6 Day Rongai Route

Rongai Route – the easiest ways to reach the summit successfully of Mountain Kilimanjaro

Overview

Itinerary

Day 0: Arrival

Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, one of our Kili King representatives will warmly welcome you. You will be transferred to your accommodation in Arusha or Moshi, where you can rest and prepare for your exciting journey. Please note that the accommodation for your arrival day is not included in the package price, but we will gladly provide you with various options that suit your budget.

Day 1: Trek to Simba Camp

Your journey starts as you leave Arusha and head for Rongai Gate(2364m), which takes around 5 hours. At the gate, you’ll complete some entry paperwork. Afterward, you’ll have lunch and start walking. You’ll follow a wide path through fields of maize and potatoes before entering a pine forest where you might see some wildlife. You’ll reach your first camp at the edge of the moorland, Simba Camp (2671m), and enjoy fantastic views of the Kenyan plains.

Day 2: Trekking from Simba Camp to Kikelelwa Camp

Today, you’ll walk a bit more, about 15 kilometers. You’ll go from Simba Camp (2,671m) to Second Cave and then to Kikelelwa Camp (3,600m). In the morning, you’ll walk steadily and have lunch at Second Cave. After that, you’ll walk on open moorland to a valley near Kikelewa Caves, where you’ll see giant tree-groundsels.

Day 3: Trekking from Kikelewa Cave to Mawenzi Tun hut

Today, you’ll walk 7 kilometers from Kikelelwa Camp (3,600m) to Mawenzi  tun hut (4,315m). You’ll climb steep slopes with great views and reach Mawenzi , a beautiful place below Mawenzi’s towering spires. You can rest or explore in the afternoon to get used to the altitude.

Day 4: Trekking from Mawenzi to Kibo Hut Camp

Today, you’ll have a shorter walk, about 5 to 6 hours. You’ll go over the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo and stop at Kibo Hut, which is 4,720 meters high. This camp is just below the Kibo crater wall. You can rest in the afternoon and get ready for the summit day.

Day 5: Summit Day!

This is the most exciting day. You’ll start early in the morning with your headlamps on. You’ll walk up a zigzag path on rough volcanic ground. It’s a tough climb, about 5 to 6 hours, and you’ll go up almost 1,000 meters. You’ll get to Gillman’s Point (5,685m) and rest while watching the sunrise over Mawenzi. Then, it’s another 2-hour walk to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. Usually, in the early morning, you can see clearly and get great views of the crater, Mawenzi, and Mount Meru below. The path goes through a rocky place with ice cliffs. After you enjoy the amazing views and take pictures, you’ll walk back along the crater rim and quickly descend to Kibo Hut (4,700m). You’ll have lunch there and then go down to Horombo Camp (3,720m). It’s a long day of walking, but it’s worth it.

Day 6: Descend to Marangu Gate

You’ll start walking down from Horombo and see more plants as you get lower. You’ll walk through a pine forest and pass the first camping place on the Marangu Route, the Mandara Huts. Finally, you’ll reach the Marangu Gate (1,800m). Here, you’ll say goodbye to your guides, staff, and porters who have been with you on this amazing journey.