6 Days Rongai Route

Tour Overview

The Rongai Route stands out as one of the easiest paths to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, boasting a notably high success rate among climbers.

Beginning on the mountain’s north side, just south of the Kenyan border, this route is characterized by its relative solitude compared to others. The descent follows the Marangu Route on the mountain’s south side, offering climbers a diverse array of perspectives on their journey.

The journey to the trailhead entails a scenic drive of approximately 3 hours from Moshi, passing through quaint villages and verdant coffee plantations. Along the way, climbers make a stop at Marangu to register climbing permits.

Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro Int. Airport for your climb

When you arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport our guide will be there waiting for you. He will will drop you off at your hotel, where you can relax from your flight. Preparation for your climb: You will meet your guide before the beginning of your climb. He will brief you and give you details, like what to wear, what to put in your backpack and other important tips to make the climb as comfortable as possible for you.

Day 2: Rongai Gate (1800 m) - First Cave Camp (2600 m)

Today, your guide will pick you up at your hotel and drive you to the Rongai Gate in about 2 hours. You then start this exciting adventure ascending through beautiful lush forests listening to varied animal noises. After a lunch break, you continue until the first camp on the Rongai route, which is on the less forested north side of the mountain. This route is quieter and allows viewing of a lot of wildlife.

Day 3: First Cave Camp (2600 m) - Kikelewa Camp (3600 m)

On the second day, you hike for 5-6 hours with a steep climb to begin with and you will start to feel the altitude with the first mountain peak of Kilimanjaro in sight, Mawenzi peak. After some time, you reach a first cave where you get some time to explore. Lunch is taken in the second cave. In the afternoon, the climb gets less steep and you finish the hike towards the camp in a sheltered valley near Kikelewa or the third cave.

Day 4: Kikelewa Camp (3600 m) - Mawenzi Tarn (4330 m)

Today, you will admire some breath-taking views as you continue your route through this steep hike. You will walk for about 4-5 hours in the morning, to keep the afternoon and evening to rest and to give your body a chance to adapt to the altitude. You go until Mawenzi Tarn, where you will spend the night. It is located just below the Mawenzi summit, with amazing views of both Kilimanjaro peaks, Mawenzi and Kibo.

Day 5: Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4330 m) - Kibo Camp (4700 m)

On this 4th day, you will be fascinated by the lunar landscape you will cross on the way to the higher camp. Kibo camp is located right below Kibo summit, from where you will admire spectacular views of the Kenyan plains. You walk for 5-6 hours through the alpine desert environment and then rest after lunch in the afternoon because the next day will be the summit push to the peak of Kilimanjaro!

Day 6: Kibo Camp (4700 m) - Uhuru Peak (5895 m) - Horombo Hut (3720 m)

At midnight you start the final summit push to the Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa! Be prepared, you will walk for about 12 hours on this intense day! Once you have reached Gilman’s Point through a steep climb with your flashlight, Uhuru Peak is relatively easy to reach. You will witness one of the most beautiful sunrises and celebrate your achievement, then go back down to the Kibo huts to have a meal before continuing the descent to Horombo huts for an overnight stay.

Day 7: Horombo Hut (3720 m) - Marangu Gate (1830 m) - to the hotel

On this final day, you descend through a beautiful rainforest to the exit of Kilimanjaro National Park, the Marangu Gate. This is a delightful 5 to 6 hours walk at the end of which the whole group comes together to congratulate each other. Your driver then brings you back to your hotel where you get a well-deserved rest.