7 Days Rongai Route

This is a remote route, which starts on the northern side of the mountain close to the Kenyan border. It expands on the dry northeast side of Kilimanjaro. This is also a drier route than most routes if you hike during the rainy season. The acclimatization profile is fair because the days are shorter, giving you a higher chance of summiting without much struggle.

This route is less crowded, moderately steep, crosses a beautiful alpine desert zone and allows for good views towards Kenya and the Kibo summit.

DAY 1 : Nalemoru Gate to Simba Camp

After driving for 2hrs from Moshi town, you will finally arrive at the starting Point (Nalemoru gate 1,910m). After signing in, you will take new track then start to climb consistently, but gently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife. The forest begins to thin out and the first camp is at the edge of the moorland zone (2570 m) with extensive views over the Kenyan plains.

Camp at Simba camp for dinner and overnight

DAY 2: Simba Camp – Kikelewa Camp (3600m)

After a healthy nutritious breakfast, we will start the day  walk at a steady pace.  Ascending up to the Second Cave (3450 m) with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim. After lunch, we will leave the main trail and strike out across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. The campsite is in a sheltered valley with giant Senecios near Kikelewa Camp (3600 m).

DAY 3: Kikelewa- Mawenzi Tarn (4330m)

Today is a short but steep climb, up grassy slopes which will be rewarded by superb all-round views and a tangible sense of wilderness. We shall eave the vegetation behind shortly before reaching the camp at Mawenzi Tarn (4330 m), spectacularly situated in a cirque directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi peak.

Hot lunch will be served here. The rest of the day will be free to rest or explore the surrounding area help in acclimatization.

DAY 4: Acclimatization Day

After a late breakfast, you will spend the day climbing higher towards the main Mawenzi peak for acclimatization. All meals will be served in the camp.

DAY 5: Mawenzi -Kibo / School hut: 475om

After our breakfast, we we will cut across the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo campsite (4750 m) at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night!

DAY 6: Kibo hut – Uhuru peak – Horombo 3720m

Today is the big Day! We will start the final ascend to Gilman’s Point (5685m) before making the final kill of Uhuru Peak  at 5895m. After the African sunrise, we will descend back to Kibo / School hut for breakfast. You will get some time to recover and then head down to Horombo hut (3720m)  for the night.

DAY 7: Horombo – Moshi.

After a heavy healthy breakfast, we will start a steady descend which will take us down through moorland to Mandara Hut (2700m), the first stopping place at the Marangu route. We will continue descending through lovely lush forest on a good path to the National Park gate at Marangu (1830 m).

After collecting the certificates, we will bid farewell to the supporting team before driving to our base hotel Moshi for a long awaited hot shower and celebrations.