Welcome to Tanzania and let’s touch the roof of Africa! Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro via The Rongai Route create a very special experience. This route is Less crowded because of its remote location and therefore it offers trekkers a unique wilderness experience where it is possible to see large wildlife like antelope, elephant and buffalo. As there is typically less moisture on this side of the mountain you are less likely to encounter rain and have more unclouded views of the peak. 

The Rongai route is considered as one of the easier routes up Kilimanjaro. It is the only route to approach the Majestic Kilimanjaro from the north and the descent is via the Marangu Route. Summit night from Kibo Hut is steep and follows the same path taken by the Marangu route which passes Gilman’s Point to Uhuru Peak. 

Duration: 6 days 5 nights 

Difficulty: Medium 

Scenery: Very good 

DAY 1: ARUSHA – NALE MURU GATE – SIMBA CAMP:

7KM /5MI | 3-4 HRS |  

RAINFOREST  

Elevation: 1997m/6552ft to 2635m/8645ft 

Altitude gained: 638m  

Departing from Arusha after your breakfast, a 4–5-hour drive will take you through the coffee plantations and Village of Nale Muru to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. We will patiently wait for our permits to be issued while watching the hustle and bustle of operations as many crews prepare for the journey ahead. 

Enjoy the beautiful wooded scenery, and windy trails while your guide tells you about the local flora and fauna and natural wildlife you are likely to see. Simba camp sits near the first cave at the edge of the moorland zone with spectacular views of the plains of Kenya. 

DAY 2: SIMBA CAMP – SECOND CAVE CAMP:

5.8KM/3.6MI | 5-6HRS | MOORLAND  

Elevation: 2635m/8645ft to 3487m/11,440ft 

Altitude gained: 852m  

After a good night sleep and a hearty breakfast, we continue along moorland terrain on a consistent ascending path. You will catch some terrific views of Kibo and get your first glimpse of the ice fields on the Eastern crater rim. The small shrubs of the moorland became thinner as you approve the Second Cave. Temperatures begin to drop. 

DAY 3: SECOND CAVE CAMP – THIRD CAVE CAMP:

3.3KM/2MI | 3-

4HRS | SEMI DESERT  

Elevation: 2635m/8645ft to 3936m/12,913ft 

Altitude gained: 449m

After breakfast and packing, you continue your stead ascent, entering into the semidesert terrain. This relatively short hiking day brings you closer to the Easter ice fields, continually drawing your attention to their beauty. Pay attention to your body and keep your guide informed of any signs of altitude sickness. 

DAY 4: THIRD CAVE CAMP- KIBO HUTS: 6.7KM/4.2MI | 45HRS |  

ALPINE DESERT  

Elevation: 3936m/12,913ft to 5174m/16975ft 

Altitude gained: 1238m  

As you depart early the semi-desert zone from the Third Cave early in the morning and begin your trek into the Alpine Desert terrain for the remainder of your ascent. Today’s hike will take you just below the Kibo crater wall to the Kibo Huts. At this point, you will merge with the Marangu Route, which you will use to hike to the summit. You will prepare your clothing and equipment (replace batteries for headlamp and camera) before you go to bed by 7 PM and try to catch a few hours of rest before your summit attempt. 

DAY 5: KIBO HUTS – SUMMIT: 4KM /2.5 MI UP | 5-7HRS | – HOROMBO  

HUTS: 15.75KM /9.8MI DOWN | 5-6HRS | GLACIERS, SNOW CAPPED SUMMIT  

Elevation: 5174m/16975ft to 5895m/19,341ft 

Altitude gained: 721m  

Descent to 3721m/12,208ft Altitude lost: 2174m 

Excitement is building as morning comes with an early start between midnight and 2 a.m. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. 

We continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers trying to stay warm and focused of the amazing sense of accomplishment that lies ahead. With a switchback motion in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. You will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise during your short rest here. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From here on your remaining 1-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak, you are likely to encounter snow all the way. 

Congratulations, one step at a time you have now reached Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the entire continent of Africa! 

After photos, celebrations and maybe a few tears of joy we take a few moments to enjoy this incredible accomplishment. We begin our steep descent down to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch and a very brief rest. We strongly recommend gaiters and trekking poles for uncooperative loose gravel and volcano ash terrain. Well-deserved rest awaits you to enjoy your last evening on the mountain. Overnight at Horombo.   

DAY 6: HOROMBO HUTS – MARANGU GATE – MOSHI: 20KM/12.5MI |6-

7HRS | RAINFOREST  

Elevation: 3721m/12,208ft to 1905m/6250ft 

Altitude lost: 1816m  

After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation and team bonding with your crew it’s time to say goodbye. We continue the descent down stopping at the Mandara Huts for lunch. You return back to the Marangu Gate and receive your summit certificates. As the weather is drastically warmer, the terrain is wet, muddy and steep and we highly recommend Gaiters and trekking poles. From the gate, a vehicle will meet you to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha for total celebrations.