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6 Days Rongai Route – Kilimanjaro Climb

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  • 6 Days
  • Unlimitted
  • Moshi
  • Private

HIKING HIGHLIGHT

The Rongai Route is the only trail that approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the northern side, starting about 45 km from Moshi and 69 km from Arusha. Known for its tranquility and steadily growing popularity, Rongai is considered one of the easiest and most beautiful routes on this side of the mountain. Its peaceful nature and gentle gradients make it ideal for trekkers seeking a quieter, remote experience while still enjoying diverse landscapes, unique flora, and sightings of wildlife along the way.

The standard duration for the Rongai Route is 6 days, though most hikers choose the 7-day option for improved acclimatization and a higher summit success rate. Unlike the Marangu Route, which offers hut accommodations, Rongai is a full camping experience, with comfortable tents pitched by your dedicated porters at the end of each day. With stunning scenery, fewer crowds, and a smooth approach to the summit, the Rongai Route is one of the northern side’s most rewarding trails—an excellent choice for climbers looking for calm, beauty, and consistent success with HWS Adventures.

FULL SAFARI ITINERARY

We have carefully planned out each day to give you the best possible experience. From exploring historic landmarks to tasting delicious local cuisine, each day is packed with adventure and excitement. Join us as we take you on a journey through some of the most fascinating destinations in the world.

Day 1: Moshi – Nalemoru Gate (1990m) to Simba Camp (2625m)

You will have breakfast before all the gear is loaded. It is a long drive, about four hours (including a stop to get permits at Marangu gate) to the north side of Kilimanjaro. After registration at Nalemoru gate, the hike begins. You will walk pass small farms, pine trees and the up into the forest on the mountain slopes. You might be lucky to see the colobus monkeys with extravagant black and white tails. The porters will go in front to set up camp while you will hike at a moderate pace to reach the Simba campsite (2 625m) in about four hours. The tents and some warm washing water will be ready. A warm supper will be served.

Day 2: Simba Camp (2625m) to Kikelewa Camp (3630m)

After some hot porridge and eggs you will set off on today’s section. Vegetation is changing and you see more shrubs as you walk through the moorland zone. Watching the Kenyan plains and Mawenzi peak would be fabulous. On the stop at second cave (450m.) you will have your lunch before crossing over some ups and downs to reach Kikelewa Camp. The camp has great views. Relax and breathe in the tranquility of the mountain.

Day 3: Kikelewa Camp (3630m) to Mawenzi Tarn Hut (4310m)

Today you will not see the weird-looking senecias as the landscape change to resemble a rocky moon landscape. If there are no clouds, you will see the Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. After about six hours of work you should reach Mawenzi Hut. A small lake nearby freezes over at night so expect the night to be very cold. Fear not, a hot supper waits.

Day 4: Mawenzi Tarn Hut (4310m) to School Hut (4715m)

On a good firm path, you will cross the Saddle today. You will feel the altitude and might experience symptoms of altitude sickness headache and nausea. Takes lots of fluid and keep going very slowly. You will hear your guide say pole pole means slowly slowly. One last tough section and you will be there. You will camp at School Hut tonight, but not before some dinner and hot chocolate. Get your daypack ready and go to bed early as you will be woken up at around 00:00 to start the final stretch to the summit.

Day 5: School Hut (4715m) to Uhuru Peak (5895m) to Horombo Hut (3700m)

Rise and shine! It will be dark and very cold when you enter the darkness on the way to the top. A row of headlights in front of you will show the way. Take it slow and listen to your guide. The ground will be frozen and you will get very tired, but keep going. After about seven hours you will be standing on the crater’s rim – Gillman’s Point (5 715 m). Warming up in the sun, it is just an hour or two to reach Uhuru peak at 5 895m. You will be standing on the highest mountain in Africa! The return path is almost the same, but now the ground is defrosted and it will be dusty. It will be late morning when you arrive at School Hut. Here you will rest for an hour and have a hot meal. Onwards! The descent continues to Horombo Hut where you will rest for the night.

Day 6: Horombo Hut (3700m) to Marangu Gate (1860m) to Moshi

Today is the last day on the mountain. The descent to Marangu Gate will take about six hours. Here, the crew will say farewell and the transfer driver will be waiting and transfer to the Hotel. The rest of the day you will relax and to reflect back on this once in a lifetime experience.

INCLUDES

  • Airport pick up and drop off
  • 2 Nights’ accommodation in Moshi is or Arusha included
  • All transfers to the mountain and back to your Moshi hotel
  • Professional, experienced, mountain guides
  • Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
  • Quality, waterproof, four seasons private mountain sleeping tents
  • Sleeping Mattress
  • All meals while on the mountain
  • Quality mess tents with table and chairs
  • Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
  • Clean purified drinking water
  • Kilimanjaro National Park Entrance fees
  • All Government taxes and levies including 18% VAT.

EXCLUDES

  • International or Local Flights
  • Optional activities
  • Alcoholic and soft drinks
  • Visa fees
  • Tips
  • Personal spending money for souvenirs etc.
  • Travel insurance

KILIMANJARO MOUNTAIN FAQ’S

Do you arrange airport transfers?

Airport transfers are not included in the price of this tour, however you can book for an arrival transfer in advance. Our representative will be at the airport to greet you. To arrange this please contact our customer service team once you have a confirmed booking.

How much weight of equipment will I carry?

You are expected to carry your own day pack, with only things which should be able to sustain you until you reach the next camp at the end of the day. You do not need to carry your personal backpack/ duffel pack - It will be carried by our porters.

What if I am slower than the other trekkers?

No worries about that - this is a common concern. It is much better for your body if you proceed slowly and guides will permanently remind you about this (“pole-pole” - which means “slowly slowly”). By walking slowly, your body will much better acclimatize to high altitude. There is plenty of time allocated each day for the treks, even for those who like to go very slowly.

What if I cannot make it to the top?

Some climbers may fall short of reaching the summit, but not at the expense of their overall experience. Even for those who never reached the top, the experience of the wonders of Kilimanjaro is very rewarding. If one or more members of the group decide they cannot continue, or if a guide deems it unsafe for an individual (or a group) to continue, they are escorted to the most convenient campsite or Hut. Our guides intimately know the network of shortcuts to escort climbers to safety, and they are trained to act quickly and calmly under any circumstance.

What is the accommodation like during trekking?

On the Marangu Route, there are simple basic Huts. The first 2 Huts sleep four people each and the last Hut is a dome-style with bunk beds. On all the other routes, you will sleep in 3 dome-style Tents, two people each. The Tents are modern and have an outer flysheet and large vestibules keep equipment from the elements. They are set up, broken down and carried- along with everything else- by our porters. There are public toilets set up at every campsite, but portable toilets are available upon request at the cost of $ 100 per group for the whole tour. Hot water is provided for each person every morning but No showers during trek There will be dining tents with chairs and tables where all meals will be served. Before any meal, we will provide soap and hot water for washing your hands.

What is the food like on the mountain?

For each trek on the Mount a dedicated cook will be part of the logistical team. They are professional chefs and have the ability to prepare different kinds of dishes. Please see a sample page for Dietary Menu.

What if I get sick up the mountain?

You shouldn't worry- You are in safe hands. Our guides are professionally trained to handle all sorts of distress and respond quickly and accordingly. They all have Wilderness First Aid Responder qualification and they will all time bring you to safety. They will directly call for an emergency evacuation if the situation worsens.

When and where does the tour start?

The tours are scheduled to start in Moshi, departing on Daily basis. However, circumstances like clients’ arrival time, activities to be done and client’s preference could affect the program. Our company is flexible for such arrangements and adjustments. Normally the program starts around 7:30 AM

When and where does the tour End?

The tours are scheduled to End in Moshi. You may also wish to be dropped outside Moshi at an extra cost depending on the place of drop off. However, our travel specialists will need to know your specific drop-off point prior to the hike to get aligned with the program

  • 2,109 / Per Person

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TRIPS TO INSPIRE | OTHER SIMILAR TOURS YOU MAY LIKE

Experience the thrill of Kilimanjaro with our carefully designed hiking tours. Each tour guides you safely and comfortably to the summit while letting you enjoy the mountain’s stunning landscapes. Whether you are a first-time climber or an experienced trekker, our expert guides and well-planned itineraries make every step of the journey unforgettable.

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The journey begins at Londorossi Gate, situated at an altitude of 2,360 meters, on the western approach to the mountain. The trail winds through lush rainforest, home to some of the region’s most unique wildlife, before continuing to the mountain’s third summit at Shira Ridge. This carefully planned route offers excellent acclimatization, making it both safe and highly rewarding for climbers seeking a memorable adventure to the Roof of Africa.

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Beginning at Machame Gate on the southern slopes of the mountain, the trail ascends through vibrant rainforest before emerging onto the dramatic Shira Plateau. From there, it follows the scenic Southern Circuit, giving trekkers sweeping views of Kilimanjaro from multiple angles. The summit push takes place from the east via Barafu Camp, and the descent is made along the Mweka Route. With its stunning scenery, rewarding challenge, and strong acclimatization profile, the Machame Route remains one of the most popular choices for climbers—one that HWS Adventures proudly recommends to those seeking a true mountain adventure.

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What customers have to say: about what we do

At HWS Adventures, we’re proud to have earned the trust and smiles of many happy travelers. Our Tripadvisor reviews reflect real experiences from guests who explored Tanzania with us and loved every moment. Here’s what they say about their adventures with HWS!

Zara L
Zara L
2025-12-16
Verified
Dream trip to the roof of Africa Climbing Kilimanjaro was a dream come true and George and his team made our journey to the roof of Africa so enjoyable. The team of guides looked after our group so well. They were all really knowledgeable and made us feel safe and empowered to complete the trek. They regularly checked our oxygen levels, ensured were were drinking enough water and paced us well to acclimatise to the altitude.On summit day George was determined to get me to the top after I fell behind the other two members of my group. He carried my pack, sang to me, comforted me when I cried, and was so patient even when I was walking slower than I thought was humanly possible. I eventually made it to the summit thanks in no small part to him.George always had the safety and comfort of our group in mind. For example, on summit day he made the decision for us to descend to a lower camp than planned for our final night due to the time spent at altitude that day (as I was slow).The whole team of porters were so friendly and professional and felt like family by the end of the trip.I dream of climbing Mount Meru next and will definitely do it with HWS Adventures when I do.
Diane B
Diane B
2025-11-24
Verified
Couldn’t have been better! George provided the best experience possible for my mom and me. From the first meeting and kind, specific instructions and tips, we knew we were in good hands. George’s entire team was experienced, friendly, welcoming and accommodating! The work these people do to provide comprehensive guidance is phenomenal! I would definitely choose George to climb with again. My mom was able to make it to the top at 81 years of age, thanks to George and his brother, Kaburu’s special attention.
Yuhki H
Yuhki H
2025-11-22
Verified
Kilimanjaro Machame Route and Safari This summer, my father and I traveled with HWS Adventures. We climbed Kilimanjaro together and followed it with an incredible safari an experience we still think back to all the time.We chose the Machame route, which turned out to be perfect: stunning scenery, enjoyable hiking, and not overwhelmingly difficult. Our guides were exactly what you’d hope for funny, knowledgeable, and genuinely caring. They checked on us every day, made sure we were feeling well, adjusted our pace, and planned breaks so we wouldn’t overexert ourselves. Something we valued greatly about this company is that the porters are paid fairly and their wellbeing is clearly taken seriously.The safari was just as memorable. We spent three days exploring the Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park, seeing incredible wildlife up close. The lodges were wonderful comfortable and located right inside the parks, so we were surrounded by nature at all times.All in all, it was a fantastic trip for me and my dad one we will never forget.
Dan F
Dan F
2025-11-12
Verified
Excellent adventure to to roof of Africa My kids and I had the pleasure of having George and his team for our expedition to the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro via the 7 day Lemosho trail. George and the team were excellent, professional, hard working and saw to our every need while on the mountain. They set up our camp every day, carried our camp bags, cooked all of our meals and even accommodated our food restrictions. He even offered to carry my day pack for me when he saw that I was struggling a bit near the summit. We all successfully summited with their help, encouragement and songs. I can't wait to go back and do the safari next time with George!
Cindy W
Cindy W
2025-11-09
Verified
Amazing experience with George We completed an incredible 7-day trip to Tanzania that included a Kilimanjaro day hike and a safari experience in December 2024. While we didn’t go on safari with George, he was instrumental in organizing and planning every detail of our journey. From the very start, his responsiveness via WhatsApp made it easy to customize our itinerary, and his careful coordination ensured everything ran smoothly.George also personally led us on our Kilimanjaro day hike, guiding us with patience and enthusiasm while sharing local insights that made the experience unforgettable. Though we’re not long-distance hikers, he made sure the route fit our pace perfectly.Thanks to George’s thoughtful planning and the team’s dedication, this once-in-a-lifetime adventure was seamless from start to finish. The Serengeti luxury camp was a highlight, and we can’t recommend this experience highly enough.
Paul C
Paul C
2025-10-30
Verified
Greatest hike of my life The overall experience was so wholesome and fun. We had a great time getting to know all the porters and guides. George and his crew were squared away and very professional! We did a 6 day hike and after we did the safari. I will definitely be coming back to do another trip in the future!
Tripadvisor rating score: 5.0 of 5, based on 6 reviews

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