Starting from the drier north side of Kilimanjaro at the village of Nalemoru near the Kenya border, the Rongai route follows less traveled trails allowing discriminating trekkers to distance themselves from the mountain’s busier routes and offers a great variety of fabulous vistas that most climbers never get to see. The route passes through lush farmland and pine and cypress forests before ascending into the rainforest where you may see troupes of black and white colobus monkeys. In the higher moorland zone we enjoy views of the Kenyan plains rich with game as we make a beeline for Mawenzi Peak with Mawenzi Tarn below. We cross the saddle to Horombo and then gain elevation to School Hut Camp. The final ascent passes the Hans Meyer Cave and reaches the crater rim at Gillman’s Point before following the rim path to the Kibo summit at Uhuru Peak.

Excellent year-round route.  Because of less rainfall than other sides of the mountain, it is often used as a wet season route April through mid-June and November to December.

Less busy ascent trails on the northeast and east sides of the mountain, with lower probability of rainfall.

• Pass through lush farmland and pine and cypress forest on Day 1 of climb.
• Unique views few climbers see, including close-ups of Mawenzi Tarn and Mawenzi Peak, Kilimanjaro’s remnant volcanic cone.
• Cross the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo Peaks.
• Route can be adjusted to 6-, 7- or 8-day climb.