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Kilimanjaro — Rongai Route

Kilimanjaro — Rongai Route — the trail guide

The Kilimanjaro — Rongai Route is a 67.5 km trek in Tanzania, typically walked in 6 days, with 4188 m of total ascent. It rates Hard on our published rubric (62 m of gain per km, topping out at 5874 m). Its operating periods and current access must be checked with the linked route authorities; historical climate averages cannot establish whether the route is open or passable.

An official Kilimanjaro ascent from Rongai Gate toward Kibo and Uhuru Peak; TANAPA lists Rongai among the mountain’s ascending routes.

Quick facts

Distance67.5 km
Total ascent4188 m
Typical duration6 days
Difficulty (computed)Hard
Steepness62 m gain per km
High point5874 m
CountryTanzania
RegionTanzania

Difficulty is computed from gain-per-km and maximum altitude on a published rubric, identically for every trail in the catalogue — so an "Hard" here means the same thing everywhere on DirtbagMaps.

Official planning information

Elevation profile

Low point 1860 m · high point 5874 m · 4188 m total ascent over 67.5 km.

Historical climate normals — month by month

ERA5 reanalysis averages (2015–2024) for the trail area, referenced to approximately 1954 m elevation. These are gridded historical estimates, not observations from every stage and not a forecast. They cannot show current snowpack, river levels, fire restrictions, closures or whether a pass is safe.

MonthAvg highAvg lowAvg precip
Jan21°14°208 mm
Feb22°14°132 mm
Mar22°14°131 mm
Apr21°14°383 mm
May20°13°83 mm
Jun19°11°74 mm
Jul18°10°53 mm
Aug18°10°63 mm
Sep20°11°57 mm
Oct21°12°107 mm
Nov21°13°220 mm
Dec20°13°244 mm

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Kilimanjaro — Rongai Route?

The Kilimanjaro — Rongai Route is 67.5 km, and most hikers complete it in 6 days. Total elevation gain is 4188 m.

How difficult is the Kilimanjaro — Rongai Route?

It rates Hard on DirtbagMaps' computed rubric: 62 m of climbing per km walked with a high point of 5874 m. The rubric classifies every trail from gain-per-km and maximum altitude, so ratings are comparable across the whole catalogue.

What season and condition information is available for the Kilimanjaro — Rongai Route?

TANAPA dry periods: late June–September and December–early March. TANAPA publishes mountain-wide dry and rainy periods, not a Rongai opening calendar or summit forecast. Every climbing group must be guided; TANAPA normally deals with registered or licensed operators unless written permission is granted. This note was reviewed 30 Jul 2026 and is not live status; re-check the linked authorities before booking and departure.

Where is the Kilimanjaro — Rongai Route?

In Tanzania. The route starts near -2.955, 37.499 — the interactive 3D map above shows the full line, and the planner splits it into daily stages.

Can I get the GPX and plan daily stages?

Yes. Open the trail in the DirtbagMaps planner to drag the elevation profile into daily stages, see huts and accommodation along the corridor, and export a per-day GPX for your watch or GPS.

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