6 day Rongai Route Kilimanjaro Climb

Highlights

• Day 1: Rongai Gate – Simba Camp – (Elevation gain: 800 m/2,624 ft, Distance: 8 km, Hiking time: 3-4 hours, Difficulty: Easy, Zone: Rainforest). Your Kilimanjaro adventure begins today! After a scenic 2-hour drive to Rongai Gate near the Kenyan border to start your ascent. The initial hike passes through lush rainforests where you may hear wildlife and spot colobus monkeys. After a lunch break, you will continue to Simba Camp, located on the less forested northern side of the mountain, which offers tranquility and excellent wildlife viewing.
• Day 2: Simba Camp – Second Cave – (Elevation gain: 800 m/2,624 ft, Distance: 6 km, Hiking time: 3-4 hours, Difficulty: Medium, Zone: Moorland). Today’s trek takes you into Kilimanjaro’s heath zone. Along the way, you’ll enjoy stunning views of Mawenzi Peak. The morning climb becomes steeper, and the effects of altitude may start to be felt. After reaching the First Cave for a brief rest and exploration, you’ll continue to Second Cave for lunch. The afternoon involves a short acclimatization hike to aid altitude adjustment before returning to the camp to rest.
• Day 3: Second Cave – Third Cave - (Elevation gain: 430 m/1,411 ft, Distance: 6 km, Hiking time: 3-4 hours, Difficulty: Medium, Zone: Semi-Desert). From Second Cave, you will continue to Third Cave. This route offers impressive views of Kilimanjaro’s semi-desert terrain. After reaching the camp, you’ll have time for lunch, rest, and evening acclimatization before preparing for the next stage.
• Day 4: Third Cave – Kibo Hut - (Elevation gain: 870 m/2,854 ft, Distance: 5 km, Hiking time: 3-4 hours, Difficulty: Medium, Zone: Alpine Desert). Today’s hike takes you to Kibo Hut, where you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the forest below and the majestic Kibo above. The rest of the day is spent relaxing and preparing for your midnight summit attempt.
• Day 5: Kibo Hut – Uhuru Peak – Horombo Hut - (Elevation gain: 1,145 m/3,754 ft, Elevation loss: 2,175 m/7,136 ft, Distance: 16 km, Hiking time: 9-14 hours, Difficulty: Difficult, Zone: Arctic). The final ascent begins at midnight with headlamps lighting your way. The steep climb to Gilman’s Point is the most challenging section due to the altitude. From there, a relatively short hike leads to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa, where you’ll witness an unforgettable sunrise. After celebrating your achievement, you’ll descend to Kibo Hut for lunch and continue to Horombo Hut for the night.
• Day 6: Horombo Hut – Marangu Gate – (Elevation loss: 1,890 m/6,200 ft, Distance: 18 km, Hiking time: 5-6 hours, Difficulty: Medium, Zone: Rainforest). On your final day, descend through the lush rainforest to Marangu Gate. The group will gather to celebrate your achievement before your guide transports you back to the hotel to rest and recover from your adventure.