Adventure of a lifetime with our Kilimanjaro 6-day Rongai Route expedition. Your journey begins in Moshi, where you’ll stay at a beautiful hotel on the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, the ideal place to prepare for your Kilimanjaro Rongai Route experience. After a pre-climb briefing, we set off from the Rongai Gate near the Kenya border, starting our ascent through an attractive forest filled with wildlife. As we continue, the moorland zone comes into view, with Rongai Camp One at 2600 meters offering striking Kenyan plain views. The second day takes you to Kikelelwa Camp, situated on a plateau with Kikelewa Caves. The following day, we reach Mawenzi Turn Hut where you’ll witness spectacular scenery. Day five leads us to the lunar desert saddle and the School Hut. The sixth day is the most demanding, taking you to Gillman’s Point and optionally, Uhuru Peak, before descending to Horombo Hut. The final leg of your journey takes you down to Marangu Gate. On the departure day, you’ll have a private transfer from Marangu to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your flight home or your next adventure. Join us for a Kilimanjaro Rongai Route expedition, the ideal choice for those seeking a memorable and budget-friendly Kilimanjaro adventure.

Day 1: Arrive in Moshi

Upon your arrival, you will be accommodated at a beautiful hotel located on the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. This serene setting is the perfect place to prepare for your upcoming adventure. At 5:30 pm, we will assemble for a pre-climb briefing and ensure your equipment is in order. We will also verify your mandatory medical coverage and travel insurance.

Day 2: Rongai Camp One

Following an early breakfast at the hotel, we’ll drive to the Rongai (Nalemoru) Gate, located near the Kenya border. Our journey begins on the unspoiled wilderness route. The path leads through a captivating forest, home to various wildlife, and gradually ascends. As the forest thins out, we’ll reach the first camp, positioned at the moorland’s edge (at 2600 m), offering extensive views of the Kenyan plains. The first day’s trek is a half-day walk, typically taking 3-4 hours.

Day 3: Kikelelwa Camp

Our morning hike involves a steady ascent to the ‘Second Cave’ (at 3,450 m), providing magnificent views of Kibo and the Eastern icefields on the crater rim. After lunch, we’ll leave the main trail and venture across the moorland along a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. Our “Upper Kikelewa” campsite rests on a small plateau above a sheltered valley with towering senecios beyond Kikelewa Caves (at 3,750 m). This leg of the journey typically takes 7-8 hours.

Day 4: Mawenzi Turn Hut

A short but steep ascent through grassy slopes offers stunning panoramic views and a genuine sense of wilderness. We soon leave behind the vegetation before arriving at “Mawenzi” (4,300 m), dramatically situated beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. In the afternoon, you can rest or explore the surrounding area to aid in acclimatization. This part of the trek usually takes 3-4 hours.

Day 5: School Hut

We’ll cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach the “School Hut” campsite (4,750 m), located at the base of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is dedicated to rest in preparation for the final ascent, which begins with an early start the next morning. This leg generally takes 5-6 hours.

Day 6: School Hut to Summit Down to Horrombo Hut

The most demanding and steepest part of the climb begins by torchlight at around 1 a.m. We’ll ascend slowly through the darkness on a switchback trail across loose volcanic scree, aiming to reach Gillman’s Point (5,685 m). A short rest there allows us to witness a breathtaking sunrise over Mawenzi. For those still feeling strong, a three-hour round trip to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m) is possible, passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that dominate the summit area. The descent to School (4,700 m) is surprisingly swift, and after a refreshment stop, we’ll continue the descent to our final campsite at Horombo (3,720 m). This is an intense day of 11-15 hours of walking.

Day 7: Horrombo Hut Down to Marangu Gate

A gradual descent leads us through moorland to Mandara Hut (at 2,700 m), the first stop on the Marangu route. We then continue the descent through a lush, lovely forest along a well-maintained path to the National Park gate at Marangu (at 1,830 m). Expect this leg of the journey to take 5-6 hours.

Day 8: Departure day

After bidding farewell to our dedicated team, you’ll require a private departure transfer, which is included, from Marangu to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your flight. Alternatively, we can discuss other options such as a safari for those interested in extending their adventure.