Rongai Start Point (1996m) – Simba Camp (2626m)

Rongai - Hiking duration: 4 hours
Distance: Approximately 6.7 km
Habitat: Forest (Montane)

Begin the journey from Moshi town with a 45-minute drive to the Marangu park gate for registration. From there, travel to Naro Moru, located northeast of Kilimanjaro, covering an additional 68 km in about 2 ½ hours on rough roads to reach the Rongai start point (1996m). Meet the guide and porters before commencing the hike from Nale Moru village. The narrow path winds through maize fields, enters a pine forest, and gently ascends through the forest. The trail is not steep, offering a pleasant hike through picturesque countryside. The first night’s camp is at Simba Camp (2,626m), which provides a public toilet and a wooden table with benches, but no hut.

Simba Camp (2626m) – Kikelewa Camp (3679m)

Kikelewa Cave (3679m) – Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4303m)

Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,330 m) – Kibo Hut (4,700 m)

Mount Kilimanjaro - Trekking duration: 4 to 5 hours
Distance: approx. 9 km
Vegetation type: Alpine desert

After a light breakfast, today’s program begins with a hike over a small ridge, followed by an easy walk on a pleasant path on the northern part of the saddle. With favorable weather, the views in this area are stunning. The dominant vegetation type during today’s walk is an alpine desert, featuring hardy grasses and occasional everlasting flowers.

At this point, the Rongai route joins the Marangu route upon reaching the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo. The path to the summit from here is the same as the Marangu route. The final part of today’s hike leading to Kibo Hut is steeper. Arrive at Kibo Hut at 4,700 m around lunchtime. Hot water for washing and other procedures will follow; get ample rest and acclimatize in preparation for the final part of the Kilimanjaro trekking on the Rongai route over 6 days.

Dinner will be served early, and before or after dinner, the guide will provide a detailed briefing for the final push to the summit. Go to bed early and try to get enough sleep, as this is the big night on Kilimanjaro. Before bed, ensure everything needed for the final ascent is prepared. Essential items for the summit attempt include thermal clothing, a ski stick, and a thermal flask for water. Remember to replace the headlamp and batteries (the guide will remind you during the briefing).

Summit Attempt. Kibo Hut (4,700 m) – Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) – Horombo Hut (3,720 m)

Uhuru Peak - Kibo Hut (4,700 m) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) to Horombo Hut (3,720 m)
Trekking duration: About 8 hours to Uhuru and 6 hours to Horombo
Vegetation type: Stone scree / ice-cap summit
Distance: approx. 6 km ascent and 21 km descent

On the summit day of the Rongai Route, wake-up time is around 23:00 to 23:30. Enjoy some biscuits and tea before starting. Initially, hike through a very rough path with rocky terrain, passing Williams Point at 5,000 m, Hans Meyer Cave at 5,150 m, and Gillman’s Point at 5,681 m on the crater rim.

Reaching Hans Meyer Cave from Kibo Hut takes about two and a half hours. Gillman’s Point is not far from Hans Meyer Cave, approximately an hour away. The summit from Gillman’s Point is about a 1.5-hour walk.

The remaining climb is usually covered with snow, and walking is along the crater rim all the way to Uhuru Peak. On the way to Uhuru Peak, pass Stella Point at 5,752 m, where other routes reach the rim. Approaching the summit can be challenging. Congratulations on reaching the roof of Africa via the Rongai route after 6 days of challenging hiking.

At Uhuru Peak, expect to spend only a few minutes due to the altitude, allowing time for photos before descending. Begin the descent back to Kibo Hut at 4,700 m, where lunch will be served. From Kibo Hut, it takes about 3 hours to reach Horombo Hut at 3,720 m. Arrive at the camp in the afternoon, enjoy hot water followed by coffee/tea with snacks, change clothes, and relax while waiting for dinner.

Horombo Hut (3,720 m) – Marangu Gate (1,980 m) – Moshi

Marangu - Duration: 6 hours
Distance: approx. 27 km
Vegetation type: Low alpine zone and Montane forest

After a hearty breakfast at Horombo Hut, the final day on Kilimanjaro begins. Pass Mandara Hut at 2,700 m on the way down to Marangu Gate, where a short break for lunch is taken before continuing to Marangu Gate at 1,980 m.

At Marangu Gate, sign the register book and receive a summit certificate. A green certificate is awarded to those who reached Gillman’s Point, and a gold certificate (Big Diploma) for Uhuru Peak. Celebrations, singing, and dancing, including a farewell and tipping session for the crew, can occur at Horombo Hut in the morning or at the gate when receiving the certificate. Upon reaching the gate, the driver will be ready to take you back to the hotel in Moshi, possibly for a long-awaited hot shower before dinner and overnight stay.

• Private transportation
• Qualified mountain guide, assistant guides, porters and cook
• Salaries for mountain crew as per guidelines set by Kilimanjaro National Park
• Basic first aid kit (for use in emergencies only)
• Lunch
• Emergency oxygen (for use in emergencies only
• not as summit aid)
• Hotel the night before and the night after the climb, with dinner and breakfast included
• Dinner
• Breakfast
• All fees and/or taxes
• Fresh water for Drinking & Hot Water for Washing Daily
• Return transfers Kilimanjaro airport to Moshi and Moshi to Kilimanjaro airport

• Visas, Flights, Health & Travel Insurances
• Gratuities
• Items of personal nature
• Personal hiking/trekking gear – we can rent some of the gear from our equipment store in Tanzania
• Optional but highly recommended Portable toilet
• Snacks, personal medicine and water purifying tablets
• Meals & drinks not specified and snacks

The 6-day itinerary for the Rongai route is top-rated, coming in as the second simplest route for ascending Kilimanjaro, right after Marangu. Climbers have two option for starting points when trekking via this route, either from the Tanzania or Kenya side. Unique in its approach, the Rongai route ascends to Kilimanjaro’s summit from the northeast, offering a remarkable wilderness backdrop. If desired, a short Tanzania safari could be arranged post-climb upon request. Please inform us of your preferences.

The route tends to be less crowded than others, making it an ideal choice for those preferring fewer climbers along their path. The Rongai route is designated for ascending only and ultimately merges with the Marangu route, which is used for both ascent and descent. Furthermore, the route features numerous caves that can be used as overnight accommodations.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.