Kilimanjaro climb · Private crew
Kilimanjaro: Rongai Route, 7 Days
The northern route with an extra night on the way up, via Second Cave: drier, quieter and a gentler build-up to the summit, with a private crew.
- 7 days
- Uhuru Peak, 5,895 m
- Private guide and crew
From$2,919per climber, group of six
Climb overview
Your climb at a glance
- Length7 days on the mountain
- SummitUhuru Peak, 5,895 m
- DifficultyModerate
- DistanceAbout 73 km
- Starts and endsRongai Gate (Nalemoru) → Marangu Gate
- SleepingTents pitched by your crew
- Best monthsJan – Mar, Jun – Oct
- The only route from the north, on the drier side of the mountain.
- An extra night on the way up for better acclimatisation than the 6-day version.
- Quieter trails and a night beside Mawenzi Tarn.
- Private guide and porter crew throughout.
Where you walk
Route map
Your route, camp by camp
- 1Start Rongai Gate (Nalemoru)Day 1 · start · 1,950 m
- 2Simba Camp (First Cave)Day 1 · Night 1 · 2,625 m
- 3Second Cave CampDay 2 · Night 2 · 3,450 m
- 4Kikelewa CampDay 3 · Night 3 · 3,600 m
- 5Mawenzi Tarn HutDay 4 · Night 4 · 4,330 m
- 6Kibo HutDay 5 · Night 5 · 4,720 m
- 7Gilman's PointDay 6 · crater rim · 5,685 m
- 8Uhuru PeakDay 6 · summit · 5,895 m
- 9Horombo HutDay 6 · Night 6 · 3,720 m
- 10End Marangu GateDay 7 · finish · 1,860 m
Approximate route between camps.
Itinerary
Day by day
Drive round to the Rongai trailhead near the Kenyan border, register with the park and walk through pine plantations and forest edge to Simba Camp. Around 3–4 hours of walking.
TonightSimba Camp (First Cave) (2,625m)Full boardA gentle climb into open moorland with wide views north over the plains of Kenya, to Second Cave Camp. Around 3–4 hours of walking.
TonightSecond Cave Camp (3,450m)Full boardTurn towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi and walk across the moorland to Kikelewa Camp, a short day that helps acclimatisation. Around 3–4 hours of walking.
TonightKikelewa Camp (3,600m)Full boardA short, steep climb to the tarn beneath the spires of Mawenzi. An afternoon walk higher up helps you acclimatise. Around 3–4 hours of walking.
TonightMawenzi Tarn Hut (4,330m)Full boardCross the high desert of the Saddle to Kibo Hut. Rest, eat early and sleep a few hours before the summit night. Around 5–6 hours of walking.
TonightKibo Hut (4,720m)Full boardLeave around midnight and climb the scree to Gilman's Point (5,685 m), then along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Descend to Kibo Hut for a rest, then on to Horombo Hut. Around 12–14 hours of walking.
TonightHorombo Hut (3,720m)Full boardWalk down through moorland and rainforest to Marangu Gate, collect your summit certificate and transfer back to your hotel in Arusha or Moshi. Around 5–6 hours of walking.
Want an extra acclimatisation day or a safari after the climb? Ask us to adjust it
Where you sleep
Camps on this climb
Mountain camp · 2,625m
Simba Camp (First Cave)
About this campTents pitched by your crew · Dining tent · Hot meals
1 nightMountain camp · 3,450m
Second Cave Camp
About this campTents pitched by your crew · Dining tent · Hot meals
1 nightMountain camp · 3,600m
Kikelewa Camp
About this campTents pitched by your crew · Dining tent · Hot meals
1 nightMountain camp · 4,330m
Mawenzi Tarn Hut
About this campTents pitched by your crew · Dining tent · Hot meals
1 nightMountain hut · 4,720m
Kibo Hut
About this hutShared huts with bunk beds and mattresses · Meals cooked by your crew
1 nightMountain hut · 3,720m
Horombo Hut
About this hutShared huts with bunk beds and mattresses · Meals cooked by your crew
1 night
On every climb: a head guide, a cook, a waiter, a toilet porter and four porters per climber.
What it costs
Climb pricing
| Climb | 1 climber | 2 climbers | 3 climbers | 4 climbers | 5 climbers | 6+ climbersBest value | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private climb, full crew | $4,454 | $3,472 | $3,154 | $3,116 | $3,068 | $2,919 | Get quote |
- Per climber. Crew size depends on group size, so the price per person falls as more of you climb together.
- Deposit to confirm: 20% for camping safaris, 40% for lodge safaris.
The fine print
What the price covers
Included
- Your own guide and porter crew for the full climb
- Park entry & camping fees
- Tents, sleeping mats and camp meals throughout the trek
- Transfers between your hotel and the gates
- Summit certificate on completion
Not included
- International & domestic flights
- Tanzania visa fees
- Sleeping bag & personal trekking gear
- Tips for your guide and porter crew
- Travel & medical/evacuation insurance
Tipping your crew Tipping guide
- Head guideUS$20–25 per day
- Assistant guideUS$15–20 per day
- CookUS$15–20 per day
- Assistant cookUS$10–15 per day
- PorterUS$10–15 per day
In pictures
Photo gallery
Good to know
Questions about this climb
Do I need climbing experience?
No. It is a long walk at altitude, with no scrambling. Good fitness and a steady pace matter more.
Which route should I choose?
Lemosho for the best acclimatisation and a quieter start. Machame for great scenery in fewer days. Marangu if you prefer huts to tents.
When is the best time to climb?
January to March and June to October are the driest months on the mountain.
What if I feel ill at altitude?
Your guide checks your oxygen and pulse every evening. If symptoms get worse, you descend with a member of the crew; going down is the treatment.
Is a sleeping bag included?
No. Bring a four-season bag, or ask us to rent one in Moshi.
How much should we tip the crew?
Roughly US$20–25 a day for the head guide and US$10–15 a day per porter. The full table is on our tipping page.
Before you go
What to pack
Mountain packing listSleeping and warmth
- Four-season sleeping bag (rated −10 °C or lower)
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Insulated down jacket for summit night
- Warm hat, gloves and buff
On your feet
- Broken-in waterproof hiking boots
- Trekking poles
Gear
- Head torch with spare batteries
- 2–3 litres of water capacity
- Daypack of about 30 litres
Sun and health
- Sun hat, sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen
- Personal medication
- Hand sanitiser
Guest reviews
Travellers on travelling with Makini
5.0Excellent · 105+ reviews
The communication with the company was very good, and we were in good hands from the minute we arrived… we got a lot of value for the money.
Saudat N. TripAdvisor The communication with Lucas via WhatsApp was always very friendly, direct and immediate… our tour guide Aboh was very familiar with all animals and plants.
Godfrey M. TripAdvisor Great value local Tanzanian operator that provided an unforgettable safari experience.
Damas F. TripAdvisor
Keep exploring
Other climbs
All climbs
Make this climb your own
Tell us your dates and how many are climbing. We’ll send the plan back with your price, and add a safari or Zanzibar if you’d like.