8 Days Rongai Route

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to Keys Hotel. This family-run hotel is located on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro and offers comfortable accommodation, a variety of meals, a clean swimming pool, and friendly service.

The hotel is conveniently located just a ten-minute walk from Moshi town center. Dinner and overnight at Keys Hotel – 2,700 ft (Bed & Breakfast).

Keys Hotel truly feels like a home away from home.

Walking Distance: 8 km / 4.9 miles

Walking Time: 3–4 hours

Altitude Gain: 850 m / 2,791 ft

Habitat: Farmland → Rainforest

After breakfast, you will be transferred by road (approximately 3–4 hours) along the eastern side of Mount Kilimanjaro to Rongai (Nalemuru) Gate, located on the northern side of Kilimanjaro National Park, where the trek begins.

Before starting the hike, clients will receive packed lunch boxes from the hotel. Lunch will be enjoyed either at Nalemuru Gate or along the trail on the way to Simba Camp, depending on time and pace.

The walk starts gently through farmland and a pine tree plantation before entering the thicker rainforest zone. This is a slow and enjoyable walk, allowing time to appreciate the natural surroundings. Your guide will set a comfortable pace, with regular stops at scenic and shaded spots for short breaks. During these stops, you will enjoy tea, coffee, biscuits, and nuts, and have time to take photos and relax.

You will spend your first night on the mountain at Simba Camp, located at the edge of the rainforest.

Dinner and overnight at Simba Campsite (Full Board).

Walking Distance: 12–13 km / 7.5–8 miles

Walking Time: 6–7 hours

Altitude Gain: 800 m / 2,625 ft

Second Cave Camp Elevation: 3,450 m / 11,319 ft

Habitat: Moorland

After breakfast, the trek continues higher on the northern slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, gradually leaving the montane forest behind as the vegetation transitions into open moorland.

You will hike to Second Cave Camp (3,450m / 11,319ft), where a hot lunch will be served shortly after arrival, allowing time for rest, hydration, and acclimatization.

After lunch, the walk continues toward Kikelelwa Camp. As lunch has already been taken, any stops along the way will be only for resting, taking photos, and hydrating. Your guide will set a steady and comfortable pace to support proper acclimatization.

Arrival at Kikelelwa Camp is expected in the afternoon, with time to relax and enjoy views of Mawenzi Peak.

Dinner and overnight at Kikelelwa Camp (Full Board).

Walking Distance: 6 km / 3.7 miles

Walking Time: 4–5 hours

Altitude Gain: 720 m / 2,363 ft

Habitat: Moorland → Alpine Desert

A short but steeper hike leads you over grassy slopes toward the dramatic base of Mawenzi Peak. As you gain altitude, vegetation becomes sparser, and the landscape turns more alpine.

The views from this section are outstanding, with sweeping panoramas of the Kenyan plains and the towering spires of Mawenzi rising above you.

Your guide will continue to set the pace, with regular breaks at suitable spots for coffee, tea, and snacks.

Upon arrival at Mawenzi Tarn Hut Camp, located beside a small alpine lake, a hot lunch will be served soon after reaching the camp. The afternoon is free for rest, short walks, and acclimatization.

Dinner and overnight at Mawenzi Tarn Hut Camp (Full Board).

Walking Distance: 9 km / 5.5 miles

Walking Time: 5–6 hours

Altitude Gain: 380 m / 1,245 ft

Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, you cross the Saddle, a vast lunar-like desert of volcanic ash and lava lying between Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. Although the distance is not long, progress is slow due to the high altitude and open terrain.

Your guide will maintain a slow, steady pace and select good locations along the way for tea, coffee, and light snacks, ensuring proper hydration and energy levels.

Upon arrival at Kibo Camp, a hot lunch will be served shortly after reaching the camp. The rest of the afternoon is reserved for rest and final preparations for the summit attempt.

You will be encouraged to go to bed early, as the final ascent to the summit begins around midnight.

Dinner and overnight at Kibo Camp (Full Board).

Walking Distance:

Ascent: 6 km / 3.7 miles

Descent: 16 km / 9.9 miles

Walking Time:

Ascent: 5–6 hours

Descent: 6–7 hours

Total Time: 11–13 hours

Altitude Gain:

Kibo Camp to Gilman’s Point: 1,185 m / 3,888 ft

Gilman’s Point to Uhuru Peak: 210 m / 689 ft

Total Descent: 2,175 m / 7,135 ft

Habitat: Alpine Desert → Arctic → Moorland

You will be woken around midnight for a light snack and something warm to drink before beginning the summit attempt under the stars. The ascent to Gilman’s Point is slow and steady, following a steep trail of volcanic scree. Your guide will carefully set the pace, encouraging a “pole pole” rhythm to conserve energy and ensure safe acclimatization.

As headlamps stretch up the mountain, they resemble a long line of fireflies glowing in the darkness. Upon reaching the crater rim at Gilman’s Point, you will be rewarded with an unforgettable sunrise over Africa, often considered one of the most memorable moments of the entire climb.

From here, the route continues along the crater rim via Stella Point on a gradual, snow-dusted path. This section takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. Keep your camera ready, as there are many outstanding photo opportunities along the way.

At Uhuru Peak (5,895m / 19,340ft), spend a short time taking photos beside the summit sign and celebrating this incredible achievement before beginning the descent.

The descent follows the Marangu Route, where the scree slope below Gilman’s Point allows for a faster and often enjoyable descent. You may stop briefly at Kibo Camp for rest and refreshments before continuing down to Horombo Hut, where oxygen levels increase and breathing becomes noticeably easier.

Dinner and overnight at Horombo Hut (Full Board).

Walking Distance: 20 km / 12.4 miles

Walking Time: 5–7 hours

Altitude Loss: 1,877 m / 6,159 ft

Habitat: Moorland → Rainforest

After breakfast, you begin a steady descent through the lush rainforest zone toward Marangu Gate. Take time to enjoy the rich vegetation, including towering trees draped in Old Man’s Beard (tree moss) and impressive giant ferns lining the trail.

The path includes a series of steps leading down to the park gate, where you will sign out of the national park and receive your summit certificates. At the gate, you may celebrate your achievement with a cold drink before being transferred back to Keys Hotel in Moshi.

Upon arrival, enjoy hot showers, relaxation, and a well-earned rest.

Overnight at Keys Hotel (Bed & Breakfast).

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