The Rongai route arises Kilimanjaro from the north-eastern side of the mountain. Along the border between Tanzania and Kenya. The Rongai route holds a sense of unspoiled wilderness and offers a different perspective on Kilimanjaro by approaching it from the north.

• This route does not allow for the application of the climb high and sleeps low principle. So hikers generally suffer more from altitude sickness on the Rongai route compared to other routes. The Rongai route uses the rock summiting path from Kibo hut to Gilman’s point and descends via the Marangu route.
• The minimum duration for the Rongai route is 6 days, though since the biggest cause of altitude sickness is going too high too fast and it affects every person differently irrespective of their age, fitness levels, etc.
• The starting point of this route is 1,950 m to Rongai’s first cave (2,620m). Rongai is perfect for those who are not confident in their ability to hike over steeper paths. Those who want to avoid traffic or crowd, and those who want to enjoy a quieter hike. When climbing in the rainy season because the north side of the mountain receives less precipitation.
• This route is considered to be one of the easier routes up Kilimanjaro. The climb is both gradual and steady. Though the Rongai Route does not have a great ‘walk high, sleep low’ profile which makes it arguably more difficult than the Machame or Lemosho routes in terms of acclimatization. Climbers prefer 6 and 7-day climbs, with the 7-day option recommended for better acclimatization.

This climbing route does not require technical climbing but the trails are strenuous and a good level of physical fitness is required.