6-Day Rongai Route Trek Mount Kilimanjaro

After breakfast, we drive towards Nalemoru Gate on the northern side of Mount Kilimanjaro, close to the Kenya border. After completing registration and meeting the mountain crew, we begin walking through farmland and gradually enter the forest. The trail is fairly gentle today, giving you time to get used to the pace of the mountain. As the forest begins to thin, you may get beautiful views across the Kenyan plains. We arrive at Simba Camp in the afternoon and have time to relax before dinner.

Altitude: 1,950 m → 2,625 m

Distance: Approximately 8 km

Trekking Duration: 3–4 hours

Environment: Farmland, pine forest and montane forest

Climate: Warm at the start, becoming cooler as you gain altitude

After breakfast, we continue climbing steadily through the moorland. The trees become fewer and the landscape opens up, giving us better views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. We take our time and walk at a comfortable pace, stopping for breaks along the way. The higher we go, the cooler the air becomes. By the afternoon we reach Kikelewa Camp, set in a quiet area with impressive views of the surrounding mountain landscape.

Altitude: 2,625 m → 3,630 m

Distance: Approximately 9–11 km

Trekking Duration: 5–7 hours

Environment: Moorland and open highland

Climate: Cooler and drier, with stronger winds possible

Today is shorter but we gain a good amount of altitude. We leave Kikelewa Camp and climb towards Mawenzi Tarn, one of the most beautiful camping areas on the Rongai Route. The vegetation becomes much thinner as we move higher, and the landscape starts to feel more rugged and remote. Mawenzi Peak rises dramatically above the camp, making this a great place to stop, rest and take photographs. The afternoon is kept relaxed so your body has more time to adjust to the altitude.

Altitude: 3,630 m → 4,330 m

Distance: Approximately 5 km

Trekking Duration: 4–5 hours

Environment: Alpine desert and rocky mountain terrain

Climate: Cold, dry and sometimes windy

After breakfast, we leave Mawenzi Tarn and cross the wide, open area known as the Saddle, which lies between Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. There is very little vegetation here, and the landscape has a dry, almost moon-like appearance. We walk slowly because we are now at a high altitude. Kibo Peak gets closer as we make our way towards Kibo Hut, where we will spend the afternoon resting and preparing for the summit. Dinner is served early, followed by a few hours of rest before the midnight wake-up.

Altitude: 4,330 m → 4,703 m

Distance: Approximately 7 km

Trekking Duration: 5–6 hours

Environment: High-altitude alpine desert

Climate: Cold, dry and exposed to wind

This is the biggest day of the trek. We wake around midnight, have a hot drink and a light snack, and begin the climb by headlamp. The trail becomes steeper as we slowly make our way over loose volcanic scree towards Gilman's Point on the crater rim. From there, we continue along the rim towards Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa at 5,895 metres.

Reaching the summit is a special moment, and there will be time for photographs before we begin the long descent. We return towards Kibo Hut for a short rest and something to eat, then continue across the Saddle to Horombo Hut. It is a very long day, but as we descend, the air becomes noticeably easier to breathe.

Altitude: 4,703 m → 5,895 m → 3,720 m

Distance: Approximately 21–22 km total

Trekking Duration: 11–14 hours

Environment: Rocky scree, volcanic terrain and Arctic summit zone

Climate: Extremely cold at night and around the summit, with possible strong winds

After breakfast, we begin our final walk down Mount Kilimanjaro. The trail takes us through the moorland and heath before gradually entering the lush rainforest. The scenery changes quickly as we lose altitude, and you may hear birds and see monkeys along the way. We continue down to Marangu Gate, where we complete the park formalities and receive your summit certificate. Our driver will then meet you at the gate and take you back to your hotel in Arusha or Moshi for a well-earned rest.

Overnight: Hotel in Parkview Inn Hotel Moshi