Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking

Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking | Rongai Route

• 7 Days | 6 Nights
• Kilimanjaro National Park

 

If you’re looking for a relatively easy route up Kilimanjaro, the Rongai Route on the mountain’s northern side is a great option. Over the course of six days, you’ll experience breathtaking landscapes and encounter a variety of fascinating plant and animal species. If you’re interested in acclimatizing, you can extend the trip to seven days. We offer three options for the Rongai Route, ranging from five to seven days. We highly recommend the seven-day trek for optimal acclimatization.

Compared to the Marangu Route, the Rongai Route is more scenic and easier to navigate. While the Marangu Route features huts for sleeping, the Rongai Route features tents. Each day, your porter will set up your tent for you at the end of your trek. The Rongai Route is also less traveled than other routes up Kilimanjaro. However, it does merge with the Marangu Route for the final summit climb. The descent follows the Marangu Route on the mountain’s southeast side, providing stunning views of Kilimanjaro from multiple angles.

Itinerary Plan

Day 0: Arrival – Pre-trek Briefing
If you have chosen to use our airport transfer service, we will collect you from Kilimanjaro Airport and take you to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha. Your guide will meet you at the hotel for a pre-trek briefing, which is scheduled for the day after your arrival. We recommend that you arrive at least one day before the trek begins. During the briefing, we will discuss the trek and review your equipment. If you require any additional equipment, we can arrange for it to be rented from our store.

Day 1: Rongai Gate – Simba Camp
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Rongai Gate (1,950m / 6,398ft) for registration and entry formalities. The trek begins through the lush rainforest zone on the northern side of Mount Kilimanjaro. This route is quieter and offers a peaceful start to the climb. After approximately 3–4 hours of hiking covering 8km (5 miles), you will arrive at Simba Camp (2,620m / 8,596ft) for dinner and overnight.
Zone: Rain Forest
Hiking Time: 3–4 hrs
Distance: 8 km / 5 miles

Day 2: Simba Camp – Second Cave – Kikelewa Camp
Today you will continue ascending through the heath and moorland zone with beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. The hike is steady and allows good acclimatization as you gain altitude. You will pass through Second Cave (3,450m / 11,319ft) before continuing to Kikelewa Camp (3,600m / 11,811ft). The trek takes approximately 3–4 hours to Second Cave and another 3–4 hours to Kikelewa Camp, covering a total distance of about 6km (4.4 miles).
Zone: Heath & Moorland
Hiking Time: 3–4 hrs / 3–4 hrs
Distance: 6 km / 4.4 miles

Day 3: Kikelewa Camp – Mawenzi Tarn
After breakfast, you will trek upward into the alpine desert zone. The trail becomes steeper as you approach the spectacular Mawenzi peaks. Today’s hike is shorter but includes a noticeable altitude gain. After approximately 3–4 hours of hiking covering 5km (3 miles), you will arrive at Mawenzi Tarn (4,300m / 14,108ft), located beneath the dramatic spires of Mawenzi. Dinner and overnight at camp.
Zone: Alpine Desert
Hiking Time: 3–4 hrs
Distance: 5 km / 3 miles

Day 4: Mawenzi Tarn – Kibo Camp
Today you will cross the wide and open saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo. The landscape is dry, rocky, and typical of the alpine desert environment. The trail is gradual but can feel challenging due to the altitude. After about 5–6 hours of trekking covering 8km (5 miles), you will reach Kibo Camp (4,700m / 15,420ft) for dinner and rest in preparation for the summit attempt.
Zone: Alpine Desert
Hiking Time: 5–6 hrs
Distance: 8 km / 5 miles

Day 5: Kibo Camp – Uhuru Peak – Horombo Camp
This is the summit day and the most demanding part of the trek. You will start the climb around midnight, ascending steadily toward Gilman’s Point and continuing to Uhuru Peak (5,895m / 19,341ft), the highest point in Africa. After celebrating at the summit, you will begin your descent down the mountain to Horombo Camp (3,720m / 12,205ft). This is a long and challenging day but extremely rewarding.
Zone: Ice Camp / Heath & Moorland
Hiking Time: 6–8 hrs up / 4–5 hrs down
Distance: 16 km / 10 miles

Day 6: Horombo Camp – Marangu Gate
After breakfast, you will descend through the moorland and rainforest zones back to Marangu Gate (1,970m / 6,463ft). The trail is scenic and easier as you lose altitude, but can be slippery in wet conditions. After approximately 5–7 hours of trekking covering 20km (12 miles), you will reach the gate for check-out and certificate collection, then transfer back to Moshi/Arusha.
Zone: Rain Forest
Hiking Time: 5–7 hrs
Distance: 20 km / 12 miles

 

 

Inclusions and Exclusions