6-Day Kilimanjaro Climb via the Rongai Route to Uhuru Peak

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Climb Mount Kilimanjaro via the less-travelled Rongai Route
• 02 Experience scenic views of Kibo and Mawenzi Peaks
• 03 Cross farmland, pine forests, moorland, and the lunar desert of the saddle
• 04 Reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa

The Rongai Route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the north, close to the Kenyan border, offering a quieter ascent through a less-travelled side of the mountain. This 6-day climb is considered one of the easier routes to Kilimanjaro's summit and combines farmland, pine forests, moorland, the lunar desert of the saddle, and the final push to Uhuru Peak. Along the way, you'll enjoy scenic views of Kibo and Mawenzi, experience the mountain's sheer wilderness, and join the Marangu route at Kibo Hut before the summit ascent.

The Rongai Route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the north, close to the Kenyan border, offering a quieter ascent through a less-travelled side of the mountain.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 6 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Budget

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

Cities Moshi, Mount Kilimanjaro, Marangu

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Nale Moru Gate to Simba Campsite

• After pick-up in Moshi in the morning, we'll drive you to Nale Moru, the village that marks the starting point of the Rongai Route. The first stretch of the hike takes you through farmland and pine forests, where you may have the chance to see beautiful Colobus monkeys, or even elephants and buffalos if you are lucky.
• Your first camp will be Simba Campsite, located on the very edge of the moorland zone at 2625 m.

2

Day 02

Simba Campsite to Kikelewa Campsite

• The morning hike will be a steady ascent to Second Cave Camp, which is located in the moorland zone. From here, you will have a spectacular view of Kibo and the eastern ice fields resting on the crater rim.
• You will have lunch at the cave camp and then continue hiking through the moorland. Along the way, you'll be able to see the breathtaking eastern ice fields on the rim of Kibo, the highest of the three volcanoes that form the mountain.
• You will then leave the main trail and branch into the moorland on a lesser trail leading to the spiked peaks of Mawenzi, the second-highest volcanic cone of Kilimanjaro.
• We'll set up camp in the secluded valley near Kikelewa Caves at 3630 m.

3

Day 03

Kikelewa Campsite to Mawenzi Tarn Hut

• You will wake up to a short but steep hike up the grassy slopes, which leads to a rewarding view of the Kenyan plains to the north.
• Leaving the vegetation behind, you will arrive at Mawenzi Tarn Hut, a camp nestled directly below the high cliffs of Mawenzi. Here, you will have a chance to explore the surrounding area in the afternoon, which will be very useful for your acclimatization.

4

Day 04

Mawenzi Tarn Hut to Kibo Hut

• You will leave the campsite and walk across the lunar desert of the 'saddle' that separates Mawenzi and Kibo. After a couple of hours of hiking, you will reach an area where the summit of Kilimanjaro stands majestically in the background, and your trail to the high camp unfolds clearly before you.
• Once you reach the camp, you will spend the rest of the day resting in preparation for the final ascent after a very early night.

5

Day 05

Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut

• You will wake up at around 11:30 p.m. for a hot cup of tea or coffee and then get ready for your hike to the summit, which will begin at around 12:30 p.m. At this time, the temperature is below freezing. The trail twists upwards through heavy scree towards Gilman's Point.
• Once you are at Gilman's Point, you will be served another hot cup of tea or coffee to warm you up as you enjoy the breathtaking view of the sunrise. The hike to Uhuru Peak takes about 1.5 hours over a gentle slope around the edge of the crater rim. Uhuru Peak is the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa.
• Once at the top, you will spend a short time enjoying the view and photographing your success before beginning the steep walk back to Kibo Hut for lunch and some rest. After this, you will descend to Horombo Hut for dinner and a good night's rest.

6

Day 06

Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate

• After breakfast and a final celebration with the porters, you will begin your hike down to Marangu Gate, where you will have a hot lunch. A car will be waiting to take you back to your accommodation in Moshi.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• All transfers to the mountain and back to your Moshi hotel
• Professional, experienced Kilimanjaro 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 tables 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, and clothes (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

Know before you go

• It is a mildly challenging route, but it is highly recommended for people who are new to the hiking experience.
• The minimum number of days required to get to the top using this route is six days, but seven days are recommended. The sceneries on this route are not as diverse as on the Western routes, but they give hikers a feel of the sheer wilderness for days before merging with the Marangu route.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Moshi, Tanzania

Tour start

Moshi, Tanzania

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.