7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Rongai Route Trek to Uhuru Peak

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Trek the scenic Rongai Route with views of Mawenzi, Kibo, and the vast Masai steppe
• 02 Summit Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro
• 03 Cross diverse landscapes from rainforest and moorland to alpine desert
• 04 Spot Kilimanjaro wildlife such as blue monkeys, colobus monkeys, buffaloes, and jackals

Trek Mount Kilimanjaro on the 7-day Rongai Route, approaching the mountain through varied landscapes of forest, moorland, alpine desert, and high-altitude wilderness. This route offers striking views of Mawenzi, Kibo, and the vast plains of the Masai steppe, with overnight stays at camps and huts along the way. As you ascend, you may encounter unique flora and fauna before making your summit push to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. The journey ends with your descent through rainforest to Marangu Gate and return to Moshi.

Gillman's Point signifies that the last two hours of the hike to Uhuru Peak are upon us (5895m).

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 7 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Arusha, Moshi, Mount Kilimanjaro, Marangu

Languages English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Swahili

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Moshi to Simba Camp via Rongai Gate and Nalemoru

• Walking Time: 3-4hrs Distance: 6.5km Altitude Gain: 700m
• We will transport you from your hotel to Marangu Gate (1.8km) in the morning. Park registration will be completed on arrival, and then we will proceed to Nalemoru Gate (under 2km). The trip to the gate is packed with astonishing scenery and ventures through a native village. A delicious hot lunch will be served at the gate, and an introduction between you and your crew members will take place.
• We will embark on the 7-day Rongai Route to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. The coiling path amid the golden maize field leads to the entrance of the oak-brown forest. Fallen leaves will crackle beneath your feet as you marvel at the immensity of the emerald canopy. The knotted ember arms of the trees rise towards the sky, assisting the blue monkeys with their trapeze performance. The orchestra of birdsong floats through the mist-covered air. You may encounter the striking black-and-white colobus or the adorable bush baby.
• We will arrive at Simba Campsite, where we will spend the night (2650m).

2

Day 02

Simba Camp to Second Cave Camp

• Walking Time: 3-4hrs Distance: 4km Altitude Gain: 500m
• After a delicious breakfast, we will continue in the direction of the looming peak of Kibo to the Second Cave. We will venture on a gentle incline through the fuscous-brown moorland and heather vegetation zones. The arid plains are scattered with hoary desert plants, and the heather is dominated by whimsical plantations and celestially enormous trees. A hot lunch will be provided at Second Cave Camp (3150m / 3-4 hours).
• There is a possibility of small excursions towards the Third Cave - this will aid the acclimatization process, though relaxing is also an option. The excursions will increase your chances of witnessing marvellous sights, including the distinct crown of Mawenzi's serrated, dark peak speckled with snow. Encountering wildlife such as buffaloes or jackals is conceivable, and the spectacular figure of Kibo Peak, the summit peak, is best observed from this angle. Your tents will be assembled at the Second Cave.

3

Day 03

Second Cave Camp to Kikelewa Caves Camp

• Walking Time: 3-4hrs Distance: 5km Altitude Gain: 450m
• The trek advances towards Kibo, and we will begin after breakfast is served. We will venture through an exposed area of moorland and heather foliage to reach Kikelewa Caves Camp. Your chances of viewing Kibo, shrouded in ghost-grey mist, are high. You may spot the great buffalo with winding horns and more jackals. A tantalizing lunch will be served at the campsite.

4

Day 04

Kikelewa Caves to Mawenzi Tarn

• Walking Time: 3-4hrs Distance: 6km Altitude Gain: 370m
• We will travel to Mawenzi Tarn Hut (4330m) after breakfast. We will traverse a malachite-green slope. The chatter of the birds breaks the quiet of the world whilst clouds shaped like tufty pillows glide slowly across the sky. The parched fauna and flora of the moorland are temporarily banished as we travel through a region of wilderness.
• Our trek proceeds through a low desert area. The comforting aromas of your delicious hot lunch will drift through the entrance of Mawenzi Tarn Hut. (6000m / 3-4-hour trek). Brief excursions for acclimatization may occur, but the remaining hours of the afternoon will be spent lounging around the campsite.

5

Day 05

Mawenzi Tarn to Kibo Hut

• Walking Time: 4-5hrs Distance: 9km Altitude Gain: 370m
• The route gradually develops into a steeper, rockier trail as we move farther from Mawenzi Tarn Hut. Travelling along the meek landscape of the ashen 'Saddle,' an expansive lava stone ridge between Mawenzi and Kibo, provides stunning views of the lofty peak of Kilimanjaro. An appetizing, warm meal will be served when we arrive at Kibo Hut (4703m). You will have a relaxing evening and an early bedtime to ensure that you are well-rested for the midnight trek to the summit.

6

Day 06

Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak and Horombo Hut

• Walking Time: 6-8hrs ascent, 5-6hrs descent Distance: 5km ascent, 15km descent Altitude Gain: 1195m Altitude Loss: 2195m
• We will depart from the huts shortly after midnight and undertake the most demanding day of the entire trek. Until we reach the beautiful Hans Meyer Cave, the trail follows an extended scree incline. At this stage, it changes into a single-file zigzag. A rocky path, with wildflowers bursting from the earth with their azure gongs attached, will lead us to Gillman's Point (5685m). The pollen travels like floating grains of pixie dust scattered by the blustery wind. This is the most challenging section of the route.
• Gillman's Point signifies that the last two hours of the hike to Uhuru Peak are upon us (5895m). On Africa's rooftop, the gleaming landscape is smothered in wispy clouds and pasty streaks. An amethyst-purple tint invades the skies as the sun begins to emerge. Soon, the sky will be aflame in a warm glow. Sunlight washes the ice fields with a golden radiance, and the sugar-frosted coating glints.
• We will marvel at the view and celebrate what you have accomplished before starting the descent to Kibo Hut, where we will take a break. Horombo Hut is our final destination for the day, and you can enjoy a well-deserved slumber.

7

Day 07

Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate and Moshi

• Walking Time: 5-6hrs Distance: 20km Altitude Loss: 1900m
• After enjoying an appetising breakfast, we will circle past Mandara Hut and through the magnificent rainforest before reaching Marangu Gate. You will receive your summit certificates for completing the 7-day Rongai Route, and short festivities with your porters will take place.
• You will be transported to your hotel, where a steaming shower and plush bedding await. We will bring you to Kilimanjaro Airport, where it is time to say goodbye to Tanzania and its friendly people. If you've decided to go on a safari - well, that's a different adventure, and we'll take care of that too.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• Park fees and permits
• Accommodation
• Meals
• Professional Kilimanjaro mountain guides and porters
• Climbing equipment
• Transportation

What's Not Included

• International flights
• Visa fees
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses
• Medical expenses
• Additional permits

What to bring

• Rain/wind-proof (Goretex) shell jacket
• Insulated rain/wind (Goretex) climbing pants
• Wool or fleece gloves - medium-weight
• Wind/waterproof gloves - heavyweight
• Hiking boots
• Walking stick
• Sleeping bag
• Pocket knife and 1 litre water bottle
• Headlamp & spare bulb

Know before you go

• The climb up Kilimanjaro should always be taken seriously because of the risk of altitude sickness in all its forms: Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), with its more serious variants of High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) and High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE). Because there is less oxygen in the air at altitudes over 8000 feet, your body can't take in as much oxygen as it needs, which can result in AMS. The symptoms of mild AMS can vary between individuals, with symptoms that include:
  • Headache
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Dizziness
  • Tiredness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Shortness of breath
• Symptoms are usually worse at night. Although the symptoms are easily treatable with rest and hydration, ibuprofen or paracetamol for a headache, and promethazine for nausea, the best way to prevent AMS is to acclimatize slowly. HACE is the brain's swelling caused by a lack of oxygen and can develop over a very few hours. Symptoms include

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Arusha, Tanzania

Tour start

Moshi, Tanzania

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.