast at the camp and leave the first cave camp hiking to the second cave camp. You will have to walk a distance of 5 kilometers that with take 3 to 5 hours hiking. On this day you will be trekking through the Moorland zone, and you will have a stunning view of the Kibo cone and the eastern ice fields of the crater rim. At the second cave camp you will have your day camping and rest, ready for your next day. Time and distance: 3 to 4hrs which is a distance of 5km Elevation: 3480m/11417ft
Info: Rongai has no much of the steepness and make the route king easy and short however, the adventure is still there. The day will be a trek of 3 to 4hrs a distance of 9 kilometers from the second cave camp to the Kikelewa camp for your meals and camping. Your walk will be in the moorland forest and the day will gives you an awe view of the two Kilimanjaro cones of Kibo and Mawenzi with the eastern ice field. You will meet your porters at the camp and your chef ready for your meals and rest for your following day venture. Time and distance: 3 to 4hrs which is a distance of 9km Elevation: 3630m/11910ft
Info: For the 7 days climber takes an extra day for acclimatization. On this day there are more altitude changes hence you will need to acclimatize where you will have an afternoon and evening hike before the day break/rest. The day is a short hike but with some steep slopes that you will be walking through. This is the day where you can see the last plants as you will be heading to the alpine dessert; the plants are the senecio which are your last one to see until the summit. Your hike will be of 3 to 4 walking hours a distance of 6 kilometers reaching the Mawenzi tarn camp where you will have your camping and overnight at the base of the Mawenzi cone. Time and distance: 3 to 4hrs which is a distance of 6km Elevation: 4,330m /14,210ft
Info: The fifth climbing day is a kind long climb from the Mawenzi tarn camp to Kibo camp which is a distance of 9 kilometers and you will have a walk of 4 to 5hrs reaching the Kibo camp which is your last camp before the summit. On this day you will be walking on the small ridges in the alpine desert between the two Kilimanjaro Cones of Kibo and Mawenzi which will continue giving you the amazing view of the two cones. Time and distance: 4 to 5hrs which is a distance of 9km Elevation: 4,700m /15,420ft
Info: This is the day to be certified with the diploma of reaching the highest peak in Africa and the Worldās highest freestanding Mountainās peak. The day starts in the midnight leaving the Kibo hut to the summit on steep heavy scree or sometimes snow up to the Gilmanās point which is on the crater rim and from Gilmanās you take a high ascend up to the Huru Peak āCONGRATULATIONS YOU HAVE REACHED THE HIGHEST PEAK IN FRICA, THE UHURU PEAK OK KILIMANJARO MOUNTAINā due to the weather you will not last long here you will take some photos at the sign post of the Uhuru point and starts your descend down through the Marangu route, where you will have a stop at the Kibo hut for your Lunch and trek down up to Horombo for your overnight stay and dinner. Time & Distance: 6 to 8hrs Ascending up distance of 6km and 15km descending to Horombo Elevation: 4700m/15,500ft to 5895m/19,340ft Down to 3700m/12,200ft
Info: The day will start with your morning breakfast at Horombo and take your trek down up to Marangu gate passing through the Mandara hut. Reaching at the gate you will meet the porters already there with your luggage and the driver who will pick you from the gate to Moshi town. On you descend on this day you will be walking through the moorland and lush forest for 4 to 5hrs which is a distance of 20 Kilometers reaching the Marangu gate. Time & Distance: 4 to 5hrs descending of 20km distance Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 1700m/5500ft
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Tickets for 7 Days Rongai Route Kilimanjaro Climb can be booked here.
Ticket type | Ticket price |
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Kilimanjaro lifetime adventure | 1,923 USD |