6 Days Kilimanjaro Climbing via Rongai Route

Day 1 — Rongai Gate to Simba Camp

Elevation: 1,950m → 2,670m
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
Distance: ~8 km
Habitat: Montane forest

Your trek begins with a drive from your hotel in Moshi or Arusha to Rongai Gate — the northern entrance to Kilimanjaro National Park, near the Kenyan border. The drive takes approximately 3–4 hours, passing through open countryside and small villages on the northern side of Kilimanjaro.

After registration at the gate, you'll begin your ascent through cypress plantations and montane forest. The trail is wide and gentle, following a path through farmland and into the forest. Keep an eye out for colobus monkeys and various bird species along the way.

You'll arrive at Simba Camp (2,670m) — your first overnight stop — in the mid-afternoon. The camp sits at the edge of the moorland, with fantastic views of the Kenyan plains stretching north.

Day 2 — Simba Camp to Kikelewa Camp

Elevation: 2,670m → 3,600m
Hiking Time: 6–8 hours
Distance: ~12 km
Habitat: Moorland

After breakfast, you'll leave the forest behind and enter the open moorland of Kilimanjaro's northern slopes. The trail climbs steadily across wide, grassy terrain with panoramic views of the northern face of the mountain. You'll reach Second Cave (3,450m) in the late morning, where you'll stop for a hot lunch and a short rest.

Day 3 — Kikelewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn Camp

Elevation: 3,600m → 4,315m
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
Distance: ~6 km
Habitat: Moorland to alpine desert

After breakfast at Kikelewa Camp, you'll begin a shorter but steeper climb as the trail narrows and winds its way up through open moorland. The vegetation thins out, and you'll see the last of the senecio plants — your final flora before the alpine desert.

You'll arrive at Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,315m) — one of the most beautiful campsites on Kilimanjaro, nestled beneath the dramatic spires of Mawenzi Peak (the mountain's second-highest volcanic cone). The camp sits beside a small alpine tarn (lake), and the views of both Mawenzi and Kibo are spectacular.

This is your acclimatization day — the key advantage of the 6-day Rongai Route. Take an optional afternoon walk to a nearby viewpoint to help your body adapt to the altitude, then return to camp for dinner and overnight.

Day 4 — Mawenzi Tarn Camp to Kibo Hut

Elevation: 4,315m → 4,700m
Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
Distance: ~9 km
Habitat: Alpine desert

After breakfast, you'll embark on a long, gradual climb from Mawenzi Tarn Camp to Kibo Hut (4,700m). The trail crosses the alpine desert — a stark, lunar-like landscape with no vegetation, dramatic rock formations, and wide-open views of both Kibo and Mawenzi cones.

You'll arrive at Kibo Hut in the mid-afternoon. This is your final camp before the summit. Eat an early dinner (around 5:00–6:00 PM) and rest. You'll be woken around 11:00 PM to begin the final ascent to the summit.

Accommodation: Kibo Hut | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 — Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut

Elevation: 4,700m → 5,895m → 3,720m
Hiking Time: 10–13 hours
Distance: ~22 km
Habitat: Arctic summit and moorland

You'll be woken around 11:00 PM for tea and biscuits, then begin the ascent in the darkness. The trail is steep and switchbacks up scree and snow toward Gilman's Point (5,685m) on the crater rim. This is the toughest part of the route — a long, slow climb in the cold and thin air.

After about 6 hours of climbing, you'll reach Gilman's Point — the moment you officially reach the crater rim. From there, it's a further 1.5–2 hours along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) — the highest point in Africa.

You'll witness a spectacular sunrise over the crater and the plains below. Take photos, celebrate, and sign the summit log. After a short rest, begin the descent.

You'll descend via the Marangu Route, stopping at Kibo Hut for lunch, then continuing down to Horombo Hut (3,720m) for dinner and overnight.

Day 6 — Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate

Elevation: 3,720m → 1,640m
Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
Distance: ~20 km
Habitat: Moorland and rainforest

After breakfast at Horombo, you'll begin your final descent. The trail takes you down through moorland and lush rainforest, passing Mandara Hut (2,720m) along the way. The warmer air and thicker oxygen make this a pleasant final day, and you may spot monkeys and birdlife as you descend through the forest.

You'll arrive at Marangu Gate in the early afternoon, where you'll receive your summit certificate — a proud memento of your achievement. Your vehicle will transfer you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha.