Below you’ll find a full list of our Rongai6 fixed departures for the year ahead. To enquire about availability or to reserve a place on one of our open climbs, visit the Kilimanjaro section of the Gane and Marshall website, or get in touch with us via our enquiry form at the bottom of this page.
Outline Itinerary
| Day/Profile | Outline |
|---|---|
| Day 1 Distance: 6.5km Time: 3-4 hours Altitude gain: 700m Terrain: Pine forest | Complete the necessary registration formalities at Marangu National Park gate, then transfer to the Rongai trailhead on Kilimanjaro’s northern slopes. The climb begins from the village of Nale Moru (1,950m), and takes us through cultivated fields, pine forest, and finally to the edge of the moorland zone, where we camp at First Cave (2,650m) |
| Day 2 Distance: 9km Time: 6-7 hours Altitude gain: 950m Terrain: Moorland | Start with a steady ascent up to the ‘Second Cave’ (3,450m), taking time to admire the view of Kibo and the Eastern icefields on the crater rim along the way. After lunch, leave the main trail and strike out across the moorland on a less-trodden path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. Kikelewa Camp (3,675m) is in a sheltered valley of giant senecios. |
| Day 3 Distance: 5km Time: 3-4 hours Altitude gain: 655m Terrain: Moorland/semi-desert | The day starts with a short but steep climb up grassy slopes. The vegetation becomes sparser as we approach the next camp, Mawenzi Tarn (4,330m), situated in a cirque directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. Optional acclimatisation trek this afternoon. |
| Day 4 Distance: 9km Time: 5-6 hours Altitude gain: 385m Terrain: Alpine desert | We cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo Peaks to reach Kibo campsite (4,715m) at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent, which begins early tomorrow morning! |
| Day 5 Distance: 5km up; 15km down Time: 11-15 hours Altitude gain: 1195m ascent / 2195m descent Terrain: Arctic | We start out final ascent by torchlight at 1am, plodding slowly in the darkness on a switchback trail until reaching the crater rim at Gillman’s Point (5,685m), ideally in time to watch the sunrise over Mawenzi. A short rest, then we continue with the three hour roundtrip to Uhuru Peak (5,895m). After time to admire the view from the summit, descent to Kibo (4,700m) for refreshments, and then further down to Horombo (3,720m), our final campsite. |
| Day 6 Distance: 20km Time: 5-6 hours Altitude: 1840m descent Terrain: Rainforest | A steady descent takes us down through moorland to Mandara Hut (2,700m), the first stopping place along the Marangu route. We then continue descending through lush rainforest on a good trail to the Marangu Gate, from where you transfer to a local lodge for a welcome hot shower and overnight stay. |
View the full Rongai6 climb itinerary (pdf)
Please note that, due to the rapid ascent, we only recommend our Rongai6 fixed departures if booked in conjunction with a pre-climb altitude acclimatisation safari or in combination with a shorter climb such as Mt Meru. It also possible to combine Rongai6 with Mts Stanley or Kenya. Otherwise, a longer route such as the eight-day Lemosho or Shira is ideal.
Departure dates
These are fully-inclusive climbs and run to the highest standards. Our group sizes are typically 6-8, with a maximum of 15. Read more about our Kilimanjaro open groups.
| Trip date | Availability |
|---|---|
| 05 August 2023 | Yes |
| 02 September 2023 | Yes |
| 30 September 2023 | Yes |
| 20 December 2023 | Yes |
| 06 January 2024 | Yes |
| 20 January 2024 | Yes |
| 03 February 2024 | Yes |
| 24 February 2024 | Yes |
| 22 June 2024 | Yes |
| 06 July 2024 | Yes |
| 20 July 2024 | Yes |
| 03 August 2024 | Yes |
| 31 August 2024 | Yes |
| 28 September 2024 | Yes |
| 05 October 2024 | Yes |
| 21 December 2024 | Yes |
Price guide
The cost of this climb is £2,067, applicable to all of our 6-day Rongai route open groups departing in 2023 and 2024. For 2025 rates, please contact us.
Included in the climb cost
- Half board accommodation at the start and end of your climb.
- Airport transfers for Kilimanjaro International or Arusha Airport to and from Arusha.
- Transfers from the hotel to and back from the mountain.
- The climbs are full-board with all fees included.
- We allocate one qualified mountain guide to every two climbers.
- Our cooks, tent staff and porters are well paid and well trained as per the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project guidelines.
- Emergency oxygen.
- Jeremy Gane (25 times climber of Kilimanjaro and organiser of several high profile groups, including the 2009 Red Nose Day expedition for Comic Relief) will help you choose your climb and will look after your booking.
- Flying Doctor cover
Excluded from the climb cost
- International flights
- Lunches on day of arrival and departure (if required)
- Drinks with hotel meals
- Tips
Discounts and Gifts
Group founders may be eligible for a discount on their trip costs, in addition to a free map. We give one free 1:75000 Kili map and guide to every two climbers.
All climbers get extensive information about the itinerary, kit, and training.
Wrong date?
If none of our open climbs fit your schedule, consider setting up your own open group through us. You choose a route and time of year that works for you, and we’ll promote your group with the goal of increasing the group size and bringing down your costs. Alternatively, consider a private Kilimanjaro climb.