Rongai Route 6 Days Itinerary, Prices, Hiking Dates

The Rongai Route 6 Days Itinerary, Prices, Hiking Dates

A less well-known Kilimanjaro route, the Rongai route offers a number of benefits that the more prominent trails do not. Various climate zones are crossed as it begins in a coniferous forest on the mountain’s northern slope. The Marangu route, which skirts Mount Kilimanjaro to the southwest, is followed on the way down. In 2025 and 2026, this route is highly recommended for climbing Kilimanjaro:

For starters, compared to the popular southern Kilimanjaro trekking routes, this one is far less congested. There are going to be ten times less hikers along this path! Furthermore, it boasts breathtaking scenery, with breathtaking views of Kilimanjaro’s volcanic cones Mawenzi and Kibo, as well as the landscapes of Tanzania and the unique flora such as Kilimanjaro Giant Groundsels and tropical woods that can be found on the descent. The northern slopes may be less verdant and drier, but the ascent is still worth it for the abundance of scenery. Imagine awakening near the majestic peak of Mawenzi, its rocks bathed in the soft hues of sunrise, and spotting rare Bearded Vultures dance and glide, setting their course towards the distant horizon of Kenya. This route offers trekkers a more secluded and intimate experience for those seeking a quieter trekking adventure on Kilimanjaro.

Detailed Rongai Route 6 Days Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival

Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), a representative from The Kilimanjaro Trekking Services Company will be waiting to drive you to your accommodation at no additional cost. All the necessities for a pleasant stay will be provided by the hotel: warm rooms, running water, friendly personnel, a pool, and Internet connection. You will be briefed by our management in the evening, and they will also ensure that you are prepared to start the ascent.

Transfers from and to the airport are part of most private trip packages. Adding more than one person to a transfer will incur additional fees. Get everyone in your company to agree on the same arrival and departure hours to save money.

Day 2: Trekking from Nalemuru gate to Simba Camp

You will be met at your accommodation by a guide and mountain support crew in the morning for a briefing. Then, you will be driven to the northern entrance of Kilimanjaro National Park, Nalemuru Gate, which is 2,020 meters (6,627 feet) above sea level. The short procedure of registering with the search and rescue agency and obtaining climbing permits will be followed by the group’s ascent to Simba Camp (2,671 m /8,761 f). Today, you’ll have a moderate hike up Kilimanjaro’s northern slope through a coniferous forest. Stay at a leisurely pace and don’t be in a rush. Our expert mountaineers will have set up tents, done all the necessary preparations, and started cooking meals before you even reach camp.

You should pay close attention to the following instructions from now on because this is your first day at this altitude:

• Throughout the day, slowly yet steadily consume more than four liters of bottled water;
• You might want to think about taking a high-altitude assistance medication as a preventative step in case you have symptoms of altitude sickness. Before setting out on their climb, many mountaineers take these medications to alleviate the symptoms of altitude sickness. Along with your vacation plans, our managers will give you additional particular information. We advise that you address any possible allergies or health issues with your doctor before the trip.

Due to the physiological effects of being at a high altitude, it is normal for people to feel some kind of nighttime discomfort. Mountain sickness is prevalent, and so are headaches and nausea. The key is to notify your guide right away if you have any signs of altitude sickness.

Trekking time: 3-4 hours
Distance: 8 km

Da 3: Trekking from Simba camp to Kikilewa Camp

Starting with an early breakfast, we will embark from Simba Camp and make our way to Kikilewa Camp, the second high-altitude camp, which is located at 3,630 m/11,906 f. A clear day from Kikilewa Camp will allow you to see Kibo Volcano in all its glory. We advise you to get some rest once you reach camp because this hike is more physically taxing than the last.

Trekking time: 5-6 hours
Distance: 10 km

Day 4: Trekking from Kikilewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn Camp

The day begins with another early breakfast before setting off on foot to reach Mawenzi Tarn Camp, which is located at the base of Mawenzi Volcano—the second-highest peak of Kilimanjaro. There will be an acclimatization climb to Mawenzi Volcano, with an elevation rise of 200 m (656 f), after lunch and a two-hour rest at camp. After that, you’ll eat dinner at Mawenzi Tarn Camp, which is located at the base of the mountain.

In order to hasten the process of acclimatization, the acclimatization hike is a leisurely walk that involves a small ascent in elevation. The ascents to acclimate should be a top priority for you. They mitigate the effects of altitude sickness and improve your odds of reaching the peak of Kilimanjaro.

Acclimatization hike:
Change in Elevation: Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,315 m /14,156 f)
Mawenzi Volcano (4,510 m /14,796 f)
Hiking distance: 2 km
Hiking time: 1-2 hours
Trekking time: 4-5 hours
Distance: 6 km

Day 5: Trekking from Mawenzi Tarn Camp to Kibo Hut Camp

On this day, you will go to Kibo Hut Camp, which is 4,720 meters (15,482 feet) above sea level. A rocky semi-desert will eventually replace the previously flat terrain. The hike itself isn’t too taxing; just make sure you maintain a reasonable pace so you can save your energy for the last ascent to Kilimanjaro. We advise you to get enough of rest, not do anything too strenuous, and drink plenty of water when you reach camp, because you will be climbing Uhuru Peak (5,895 m /19,336 f) that very night.

Trekking time: 5-6 hours
Distance: 9 km

Day 6: Trekking to Uhuru Peak and Descent to Horombo Camp

At night, your group will set out from Kibo Hut Camp (4,720 m /15,482 f) and make its way up Uhuru Peak (5,895 m /19,336 f), the summit of Kilimanjaro. The hike isn’t particularly challenging from a technical standpoint, but at this elevation, even light exercise feels like a major challenge. As a result, before reaching the last summit, climbers are grouped in pairs and assigned a personal guide to ensure their safety. Once you’ve reached the peak of Uhuru, you’re free to go down to the glacier if you so want. Following a two-hour rest, you will continue your descent to Horombo Camp (3,720 m /12,202 f). Afterwards, you will return to Kibo Camp.

Keep in mind that the majority of injuries, including broken bones, happen on the way down. The danger of injuring your toenails is great, so be careful with your feet.

Trekking time: 12-14 hours
Distance: 21 km

Day 7: Descent from Horombo Camp to Marangu Gate

After a hearty breakfast, we’ll make our way to the Marangu Gate, the exit of Kilimanjaro National Park (1,970 m /6,462 f). Everyone will be there to congratulate you once you descend, and then you can write your thoughts about the trip in the guestbook. Finally, we’ll give you your commemorative certificates and take you back to your hotel.

Trekking time: 5-6 hours
Distance: 18 km

Day 8: Departure

Have a night’s sleep before your transfer to the airport.

PLEASE NOTE: Time to check out of the hotel is 11:00 AM. You can choose to prolong your hotel stay for an additional cost if you require a late check-out due to an evening flight.

End of the Rongai Route 6 Days Itinerary

Summit success rate on the Rongai route

With meticulous records kept since 2014, we at Kilimanjaro Trekking Services Company have orchestrated several dramatic ascents of Mount Kilimanjaro. The following are the percentages of Rongai route summits:

6-day trek – Crater Rim: 91.0%, Uhuru Peak: 86%

7-day trek – Crater Rim: 93.9%, Uhuru Peak: 86.8%

Based on the statistics, the 7-day Rongai route is somewhat more successful in reaching the summit than the 6-day variant. Despite the increased difficulty, many hikers with experience select route 6 and reach the peak. This means that a novice has a far better chance of reaching the peak on the 7-day trek.

We take great pride in providing transparent, real-life summit success rates. If you want your adventure to be safe, memorable, and successful, there are a number of things you can do. First and foremost, our mountain guides’ professionalism and years of experience are crucial. Your health is their first concern, so they will help you adjust to the higher altitude and provide assistance if you experience any signs of altitude sickness. Many other operators fail to deliver on their high summit success promises due to a lack of experienced guides. The Kilimanjaro Trekking Services Company pays its employees more than the average wage in the area and puts a lot of money into employee education and training, so we can recruit the brightest minds. It is also crucial to have stringent safety procedures and tools. To make sure your acclimatization is going smoothly, The Kilimanjaro Trekking Services guides perform two thorough medical checks every day. We also carry a variety of drugs in our carefully built first aid packages and more oxygen tanks than any other Kilimanjaro company put together. You will have the greatest chance of climbing Uhuru Peak when all these elements are considered together.