Mount Kilimanjaro Hike: The Rongai route is the only route that ascends Kilimanjaro from the north-eastern side of the mountain, along the border between Tanzania and Kenya. Ascend only Route. This route also retains a sense of un-spoilt wilderness and offers a different perspective on Kilimanjaro by approaching it from the north.
Mount Kilimanjaro Hike Highlights
- Day 1: Rongai Gate – Rongai Cave
- Day 2: Rongai Cave – Second Cave – Kikelewa Cave
- Day 3: Kikelewa Cave – Mawenzi Tarn
- Day 4: Mawenzi Tarn – Mawenzi Ridge – Mawenzi Tarn
- Day 5: Mawenzi Tarn to Kibo Hut
- Day 6: Kibo Hut – Uhuru Peak – Horombo Hut
- Day 7: Horombo Hut – Marangu Gate
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Rongai Gate – Rongai Cave
Pick up from your hotel in Arusha / Moshi after breakfast and you drive to Marangu Gate for registration and completing other formalities before continuing to the Rongai Gate trailhead to start your ascent to the highest point in Africa at the roof of Mt. Kilimanjaro. You will climb gently through the lush green rainforest expecting to spot some wildlife especially the black and white colobus monkeys. Continue your hike till you leave the forest arriving at Rongai Cave camp for lunch and relaxation. Dinner and overnight stay at Rongai Cave Camp.
Day 2: Rongai Cave – Second Cave – Kikelewa Cave
After breakfast, you will have steady ascend to second Cave where you will have a break and enjoy your lunch. After lunch, continue trekking, leaving the main trail for a smaller path across the moorland leading towards the jagged Mawenzi peaks to Kikelewa Camp in a sheltered valley for dinner and overnight stay at Kikelewa Cave Camp.
Day 3: Kikelewa Cave – Mawenzi Tarn
After breakfast, continue your hike to Mawenzi Tarn. You will enjoy a short but steep trail up a grassy slope. You will exit the heath zone and emerge into the Alpine Desert zone. The landscape changes dramatically offering picturesque and stunning views. Reach Mawenzi Tarn in the afternoon, have your lunch as you enjoy the view. Spend the rest of the day at leisure as you await on the beautiful sunset. Dinner and overnight stay at Mawenzi Tarn hut.
Day 4: Mawenzi Tarn – Mawenzi Ridge – Mawenzi Tarn
One more day at Mawenzi Tarn hut for body acclimatization. After breakfast, you can choose to rest at the hut or can be spend the day hiking on Mawenzi Ridge, which is highly recommended. Expect stunning views of Kibo and Mawenzi weather permitting. After the short excursion exploring the area, you will head back to Mawenzi Tarn for lunch, dinner and camp at night.
Day 5: Mawenzi Tarn to Kibo Hut
Final summit ascent attempt. After breakfast, you will continue ascending west for a half-day hike to Kibo Hut through the Saddle which is formed between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. You will climb and trek till you reach Kibo Hut, siting at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. An early dinner will be served today so that you go to bed early and get enough rest as you will be attempting your final ascent to the summit tonight. Prepare your equipment before bed: headlamps, warm clothing, camera, insulated water and hiking poles. Expect a very cold night.
Day 6: Kibo Hut – Uhuru Peak – Horombo Hut
Wake up call as early as 23:30 hrs. or midnight. Have some hot tea and biscuits and then begin your final ascent to the summit in the dark across a rocky path to Hans Meyer Cave. Have a short break here and then continue on a steep hike to Gilman’s point (great milestone) for another short break as you witness the most beautiful sunrise over the Mawenzi peak, weather permitting.
Finally, you will arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the roof of the African continent. After spending a few moments taking in the plains of Africa, taking mission accomplished worthy photos and some rest, you will then descend to Horombo Hut through Kibo Hut for some rest and lunch. Dinner and overnight stay at Horombo Hut.
Day 7: Horombo Hut – Marangu Gate
Enjoy your last breakfast on the mountain and then prepare your gear for the final descent down the mountain to Marangu gate through the rain-forest. Reaching the gate, you will register and receive your summit certificates. Your driver will meet you and drive you back to Arusha / Moshi for dinner and a well-deserved night sleep at you hotel.
