7 days rongai route

Welcome to Tanzania, home of the tallest point on the African continent! You won’t be able to see Mount Kilimanjaro itself when you arrive at the Kilimanjaro International Airport, but you’ll get your first glimpse of the mountain when your driver from Chalema Tanzania Safaris meets you at the airport and takes you to Moshi. This small town serves as the gateway to Kilimanjaro National Park, and you’ll be able to feast your eyes on the world-famous mountain from your poolside seat at the Parkview Inn. Enjoy the rest of the day unwinding and enjoying the hotel’s fabulous amenities—tomorrow, your adventure on the Rongai Route begins in earnest.

Elevation: 1997m/6552ft to 2635m/8645ft

Altitude gained: 638m

We’ll depart from Moshi this morning and drive to the Rongai Gate to register with the local authorities before beginning our Kilimanjaro trek. Our hiking team will set out from here, leaving fields of coffee and corn at our backs and venturing into the forest lying close against the mountain’s lower slopes. While the forest is drier here on the mountain’s northern face, keep your eyes peeled—there are plenty of animals moving about in the treetops, including the especially gorgeous black-and-white colobus monkey. After about four or five hours of hiking, we’ll arrive at our first campsite of the Rongai Route. Simba Camp is situated near what locals call Rongai First Cave: a distinctive overhang of rock that marks the end of our first day on the mountain.

Elevation: 2635m/8645ft to 3487m/11440ft

Altitude gained: 852m

On the second day of the Rongai Route trek, we’ll depart from Simba Camp and traverse a pleasant landscape of wild heather and colorful flowers. Getting an early start on today’s hike will allow us to avoid the worst of the heat from the rising sun as we trek across this exposed section of the trail. Magnificent views of Kilimanjaro are the order of the day, including Kibo: the highest of the mountain’s three volcanic cones. But our path will actually turn towards the second-highest summit, Mawenzi. We’ll trek across expansive moors in this direction before arriving at Second Cave Camp.

Elevation: 3487m/11,440ft to 3675m/12057ft

Altitude gained: 188m

Today’s trail leads through vast alpine deserts of surpassing beauty, but we’ll only be on our feet for about two or three hours in total. As we ascend to greater and greater heights, it’s important to allow our bodies the time they need to gradually adjust to the increased altitude. Today therefore serves as an acclimatization day, affording us the opportunity to enjoy some gentle exercise while we grow more familiar with the challenges of trekking at high elevation. Before long, we’ll find ourselves arriving at Kikelewa Camp, where we’ll pitch our tents and settle in for the remainder of the day. We’ll treat ourselves to a delicious meal and enjoy the uniquely windy ambience of Kilimanjaro’s sweeping moorlands before turning in for the night.

Please note: on the abbreviated six-day version of our Rongai Route itinerary, the third and fourth days may be combined into one longer day of trekking.

Elevation: 3487m/11440ft to 4302m/14114ft

Altitude gained: 627m

No one ever said that climbing Kilimanjaro would be easy, but today you’ll begin to just how high we’ll be climbing. Our day begins with a steep ascent; the going is tough but short, and the dramatic angle of the climb means that you’ll get to enjoy fabulous views each step of the way. We’ll set up our tents at Mawenzi Tarn, an especially beautiful campsite near a small lake. Today’s section of the Rongai Route should only take us about four hours to complete, so we’ll have the entire afternoon at our disposal. Whether you choose to spend the afternoon relaxing or exploring the alpine surroundings, you’re sure to enjoy camping in this scenic spot.

Elevation: 4302m/14,114ft to 4714m/15,466ft

Altitude gained: 412m

After breakfast this morning, it’s time to bid farewell to the tranquil surroundings of Mawenzi Tarn and head off in the direction of Kilimanjaro’s summit. Our path leads directly across the wide alpine desert known locally as the Saddle, which lies between Mawenzi and Kibo. We’ll trek across this dry, rocky landscape for approximately five or six hours before arriving at the base of Kibo itself. We’ll set up camp here and enjoy an early dinner before retiring to our tents for the evening. It’ll be important to get plenty of rest tonight—tomorrow is the day we climb to the very top of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Elevation: 4302m/14,114ft to 5895m/19,341ft

Altitude gained: 721m

Descent to 3721m/12,208ft

Altitude lost: 2174m

Are you ready for the big day? We’ll wake up at midnight and enjoy a hot tea in the nighttime solitude of the mountain before setting off to climb Kilimanjaro at last. We’ll take our time as we ascend in the dark, arriving at the lookout of Gilman’s Point to watch the sun dawn across the highlands of Tanzania. This vantage point offers tremendous views, but we’ve still got an hour to go before we reach the summit of the mountain and the culmination of the Rongai Route trek. When we arrive at Uhuru Peak, you’ll be standing at 5,895 meters above sea level: the highest point on the African continent. When we’re ready to move on, we’ll connect with the Marangu Route and begin our descent to the Horombo Huts, where we’ll spend our last night on Kilimanjaro.

Elevation: 3721m/12,208 to 1905m/6250ft

Altitude lost: 1816m

We’ve nearly reached the end of our seven-day Rongai Route itinerary, but there’s still one more day to enjoy trekking across the wild expanses of Kilimanjaro. As we descend from the heights of the mountain, we’ll return to the montane rainforest which characterizes Kilimanjaro’s lower slopes. Keep your eyes peeled for monkeys, endemic butterflies, and lots of colorful birds flitting through the forest canopy. Our trek comes to an end when we reach the Marangu Gate to Kilimanjaro National Park. It’s finally time to kick the dust and mud from our boots and make the short drive back to Arusha, where we’ll enjoy luxury accommodations at the Pazuri Inn.

You’ll wake up this morning feeling rested and relaxed, knowing that you’ve successfully climbed Mount Kilimanjaro on the Rongai Route. You’ve experienced a crowd-free trail teeming with wildlife, ascended to spectacular heights, and captured memories that will last a lifetime. If you’re leaving Tanzania today, we’ll bring you back to the Kilimanjaro International Airport in time for your flight. If you’d like to make additional travel arrangements like an authentic East African safari or Tanzanian cultural experience, we’ll be happy to get you started. Thank you for choosing Chalema Tanzania Safaris!