Tanzania · Trekking

6-Day Rongai Route Kilimanjaro Trek to Uhuru Peak

6 Days Round trip from Mt Kilimanjaro Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Approach Mount Kilimanjaro from the northeast, close to the Kenyan border
  • 02 Trek a lower-traffic route to Uhuru Peak before descending via Marangu
  • 03 Enjoy varied scenery and beautiful nature across rainforest, moorland, and alpine desert
  • 04 Choose a route that is especially favorable during the rainy season due to low annual rainfall
  • 05 Climb a route that can be done throughout the year with a reported 98% success rate

This 6-day Rongai Route trek approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the northeast, close to the Kenyan border, offering a quieter trail than many other routes until the final push to Uhuru Peak before descending via the Marangu route. Its location receives very low rainfall during the year, making it especially favorable in the rainy season and one of the best routes during the wet season. The route features varied scenery and beautiful nature, and it can be climbed throughout the year. It can be completed in six days, though Bruno Adventure recommends 7 days with acclimatization at Mawenzi Turn Hut Camp, and reports a 98% success rate on this route.

At sunrise, you will reach Gillman’s Point (5681m) – the crater rim of Kilimanjaro – where the sun will slowly start to warm up the land.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 6 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included · Budget
Transport Not included
Wheelchair access Yes
Cities Moshi, Mount Kilimanjaro, Marangu
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

NALEMORU GATE – SIMBA CAMP

This morning we will drive to the village of NaleMoru for the starting point of the Rongai route. The first stage of the trek is through farmland and pine forests. You may have chance to see the beautiful Colobus monkeys or if you’re lucky enough, elephants or buffalos en route. Our first camp will be the Simba Camp located at the edge of the moorland zone at 2625m.
Distance: 8km/5miles,
Hiking Time: 4-6hours,
Eleven: 6,398 ft to 9,300 ft
Habitat: Rain Forest.
hike

2
Day 02

SIMBA CAMP – SECOND CAVE CAMP

The morning hike is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave Camp located in the moorland zone with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim. After lunch we will continue with our hike to Kikelelwa camp.
Distance: 5km/3miles,
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours,
Eleven: 9,300 ft to 11,417 ft
Habitat: Heath.
hike

3
Day 03

SECOND CAVE CAMP – THIRD CAVE CAMP

After breakfast we will have short hike at gentle slope toward Third Camp. On the way we will have a beautiful view of the mountain Kino and mawenzi. If luck you might be able to see some wild animal like elephant.
Distance: 5km/3miles,
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours,
Eleven: 11,417 ft to 12,700 ft
Habitat: Heath
hike

4
Day 04

THIRD CAVE CAMP – KIBO CAMP

We leave our campsite and cross the lunar desert of the ‘saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo After a couple hours trekking, reach this spectacular place, with the summit of Kilimanjaro in the background and our trail to the high camp stretched out before our eyes. Upon reaching our camp the remainder of the day will be spent resting in preparation of the final ascent after a very early night!
Distance: 8km/5miles,
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours,
Eleven: 14,160 ft to 15,430 ft
Habitat: Alpine Desert
hike

5
Day 05

KIBO CAMP – UHURU PEAK – HOROMBO CAMP

Today is “The Big Day” - the summit stage. You will begin your final ascent around midnight which will be long and strenuous. Passing the Hans Meyer Cave at 5220m, the climb slowly but surely goes upwards. At sunrise, you will reach Gillman’s Point (5681m) – the crater rim of Kilimanjaro – where the sun will slowly start to warm up the land. You will have soon forgotten the cold of the night and after a further hike of 1 - 2 hours, you will reach Uhuru Peak at 5895m. On your return to Kibo Hut, a warm meal awaits you followed by a 1 - 2-hour break before proceeding back down to Horombo Hut.
Distance: 6km/4miles and 16km/10miles
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours & 4-5 hours
Eleven:15,430 ft to 19,341 to 12,250 ft.
Habitat: Arctic and Heath
hike

6
Day 06

HOROMBO CAMP – MARANGU GATE

The last stage passes through the heath and moor zone to the Mandara Hut (2700m) where a warm lunch is waiting for you. Soon, you will once again pass the tropical rainforest and after a total time of 6 hours trekking, you will be back at the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (1860m). After saying goodbye to your mountain guides, a short transfer follows to take you back to your hotel in Moshi. Once there, you can take a warm and relaxing shower and celebrate your success in reaching the summit of the Kilimanjaro.
Distance: 20km/12miles
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Eleven:12,205 ft to 6,046
Habitat: Rain Forest
landing

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Mt Kilimanjaro 3 cities · 6 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • 3 meals daily while on the mountain
  • 4-season mountain tents
  • Chemical-flushed portable toilet and toilet crew
  • Cookware and stove
  • Dining tent for shared group use
  • Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA) and Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
  • Filtered water throughout the trek
  • Oxygen tank and oximeter for health and safety purposes
  • Professional mountain guides, cooks, and porters
  • Sleeping mats

What's Not Included

  • Both international and local flights
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Laundry services
  • Tips to the mountain crew

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Kilimanjaro International Airport, Kilimanjaro Airport Road, Tanzania
Tour start
Mt Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 6 days finish where they began, in Mt Kilimanjaro.

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Estimated room rates

Single Room $1,150.00 — $2,300.00
Double Sharing $1,150.00

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