Trip Overview
The only path that approaches Kilimanjaro from the north and is close to the Kenyan border is the Rongai route. Despite growing in prominence with climbers, Rongai is not very busy. It is the recommended route for climbers who want a less congested alternative to the busy Marangu route, who want a more secluded walk, and who are doing it during the rainy season.
Six days is the bare least needed for this trek, while seven days is advised. Rongai makes up for the lack of variety in the scenery by travelling through genuine wilderness areas for days before connecting to the Marangu route at Kibo camp. The Marangu route is descended on this route. The moderately challenging Rongai route comes highly recommended, especially for individuals with little to no prior backpacking experience.
Day 1: Arrival Tanzania
You will be met by your guide, who will give you a briefing on your forthcoming trip and check your equipment to make sure you have all the appropriate mountain gear, when you are picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and taken to your hotel in Moshi town. On this day, the missing equipment can be rented.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 2: Nalemoru Gate (1990m) to Simba Camp (2625m)
To begin the Rongai path, we will travel this morning to the town of Nale Moru. The trek’s initial section passes through farms and pine trees. On the way, you might get an opportunity to observe the stunning Colobus monkeys or, if you’re lucky, elephants or buffalo. The Simba Camp, which is 2625 metres above sea level and next to a moorland zone, will be our first camp.
Distance covered: 8km / 5mi
Approx. time taken: 4 – 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 3: Simba camp (2626m) – Kikelewa Camp (3679m)
From Simba Camp, we climb 5.8 kilometres up towards Kibo, stopping for lunch at First Caves at 3,482 metres. We continue our walk after lunch until we reach Kikelewa Camp, which is located at about 3679 metres. You start to feel like you’re on a pretty enormous mountain as the views start to open up! Water can be obtained in a clear stream that flows beneath the cave, though you might need to walk a little bit downhill to discover a pool or two. Dine and stay the night at the Kikelewa camp.
- Approx. time taken: 6 – 7 hours
- Distance: Approximately 11.8 km
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 4: Kikelewa Cave (3679m) – Mawenzi Tarn camp (4303m)
A short but steep climb up grassy slopes offers superb views of this wilderness area. The vegetation zone ends shortly before you reach your next camp at Mawenzi Tarn spectacularly situated beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. Spend the afternoon acclimatizing and exploring the area.
Distance covered: 8km / 5mi
Approx. time taken: 4 – 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 5: Mawenzi Tarn camp (4303m) – Kibo hut (4730m)
After breakfast we head west and continue ascending on the east side of Kibo crossing the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo taking 4 to 5 hours to reach Kibo Hut. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent, which begins around midnight. Overnight at Kibo hut.
Distance covered: 8km / 5mi
Approx. time taken: 5 – 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 6 – Kibo hut (4730m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo hut (3705m)
The going gets really difficult once you wake at around 23:20 and head out into the darkness after having some tea and biscuits. The Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), which also serves as an excellent resting location, is reached along a rocky path in the trail’s initial portion.
At Gillman’s point (5 681m), which is situated on the crater rim, the path then ascends in a zigzag pattern. This stretch requires a lot of physical and mental work because it is very steep and covered in stone scree. Most likely, this is the toughest part of the entire course. Slow down and perform the Kili shuffle. Snow typically covers the entire distance from Gillmans Point to Uhuru Peak (5895m), Africa’s highest point.
How long you have to take pictures before the three-hour descent back to Kibo hut depends on the weather conditions at the peak. After a brief pause at Kibo Hot, you gather your equipment that you had left behind for the ascent and go (3 hours) to Horombo Hut, where you will spend the night. In comparison to the ascent, the trip back to Horombo Hut will seem fairly quick. Be ready for a really challenging day because you will be walking for almost 14 hours in total. Later in the evening, you eat your final meal on the mountain (with soft drinks and beer available for purchase at the camp office) before a well-earned night of restful sleep, accompanied by vivid memories and stirring emotions.
Approx. time taken: 7 to 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, 6 to 8 hours to descend to Horombo
Distance: Approxim 12 – 15 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 7: Horombo hut (3705m) – Marangu Gate (1860m)
After breakfast, you continue the 6-hour descent to the Marangu gate through the Mandara lodge. It is strongly advised that you wait to tip your porters until you and all of your equipment have arrived at the entrance securely.
You enter your name and contact information in a register at Marangu gate. Successful climbers can also pick up their summit certificates here. Green certificates are given to climbers who made it to Gillman’s Point (5685 m), while gold awards are given to those who made it to Uhuru Peak (5895 m).
You now return to Moshi via car for a much-needed hot shower, food, a comfortable bed, and celebrations!
- Hiking time: 6 hours
- Distance: Approximately 29 km
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 8: Depart Tanzania
After the hike, you have the rest of the day to relax before your trip home. You might visit Moshi town and stop at a few gift shops before going to the airport, depending on your flight schedules.
If you want to keep exploring Tanzania, there are add-ons for safaris, trips to Zanzibar, and other destinations.
- Meals: Breakfast Included
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