MOUNT KILIMANJARO TREK
6-Day Rongai Route
The Remote Northern Route
The Rongai Route is one of the easier routes up Kilimanjaro. It's the only route that approaches the mountain from the north, with a descent via the Marangu Route. Rongai is less crowded thanks to its remote location, offering trekkers a unique wilderness experience where it's possible to see large wildlife like antelope, elephant and buffalo. While it's flatter, it doesn't give you the “climb high, sleep low” acclimatization option, so we recommend selecting more days for acclimatization.
DURATION
6 or 7 Days
DIFFICULTY
Medium
SCENERY
Excellent
TRAFFIC
Low
Welcome To Tanzania
Thank you for choosing Chagga Village. Feel at home and enjoy your Africa adventure with us. Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you'll be met by a Chagga Village representative and transferred for overnight accommodation at Chanya Lodge B&B. Your head guide will meet you for a briefing, gear check, and to arrange any equipment you may need to hire.
Trip At A Glance
Day 0
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 0
DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
DAY 1Nale Muru Gate → Simba Camp
Departing from Moshi, a 4–5 hour drive takes you through coffee plantations and the village of Nale Muru to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate. We patiently wait while our permits are issued, watching the bustle of crews preparing for the journey ahead. Enjoy the beautiful wooded scenery and winding trails while your guide tells you about the local flora, fauna and wildlife you're likely to see. Simba Camp sits near the first cave, at the edge of the moorland zone, with spectacular views of the plains of Kenya.ELEVATION1,997m / 6,552ft → 2,635m / 8,645ftDISTANCE
7km / 5mi
DURATION
3–4 hrs
TERRAIN
Rainforest
ALTITUDE GAIN
638m
DAY 2Simba Camp → Second Cave Camp
After a good night's sleep and a hearty breakfast, we continue along moorland terrain on a steadily ascending path. You'll catch terrific views of Kibo and get your first glimpse of the ice fields on the eastern crater rim. The small shrubs of the moorland thin out as you approach Second Cave, and temperatures begin to drop.ELEVATION2,635m / 8,645ft → 3,487m / 11,440ftDISTANCE
5.8km / 3.6mi
DURATION
5–6 hrs
TERRAIN
Moorland
ALTITUDE GAIN
852m
DAY 3Second Cave Camp → Third Cave Camp
After breakfast and packing up, you continue your steady ascent, entering semi-desert terrain. This relatively short hiking day brings you closer to the eastern ice fields, which continually draw your attention with their beauty. Pay attention to your body and keep your guide informed of any signs of altitude sickness.ELEVATION3,487m / 11,440ft → 3,936m / 12,913ftDISTANCE
3.3km / 2mi
DURATION
3–4 hrs
TERRAIN
Semi Desert
ALTITUDE GAIN
449m
DAY 4Third Cave Camp → Kibo Huts
Departing the semi-desert zone from Third Cave early in the morning, you begin your trek into Alpine Desert terrain for the remainder of the ascent. Today's hike takes you just below the Kibo crater wall to Kibo Huts, where you'll merge with the Marangu Route that you'll use to hike to the summit. You'll prepare your clothing and equipment (replacing batteries for headlamp and camera) before going to bed by 7pm, trying to catch a few hours of rest before your summit attempt.ELEVATION3,936m / 12,913ft → 4,714m / 15,466ftDISTANCE
6.7km / 4.2mi
DURATION
4–5 hrs
TERRAIN
Alpine Desert
ALTITUDE GAIN
778m
DAY 5Kibo Huts → Summit Uhuru Peak → Horombo Huts
Excitement builds as morning comes with an early start between midnight and 2am. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. We make our way toward the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers, staying warm and focused on the accomplishment that lies ahead. With a switchback motion in a northwesterly direction, we ascend through heavy scree toward Stella Point on the crater rim, where you'll be rewarded with a magnificent sunrise. From here, the remaining 1-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak is likely to include snow the whole way. Congratulations — one step at a time, you've reached Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the entire continent of Africa! After photos, celebrations and maybe a few tears of joy, we begin the steep descent to Horombo Huts, stopping at Kibo for lunch and a brief rest. Gaiters and trekking poles are strongly recommended for the loose gravel and volcanic ash terrain. A well-deserved rest awaits for your last evening on the mountain.ASCENT4,714m / 15,466ft → 5,895m / 19,341ft (gain 1,181m) DESCENT TO CAMP5,895m / 19,341ft → 3,721m / 12,208ft (loss 2,174m) ACCOMMODATIONOvernight stay at Horombo HutsSUMMIT PUSH
4km / 2.5mi up
DESCENT
15.75km / 9.8mi down
DURATION
5–7 hrs up · 5–6 hrs down
TERRAIN
Glaciers & Snow
DAY 6Horombo Huts → Marangu Gate → Moshi
After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation and team bonding with your crew, it's time to say goodbye. We continue the descent, stopping at Mandara Huts for lunch — remember to tip your guides, cooks and porters here, since you'll be leaving them at this point. You'll return to Marangu Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. As the weather warms considerably, the terrain turns wet, muddy and steep — gaiters and trekking poles are highly recommended. From the gate, a vehicle will meet you to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 45 minutes). Enjoy a long-overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!ELEVATION3,721m / 12,208ft → 1,905m / 6,250ft ACCOMMODATIONOvernight at your hotel in Moshi (bed & breakfast), before your onward journey home, on safari, or to a relaxing trip in ZanzibarDISTANCE
20km / 12.5mi
DURATION
6–7 hrs
TERRAIN
Rainforest
ALTITUDE LOST
1,816m
DEPARTUREDeparture
Today you'll be transferred to the airport for your flight back home. MEALS PROVIDEDBreakfast
What's Included / What's Not Included
What's Included
Crew
- ✓ Lead Guide(s) and Assistant Guide(s) for groups of 2+ — English-speaking and Wilderness First Responder trained
- ✓ Cook, porters, and equipment and personal client luggage transport (15kg per client)
- ✓ A porter-to-client ratio of 3–4 porters per client
Equipment
- ✓ Sleeping tent, 3-person size for 2 people
- ✓ Sleeping mat (2-inch foam) and pillow
- ✓ Walk-in dining tent and table with backed chairs
- ✓ Wash basins with hot water each morning and evening
Food & Drink
- ✓ Three meals per day plus an afternoon snack during the trek
- ✓ Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available on request
- ✓ Treated drinking water (minimum 3L per day while trekking, with additional water available at camp)
- ✓ Coffee and tea throughout the trek
Health & Safety
- ✓ Pulse oximeter and altitude sickness checklists
- ✓ First aid kit and emergency oxygen
Preparation & Fees
- ✓ Kilimanjaro National Park fees and VAT
- ✓ Camping/hut, rescue, conservation and other taxes
- ✓ Fair and sustainable crew wages
- ✓ Pre-trek briefing with your guide
Accommodation & Transfers
- ✓ Round-trip airport transfer between Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and Moshi
- ✓ Round-trip transfer between Moshi and the park gate
- ✓ Hotel stays in Moshi pre- and post-trek (2 nights total) on a bed & breakfast basis
What's Not Included
- ✗ Gratuities / tips
- ✗ Personal trekking gear such as a sleeping bag and clothing
- ✗ Beverages of choice (water, soda and alcohol at hotels)
- ✗ Additional accommodation or meals resulting from an early descent
- ✗ Tanzania entry visa
- ✗ Travel insurance
- ✗ Domestic or international flights
- ✗ Expenses of a personal nature
- ✗ Personal hire gear such as trekking poles or sleeping bags
- ✗ Personal spending money for souvenirs, etc.
- ✗ Private portable toilet (available for booking)
Ethical Climbing
At Chagga Village, we believe the tourism industry has an obligation — and a great opportunity — to protect the world's natural habitats, cultural heritage sites and communities. We actively promote environmental sustainability and social responsibility.
As a Responsible Travel company, we're proud to raise public awareness around the fair treatment of porters on Kilimanjaro, and to help implement procedures that ensure fair and ethical treatment through fair salaries, mountain equipment, food, clothing and sleeping conditions for crew members.
Every climb is audited to ensure crew members receive proper salaries, tips, food, equipment and sleeping conditions. Check out our TripAdvisor profile to see what our clients are saying.
Recommended Tipping Guide
Tipping is customary on Mount Kilimanjaro for all members of your mountain crew. Although they receive a fair wage, they rely on tips as part of fair total compensation. Industry recommendations are $20 a day to the guide, $15 a day to your assistant guide, $12 a day to the cook, and $8 a day to each porter — divided among everyone on the trip.
NOTETo ensure fair and transparent tipping for each crew member, there will be a tipping ceremony at the Chagga Village office following your descent from the mountain. Envelopes will be provided to divide your tips for each member of the crew.
Know Before You Go
Please note that we are completely flexible and able to customize your trip to suit your time, budget and interests.
