7-Day Rongai Route Climb

Rongai approaches Kilimanjaro from the north, near the Kenyan border, on the drier and quieter side of the mountain. It has a steady gradient, fewer climbers and a chance of wildlife such as colobus monkeys and bushbuck in the lower forest. You come down the southern side on the Marangu trail, so you see both faces of the mountain.

The ascent is gradual. You climb from Rongai Gate at 1950m to Simba Camp at 2625m, then Second Cave at 3450m. Day three is a deliberately short walk to Kikelewa Cave at 3600m, before a steeper day to Mawenzi Tarn at 4330m and then School Hut at 4750m. That steady rise gives your body time to adjust before summit night.

You leave School Hut at 4750m around midnight and climb steep scree by headlamp in sub-zero temperatures to Gilman's Point on the crater rim. From there you follow the rim to Uhuru Peak at 5895m for sunrise over the crater and glaciers. Then you descend the Marangu route to Horombo Hut at 3720m for the night.

You sleep at Simba Camp (2625m), Second Cave (3450m), Kikelewa Cave (3600m), Mawenzi Tarn (4330m) and School Hut (4750m), then Horombo Hut (3720m) after the summit. Mawenzi Tarn is the one people remember: a camp beside a small tarn under the Mawenzi spires, and one of the most scenic on the mountain.

The climb starts at Rongai Gate (1950m) on the northern side of Kilimanjaro and finishes at Marangu Gate (1860m) on the southern side, where you collect your certificate. Most climbers fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport, and our Arusha team arranges the transfers to the start and back from the finish.

The north side of Kilimanjaro gets less rain than the southern slopes, which makes Rongai a good choice when rain is a worry. The drier months are the most popular for any route. There are no fixed departure dates listed, so ask us for dates and we'll help you choose a window that suits you.

It suits fit first-time climbers who want a quieter, steady route, as it needs no technical skills. It's still a high-altitude climb and summit night is hard, so good fitness and regular training walks beforehand matter. Our Arusha team can help with fitness advice, kit and choosing dates.

Pack for everything from warm forest to a sub-zero summit night: thermal base layers, a fleece, an insulated jacket, a waterproof shell, warm gloves, a hat and a headlamp with spare batteries. Broken-in boots, trekking poles and a warm sleeping bag are important. Personal mountaineering equipment is your responsibility, and we can advise on hire.

The 7-Day Rongai Route Climb is 7 days and 6 nights. The day-by-day itinerary on this page shows where you go and stay each day.

This trip visits Mount Kilimanjaro.

It is rated challenging: good fitness is recommended.

It runs for groups of 2 to 12 travellers.

Included: Expert wilderness guides, Quality camping equipment, All meals and beverages, Park entrance fees, Cultural village visit, Emergency support and Wildlife spotting opportunities.

Not included: International airfare, Travel insurance, Personal mountaineering equipment, Staff gratuities, Visa and permits and Personal purchases.