Rongai Route

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where you’ll be greeted and transferred to your hotel in Arusha. This is your time to relax, recover from the journey, and get ready for your Mount Kilimanjaro Rongai Route trek.

After breakfast, we’ll drive to Marangu Gate for registration before transferring to the Rongai Route start point near Nalemoru village (1,950m). The day begins with a gentle trek through farmland and rainforest, gradually ascending to Simba Camp. This is a quiet and scenic section of the Kilimanjaro Rongai Route, perfect for easing into the adventure.

The trail continues upward through forests and transitions into open moorland, offering panoramic views and a noticeable shift in vegetation. You’ll pass the Rongai Second Cave (3,450m) and stop for lunch before turning east toward Kikelewa Camp (3,600m). This stretch of the Rongai Route Kilimanjaro climb is where the beauty of isolation and elevation begins to shine.

A shorter but steeper climb today leads you to Mawenzi Tarn (4,300m), set in a rugged alpine cirque beneath the jagged Mawenzi Peak. You’ll arrive by midday for lunch and have the whole afternoon to acclimate and explore the surrounding area. This is a key day on the Rongai Route Kili trek, supporting a safe and successful summit.

Today, the trail crosses the vast lunar landscape of the Saddle, the dry plateau between Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. It’s a steady, gradual climb up to Kibo Hut (4,700m). While stark and desolate, this portion of the Mt Kilimanjaro Rongai Route offers incredible views of the peak and a sense of scale that’s truly humbling. At Kibo Hut you will get served dinner and will go to bed early as you will be awoken around 23:30 to begin your summit attempt. Trekkers should remember to prepare their gear, including headlamp, camera, insulated water and warm weather clothes before they go to sleep.

Note: Seven and Eight-day trekkers typically hike from Mawenzi Tarn to Kibo Hut and back on day four. They then trek to Kibo Hut again on day five before continuing to Uhuru peak on day six / seven.

After a midnight wake-up call and hot tea, begin the final ascent by headlamp. First stop is Hans Meyer Cave (5,150m), where you will refuel with a snack. Then you will continue up steep switchbacks to Gilman’s Point (5,681m). From there, it’s a final push along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak, the Roof of Africa. After celebrating your summit, descend back to Kibo Hut, then onward to Horombo Hut (3,720m) for rest. In total you will be trekking upwards of 12-16 hours. This is the most challenging and rewarding day of the Rongai Route Kilimanjaro climb. Here’s the good news, beers can be bought at Horombo Hut!

Your final descent takes you through heather and rainforest zones back to Marangu Gate (1,870m). Take it slow—your knees will thank you. At the gate, you’ll receive a certificate of achievement depending on how far you reached: Gilman’s Point (green) or Uhuru Peak (gold). Most trekkers present their trekking team with their hard-earned tips at this stage before being driven back to the hotel for a well-deserved hot shower!

Transfer back to Kilimanjaro Airport for your return flight, or continue the adventure with a Tanzania safari extension. You’ve just completed one of the most scenic and rewarding treks on Mount Kilimanjaro via the Rongai Route—a journey to remember.