Tanzania · Trekking

9-Day Kilimanjaro Rongai Route Climb to Uhuru Peak

9 Days Round trip from Kilimanjaro Airport Rd Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Climb Kilimanjaro via the less crowded Rongai Route on the mountain's northern side
  • 02 Hike through forest where you may see and hear wildlife on the approach to the mountain
  • 03 Enjoy stunning views of both Mawenzi and Kibo from Mawenzi Tarn Camp
  • 04 Cross the lunar desert landscape of the saddle on the way to Kibo Camp
  • 05 Reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa

Embark on a hike to Kilimanjaro via the Rongai Route, considered one of the most accessible routes with a high success rate. Enjoy the mountain from many viewpoints as you walk through varied landscapes and admire the scenery of the Kibo Volcano and the Eastern Ice Fields. This route also gives you the chance to reach Uhuru Peak for its majestic views and scenery.

Around midnight, begin the final ascent to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 9 Days
Tour type Shared
Activity level Moderate
Accommodation Included · Budget
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Yes
Cities Arusha, Moshi, Mount Kilimanjaro, Marangu
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Arrival in Tanzania and Trek Briefing

You will be picked up at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town. There, you will meet your guide, who will brief you on your upcoming trek and carry out an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Any missing gear can be rented on this day.

2
Day 02

Rongai Gate to First Cave Camp

After an early breakfast in Moshi, drive to Rongai Gate near the Kenya border. After registering at the gate, begin your climb to Uhuru Peak, the roof of Africa.

During the first day, hike through forests where you may see and hear wildlife. Eat lunch on the trail before continuing to the first campsite.

Rongai ascends via the less forested northern side of the mountain. The Rongai Route is one of the least crowded routes on Kilimanjaro because of the long drive to the gate, and it is thought to offer the best chance of viewing wildlife.

3
Day 03

First Cave Camp to Kikelewa Camp

Elevation Gain: 1,000 meters, 3,280 feet

During day two, hike through Kilimanjaro's moorland. The Rongai Route is relatively short and steep, making for shorter hiking times. During this day, view Mawenzi Peak ahead.

4
Day 04

Kikelewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn Camp

Elevation Gain: 730 meters, 2,390 feet

This day is an acclimatization day, allowing you to hike at the beginning of the day and rest in the afternoon and evening. The hike is relatively short but steep. The Mawenzi Tarn campsite is situated below Mawenzi Peak and offers stunning views of both Mawenzi and Kibo.

5
Day 05

Acclimatization at Mawenzi Tarn Camp

Day four is an acclimatization day at Mawenzi Tarn. We advise hiking a bit higher on this day before returning to Mawenzi Tarn in the afternoon.

6
Day 06

Mawenzi Tarn Camp to Kibo Camp

Elevation Gain: 420 meters/1380 feet

Cross the lunar landscape of the saddle on this day to arrive at the final campsite. Kibo Camp is situated directly below the Kibo cone, giving you views of your final destination.

7
Day 07

Summit Attempt to Uhuru Peak and Descent to Horombo Hut

Elevation Gain: 1,145 meters, 3,760 feet

Elevation Loss: 2,175 meters, 7,140 feet

Around midnight, begin the final ascent to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. For the next six hours, hike by the light of your flashlight.

The ascent to the crater rim is the most challenging part of the entire trek. The trail is very steep until you reach the crater rim at Gilman's Point. The hike from Gilman's to Uhuru Peak is a gradual climb and, as far as hikes go, not very difficult. The altitude, however, makes the hike long and tiring. The crater rim hike takes approximately two hours.

Upon reaching Uhuru, take photos of your guide and group at the peak before beginning the descent to Horombo Hut.

8
Day 08

Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate

Elevation Loss: 1,920 meters, 6,295 feet

After breakfast, finish the trek with a descent to Marangu Gate. Your last hike on Kilimanjaro is a beautiful one, passing through Kilimanjaro's cloud forest. Watch your step during the descent, as the trail can be slippery.

Our vehicles will be waiting at Marangu Gate to take you back to Moshi/Arusha. You will be able to buy t-shirts and sodas at the gate.

9
Day 09

Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport

Our driver will take you to the airport, where you will board your return flight home. If you have decided on a safari, then start your second adventure, which we would also be happy to take care of.

Rongai Gate, Mawenzi Tarn Camp, Kibo Camp, Uhuru Peak

Where this trip takes you

Rongai Gate, Mawenzi Tarn Camp, Kibo Camp, Uhuru Peak

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Kilimanjaro Airport Rd 4 cities · 9 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • All transfers to the mountain and back to your Moshi hotel
  • Professional, experienced mountain guides
  • Guides, porters, cook salaries, and park fees
  • Quality, waterproof, four-season mountain sleeping tents (on a twin-sharing basis)
  • Sleeping mattress
  • Emergency oxygen cylinder
  • All meals while on the mountain
  • Quality mess tents with table and chairs
  • Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
  • Clean, purified drinking water
  • Conservation fees (part of park fees)
  • Camping or hut fees (part of park fees)
  • Rescue fees (part of park fees)
  • VAT (18% charged by the Government)
  • Kilimanjaro summit certificate

What's Not Included

  • Tanzania visa
  • International and domestic flights
  • Hotel (available as an optional add-on)
  • Transfers (available as an optional add-on)
  • Personal trekking equipment such as sleeping bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc. (available for rent)
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
  • Meals not listed in the itinerary
  • Liquors, beers, and bottled beverages

What to bring

CLOTHING:

  • Shorts (2-3 pairs)
  • Pairs of pants for hiking and for lounging in the evenings
  • Windbreak pants (warm trekking pants for the summit)
  • 3-4 short-sleeved and long-sleeved shirts for hiking and for the evenings
  • 4-5 pairs of long underwear, depending on the duration of your climb
  • Fleece jacket
  • Down jacket
  • Rain jacket
  • Rain trousers
  • Trekking shoes/hiking boots
  • Sports shoes or trekking sandals for the evenings
  • Balaclava
  • Seamed cap (beanie)
  • Wool socks
  • Thermal socks for the summit
  • Hat with neck cover
  • Thin inner gloves
  • Warm and waterproof outer gloves

EQUIPMENT:

  • Duffel bag and day pack
  • Sleeping bag
  • Binoculars
  • Trekking poles
  • Headlamp with enough batteries
  • Sunglasses - make sure they have polarised lenses
  • Camera
  • Memory cards
  • Extra batteries
  • Battery charger and lens cleaner
  • Money belt
  • Travel alarm clock

SUPPLIES:

  • Insect repellent
  • Sunblock and after sun lotion
  • A travel towel
  • Skin cream
  • Shower gel
  • Wet wipes/hand sanitizer or no-water/antibacterial soap
  • Pocket knife with scissors
  • Toothbrush/toothpaste/dental floss
  • Tweezers
  • Lip balm
  • Q-tips & cotton balls
  • Razor & shaving cream/gel
  • Sanitary requirements
  • Band aids
  • Painkiller
  • Antiseptic cream
  • Motion sickness tablets
  • Anti-diarrhoea medicine
  • Re-hydration salts
  • Pen/pencil
  • Plastic bags (wet washing/muddy shoes/organise clothes in suitcase)
  • Small compass
  • String/rope (washing line, tying sleeping bag, etc.)
  • Cold/flu tablets
  • Allergy remedy
  • Some people take a basic antibiotic in case
  • Sterile needles (in case you need an injection and don't trust the hygiene conditions)
  • Prescribed medicine

Know before you go

  • Kilimanjaro is not a technical climb.
  • Africa may be warm, but the mountain is cold.
  • A support team handles all the heavy lifting.
  • You will eat well on the mountain.
  • Acute Mountain Sickness is dangerous.
  • You don't poop on the ground, but in a toilet.

Logistics

Meeting & route

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

Your 9 days finish where they began, in Kilimanjaro Airport Rd.

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Starting from

USD 2,376 /person
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Estimated room rates

Single Room $2,376.00 — $3,120.00
Double Sharing $2,376.00 — $2,568.00

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