The Rongai route has several variations. It can be done as a five, six or even seven-day trek. The extra day is not spent in the same camp as the previous day. (If you take an extra acclimatization day on the Marangu Route you will simply hang around one camp for the second night.)

The six day Rongai trek usually follows a different trail than the five day version. After day two you make a detour towards Mawenzi Peak. Some operators of six-day treks simply ascend slower, making an extra camp instead of the detour. All seven-day treks make the detour to Mawenzi.

This itinerary (and the detailed route description below it) describes the six-day trek with the detour via Mawenzi Tarn, one of the most scenic campsites on the mountain.

(Note: altitudes and distances are approximations. Different sources will give you different numbers.)