7 Days Kilimanjaro Rongai Route

Day 1 (Pre-Climb)

Arrive at Kilimanjaro airport; picked up with our driver and then transferred to a hotel in Moshi for overnight and morning breakfast.

Day 2: Rongai Gate to Simba Camp

You will be driven from your hotel in Arusha or Moshi for about 5 hours to the Rongai Gate near the Kenya border. After registering at the gate, we take the first hike through forests where you may see and hear wildlife. Eat lunch on the trail before continuing to the first campsite. Rongai ascends via the less forested northern side of the mountain.

The Rongai Route is one of the least crowded routes on Kilimanjaro because of the long drive to the gate. The Rongai trail is thought to have the best chance of viewing wildlife.

Day 3: First Cave Camp to Kikelewa Camp

Hike through Kilimanjaro’s moorland. The Rongai route is relatively short and steep, making for shorter hiking times. During the hike, view Mawenzi Peak ahead.

Day 4: Kikelewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn Camp

This more leisurely acclimatization day starts with a morning hike followed by a rest in the afternoon and evening. The hike is relatively short but steep. The Mawenzi Tarn campsite is situated below Mawenzi Peak and offers stunning views of both Mawenzi and Kibo.

Day 5: Mawenzi Tarn Campsite

This iss an acclimatization day at Mawenzi Tarn. We advise you hiking a bit higher this day before returning to Mawenzi Tarn in the afternoon.

Day 6: Mawenzi Tarn Camp to Kibo Camp

Cross the lunar landscape of the saddle on this day to arrive at the final campsite. Kibo Camp is situated directly below the Kibo cone, giving you stunning uninterrupted views of your final destination.

Day 7: Kibo Camp to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut

Around midnight, begin the final ascent to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. Hike by the light of your flashlight for the next six hours. The ascent to the crater rim is the most challenging part of the entire trek. The trail is very steep until you reach the crater rim at Gilman’s Point.

The hike from Gilman’s to Uhuru Peak is a gradual climb and, as far as hikes go, not very difficult. The altitude, however, makes the hike long and tiring. The crater rim hike takes about two hours. Upon reaching Uhuru, take photos of your guide and group at the peak before beginning the descent to Horombo Hut.

Day 8: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate

After breakfast, finish the trek with a descent to Marangu Gate. Your last hike on Kilimanjaro is a beautiful one, passing through Kilimanjaro’s cloud forest. Watch your step during the descent, as the trail can be slippery. Our vehicles will be waiting at Marangu Gate to take you back to your hotel.

Day 9 (After Climb):

Depart for airport for a flight back home or other destinations in Tanzania. A trip to the beaches at Zanzibar is a good way to recuperate. We can arrange many reasonably priced trips and safaris around Arusha and the Kilimanjaro region.

Price Includes

  • Arrival and departure transfers
  • Professional, experienced, mountain guides
  • All meals while on the Mountain
  • Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
  • Quality Mess tents with table and chair
  • All park fees, and government taxes.
  • Sleeping Mattress
  • Services of Professional English-speaking driver- guide
  • Game drives in 4×4 vehicles with pop up roof
  • Bottled water while on safari
  • Clean, purified drinking water
  • Crisis management and safety procedures
  • Fair and ethical treatment of porters
  • Flying Doctors insurance (AMREF) during the safari

Price Excludes

  • International airfare
  • Items of a personal nature such as passport, visa, travel insurance
  • Tips to driver-guide