Kilimanjaro Rongai Route 7 Days

The day will begin with a morning trek where we’ll steadily incline up to the Second Cave. Continuing on with the trek, we pass through the moorland toward the jagged peaks of Mawenzi leaving the main trail behind. Kikelewa Camp will be our destination for the day where we’ll be spending our night.

• Rongai Cave to Second Cave
• Elevation: 9,300 ft to 11,300 ft
• Distance: 6 km/4 miles
• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Heath

Second Cave to Kikelewa Cave

• Elevation: 11,300 ft to 11,811 ft
• Distance: 6 km/4 miles
• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Heath

The hike today will be short and steep but along a grassy slope. It is surrounded by a vast wilderness area, and as we exit it, we enter the Alpine Desert zone and the landscape contrastingly alters. The campsites will be at the jagged areas of Mawenzi, Mawenzi Tarn to be precise. You’ll spend the rest of the day relaxing or exploring the surrounding area.

• Kikelewa Cave to Mawenzi Tarn
• Elevation: 11,811 ft to 14,160 ft
• Distance: 5 km/3 miles
• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

You’ll be spending the entire day hiking at the Mawenzi Ridge which offer landscapes of Kibo and Mawenzi. This extra day is meant for acclimatization. After exploring the area to the fullest, we’ll then head back to Mawenzi Tarn to prepare our camp.

• Mawenzi Tarn to Mawenzi Ridge
• Elevation: 14,160 ft -14,400 ft
• Distance: 2 km/1 mile
• Hiking Time: 1-2 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

Our camp, known as Kibo Hut, will be at the bottom of the Kibo Crater Wall. Once at the hut, we relax for the rest of the day and prepare for the upcoming summit day.

• Marwenzi Tarn to Kibo Hut
• Elevation: 14,160 ft to 15,430 ft
• Distance: 8 km/5 miles
• Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

Just past midnight, we’ll begin our summit to the top. This is considered the most challenging part of the journey when the wind and cold can be extreme at any period of the day. With short and frequent breaks, we ascend in the darkness. Once reaching at the Stella Point which is at an elevation of 18,900 ft, you’ll be rewarded with one of the stunning view of the sunrise coming over the Mawenzi Peak. Then we ascend all the way to the roof of Africa and highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro, the Uhuru Peak. After celebration of your accomplishment at the peak, we descend down to Horombo Hut. Later in the evening, we’ll be having our last dinner in the mountain and we’ll then go to sleep.

• Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak
• Elevation: 15,430 ft to 19,341 ft
• Distance: 6 km/4 miles
• Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
• Habitat: Arctic

Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut

• Elevation: 19,341 ft to 12,250 ft
• Distance: 16 km/10 miles
• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
• Habitat: Heath

On our last day, we have a long trek mostly downhill through the tropical rainforest. Once at the park headquarters at Marangu gate, we collect our summit certificates. Youth Adventures vehicle will meet us here and drive us back to the hotel in Moshi.

• Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate
• Elevation: 12,205 ft to 6,046 ft
• Distance: 20 km/12 miles
• Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
• Habitat: Rain Forest