6-day climbing Rongai Route
Tour Overview
6-Day Climbing Rongai Route is the only route to Kilimanjaro that originates from the northern slopes of the mountain. This area of the Mountain rarely sees an influx of hikers-it is, however, no less fascinating than the popular southern and western slopes. We recommend it especially to those who appreciate hiking experiences that are solitary and secluded. The trip to the starting point-Nalemuru Gate-usually takes about 3-4 hours from the hotel.
6-day climbing Rongai Routei is also the only route to Mawenzi, a volcanic cone of Kilimanjaro and the third tallest peak of Africa. On the return leg, you pass via Marangu, so that you can experience both flanks of the mountain.
While the itinerary options for Kilimanjaro’s 6-day climbing Rongai Route are of six or seven days, the longer option is recommended for acclimatization motivation transitions. Arrive in Tanzania. Meal: Breakfast and dinner include.d Pickup up from Kilimanjaro international airport and transfer to your hotel, after which a professional guide will come for a briefing about the trekking and equipment check for any mountain gear you may lack. Finally, you will spend the night at your hotel
Seasonal Months & Best Time to Travel
Highlighted months indicate the peak/optimal seasonal period for this tour.
Day-by-Day Summary
| Days | Main Destination | Accommodation | Meal Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Simba Camp (2570m) | Camping at mountain | Full Board FB |
|
|
Kikelelwa Camp (3630m) | Camping at mountain | Full Board FB |
|
|
Mawenzi Tan Hut (4330m) | Hut accommodation | Full Board FB |
|
|
Kibo Hut (4700m) | Hut accommodation | Full Board FB |
|
|
Mawenzi Tan Hut (4330m) | Hut accommodation | Full Board FB |
|
|
Marangu Gate (1860m) | Hut accommodation | Half Board HB |
Tour Quick Facts
Tour Class
Budget Tour :This safari includes comfort-focused hand-picked lodges and camps.
Group Type
Shared group tour : Join a group of other travelers. Max 6 people per vehicle.
Start Day
Can start any day :If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
Customization
Can be customized :Request minor changes to accommodations and destinations.
Single Travelers
Suitable for single travelers : Solo travelers can join, requires a minimum of 1 people to run.
Minimum Age
Minimum age of 8 years :Children and families are welcome under parental guidance.
Tour Rates & Pricing
Below are our rates for travelers visiting as a group. Discounts are available for larger parties, making group travel more affordable and enjoyable. Whether you are planning a family trip, a getaway with friends, or a special event with colleagues, our group rates are designed to offer better value while keeping the experience comfortable and convenient. Please contact us for more details on pricing, availability, and any special arrangements for your group.
- Per Person Pricing:All rates listed are per person and do not include international flights.
- Solo Travel: Solo travelers are welcome; however, the tour requires a minimum of 1 people to run.
- Age Requirements: Children aged 8 and above are allowed and discounted. Free entrance fees apply for children under 6 years old.
Please Note: All rates are subject to change based on availability, seasonality, and any updates to park fees, taxes, or tourism levies. We recommend contacting us directly to confirm pricing for your specific travel dates and group size.
Group Pricing Rates
| Solo | 2 people | 3 people | 4 people | 5 people | 6 people | 7+ people |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2,047 | $1,646 | $1,564 | $1,485 | $1,449 | n/a* | n/a* |
Day by Day Experience
Nalemoru Gate (1990m) to Simba Camp (2570m)
Distance covered: 8 km
Approximate time taken: 4 hours
Habitat: Tropical Rain Forest
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Accommodation: Camping
A guide and a mountain support crew will visit your hotel to meet you this morning, hold a very short briefing, and then take you by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park’s northern entrance: Nalemuru Gate (2,020m/6627f). After the quick formalities for climbing permit acquisition and registration with the search and rescue service, the group will start trekking up to Simba Camp (2,671m/8612f). This day will have you trekking moderately through coniferous forest up Kilimanjaro’s northern slope. Don’t be in a rush; walk at a pace comfortable for you. Our professional mountain crew will have prepared everything necessary by the time you reach camp, erected tents, and begun preparing your dinner.
Simba Camp (2570m)
Full Board FB
Bus transport (group transport)
Camping at mountain
Simba Camp (2570m) to Kikelelwa camp (3700m)urpose of Day
Distance covered: 8 km
Approximate time taken: 5 hours
Habitat: Moorland zone
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Another glorious day with marvelous vista to the eastern ice field on the crater walls of Kibo, which is the tallest of the three volcanoes comprising the mountain. It would take us about 3 hours of traversing the moorland zone on a little path moving toward the jagged peaks of Mawenzi (5140 m) to finally arrive at Kikelelwa for both lunch and overnight rest.
Kikelelwa Camp (3630m)
Full Board FB
Camping at mountain
Kikelelwa Camp (3630 m) to Mawenzi Tan Hut (4330m)
Distance covered: 8 km
Approximate time taken: 4 hours
Habitat: Semi desert
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Accommodation: Hut
Today, get ready for a short but steep climb, taking you to grassy slopes that will be rewarded with stunning views in all directions and an almost tangible sense of wilderness. The camp is well placed in a cirque directly underneath the tall spires of Mawenzi. After lunch, free time will be available for you to use as either rest or explore the area to aid acclimatization. Overnight: Mawenzi Tan Hut (4330m)
Mawenzi Tan Hut (4330m)
Full Board FB
Hut accommodation
Mawenzi Tan Hut (4330m) to Kibo Hut (4700m)
Distance covered: 8 km
Approximate time taken: 5 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Accommodation: Hut
This day takes you across the lunar desert of the saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi to Kibo Hut, where you will have your lunch and rest in the afternoon while waiting for the midnight ascent to summit.
Kibo Hut (4700m)
Full Board FB
Hut accommodation
Summit Day
Distance covered: 22 km
Approximate time taken: 13 hours
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Accommodation: Hut
Start climbing at about 00:00. This stage is said to be the steepest and most challenging. Your guide will set a very standard pace to you (walk slowly). In the darkness, it will take 5 hours to reach the crater rim at Gilman’s Point (5685 m), where you will take a little rest while having a cup of tea and appreciating the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. You will continue for almost one hour to the world’s highest point, UHURU Peak (5895 m). You will be passing close to the spectacular glacier and ice diffs that still occupy most of the summit area. After taking pictures at the top of Africa, you will start walking down to Kibo Hut for a short break and hot lunch before moving to Horombo Hut. Spend the night at Horombo hut
Mawenzi Tan Hut (4330m)
Full Board FB
Hut accommodation
Horombo Hut (3720m) to Marangu Gate (1860m)
Distance covered: 20 km
Approximate time taken: 7 hours
Meal: Breakfast, and lunch included
Accommodation: Hut
On the final day, you will hike from the heath and moorland zone to Mandara Hut (2700 m) for hot lunch and continue downhill through a tropical rain forest until you reach the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate where you will pick up your certificates for finishing the other park formalities, after which the car will take you to the hotel in Moshi, and you will enjoy a warm shower. Definitely time to celebrate!
Marangu Gate (1860m)
Half Board HB
Hut accommodation
What's Included
Included
- All applicable park entry fees as per the program.
- Service of highly experienced English-speaking guide(s); porters & cook
- Camping equipment like mountain tent, mattress, etc.
- Accommodation Type: Camping
- Transport from the hotel to the park gate and from the park gate to the hotel
- Meals on Full board (Unless listed as an upgrade) on trek as indicated on the program
- Unlimited drinking water (As specified in the day-by-day section)
- Refreshments during the trek
- Refreshments during the trek
- Rescue fees, Emergency oxygen, Pulse oximeter, and First aid kit
- Guides and porters' accommodations and their entry fees on the mountain
- Fair wages to guides and porters as approved by Kilimanjaro National Park Authority
- Emergency oxygen during trek
- 24-hour support
Excluded
- International flights (From/to home) and domestic Flight
- Medical/luggage Insurance
- Pre-& post climb accommodation (B&B)
- Pick up and drop off at the Airport
- Sleeping bag
- Tips (Tipping guideline: Guide $20, cooker $15, $10 porter pp per day)
- Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, Visa entry fees upon arrival at the airport, etc.
- Government-imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Any extra orders at meals are not included. Set menu meals are part of the package
- Portable flush toilet