Rongai Route – 7 Days

We always recommend you have at least 1 day in town before starting your trek. This gives you time to rest, relax and prepare. On this day we make sure you meet your guide(s) so that they are able to check all your gear, we can rent anything else that you require and you have the opportunity to ask them any questions you may have!

Day 1

Nalemoru Gate (1990m) To Simba camp (2625m)
Total Distance:

7km

Hiking Time (approx.):

2 hours

Although many still call this starting point the Rongai gate it is now officially named after the nearby Nalemoru village, after the original path (starting from Rongai village) was closed. The starting point is about a 2 hour drive from Moshi town around the eastern side of the mountain. This is a beautiful drive giving you a good insight into local ‘Chagga’ life as you pass through villages, gazing out at the mud huts and banana plantations. After signing up at the gate you’ll start you walk along a track through fields of potato and maize, and the odd pine plantation. After about 1 hour you will pass through a small strip of forest- home to black and white colobus monkeys, before entering into heathland. Following a short uphill walk you will arrive at Simba Camp, where you will be welcomed with a hearty warm dinner.

Day 2

Simba Camp (2625m) To Second Cave Camp (3487m)
With this shorter day today you can set off a little later from camp. Not the most scenic of days, but a great acclimatisation day as you hike along with views of heathers and the Erica of the moorland. It is a short but steep climb up to the Second Cave Camp, where you will reach early afternoon to rest up and explore around the campsite.
Total Distance:

5.7km

Hiking Time:

4-5 hours

Day 3

Second Cave Camp (3487m) To Kikelelwa Camp (3675m)
Total Distance:

6.1km

Hiking Time (approx.):

4 hours

Following breakfast at the camp, set off along the undulating path, enjoying views down and across to Kenya. Along the path today you will be hiking up with views towards the ragged peak of Mawenzi (Kilimanjaro’s second highest peak). Continue along the rocky path, stopping for lunch along the way before reaching Kikelelwa Camp in the afternoon. A nice easy day, with just a short gain in elevation you may have energy to check out the nearby caves and get great snaps of the beautiful groundsels and lobelia plants located around the campsite.

Day 4

Kikelelwa Camp (3675m) To Mawenzi Tarn Huts (4302m)
Yes, you read it right – only just under 4km today! Don’t be too fooled, you do gain over 600m in this shorter morning walk as you climb steadily to reach one of our favourite huts on the mountain. The Mawenzi Tarn Huts are in a spectacular location, situated just underneath Mawenzi peak. In the afternoon you can take an (optional but recommended!) acclimatization walk along the ridge where, provided it is a clear day, you will be rewarded with a wonderful view across to Kibo Peak. Today is a bit of a treat with both a hot lunch, and a delicious dinner cooked up at the huts!
Total Distance:

3.75km

Hiking Time (approx.):

2-3 hours

Day 5

Mawenzi Tarn Huts (4302m) Finish: Kibo Huts (4715m)
Total Distance:

9km

Hiking Time (approx.):

4-5 hours

Start your morning descending down a ridge, to then walk across the Northern edge of the saddle which passes between Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. The landscape is lunar-like up here, although Eland (Africa’s largest antelope) have been spotted here. Have your camera handy to take some fantastic panoramas of the spectacular views off to the east and west. As you cross the saddle you will also be able to see your path for summit night laid out ahead of you up to Gillman’s point. Kibo Huts are nestled just under the peak for which they are named. You’ll arrive here for a late lunch and then rest up in preparation for your summit.

Day 6: Summit Night

Kibo Huts (4715m) to Uhuru Peak (5895m) back to Kibo Huts
Total Distance:

6.25km

Hiking Time (approx.):

6 hours

Kibo Huts (4715m) to Horombo Huts (7720m)
Total Distance:

9km

Hiking Time (approx.):

3-4 hours

Depending on how you have fared with the altitude in the days before, you will be woken at 11pm-12am to start your ascent up to Uhuru Peak. Have some tea and biscuits to warm you up before starting on the hardest part of your trek. You will make your way up to Gillman’s point by flashlight, zig-zagging your way along the soft ground. This is definitely one of the steeper and more challenging ascents, but there is no such thing as going too slowly – make sure to take your time. Upon reaching Gillman’s point you will stop for a well-deserved short rest. You will have earned your certificate here, but don’t let that stop you from going on up to Uhuru peak – the hard work is over. Now you can enjoy the magnificent views of glaciers to the left, and Reusch’s crater to the right. Most trekkers will make it to the peak after approx. 6 hours, in time to watch what will be one of (if not the) favourite sunrise(s) of your life. Heading back down to Kibo will be surprisingly quick, some like to use their walking poles to ‘ski’ down the soft scree! Have some warm food here, rest up, before continuing your descent down to Horombo Huts.

Day 7

Horombo Huts (3720m) to Marangu Gate (1905m)
Total Distance:

20.75km

Hiking Time:

7-8 hours

A long last day, which will no doubt feel like a walk in the park after yesterday’s efforts. Make sure to enjoy this final day of the mountain… that beer will still be cold, and the shower still hot when you get down! If you are not in a rush, your guide can take you down via the Marangu ‘Nature Trail’ – a much less used path (be prepared to hop over a few fallen trees) before reaching a beautiful water fall. Enjoy time monkey and bird-spotting in the forest before emerging out at Marangu Gate where you will sign out of the National Park. There is a great little souvenir spot here, with maps, books and postcards to buy (handy tools when bragging to all your friends back home!). From the gate, our car will pick you up and transfer you back to your hotel for a well-deserved rest (massages available on request)!

What's in the Price?

Inclusive
  • Pick-ups and drop offs from the Airport
  • Accommodations (One night Before Trekking and One night After Trekking)
  • Mountain guide(s)
  • Personal chef(s)
  • Porters
  • All meals and drinking water
  • Park entrance fees, all camping fees
  • Camping equipment – tent, foam mattress (Not needed for the Marangu route)
  • First aid kit
  • Pulse oximeter
Exclusive
  • Alcoholic beverages or sodas
  • Sleeping bag (can arrange hire if necessary)
  • Tipping gratuities.
  • Travel insurance
  • Visa fees
  • International and domestic flights
Available supplements
  • Flying Doctor’s Emergency rescue or Kili Made Air
  • Portable toilet
  • Oxygen cylinder
  • Massage after the climb

Add an Extra Day to experience

Nice relaxing day at the Hotsprings
Coffee and waterfall tour to Materuni Village
Walking safari in Arusha National Park
Kayaking at Lake Chala
Walking tour in Rau Forest
Day trip to Ngorongoro or a full safari package

Congratulations on completing your Kilimanjaro trek!

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