The Rongai route is the only route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the north, close to the Kenyan border. Though gaining popularity amongst climbers, the Rongai route still experiences low traffic. Rongai is the preferred route for those looking for an alternative to the crowded Marangu route, for those who would
like a more remote hike, and for those who are climbing during the rainy season. .
DAY 1 – MOSHI/ARUSHA – RONGAI GATE – 1 ST CAVES CAMP
You’ll be picked up from your Arusha or Moshi after breakfast and make your way to the Marangu gate for the formalities of climber registration. You’ll then be transferred overland to the Rongai Gate, which is located roughly 2.5 hours’ drive away.
Your walk takes you through towering fields of corn and lush pine forest on a pleasantly gradual ascent towards 1 st Caves Camp.
Arriving in time for a hot dinner, you’ll overnight here.
DAY 2 – 1 st CAVES CAMP – KIKELEWA CAVE
Starting your day with a delicious breakfast, you’ll begin the long ascent towards Kikelewa Cave. Stopping along the way at 2 nd Caves Camp for lunch, you’ll arrive
at Kikelewa in time for a hot lunch and some fireside banter. You’ll really start to appreciate just how high you are up here, as the stars unfold overhead and the Tanzanian landscape unfurls below.
DAY 3 – KIKELEWA CAVE – MAWENZI TARN CAMP
Today’s hike is short but steep, taking you from 3,600m at Kikelewa to 4,330m at Mawenzi Tarn Camp. Your landscape today is one of scrubby alpine moorland dotted
with plants you’ll have seen nowhere else in Tanzania. Mawenzi Tarn boasts a spectacular view and ominous towers of stone, making for a unique camping experience.
DAY 4 – MAWENZI TARN CAMP – KIBO HUT
You’ll hike for 4-5 hours today towards Kibo Hut in the Kibo Saddle between the Mawenzi and Kibo peaks.
Today’s hiking takes you through true alpine desert – a place of stark beauty. You’ll overnight at Kibo Hut ahead of your summit attempt.
DAY 5 – KIBO HUT – UHURU PEAK – HOROMBO HUT
You’re starting your day early today – just after midnight, in fact! Your climbing team will wake you with a cup of hot tea and a light snack for energy as you get dressed and prepare your daypack for the adventure ahead. You’ll be hiking in utter darkness for the next 5-7 hours, so take it slow and you’ll arrive at Stella Point a few hours
before dawn. From here, there’s another two hours of intense hiking before you reach your ultimate goal:
Uhuru Peak. Standing at 5,985m, you’ll be able to experience a spectacular sunrise and take in the panoramic view. You’ve done it!
You’ll then descend back to Horombo Hut via Kibo Hut. At anywhere between 12 and 16 hours of hiking, this is sure to be one of the longest, most gruelling days of your life!
DAY6 – HOROMBO HUT – MARANGU GATE – MOSHI/ARUSHA
It’s a day of celebration today, as you’ll enjoy one last breakfast on the mountain before descending to the Marangu Gate.
It’s an almost 20km walk today, but the steady downhill makes it a lot easier than the ascent. Upon arrival at the gate, you’ll get to celebrate with your porters and guides, provide them with their tips for their hard work, and collect your certificate of completion. Your driver will then drive to your Moshi or Arusha hotel to get some well-earned rest.
