7 Days Rongai Route

Fewer Crowds:

Compared to other routes, Rongai is less crowded, offering a quieter and more peaceful trekking experience.

Diverse Scenery:

This route passes through remote wilderness areas, showcasing varied landscapes from rainforests to the unique desert-like Saddle.

Day 2: Arusha to Rongai Gate to Simba Camp (2,620m)

Morning:

• Drive to Rongai Gate: After breakfast, you’ll be driven to the Rongai Gate (approximately a 3.5-hour drive). This is the starting point for the Rongai Route.
• Registration: Once you arrive, you’ll register with the park authorities and prepare for the trek ahead. The Rongai Route is on the northern side of Kilimanjaro and is generally drier than the southern routes.

Trek to Simba Camp: After registration, you’ll start your trek through the Montane Forest, which is dense and lush. The trek to Simba Camp is a relatively easy hike, and you’ll gain your first glimpses of the surrounding landscape.

Afternoon:

• Arrive at Simba Camp: This camp is situated on a plateau with great views of the surrounding area.

Distance: 6 km
Trekking time: 4-5 hours

Overnight: Simba Camp.

Day 3: Simba Camp to Second Cave Camp (3,450m)

Morning:

• Trek to Second Cave Camp: After breakfast, you’ll continue your trek toward the Second Cave Camp, located on the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro. The path becomes more open, with more scenic views of the surrounding valleys and hills. You’ll also start to feel the altitude as you climb higher.

Afternoon:

• Arrive at Second Cave Camp: The camp sits in an open area with fantastic views of the summit. It’s a good place to relax and acclimatize, while still offering ample opportunities for exploration.

Distance: 7 km
Trekking time: 5-6 hours

Overnight: Second Cave Camp.

Day 4: Second Cave Camp to Kikelewa Camp (3,600m)

Morning:

• Trek to Kikelewa Camp: The day begins with a steady climb through the moorland zone, where you’ll find more rugged terrain and stunning views of the summit. The vegetation starts to change, and the climate becomes more arid as you ascend.

Afternoon:

• Arrive at Kikelewa Camp: This camp is located just below the Kikelewa Caves, and it’s a great spot for acclimatization. The views are incredible, and it offers a peaceful environment.

Distance: 6 km
Trekking time: 4-5 hours

Overnight: Kikelewa Camp.

Day 5: Kikelewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,330m)

Morning:

• Trek to Mawenzi Tarn Camp: This will be one of the more challenging days of the trek, as you will be gaining altitude rapidly. The landscape becomes more rugged and barren, with volcanic rocks and alpine desert vegetation. As you approach Mawenzi Tarn, the views of Mawenzi Peak become increasingly spectacular.

Afternoon:

• Arrive at Mawenzi Tarn Camp: The camp is located below the towering Mawenzi Peak, providing dramatic views. It’s a great place for acclimatization, and the surrounding scenery is breathtaking. Make sure to take it slow to help with acclimatization.

Distance: 8 km
Trekking time: 5-6 hours

Overnight: Mawenzi Tarn Camp.

Day 6: Mawenzi Tarn Camp to Kibo Hut (4,700m)

Morning:

• Trek to Kibo Hut: After breakfast, you’ll continue your ascent toward Kibo Hut, which is situated at the base of the summit. The trail is more challenging as you pass through an alpine desert, with little vegetation. The altitude will make the air thinner, so be sure to pace yourself.

Afternoon:

• Arrive at Kibo Hut: This is the final camp before your summit attempt. It is a well-established camp, and you’ll have the chance to rest and have a meal before your summit attempt, which will start later in the night.

Distance: 9 km
Trekking time: 5-6 hours

Overnight: Kibo Hut (prepare for summit day).

Day 7: Summit Day – Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) and Descent to Mweka Gate (1,640m)

Midnight (Early Morning):

• Summit Attempt: Your summit day begins around midnight, when you will depart from Kibo Hut for the final push to the summit. The route takes you through steep, rocky terrain as you ascend toward Uhuru Peak. You will pass through the Reusch Crater, and the trek is slow and steady to conserve energy. The higher you go, the thinner the air, so it’s important to maintain a slow, steady pace.

Early Morning:

• Reach Uhuru Peak (5,895m): After a challenging ascent, you will finally reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the highest point in Africa. The views from the summit are breathtaking, and you’ll have a chance to take photos and celebrate your achievement.

Morning:

• Descend to Kibo Hut: After spending some time at the summit, you’ll descend back to Kibo Hut for a short rest and meal.

Afternoon:

• Descend to Mweka Gate: From Kibo Hut, you’ll continue your descent through the Mweka Route. The descent is long but relatively easy. You’ll pass through the rainforests again as you get closer to Mweka Gate.

Evening:

• Arrive at Mweka Gate: Once you reach Mweka Gate, you’ll receive your summit certificate (green for reaching Kibo Hut, gold for reaching Uhuru Peak). You will then be transferred back to Arusha for a celebration dinner or to Kilimanjaro Airport for departure.

Distance: 12 km ascent, 13 km descent
Trekking time: 7-8 hours ascent, 5-6 hours descent

Overnight: Stay at a hotel in Arusha or transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for departure.