The Rongai Route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the north, near the Kenyan border. This route offers a unique perspective, is less crowded, and provides a more gradual ascent, which aids acclimatization. The 7-day itinerary allows for a balanced climb, increasing your chances of reaching Uhuru Peak.
Tour Itinerary
- Afternoon:
- Arrival: Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport. Your guide will greet you and transport you to your hotel in Arusha.
- Check-In: Check into your hotel and relax after your flight.
- Evening:
- Briefing: Attend a pre-climb briefing with your guide to review the itinerary, check your gear, and address any last-minute questions.
- Dinner: Enjoy dinner at the hotel.
- Overnight: Stay overnight in Arusha.
- Morning:
- Breakfast: Have breakfast at the hotel.
- Transfer: Drive to the Rongai Gate (1,950 meters / 6,398 feet), which takes about 4-5 hours.
- Registration: Complete registration formalities at the gate.
- Afternoon:
- Hiking: Begin the trek through the pine forest to Simba Camp. The hike is about 8 kilometers (5 miles) and takes 3-4 hours.
- Evening:
- Arrival: Arrive at Simba Camp (2,625 meters / 8,612 feet).
- Dinner: Enjoy a hot meal prepared by the camp chef.
- Overnight: Stay overnight at Simba Camp.
- Morning:
- Breakfast: Have breakfast at Simba Camp.
- Hiking: Continue the trek through the heather moorland zone to Second Cave. The hike is about 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) and takes 3-4 hours.
- Afternoon:
- Arrival: Arrive at Second Cave (3,450 meters / 11,319 feet).
- Lunch: Have lunch and rest.
- Evening:
- Dinner: Enjoy dinner at Second Cave.
- Overnight: Stay overnight at Second Cave.
- Morning:
- Breakfast: Have breakfast at Second Cave.
- Hiking: Continue trekking through the moorland towards Kikelewa Camp. The hike is about 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) and takes 5-6 hours.
- Afternoon:
- Arrival: Arrive at Kikelewa Camp (3,600 meters / 11,811 feet).
- Lunch: Have lunch and rest.
- Evening:
- Dinner: Enjoy dinner at Kikelewa Camp.
- Overnight: Stay overnight at Kikelewa Camp.
- Morning:
- Breakfast: Have breakfast at Kikelewa Camp.
- Hiking: Climb steadily to Mawenzi Tarn Camp, located at the base of Mawenzi Peak. The hike is about 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) and takes 3-4 hours.
- Afternoon:
- Arrival: Arrive at Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,330 meters / 14,206 feet).
- Lunch: Have lunch and rest.
- Acclimatization Walk: Take an optional acclimatization hike in the afternoon to higher elevations.
- Evening:
- Dinner: Enjoy dinner at Mawenzi Tarn Camp.
- Overnight: Stay overnight at Mawenzi Tarn Camp.
- Morning:
- Breakfast: Have breakfast at Mawenzi Tarn Camp.
- Hiking: Cross the lunar desert of the “Saddle” between Mawenzi and Kibo peaks to reach Kibo Hut. The hike is about 8 kilometers (5 miles) and takes 5-6 hours.
- Afternoon:
- Arrival: Arrive at Kibo Hut (4,700 meters / 15,419 feet).
- Lunch: Have lunch and rest.
- Summit Briefing: Attend a briefing for the summit attempt.
- Evening:
- Early Dinner: Have an early dinner.
- Rest: Get as much rest as possible before the midnight summit attempt.
- Overnight: Stay overnight at Kibo Hut.
- Midnight:
- Start Summit Climb: Wake up around midnight for tea and snacks. Start the final ascent to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters / 19,341 feet).
- Hiking: The hike to the summit is about 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) and takes 6-8 hours.
- Dawn:
- Summit: Reach Gilman’s Point (5,685 meters / 18,651 feet) at dawn. Continue to Uhuru Peak, reaching the summit to witness the sunrise over the African plains.
- Morning:
- Descent: After celebrating at the summit, descend to Kibo Hut for a short rest and brunch.
- Afternoon:
- Continue Descent: Descend to Horombo Hut (3,720 meters / 12,205 feet). The descent is about 16 kilometers (10 miles) and takes 5-6 hours.
- Evening:
- Dinner: Enjoy a well-deserved dinner at Horombo Hut.
- Overnight: Stay overnight at Horombo Hut.
- Morning:
- Breakfast: Have breakfast at Horombo Hut.
- Hiking: Continue the descent through the rainforest to Marangu Gate. The hike is about 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) and takes 5-7 hours.
- Late Morning:
- Arrival: Arrive at Marangu Gate. Complete registration formalities and receive your summit certificates.
- Transfer: Transfer back to your hotel in Arusha.
- Afternoon:
- Rest: Enjoy a hot shower and rest at the hotel.
- Evening:
- Celebration Dinner: Celebrate your achievement with a special dinner.
- Overnight: Stay overnight in Arusha.
Price includes
- Transfer To/From Trekking
- All Trekking Fees
- All Park Entrance Fees
- English Speaking Guide
- Guide Allowance
- Mineral Drinking Water
Price Excludes
- Airport transfer
- Traveling insurance
- Laundry (Available at hotel).
- Medical insurance
- Personal items and toiletries.
- And all thing of personal natural
- Climbing gears
