Tanzania · Trekking

6-Day Kilimanjaro Trek on the Rongai Route to Uhuru Peak

6 Days Round trip from Arusha Hard pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Approach Kilimanjaro from the unfrequented and drier north-eastern Rongai Route
02 Take in stunning views over the African savannah and rugged Mawenzi
03 Summit at Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa
04 Cross the dramatic Kibo Saddle on your way to high camp
05 Camp on the mountain as you trek through forest, moorland, and alpine landscapes

The scenically attractive Rongai Route approaches Kibo from the unfrequented and drier north-eastern side of Kilimanjaro. Departing close to the Kenyan border, this 6-day trek offers stunning views over the African savannah and rugged Mawenzi before leading to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. Camp high on the mountain, cross the dramatic Kibo Saddle, and experience the incomparable natural beauty of Mount Kilimanjaro on a rewarding summit adventure.

The scenically attractive Rongai Route approaches Kibo from the unfrequented and drier north-eastern side of Kilimanjaro.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 6 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Hard

Accommodation Included · Budget

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Arusha, Mount Kilimanjaro, Marangu

Languages English, Swahili

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arusha to Nalemoru Gate and Trek to Simba Camp

After breakfast, drive around Mt Kilimanjaro to its north-western side and, after 3 to 4 hours, arrive at the Nalemoru Gate.
After the registration process has been completed and your luggage has been divided between the porters, your adventure begins. The path runs alongside mountain farmers' fields and pine forests before entering the sparse mountain forest zone, where black and white colobus monkeys can often be seen.
After an approximate 3 to 4-hour hike, reach Simba Camp, where you will spend the night.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 02

Trek from Simba Camp to Kikelewa Camp

Today's trek passes through the heather and moorland zones, and the views of Mawenzi and the vast Kenyan steppes are nothing short of grand.
Have lunch at the Second Cave (3,450 m), and after a short break, cross the undulating terrain to Kikelewa Camp. This camp boasts incredible views, and after a strenuous day's climb, you can relax and take in its peaceful ambience.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 03

Climb to Mawenzi Tarn Hut

Typical senecien vegetation will soon disappear, and the scenery will become more barren, with the occasional rock formations.
In good weather, enjoy the breathtaking views of the Kibo and Mawenzi summits, as well as Kenya's savannah grasslands.
After passing a few more rock formations, arrive at Mawenzi Hut. For many mountain climbers, it is the most atmospheric camp on the mountain.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 04

Cross the Kibo Saddle to Kibo Hut

On a relatively easy path, today's leg takes you over the Kibo Saddle. A lack of vegetation is characteristic of the landscape here, as only a few types of grass and other plant species can survive in this dry area and thin air.
Just before today's destination is reached, one last rock passage has to be conquered.
Finally, arrive at the School Hut, where you can relax and mentally prepare yourself for the next day's summit stage.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 05

Summit Uhuru Peak and Descend to Horombo Hut

The climb begins at around 12 am, and after a 5 to 7-hour walk on frozen volcanic ash, reach Gillman's Point (5,715 m) on the crater's edge. The sun's rays will warm you while you trek for another 1 to 2 hours until you reach Uhuru Peak and finally stand on "Africa's Roof".
Descend on the now thawed lava ash, almost along the same route, and arrive at the School Hut in the late morning.
A warm meal will be served, and after a well-deserved break, the descent continues to Horombo Hut.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 06

Descend to Marangu Gate and Return to Arusha

After trekking for approximately 5 to 6 hours, you will have completed the easy descent and returned to the Marangu Gate during the early afternoon.
Say goodbye to your mountain crew, and a short transfer will take you back to your hotel of choice. Here, you can take a warm and relaxing shower and celebrate your achievement.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Where this trip takes you

African savannah, Mawenzi, Kibo Saddle, Uhuru Peak

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Arusha 3 cities · 6 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Kilimanjaro trekking according to the itinerary
Professional, English-speaking Kilimanjaro guide
Mountain crew (cook and porters)
Overnight stays in hotels and mountain tents
Camping equipment (tents, sleeping mats, chairs, tables, etc.)
Portable toilet and toilet tent
Meals according to the itinerary
Drinking water
All national park fees
All mentioned transfers

What's Not Included

Sleeping bag
Flights
Optional activities
Alcoholic and soft drinks
Visa fees
Tips
Personal spending money for souvenirs, etc.
Travel insurance

Know before you go

For safety purposes, the majority of trekkers setting out to tour the roof of Kilimanjaro experience only the mildest altitude problems. Some feel sick and breathless or have headaches, depression, or unusual irritability. A few can be more severely affected, especially on shorter routes where they climb fast and have not been carefully acclimatised. They can become dizzy and disorientated, and even suffer pulmonary and cerebral edema, or swelling of the tissues.
We ensure that our experienced and trained altitude responder guides can recognize the potential danger of these symptoms and decide on appropriate action. It may be sufficient to rest for a while and drink extra fluids, or take a mild painkiller to enable you to continue the trek downhill to a lower overnight campsite, as our routes are planned on the "climb high, sleep low" principle, endeavoring always to reach a greater altitude by traversing mountain ridges during the day and selecting the gullies for overnight stops wherever possible. If symptoms persist for 24 hours or more, Diamox can be taken to assist acclimatisation. Some climbers take Diamox in advance and during the climb. It acts as a diuretic, preventing fluid buildup in the tissues, but its side effects can mimic mild altitude sickness, and its diuretic function causes increased urination, which is inconvenient in freezing conditions and necessitates even more fluid intake to avoid dangerous dehydration. It is normally used only when normal acclimatisation routines are insufficient and, of course, with your doctor's prior recommendation.
Our guides are trained and highly experienced first-aiders with specialized summit oxygen techniques. Your guide will treat severe symptoms in situ while informing Kilimanjaro Park Rangers and our base office in Arusha via the park's or personal mobile phone network, or Ranger Post radio communication. If evacuation is deemed necessary, wounded sufferers are escorted on foot to a lower camp, where they are never left alone, but accompanied back to their base camp to await the rest of the team when they return. If the casualty is not mobile or if the terrain is difficult, porters accompanied by a responsible guide will use a wheeled stretcher as far as the nearest road access. Fast-reaction mountain rescue vehicles, driven by fully acclimatised staff who work daily on the mountain, can reach considerable altitudes.
These rescue access routes are constantly maintained and improved. Our vehicle will meet the rescue vehicle to arrange a transfer either to your base hotel, if the patient is now more comfortable and out of danger, or to the hospital in Moshi for further treatment. Keep your guide fully informed of your condition throughout your Kilimanjaro climb. He or she has the skills and training to make sure you summit safely on this challenging Tanzanian roof-top voyage.

Logistics