8-day Kilimanjaro adventure via the Rongai Route

8-day Kilimanjaro adventure via the Rongai Route—a remote and tranquil trail offering an unforgettable climb for those seeking scenic beauty, solitude, and a steady ascent profile. Approaching from Kilimanjaro’s northern side near the Kenyan border, this route is perfect for trekkers looking to escape the crowds while increasing their chances of summit success.

Your journey begins in Arusha or Moshi, where you’ll meet your experienced mountain team for a detailed briefing and gear check. The trek starts at Rongai Gate, taking you through remote wilderness, rich forests, and moorlands teeming with wildlife such as colobus monkeys and antelope. The early days offer gentle elevation gain, helping your body acclimatize while you enjoy views of Kenya’s plains and Kilimanjaro’s rugged peaks.

Midway through the trek, you’ll rest and acclimatize at the scenic Mawenzi Tarn Camp, nestled beneath the dramatic spires of Mawenzi Peak. From here, you’ll cross the vast alpine desert known as “The Saddle” en route to Kibo Hut, your final base before the summit push.

Summit night begins just after midnight, guiding you to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) under a canopy of stars. As dawn breaks, the rising sun over the African plains provides one of the most awe-inspiring views on Earth—a reward for your endurance and determination.

The descent follows the Marangu Route, with a celebration at Mweka Gate before heading back to your hotel.

Why Choose the Rongai Route?

  • Remote and less-crowded trail

  • Ideal for all levels, including first-time climbers

  • Excellent acclimatization and success rate

  • Diverse scenery from rainforest to high alpine desert

  • Full support from professional guides, porters, and cook

  • Includes all park fees, meals, transfers, and accommodation

The 8-Day Rongai Route is the perfect blend of adventure, serenity, and scenic variety—an ideal way to conquer Africa’s tallest mountain.

Day 1: Arrival day

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport. You will be met and transferred for overnight accommodation at Kilimanjaro Luxury Camp. The Camp offers a range of wellness facilities, including a hot tub and a sauna with a spacious and elegant tent, a private pool, a spa, and a breathtaking view of the majestic Kilimanjaro. Your head guide will meet you for your briefing and gear check and arrange for you to hire any equipment you may need.

Meals Plan:

Lunch | Dinner
Day 2: Nale Muru Gate – Simba Camp: 7km /5mi | 3-4 Hrs | Rainforest

Elevation: 1997m/6552ft To 2635m/8645ft Altitude Gained: 638m

A 4-5 hour drive from Moshi will take you through the coffee plantations and Village of Nale Muru to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. We will patiently wait for our permits to be issued while watching the hustle and bustle of operations as many crews prepare for the journey ahead. Enjoy the beautiful wooded scenery and windy trails while your guide tells you about the local flora, fauna, and natural wildlife you will likely see. Simba camp sits near the first cave at the edge of the moorland zone with spectacular views of the plains of Kenya.

Meals Plan:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 3: Simba Camp – Second Cave Camp: 5.8km/3.6mi | 5-6hrs | Moorland

Elevation: 2635m/8645ft to 3487m/11,440ft Altitude gained: 852m

After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, we continue along the moorland terrain on a consistent ascending path. You will catch some terrific views of Kibo and get your first glimpse of the ice fields on the Eastern crater rim. The small shrubs of the moorland became thinner as you approach the Second Cave. Temperatures begin to drop.

Meals Plan:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 4: Second Cave Camp – Third Cave Camp: 3.3km/2mi | 3-4hrs | Semi Desert

Elevation: 2635m/8645ft to 3936m/12,913ft Altitude gained: 449m

After breakfast and packing, you continue your steady ascent into the semi-desert terrain. This relatively short hiking day brings you closer to the Easter ice fields, continually drawing your attention to their beauty. Pay attention to your body and inform your guide of any signs of altitude sickness.

Meals Plan:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 5: Third Cave Camp- Kibo Huts: 6.7km/4.2mi | 4-5hrs | Alpine Desert

As you depart the semi-desert zone from the Third Cave early in the morning, begin your trek into the Alpine Desert terrain for the remainder of your ascent. Today’s hike will take you just below the Kibo crater wall to the Kibo Huts. At this point, you will merge with the Marangu Route, which you will use to hike to the summit. You will prepare your clothing and equipment (replace batteries for headlamp and camera) before you go to bed by 7 PM and try to catch a few hours of rest before your summit attempt.

Meals Plan:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 6: Kibo Huts – Summit: 4km /2.5 Mi Up | 5-7hrs | – Horombo Huts: 15.75km /9.8mi Down | 5-6hrs | Glaciers, Snow Capped Summit

Elevation: 5174m/16975ft to 5895m/19,341ft Altitude gained: 721m Descent to 3721m/12,208ft Altitude lost: 2174m

Excitement builds as morning arrives, starting early between midnight and 2 a.m. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.

We continue to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers, trying to stay warm and focused on the fantastic accomplishment ahead. With a switchback motion in a northwesterly direction, it ascends through a heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. You will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise during your short rest here. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From here, you will likely encounter snow on your remaining 1-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak.

Congratulations, one step at a time, you have reached Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the entire continent of Africa!

After photos, celebrations, and maybe a few tears of joy, we take a few moments to enjoy this incredible accomplishment. We then begin our steep descent to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch and a brief rest. We strongly recommend gaiters and trekking poles for the uncooperative loose gravel and volcano ash terrain. A well-deserved rest awaits you to enjoy your last evening on the mountain. Overnight at Mweka Camp.

Meals Plan:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 7: Horombo Huts – Marangu Gate – Moshi: 20km/12.5mi |6-7hrs | Rainforest

Elevation: 3721m/12,208ft to 1905m/6250ft Altitude lost: 1816m

After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation and team bonding with your crew, it’s time to say goodbye. We continue the descent down, stopping at the Mandara Huts for lunch. Remember to tip your guides, cooks, and porters since you will be leaving them here. You return to the Marangu Park Gate and receive your summit certificates. As the weather is drastically warmer, the terrain is wet, muddy and steep, and we highly recommend Gaiters and trekking poles. A vehicle will meet you from the gate and drive you to your luxury accommodation in Arusha. Once you arrive, take a well-deserved hot shower and relax. Then, celebrate your successful climb with a delicious dinner and perhaps share stories and memories of your journey.

Meals Plan:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 8: Departure After breakfast
Our representative will transfer you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight departure. However, take the memories, the sense of accomplishment, and the everlasting bond with the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro. But if you decide to go on a Tanzania Safari, that’s a different adventure; we’ll take care of that for you!

Meals Plan:

Breakfast | Lunch

Price Includes

Quality, waterproof, four-season private Mountain sleeping tents:
Professional, experienced, mountain guides:
All Park fees, Airport transfers, Rescue fees
All meals while on the Mountain
Guides, Porters, cook salaries, and park fees
Quality Mess tents with tables and chairs
Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
Clean, purified drinking water
Oximeter
Medical Kit
Emergency oxygen
Crisis management and safety procedures
Fair and ethical treatment of porters
Pre and Post-Climb Accommodations
Portable toilet

Price Excludes

Tanzania Visa
Airfares
Traveller's insurance
Tips, Personal spending monies for souvenirs, etc.

5 days safari

5 DAYS RWANDA PRIMATES SAFARI

Starting from

$4800

Per person

View Trip

4 days safari

4 DAYS NYUNGWE FOREST NATIONAL PARK AND LAKE KIVU TOUR

Starting from

$2800

Per person

View Trip

3 days safari

3 DAYS RWANDA GORILLA AND GOLDEN MONKEY TREKKING SAFARI

Starting from

$2300

Per person

View Trip

10 days safari

10 Days 9 Nights Tour Packages

Starting from

$1900

Per person

View Trip

3 days safari

3-Day Nanyuki-Culinary Retreat

Starting from

$2600

Per person

View Trip

3 days safari

3-Day Naivasha-Culinary Retreat

Starting from

$2800

Per person

View Trip

Price

Tour
  • STEP 1
  • STEP 1