Rongai 6-Day Route

After clearing immigration at Kilimanjaro Airport and collecting your luggage, our friendly Kilimanjaro team will meet you for our transfer to Moshi, based at the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro.  Once checked in at the hotel, you’ll have the day at leisure. 

Stay: Springlands Hotel 

Meals: Breakfast

2,020m (6,627ft) – 2,625m (8,610ft) 

Average hiking time: 4 hours

You’ll have to get up early, as it’s a long drive (4 – 5 hours) to the Nalemuru Gate. First, stop at Marangu Gate to complete the park register before you continue to the Rongai. The climb begins from the attractive wooden village of Nale Moru on a small path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering the pine forest. The track then starts to climb consistently, but gently, through a beautiful forest that shelters a variety of wildlife, including the intriguing Colobus monkeys. The forest begins to thin out and the first camp is at the edge of the moorlands.   

Stay: Simba Camp

Meals: Lunch, dinner & breakfast

2,625m (8,610ft) – 3,630m (11,910ft) 

Average hiking time: 7 hours

The morning walk is a steady ascend up to the ‘second cave’ with superb views of Kibo Peak and the eastern icefields on the crater rim. After lunch, leave the main trail and hike across the moorlands on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. The campsite nestles in a valley with giant senecios.   

Stay: Kikelewa Caves 

Meals: Lunch, dinner & breakfast

3,630m (11,910ft) – 4,310m (14,140ft) 

Average hiking time: 4 hours

A short but steep climb up grassy slopes is rewarded by superb sweeping vistas and a tangible sense of wilderness. You’ll leave vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn, spectacularly situated on a cirque directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. You will have the afternoon free to rest or explore the surrounding area as an aid to acclimatization.   

Stay: Mawenzi Tarn 

Meals: Lunch, dinner & breakfast

4,310m (14,140ft) – 4,720m (15,486ft) 

Average hiking time: 5 hours

Cross the alpine desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo Hut at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night! 

Stay: Kibo Hut

Meals: Lunch, dinner & breakfast

4 713m (15 463ft) - 5895m (19341ft) 

Average time to the summit: 7 hours

We will start the final, and by far the steepest and most demanding, part of the climb around midnight. We hike very slowly in the darkness on a zigzag trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point with sunrise. Rest there for a short while to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. Continue hiking on the crater rim towards the Uhuru Peak - SUMMIT!!! the highest peak in Africa. 

Uhuru Peak – Horombo Hut

5,895m (19,341ft) – 3,719m (12,201ft) 

Average descending time: 3 hours

The descent to Kibo is surprisingly fast and, after some refreshments and rest, you’ll continue you’re descending on the Marangu route to reach Horombo.   

Stay: Horombo Hut 

Meals: Lunch, dinner & breakfast

3,719m (12,201ft) – 1,860m (6,102ft) 

Average hiking time: 6 hours

A steady descent takes you down through moorland to Mandara Hut where you will enjoy lunch. Continue descending through a lovely forest on a good path to the Marangu Gate. You will have a packed lunch on way down. Transfer to a nice shower and a real bed.   Well done – you’ve conquered Kilimanjaro!

Stay: Springlands Hotel

Meals: Lunch & breakfast

Transfer from Springlands Hotel to Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight home.

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