Route
7 Days Rongai Route
Duration
7 Days
Trek Highlights
Embark on an unforgettable 8-day adventure to the Roof of Africa with the scenic and less-crowded Lemosho Route. This trek offers stunning views, diverse landscapes, and the best chance for acclimatization, giving you a higher success rate to reach Uhuru Peak. Hike through lush rainforests, alpine deserts, and glacier-capped peaks with expert guides who ensure your safety and comfort. Perfect for adventurous souls, this journey combines natural beauty with an unparalleled sense of accomplishment.
Itinerary
- Arrival Day: Arrive in JRO / Transfer to Arusha
- Day 1: Rongai Gate (1950m) – Simba Camp (2600m)
- Day 2: Simba Camp –Second Cave
- Day 3: Second Tarn Cave (2600m) – Kikelewa Cave (3600m)
- Day 4: Kikelewa Cave (3600) – Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4330m)
- Day 4: Kikelewa Cave (3600) – Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4330m)
- Day 6: Summit Attempt, Kibo Hut (4700m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo Hut (3720m)
- Day 7: Horombo Hut (3720m) – Marangu Gate (1980m)
- Departure Day: Arusha – Kilimanjaro airport
Day By Day Description
Arrival Day: Arrive in JRO / Transfer to Arusha
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel in Arusha. At the hotel, your guide will conduct a detailed briefing about your Kilimanjaro trek and perform an equipment check to ensure you have all the essential mountain gear. Any missing items can be conveniently rented on this day. Enjoy an overnight stay at Kibo Palace Hotel with a bed and breakfast arrangement, preparing for your Kilimanjaro trekking adventure.
Day 1: Rongai Gate (1950m) – Simba Camp (2600m)
- Hiking Time: 3 – 4 Hours. Distance: About 8 Km
- Habitat: Montana forest
Your Kilimanjaro trekking journey begins with a hotel pick-up and a drive to the Marangu Gate for registration, followed by a 3-hour transfer to the Rongai Trailhead. Starting from Nale Moru Village, the trail gently ascends through maize fields, pine forests, and lush landscapes, offering a serene and scenic introduction to the climb. Your first overnight stay is at Simba Camp (2,600 meters), equipped with basic amenities like a toilet, a wooden table, and benches. Water is available nearby, making it a comfortable spot to rest and prepare for the next stage of your Kilimanjaro adventure.
Overnight at Simba Camp. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
Day 2: Simba Camp –Second Cave
- Hiking Time: 2 – 3hours
- Habitat: Moorland
After a leisurely breakfast at Simba Camp, you’ll begin your hike at a slow pace to allow your body to acclimatize as you make your way to Second Cave (3,450m). Enjoy a hot lunch upon arrival, taking in the beautiful surroundings. The afternoon is spent relaxing at Second Cave, helping your body adjust to the altitude before your evening meal. Dinner and an overnight stay at Second Cave prepare you for the next day’s Kilimanjaro trekking adventure.
Overnight at Second Cave. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
Day 3: Second Tarn Cave (2600m) – Kikelewa Cave (3600m)
- Hiking Time: 3 – 4 hours
- Habitat: Moorlands
After breakfast, continue your ascent towards Kibo, reaching Kikelwa Cave at around 3,600 meters. As you climb, the stunning views open up, giving you a sense of the vastness of Mount Kilimanjaro. Water is available in the stream below the cave, though you may need to walk downhill a bit to find it. Spend the night at the 3rd Cave camp (Kikelewa Caves), preparing for the next stage of your Kilimanjaro trekking adventure.
Overnight at Kikelwa Cave. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
Day 4: Kikelewa Cave (3600) – Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4330m)
- Hiking time: 3 – 4 hours
- Habitat: Moorlands
A short but steep climb through grassy slopes rewards you with breathtaking views of the surrounding wilderness. The vegetation zone gradually fades as you approach your next camp, Mawenzi Tarn, nestled beneath the dramatic spires of Mawenzi. This stunning location provides an ideal setting for acclimatization and relaxation. Spend the afternoon exploring the area while preparing for the next phase of your Kilimanjaro trekking journey.
Overnight at Mawenzi Tarn. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
Day 5: Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4330m) – Kibo Hut (4700m)
Hiking Time: 4 – 5 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert
Continue your ascent on the east side of Kibo, crossing the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo, a journey that takes about 4 to 5 hours to reach Kibo Hut. The rest of the day is dedicated to rest and acclimatization, as you prepare for your final summit push. At Kibo Hut, take time to relax and gather energy before the midnight ascent. This strategic rest is crucial for a successful Kilimanjaro summit trek.
Overnight at Kibo Hut. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
Day 6: Summit Attempt, Kibo Hut (4700m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo Hut (3720m)
Hiking time: 8 hours to reach Uhuru 6 hours to descend to Horombo.
Distance: 6 km’s ascent – 21 km’s descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit.
You’ll start your final summit attempt around 11:30 PM, with tea and biscuits before heading out into the night. The challenging climb begins with a rocky path to Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), followed by a steep ascent to Gillman’s Point (5681m) on the crater rim. From there, a snowy path leads to Uhuru Peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa, offering unmatched exhilaration upon reaching the summit. After celebrating at the peak, descend to Kibo Hut for rest, then continue to Horombo Hut, completing nearly 14 hours of trekking on this demanding day.
Overnight at Horombo Hut. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
Day 7: Horombo Hut (3720m) – Marangu Gate (1980m).
Hiking Time: 6 hours.
Distance: About 27 Km.
After breakfast, begin your descent, which takes approximately 6 hours, passing Mandara Hut before reaching the Marangu Gate. At the gate, you’ll sign the register and receive your summit certificate based on your achievement—green for reaching Gillman’s Point (5685m) and gold for reaching Uhuru Peak (5895m). Afterward, you’ll drive back to Arusha for a restful overnight stay at Kibo Palace Hotel. Enjoy a delicious breakfast and lunch before ending your unforgettable Kilimanjaro trekking adventure.
Departure Day: Arusha – Kilimanjaro airport
Final transfer to Kilimanjaro airport in time to catch your flight back home.
Included
- Quality, waterproof, four-season private mountain sleeping tents
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides:
- All Park fees Airport transfers Rescue fees
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
- Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
- Large portions of fresh, healthy nutritious food
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Oximeter
- Medical Kit
- Emergency oxygen
- Crisis management and safety procedures
- Fair and ethical treatment of porters
- Accommodation in Arusha
- Portable toilet
Excluded
- Flights
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Visa fees
- Tips
- Personal spending monies for souvenirs etc.
- Travel insurance
