The Easiest & Most Remote Path to Africa’s Highest Peak
Rongai Route begins on the Eastern side of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Though this is a camping route, it is one of the easiest climbing routes on the mountain. The night before your final ascent will be in hut accommodation. This trek can also be done in 5 days, but it is recommended that at least 6 days be taken for the best chance of success, and as many days as desired can be added on to make your climb a comfortable and enjoyable experience.
Itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi / Moshi
Depart Nairobi early this morning with a shuttle/ private van to Moshi town, over the Tanzanian border. Upon your arrival, you can have the option of taking a walking safari with your guide, visiting the colorful Moshi Market, or you may prefer to relax in your comfortable hotel for the rest of the afternoon, in preparation for your trek tomorrow.
Day 2: Moshi / First camp
Enjoy a full breakfast in your hotel before our 2-hour drive to the Rongai park gate. From here we can begin our trek through the rainforest to the first camp, which is at an altitude of 2400m. The hike will take us about 2- 3 hours, during which we can stop for a picnic lunch before arriving at our camp, where we will have dinner and spend the night.
Day 3: First camp / 2nd Cave
After breakfast, we can begin to trek through scattered Savannah grassland towards the next camp at an altitude of 2850m, and it will take us 3- 4 hours walking before we arrive in time for lunch. We can have our dinner and spend the night here. If preferred, another option is to continue onto the 3rd Cave Camp after lunch, which will take a total of 5- 6 hours, and then spend a whole day acclimatizing at this camp tomorrow.
Day 4: 2nd Cave / Kikelewa camp
After breakfast we can set off on either a 2- 3 hour trek through alpine desert to arrive at the 3rd Cave Camp at an altitude of 3,800m, or we can take a 3-4hour trek to Kikelelwa camp, which is at the base of Mawenzi Peak, stopping for a picnic lunch on our way and arriving at our camp before dinner. From here, the moorlands roll into an alpine desert, which is a truly picturesque landscape.
Day 5: Kikelewa camp / Kibo camp
Today, we continue our ascent through the alpine desert to Kibo Camp at an altitude of 4750m. We can stop for a picnic lunch on the way, and this walk will take us 4- 5 hours before we arrive at our hut in time for an early dinner and sleep.
Day 6: Kibo / Uhuru peak 5895m / Horombo camp
At midnight, we can wake for a hot drink and snack before beginning our final climb to the top!! We will begin the last leg of our ascent to Uhuru Peak, via the edge of the crater rim; Gilman’s point, which at an altitude of 5681m, will take us about 5- 6 hours. From here, we have only 1 ½ hours trekking to reach the highest point of Mt. Kilimanjaro at 5895m. Once we have conquered the summit of this great mountain, we will have plenty of time for photos and to breathe in the sensational views!! Afterwards, we can begin to descend back towards Kibo Hut, where we can stop for lunch, before continuing our descent to Horombo Hut to arrive in time for dinner and spend the night there.
Day 7: Horombo / Moshi
After breakfast, we have our final trek down to the gate, stopping at Mandara hut for lunch, where we will now be at an altitude of 2700m. Our final hike is through heavy rain forest back down to Marangu park gate, where our vehicle will be waiting to transfer us back to Moshi town, where you can look forward to a hot shower and a comfy bed after dinner tonight!
Day 8: Optional
Our driver will bring you to the airport from where you will take your flight back home. If you’ve decided to go on a safari – well, that’s a different adventure and we’ll take care of that for you!
Important Information
Safari Inclusions:
- Certified mountain guides, porters & cooks
- Park entrance & camping fees
- Full board meals during the trek
- Accommodation before & after the climb in Moshi
- Camping equipment (tents, mattresses, kitchen gear)
- All transfers between Nairobi, Moshi & park gates
- Emergency rescue support
What to Bring:
- Warm layered clothing for summit night
- Waterproof gear (jacket, pants, gaiters)
- Sturdy trekking boots
- Sleeping bag rated to -10°C
- Trekking poles, headlamp, sunglasses, sunscreen
- Camera, personal medications, and a first-aid kit
