Kilimanjaro climbs
Kilimanjaro: 7-day Machame Route
The classic 'Whiskey Route': the most scenic way up Kilimanjaro, with a seventh day that makes a real difference to your summit…
Kilimanjaro climbs
Kilimanjaro: 7-day Rongai Route
The quiet northern route from the Kenyan border, with an acclimatisation night under the jagged spires of Mawenzi.
- Duration7 days
- DifficultyChallenging
- RouteRongai
- Max altitude5,895 m
- Best timeAll year; the driest northern route
- GroupPrivate, 1 to 12 climbers
- Starts / endsMoshi or Arusha
Rongai approaches Kilimanjaro from the north, near the Kenyan border. It is the driest side of the mountain, which makes it the best choice for the rainy seasons, and it sees a fraction of the traffic of Machame. The scenery is gentler, but the night at Mawenzi Tarn, beneath the shattered towers of Kilimanjaro’s second peak, is one of the best camps on the mountain.
You descend by the Marangu route, so you see two very different sides of Kilimanjaro in one climb.
Highlights
- The quietest and driest of the main routes
- Camp beside Mawenzi Tarn under the jagged second peak
- Acclimatisation day with a hike onto Mawenzi's flanks
- Descend the Marangu route for a full traverse
- Good chance of wildlife in the lower forest
Day by day
Drive around the mountain to Rongai Gate near the Kenyan border. A gentle climb through farmland and pine forest to the first camp.
Steady climb through moorland past Second Cave, with views of Kibo's eastern icefields, to Kikelewa Camp in a sheltered valley.
A short, steep climb to the tarn beneath Mawenzi's towering cliffs. Afternoon acclimatisation walk.
Explore the ridges above camp and get your body used to the altitude. Extra day that pays off on summit night.
Cross the Saddle, the high desert between the two peaks, to Kibo Hut. Rest and early night.
Midnight start to Gilman's Point for sunrise, then along the rim to Uhuru Peak. Long descent to Horombo on the Marangu route.
Descend through moorland and rainforest to Marangu Gate for certificates and the transfer to Moshi.
What's included
Included
- 2 nights hotel in Moshi (before and after the climb), bed and breakfast
- Transfers to Rongai Gate and from Marangu Gate
- All park fees, camping fees and rescue fees
- Professional licensed mountain guide, assistant guides, cook and porters
- Quality mountain tents, sleeping mats, mess tent, tables and chairs
- Three hot meals a day on the mountain and boiled drinking water
- Pulse oximeter checks twice daily and a first-aid kit
- Portable toilet tent
Not included
- International flights and Tanzanian visa
- Travel insurance (must cover trekking to 6,000 m)
- Personal climbing gear (available to rent in Moshi)
- Tips for the mountain crew
- Lunch and dinner at the hotel, drinks and personal items
What climbers say
★★★★★
I visited Tanzania for the first time, doing both a 6 day Kilimanjaro trek and 5 day safari with Neeko Tours. I could not have had a better experience! Both my mountain guide and safari guide were absolutely fantastic. I was safe, happy, and well-fed the entire time! I plan on returning and exploring with them again in the future. By traveling with them, you’re supporting a local community, making the experience even more meaningful.
★★★★★
Gasper and his team were amazing and made our Kilimanjaro hike a perfect experience, end-to-end. We highly recommend Neeko Tours and our guides Harold and Frank. It was just us two girls on the 8day hike on the Lemosho route. They went above and beyond to make us feel safe the entire time so we did not have to worry about anything. They arranged everything before and after the trip - they picked us up from the airport, checked all our clothes and gear, provided anything that was still missing. On the hike, the guides did an excellent job motivating us and making sure that we would stay healthy. We hiked slowly, did plenty of acclimatization hikes, and because of that barely felt any altitude symptoms at all. The entire crew took care of us extremely well and had three delicious fresh meals cooked every day by the chef. We could really feel that the entire crew truly cared about our wellbeing and enjoyed being there as well. Safety is very important and Gasper even provided daily updates to our emergency contacts so they knew we were safe as well. We could not have asked for a better tour provider! Thank you so much Gasper, Harold, Frank and the entire crew. Not only did we have an unforgettable experience but we have also made dear friends for life!
★★★★★
I had the pleasure to take part at a wonderful 7 Days Safari and to climb Kilimanjaro with Neeko Tours and it was an unforgettable time! The staff and team-member did all an excellent job and we worked all together. Especially I enjoyed the great service by Neeko tours, whenever we had a problem they tried to solve it. I can recommend Neeko Tours to everyone who is looking for an authentic and well organised Tour in Tanzania! It was truly amazing!
Climb for a reason
Make this climb count for Ikirwa School
Gasper, who runs Neeko, founded a primary school in his home village on land his family gave. Around 200 children learn there. Charity climbers get a discount on the climb, a fundraising page, and a visit to the school to see what they paid for.
Keeping the school buses running
$0 of $6,000 raised
A dining hall for 200 children
$0 of $25,000 raised
Eight classrooms and a dormitory
Completed
$508 sponsors a pupil for a year
$800 furnishes a classroom
$15,000 builds one
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