6-Day Rongai Route Trekking

An exciting new journey awaits you at Kilimanjaro International Airport. From here, it will take you 30 to 40 minutes to transfer to a cozy hotel in Moshi, a stunning town located at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. While you relax at the hotel, experts will conduct a pre-trek briefing with you, detailing the route, covering important safety measures, important gear, and how to tackle acute mountain sickness (AMS). Moshi is much more than a hotel town: you can take strolls through vibrant markets, enjoy authentic Tanzanian coffee, and learn about the culturally rich Chagga community with their folk music, stories, and traditional crafts. For the next leg of the adventure, a nice warm dinner followed by a sound night of sleep will be the perfect way to prepare for what Mount Kilimanjaro has to offer. On this day, you will be well briefed and prepared to take on the Rongai Route. It sets you up for a life-changing trek in an enchanting, culturally rich landscape.

Activities: Transfer to the airport, pre-trek briefing, cultural exploration

Accommodation: Hotel in Moshi

Meals: Dinner

A nourishing breakfast sets you up for the day, and thereafter, a 2-hour drive will take you to Rongai Gate (1,950m/6,398ft) in Kilimanjaro National Park, bordering Kenya. You will proceed with the initial registration formalities. The trek starts with a 4-5 hour hike of 7 km. You will gain 700m to Simba Camp (2,650m/8,694ft). The montane rainforest and farmland along the route burst with local vegetation and agriculture, and you can glimpse blue and colobus monkeys, as well as bird species like the Hartlaub’s turaco. For security, a ranger will be with the team, and your guide will insist on the “pole pole” (slowly, slowly) to preserve energy and for acclimatization. Arrive at Simba Camp, which is a peaceful campsite at the edge of the moorland zone, and enjoy a warm meal cooked by the crew while Kikabo Peak Kilimanjaro’s wilderness rests your eyes. The evening will be the time to rest or take in the breathtaking views.
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Distance: 7 km
Altitude Gain: 700m
Accommodation: Simba Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

After eating breakfast, start the trek to Second Cave, which is 6 km and 3,450m (11,319ft) above sea level. This leg of the journey should take about 5-6 hours, and you will gain an elevation of 800m. The hike from the rainforest to the heather and moorland showcases Kibo Peak and the Eastern Ice Fields. Adding scenic beauty to the journey are the huge groundsels and lobelias. The risk of Acclimatization Mountain Sickness (AMS) increases with altitude; thus, walking slowly and drinking 3-4 liters of water daily is essential. Your guide will monitor you using a pulse oximeter. Second Cave is a hidden gem, resting in an area with volcanic caves. This camp is very sheltered and offers beautiful views of Mawenzi Peak. Arriving around noon allows you to have a hot lunch first, followed by rest or a walk to help you acclimatize to the surrounding moorland. Your guide will educate you on the ecology of the region and its volcanic history while you hike, adding to the experience of being eco-friendly and enhancing the appeal of the trek.

Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Distance: 6 km
Altitude Gain: 800m
Accommodation: Second Cave
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

On this important acclimatization day, you will gain 880m in elevation and trek 5 km to Mawenzi Tarn (4,330m/14,206ft) which takes 4-5 hours. The path ascends through moorland to the alpine desert, which has few plants and trees. You will climb Kilimanjaro’s eastern ice fields and Mawenzi Peak, which is the mountain’s rugged secondary summit. This pause in the climb not only eases the strain as you adjust to the elevation, but it is essential to acclimate the body for the ultimate hike with slow and steady movement, constant hydration, and friendly guidance. The stunning Mawenzi Tarn campsite offers dramatic views. Here, a glacial lake lies beside the campsite and the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. You will arrive by midday, enjoy a hot lunch, and your afternoon is free to rest. You can choose to take a short climb to the tarn and enjoy the breathtaking views of its surroundings. Your guide will share fascinating insights about Kilimanjaro’s wildlife, including the endemic Kilimanjaro white-necked raven.
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Distance: 5 km
Altitude Gain: 880m
Accommodation: Mawenzi Tarn
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Today's trek takes 5-6 hours to walk 8 km, with an elevation gain of 370m to Kibo Hut (4,700m/15,420ft). Along the route, you’ll traverse the Saddle, an expansive alpine desert between Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. This area is known for its great views of the summit of Kilimanjaro and the Eastern Ice Fields. Ascending requires a carefully paced rhythm due to the thin air, and your guide will perform regular checks for AMS. Kibo Hut, a temporary campsite, marks the homework center ahead of the climb for the summit push. Kibo Hut provides a calm atmosphere ideal for a midday hot lunch. After lunch, trekkers take a rest, listen to a detailed post-lunch summit briefing. Your guide goes over prep steps like warm clothing, layered clothing, and personal hydration. Rest is vital to balance the energy for the big trek up to Uhuru Peak.
Hiking time: 5-6 hours
Distance: 8 km
Altitude gain: 370m
Accommodation: Kibo hut
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

The most exciting part, the summit, starts at midnight. It takes 5 to 7 hours to ascend 6 km to Uhuru Peak. This is the highest point at 5,895m with a gain of 1,195m. Along the way to the peak, you pass through a steep path filled with loose scree and rocky switchbacks. Due to freezing temperatures, there is a need for layering of clothing, headlamps, and trekking poles. Toby Point, at 5,681m and 18,638ft, is a great place to stop and watch the sunrise as it brings beautiful, gleaming views of the crater rim and the eastern ice fields. From that point to the peak, it’s about a 1-2 hour journey. Once at the peak, you can enjoy the glamorous views of glaciers while taking pictures. From there, it’s a 3-4 hour journey back to Kibo hut for lunch, followed by rest.
The next part is to Horombo hut, a journey that takes about 6-8 hours and is 15 km long, with an altitude of 3,720m and a drop of 2,175m. This area is noted for its beauty, which is mostly the region of moorland and rainforest, thus making the rest of the journey very enjoyable. However, you should have gaiters and trekking poles. Once you rest at Horombo hut, you will continue the journey to Marangu gate, a 19 km and 5-6 hour walk. Along the way, the altitude is 1860m and a drop of 1860m. At the gate, the certificates for climbing the highest peak are awarded to you as a proud token of your achievement.
After a 45-minute drive, you will arrive back in Moshi for a hot shower, farewell dinner, and a chance to rest at your hotel. You can now ponder the amazing journey you made from the northern slopes to the glacial summits.
Hiking time: 16-20 hours (5-7 hours ascent, 11-13 hours descent)
Distance 40 km (6 km ascent, 34 km descent)
Altitude Gain/Loss: +1,195m, -4,035m
Accommodation: Hotel in Moshi
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.