Kilimanjaro via Rongai Route

Day 1

Arrival in Tanzania – Welcome, Hotel Check-in and Climb Preparation

Welcome to Tanzania! On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, meet your representative and transfer to your hotel if airport pickup is included in your booking. Your hotel provides a place to rest after your journey and prepare for the mountain adventure ahead.

Depending on your arrival time, your team will arrange a pre-climb briefing and equipment check, explaining the daily route, camping arrangements, weather conditions, altitude risks and the importance of walking at a steady pace. This is your opportunity to ask questions about clothing, sleeping equipment, meals, drinking water and the support available during the climb.

Because the Rongai trailhead lies on Kilimanjaro’s northern side, the journey to the starting point is longer than the transfer to some southern trailheads. Your team will confirm the departure time and transport arrangements in advance.

Overnight:

Hotel in Moshi

Meals:

According to the confirmed hotel meal plan

Day 2

Rongai Gate to Simba Camp – Begin Your Northern Approach

After breakfast, travel towards the Rongai trailhead near Nale Moru village on the northern side of Kilimanjaro. Your guides and support crew will complete the required registration and organise the equipment before you begin the trek.

The first section passes through cultivated countryside and montane forest, where the trail gradually climbs away from the lower slopes. You may see local farmland, forest vegetation and birdlife before the landscape begins to open up as you gain elevation.

This opening day is generally shorter than the later stages, giving you time to establish a comfortable walking rhythm and become familiar with your mountain team. Although the ascent is gradual, you should still conserve energy, drink water regularly and avoid walking too quickly.

By afternoon, arrive at Simba Camp, where your crew will organise the tents and prepare your evening meal. The camp sits in the high heathland zone, with open views towards the northern plains and the upper mountain when the weather is clear.

Overnight:

Simba Camp (tents)

Meals:

Lunch and dinner

Day 3

Simba Camp to Kikelewa Camp – Cross the Moorland

After breakfast, leave Simba Camp and continue across the northern slopes, gradually moving away from the forest and into open heathland and moorland. The trail offers expansive views over the surrounding plains, while the changing vegetation reveals the transition to Kilimanjaro’s higher ecological zones.

You will generally pass the Second Cave area, which is a useful place to stop for a rest and lunch before continuing towards Kikelewa Camp. The landscape becomes more exposed, and temperatures can fall noticeably as the altitude increases.

This is a longer day than the first, so maintaining a steady pace and following your guide’s advice is important. Your crew will work ahead to organise the campsite, allowing you to arrive, rest and enjoy your meal without needing to manage the main camping equipment yourself.

Kikelewa Camp lies in a sheltered area beneath the dramatic Mawenzi massif. Its setting provides a memorable view of the mountain’s rugged volcanic formations, especially when the clouds lift.

Overnight:

Kikelewa Camp (tents)

Meals:

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4

Kikelewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn Camp – Climb Beneath Mawenzi Peak

Today, the trail climbs more steeply through high moorland towards Mawenzi Tarn Camp, one of the most scenic overnight locations on the Rongai Route. The vegetation becomes sparse, the terrain more rugged and the mountain views increasingly dramatic as you approach the striking spires of Mawenzi.

Although the walking distance is relatively short, the elevation gain can make the day challenging. Your guide will encourage a slow pace and regular breaks, while monitoring how the group is coping with the increasing altitude.

Mawenzi Tarn Camp is located beneath the jagged Mawenzi massif, in an impressive high-altitude setting. Depending on the weather, you may see the surrounding ridges reflected in the tarn or enjoy wide views across the rocky landscape. Temperatures can become very cold after sunset, so warm layers and a suitable sleeping bag are essential.

After arriving at camp, enjoy a meal and rest. The camp is also an opportunity to discuss the following day's crossing towards Kibo and the importance of conserving energy before the summit attempt.

Overnight:

Mawenzi Tarn Camp (tents)

Meals:

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5

Mawenzi Tarn Camp to Kibo Camp – Cross the High-Altitude Saddle

After breakfast, leave Mawenzi Tarn and continue across the broad, exposed saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo. The landscape becomes increasingly barren, with volcanic gravel, rocky ground and little vegetation. The vast open terrain gives you a sense of the scale of Kilimanjaro as you approach the base of the summit cone.

This stage is important preparation for summit day, but the high elevation can make even moderate walking feel demanding. Stay close to your group, follow your guide’s pace and take breaks as needed. Your crew will help organise the campsite and prepare meals, while you focus on conserving energy for the night ahead.

Arrive at Kibo Camp, located at approximately 4,700 m, where you will have an early meal and receive a summit briefing. Your guide will explain the planned departure time, clothing requirements, weather considerations and the importance of reporting any symptoms of altitude sickness immediately.

The summit attempt usually begins around midnight or during the early hours of the following morning. Rest as much as possible and prepare your headlamp, warm clothing, gloves, water and essential personal equipment before going to sleep.

Overnight:

Kibo Camp (tents)

Meals:

Breakfast, lunch and an early dinner

Day 6

Kibo Camp to Uhuru Peak and Horombo Hut – Summit and Descent

This is the most demanding day of your expedition, combining the summit attempt with a long descent to Horombo Hut. You normally begin walking around midnight, ascending slowly through cold, dark terrain towards Gilman’s Point on the crater rim.

The climb is physically demanding because of the steep terrain, low temperatures, fatigue and reduced oxygen at high altitude. Your guides will set a careful pace and monitor the group, but you must also communicate openly if you feel unwell. Severe headache, nausea, dizziness, unusual breathlessness or confusion should never be ignored.

If your health and mountain conditions allow, continue from Gilman’s Point towards Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m, the highest point in Africa. Reaching the summit is a remarkable achievement, and you will have an opportunity to celebrate and take photographs when conditions allow.

After the summit, descend carefully to Kibo Camp and continue towards Horombo Hut on the Marangu side of the mountain. The descent is long, and fatigue can affect balance and coordination, so follow your guide’s instructions and maintain a controlled pace.

This is a very strenuous day, often requiring approximately 11–16 hours or more, depending on conditions, the climber’s pace and the time spent at the summit. Not every climber will reach Uhuru Peak, and the guide may instruct a climber to turn back if safety requires it.

Overnight:

Horombo Hut

Meals:

Summit-day meals and drinks

Day 7

Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate – Complete Your Kilimanjaro Climb

After breakfast, begin the long descent from Horombo Hut through the moorland and down into the rainforest towards Marangu Gate. The trail passes through several ecological zones, allowing you to experience a final change in scenery as the air becomes warmer and vegetation grows denser.

Although the route is downhill, the distance can be demanding after the summit day. Take care on uneven or slippery sections, wear appropriate footwear and follow your guide’s advice throughout the descent.

At Marangu Gate, complete the required park procedures and arrange your summit certificate according to your achievement and the park’s rules. Your driver will then transfer you to your hotel in Moshi or another agreed destination if this service is included in your booking.

Enjoy a well-deserved shower, rest and reflect on the journey. Your hotel night after the trek is one of the two hotel nights included only when specified in your final quotation.

Overnight:

Hotel in Moshi

Meals:

Breakfast and lunch

Day 8

Departure from Tanzania

Enjoy breakfast and check out of your hotel according to your flight schedule. If an airport transfer is included in your confirmed package, your driver will take you to Kilimanjaro International Airport or another agreed departure point.

If you have additional time in Tanzania, you can ask our team about a wildlife safari or a Zanzibar extension. These services are quoted separately unless specifically included in your booking.

Meals:

Breakfast