6 Days Kilimanjaro Trekking – Rongai Route
Climb Kilimanjaro from the quiet northern side on the least crowded Rongai Route, a six-day private trek with tented camps and descent via Marangu.
- Duration
- 6 days
- Route
- Arusha – Rongai Gate – 1st Caves Camp – Kikelewa Cave – Mawenzi Tarn – Kibo Hut – Uhuru Peak – Horombo Hut – Marangu Gate – Arusha
- Start / end
- Starts at Kilimanjaro International Airport and ends in Arusha
- Best time
- Kilimanjaro can be climbed year-round, but the drier months of January to mid-March and June to October usually offer the best conditions; the northern Rongai side tends to be somewhat drier than the southern routes.
- Trip style
- Private guided trek with professional mountain guides, porters and a cook, camping in quality four-season tents with a mess tent and all meals on the mountain.
Tour overview
The Rongai Route begins on the northern side of Kilimanjaro, near the Kenyan border, and is the least traveled route on the mountain. Reaching the starting point involves a long drive filled with fantastic views.
Over six days you climb through cornfields, pine forest and moorland past Mawenzi Tarn to Kibo Hut, then make your summit attempt on Uhuru Peak (5,895m). After the summit you descend on the Marangu Route. Accommodation on the mountain is in tents, with Serengeti Joy's expert guides supporting you throughout.
Highlights
- Quiet trails on Kilimanjaro's least crowded route
- Scenic drive around the mountain to the northern Rongai trailhead
- Camps at the 1st Caves and Kikelewa Cave
- Spectacular views and sunset at Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,330m)
- Summit attempt via Gillman's Point to Uhuru Peak (5,895m)
- Descent via the Marangu Route with a farewell celebration from your crew
Day-by-day itinerary
ArrivalArrive in Tanzania and transfer to Arusha
Welcome to Tanzania. Today you will be met at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Arusha, a drive of approximately one hour. The rest of the day is free to relax, check your gear and rest before the climb, followed by dinner at the hotel. Your guide will confirm the pickup time for tomorrow morning.
Day 1Rongai Gate (1,950m) – 1st Caves Camp (2,600m)
Hiking time: 5 hours. After an early breakfast, you are picked up in Arusha (1,400m) and driven to Marangu Gate (1,980m) for registration with Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA). From there, a 2.5-hour drive takes you to the Rongai trailhead. The trail begins through cornfields and pine forest with a gradual ascent and scenic views. After a lunch break along the way, you reach 1st Caves Camp (2,600m) by late afternoon, where your porters set up the tents, prepare snacks and boil water. After a hot dinner, prepare for freezing overnight temperatures.
Day 21st Caves Camp (2,600m) – Kikelewa Cave (3,600m)
Hiking time: 6-7 hours. Habitat: moorland. After a hot breakfast, continue your ascent to Kikelewa Cave (3,600m). The trail passes Second Cave (3,450m), a good spot for a lunch break. As on the first night, your tents will be set up before you arrive and the porters will prepare drinking and washing water. Enjoy evening snacks and then dinner prepared by our chef, and be ready for a cold night, as temperatures drop below freezing at this exposed camp.
Day 3Kikelewa Cave (3,600m) – Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,330m)
Hiking time: 3-4 hours. Habitat: moorland. Today is a short but steep hike to Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,330m). In the moorland you will spot exotic plants, including giant lobelia and groundsel. At camp, enjoy spectacular views and give your body time to acclimatize during the afternoon. Hot dinner and washing water will be prepared for you as you take in the magnificent sunset.
Day 4Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,330m) – Kibo Hut (4,700m)
Hiking time: 4-5 hours. Habitat: alpine desert. After breakfast, set off with a picnic lunch across the high alpine desert for approximately four to five hours to Kibo Hut (4,700m), the base for the summit attempt. On arrival, have dinner, prepare your gear and go to bed early to rest as much as possible before the night ascent.
Day 5Summit Attempt: Kibo Hut – Uhuru Peak (5,895m) – Horombo Hut (3,720m)
Around 11:30 PM, your guide will wake you for tea and biscuits before the summit attempt. The rocky trail ascends to Hans Meyer Cave (5,150m) and then climbs steeply to Gillman's Point (5,681m) on the crater rim. From here, a snow-covered trail leads to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5,895m). After photos and tea, descend for about three hours to Kibo Hut for a hot lunch, then continue down to Horombo Hut (3,720m) for dinner and a well-deserved rest.
Day 6Horombo Hut (3,720m) – Marangu Gate (1,980m)
Hiking time: 6 hours. After a well-deserved breakfast, your crew will hold a big celebration full of dancing and singing, and this is when you present your tips to the guide, assistant guides, cooks and porters. You then descend for about six hours to Marangu Gate (1,980m), where the national park requires all hikers to sign out to receive their certificates. Hikers who reached Gillman's Point (5,681m) receive green certificates, and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5,895m) receive gold certificates. Afterward, drive back to Arusha for long-overdue showers and more celebrations.
What is included
- All transfers to the mountain and back to your hotel
- Professional, experienced mountain guides
- Guide, porter and cook salaries
- Quality waterproof four-season mountain tents (twin sharing)
- Sleeping mattress
- Emergency oxygen cylinder
- All meals on the mountain, with large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
- Quality mess tent with table and chairs
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Park fees, including conservation, camping or hut, and rescue fees
- VAT (18% charged by the government)
- Kilimanjaro summit certificate
Not included
- Tanzania visa
- International and domestic flights
- Hotel (available as an optional add-on)
- Transfers (available as an optional add-on)
- Personal trekking equipment such as sleeping bags, hiking boots and clothing (available to rent)
- Tips and gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages)
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Liquor, beer and bottled beverages
- Surcharge for online payment of advance and balance (5% on each payment)
Good to know
- Tips are presented to the guides, cooks and porters at a celebration on the final morning at Horombo Hut.
- Sleeping bags, boots and other personal trekking gear are not included but can be rented.
- Expect below-freezing temperatures at night, especially at the exposed Kikelewa Cave camp and higher.
- The route ascends from the north and descends via the Marangu Route, finishing at Marangu Gate.
Frequently asked questions
Why choose the Rongai Route?
Rongai is the least traveled route on Kilimanjaro, approaching from the northern side near the Kenyan border. It offers quiet trails and fantastic views, with a gradual start through cornfields and pine forest.
Where do we sleep on the mountain?
You sleep in quality four-season tents at the camps on the way up, on a twin-sharing basis with sleeping mattresses provided. After the summit you descend to Horombo Hut on the Marangu Route.
What certificate will I receive?
At Marangu Gate, hikers who reached Gillman's Point (5,681m) receive a green certificate and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5,895m) receive a gold certificate.
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