Recommended duration of climb

The 6 day Rongai route offer a gradual ascend up Kilimanjaro with no real acclimatization benefit and most hikers tend suffer from altitude sickness. We strongly recommend you choose the 7 day Rongai route to allow your body more time to acclimatize to reduce the possibility to get altitude sickness and increase your chance to successfully summited Kilimanjaro.

7 Day Rongai route itinerary – click here

6 Day Rongai route itinerary

Day 1 – Rongai Gate (2 364m / 7 755ft) – Simba campsite (2 671m / 8 763ft)

Hiking time: 4 hours                                                                                                                                                Distance: Approximately 7 km / 4.3 miles
Habitat: Forest (Montane)

Depart from Moshi town and drive 50 minutes to the Marangu park gate for registration, we then continue to travel to Naromuru, north east Kilimanjaro, a further 68km and approximately 3 hours drive. Due to the long traveling time to the starting point this one of the unspoiled Kilimanjaro route options with few hikers. The small winding path, crosses maize fields before entering pine forest, and then climbs gently through the rain forest. The first night’s campsite is at Simba Campsite.

Day 2 – Simba campsite (2 671m / 8 763ft) – Kikelelwa Campsite (3 600m / 11 811ft)

Hiking time: 6 – 7 hours
Distance: Approximately 11 km / 6.8 miles
Habitat: Moorlands

After breakfast we hike from Simba campsite up towards Kibo till 3 450m / 11 318ft for lunch at Second Caves, a distance of 8km / 5 miles. After lunch we continue trekking until reaching Kikelewa Campsite. The views start to open up and you begin to feel you’re on a really big mountain!

Day 3 – Kikelelwa Campsite (3 600m / 11 811ft) – Mawenzi Tarn hut (4 315m / 11 156ft)

Hiking time: 3 hours
Distance: Approximately 3.5 km / 2.2 miles
Habitat: Moorlands

A short but steep climb up grassy slopes offers superb views of this wilderness area. The vegetation zone ends shortly before you reach your next campsite at Mawenzi Tarn hut, which is spectacularly situated beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi peak. Spend the afternoon acclimatizing and exploring the area.

Day 4 – Mawenzi Tarn hut (4 315m / 11 156ft) – Kibo hut (4 720m / 15 485ft)                           

Hiking time: 5 hours
Distance: Approximately 10 km / 6.2 miles
Habitat: Alpine desert

After breakfast we head west and continue ascending on the east side of Kibo crossing the saddle between Mawenzi peak and Kibo taking 5 to 6 hours to reach Kibo Hut. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent, which begins around midnight.  

Day 5 – Summit day

Ascend: Kibo hut (4 720m / 15 485ft) – Uhuru Peak (5 895m / 19 341ft)

Hiking time: 6 to 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak                                                                                                                                                                                Distance: Approximately 6 km / 3.7 miles
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

Descend: Uhuru Peak (5 895m / 19 341ft) – Horombo hut (3 720m / 12 205ft)

Hiking time: 5 to 7 hours to descend to Horombo hut
Distance: Approximately 15 km / 9.5 miles
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

You will rise at around 23h20 and start your summit attempt. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5 240m / 17 191ft), also a good resting spot. The path, with a lot of stone scree, then zigzags up to Gilman’s point (5 681m / 18 638ft), which is located on the crater rim. The area just before reaching Gilman’s point, is called “Jamaica rocks” and is very steep, rocky area requiring a great physical and mental effort. This is probably the most demanding section of the entire route. Do the Kili shuffle and move slowly. From Gilman’s Point you will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5 895m 19 341ft), the highest point in Africa. Total exhilaration and satisfaction – you successfully summited Kilimanjaro!

You will then descent 3 hours back to Kibo hut. After a short rest, gather all your gear and head down to Horombo hut (2 ½ hours) for your overnight.

Day 6 – Horombo hut (3 720m / 12 205ft) – Marangu Gate (1 970m / 6 460ft)

Hiking time: 5 to 7 hours
Distance: Approximately 19.7 km / 12.2 miles

After breakfast you continue your descent, passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate. At the Marangu gate, you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. You now drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebration