THE OVERVIEW
This 7-day Kilimanjaro Mountain hiking Rongai Route Safari takes you on an exciting journey to Africa’s tallest peak, the renowned Uhuru Peak on Mount Kilimanjaro which stands at 5,895 meters above sea level, making it the highest free-standing peak in the world. The Rongai route ascends Kilimanjaro via the northeast side of the peak, along the Tanzania-Kenya border. By climbing Kilimanjaro from the north, this path preserves a sense of unspoiled wilderness and provides a fresh perspective on the mountain.
The highlights of this Hiking safari
- Enjoy stunning viewing of Jagged Mawenzi Peaks
- Sleep in comfortable tents on the mountain
- Watch the sunrise from Uhuru Peak
- Summit Africa’s highest peak for unforgettable experiences
- Climb the world’s highest freestanding mountain
- Trek past rainforest, moorland, & Alpine desert
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival at the airport and transfer to Moshi town
The driver will pick you up at Kilimanjaro International Airport and take you to your Moshi lodging. A brief introduction to the climb will be provided to you. Spend the night in Moshi.
Meal plan: Dinner
Day 2: Hike from Nalemuru Gate (2,020 M) To Simba Camp (2,625m)
Your guide and a mountain support team will meet you at your Moshi hotel in the morning after breakfast. You will be transported to the Nalemuru Gate, which is the northern entry of Kilimanjaro National Park, following a briefing. (2,020 m). There, the head guide will complete registration for search and rescue and obtain the required licenses. After completing all necessary registration, you will begin your hiking trip along this Rongai trail, traversing along a little twisting path that crosses corn fields before entering a pine forest and climbing gently through the forest. The trail is not difficult, but rather a nice stroll over the gorgeous countryside. Dinner and night stay at Simba Camp.
Meal plan: All meals are included
Hiking distance: 8 km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Day 3: Simba camp to Kikelewa Camp (3679m)
After a leisurely breakfast, you’ll start your hike to Kikilewa Camp with breathtaking views of the Eastern Ice Fields on the Rim of Kibo, the youngest and highest of the three volcanoes which make up the entire mountain. From Second Cave, you’ll continue through moorland, leaving the main trail for an alternate path headed toward the jagged peaks of Mawenzi, before arriving at Kikelewa Cave for dinner and the night.
Meal plan: All meals are included
Hiking distance: 7 km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Day 4: Kikilewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,310m)
You’ll get up early and have breakfast. After breakfast, you will start your hike to Mawenzi Tarn Camp, which is stunningly located in a cirque underneath the towering cliffs of Kilimanjaro’s secondary summit, Mount Mawenzi Volcano. When you arrive at the camp, you will have lunch and a 2-hour relaxation before embarking on an acclimatization hike to Mawenzi Volcano, which will involve a 200-meter altitude gain. After that, return to Mawenzi Tarn Camp for dinner and a night’s sleep.
Meal Plan: All meals are included
Hiking distance: 8 km
Hiking time: 5-6 hours
Day 5: Mawenzi Tarn Camp to Kibo Camp (4,700m)
After breakfast, continue west, ascending on the east side of Kibo, then crossing the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo Hut in the early afternoon. Have lunch, and the rest of the day will be spent resting up for the final ascent, which starts after midnight. Kibo hut is where you’ll spend the night.
Meal plan: All meals are included
Hiking distance: 9 km
Hiking time: 5-6 hours
Day 6: Ascent to Uhuru Peak Summit (5,895m) and descent to Horombo Hut (3,720m)
At around midnight, you begin the final which is by far the most challenging and most difficult part of the ascent by torchlight. It will be chilly as you make your way through the pitch-darkness on a switchback track across loose volcanic scree to the Crater rim at Gillman’s Point. (5,685 m). You’ll take a short break there to take in the beautiful sunrise above Mawenzi. If you have the energy, continue the three-hour round walk over the snow-covered rim to the actual summit of Uhuru Peak (5,895m), passing close to the beautiful glaciers and ice cliffs that still comprise the majority of the summit area. Africa’s highest point. Take as much photos you can and have a view of the world from the top.
After that, you begin a 3-hour descent back to Kibo hut. After a brief rest and lunch at Kibo hut, you pack your remaining gear and head down to Horombo hut for the night. In comparison to the ascent, the descent to Horombo hut will seem remarkably quick. Later in the evening, you’ll eat your final meal on the mountain before retiring for the night.
Meal plan: All meals are included
Hiking distance: 21km
Hiking time: 11-12 hours
Day 7: Descent to Marangu Gate (1,860m) and transfer to Moshi
After breakfast, you begin a continuous descent with extensive views across the moorland. You next descend through the beautiful forest around Mandara (2,700m), the first halt on the Marangu trail. Continue through semi-tropical vegetation until the Marangu National Park gate. (1,860m). Successful hikers get their summit certificates at the Marangu gate. The climbers that reached Gillman’s Point are given green certificates, while those who successfully reached Uhuru Peak are given gold certificates, afterwards, you will be driven back to Moshi for a much-needed hot shower, celebration, dinner, and a good night’s sleep.
Meal plan: All meals are included