Kilimanjaro Climb - Rongai Route

This popular eight-day hike takes you through montane rainforest and moorland to alpine desert and the arctic heights of Uhuru.

Summit Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest peak, via the scenic Rongai Route. This popular eight-day hike takes you through montane rainforest and moorland to alpine desert and the arctic heights of Uhuru. Accompanied by a guide and team of local porters, you’ll camp along the trail, zigzagging up to Gilman’s peak on summit day to watch the sunrise from the crater rim, with views of Africa spread below you.

Itinerary
7 nights
7 nights from Arusha , Moshi (hotel): 1 night , Simba Camp: 1 night , Kikelewa Camp: 1 night , Mawenzi Tarn Camp: 1 night , Kibo Camp: 1 night , Horombo Camp: 1 night , Moshi (hotel): 1 night

£3,950 - £4,525pp including international flights

Itinerary overview

Day 1

Arrival in Arusha & Moshi

Welcome to Tanzania. Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International airport, a local representative wi...

Day 2

Moshi & Kilimanjaro First Cave Camp

After breakfast, drive for 2.5-hours to the Rongai trailhead at Nale Moru village, where you’ll m...

Day 3

Kilimanjaro Kikelelwa Cave Camp

Today you’ll continue your steady ascent up the mountain, walking for 6-7 hours towards Kibo. The...

Day 4

Kilimanjaro Kikelelwa Cave Camp

You’ll be rewarded with superb wilderness views today as the trail steepens and you climb above t...

Day 5

Kilimanjaro Kibo Camp

After breakfast, continue ascending through alpine desert on the east side of Kibo, the largest v...

Day 6

Kilimanjaro Horombo Hut

The big day is here! Rising just before midnight for some tea and biscuits, you’ll shuffle into t...

Day 7

Moshi

After breakfast, continue descending for around 6-hours to reach the Marangu Gate. Here you’ll re...

Day 8

Moshi & Departure

This morning drive for 1-hour to Kilimanjaro International airport, for your return flight to the...

Day 1

Arrival in Arusha & Moshi

Welcome to Tanzania. Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International airport, a local representative will be waiting to transfer you for 1-hour to your comfortable hotel in Moshi Town, the gateway to Mount Kilimanjaro. The rest of the day is free to relax and organise your kit in preparation for the start of the trek tomorrow. Overnight at Springlands Hotel.

Day 2

Moshi & Kilimanjaro First Cave Camp

After breakfast, drive for 2.5-hours to the Rongai trailhead at Nale Moru village, where you’ll meet your team of guides and porters. The trek starts from the village, where a small winding path crosses maize fields before climbing gently into a pine forest. The countryside is beautiful and there are no steep sections on the trail, making it ideal for acclimatisation to both the altitude and local terrain. After around 5-hours you’ll arrive at the First Cave Camp at an elevation of 2,600 metres. Your base for the night has a toilet and wooden tables with benches and your team of porters and cooks will set up a comfortable camp for you here. Overnight at First Cave Camp.

Day 3

Kilimanjaro Kikelelwa Cave Camp

Today you’ll continue your steady ascent up the mountain, walking for 6-7 hours towards Kibo. The landscape becomes more rugged as you spend much of the day walking across dramatic moorland. You’ll pass the Second Cave before reaching Kikelelwa Cave where you’ll spend the night at 3,600 metres. The views from here are increasingly dramatic and you’ll start to really appreciate the scale of the mountain. The rest of the afternoon is spent resting in preparation for the challenge ahead. Overnight at Kikelelwa Cave Camp.

Day 4

Kilimanjaro Kikelelwa Cave Camp

You’ll be rewarded with superb wilderness views today as the trail steepens and you climb above the vegetation zone into a rocky landscape. Your camp for the night sits spectacularly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi at 4,330 metres. After walking 3-4 hours to camp, you’ll spend the afternoon gently exploring the area to further help with acclimatisation. Overnight at Mawenzi Tarn Camp.

Day 5

Kilimanjaro Kibo Camp

After breakfast, continue ascending through alpine desert on the east side of Kibo, the largest volcanic cone on the mountain. You’ll walk for 4-5 hours, crossing the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo before reaching the Kibo Hut at 4,700 metres. The remainder of the day is spent resting in camp, in preparation for the final ascent which begins at midnight. Overnight at Kibo Camp.

Day 6

Kilimanjaro Horombo Hut

The big day is here! Rising just before midnight for some tea and biscuits, you’ll shuffle into the night along a steep trail strewn with rocky scree. It is undeniably tough going but making steady progress you’ll arrive at Hans Meyer Cave for a rest at 5,150 metres. The path then zigzags very steeply up to Gillman's Point, located on the crater rim at 5,681 metres. The path is loose underfoot, requiring both physical and mental fortitude to conquer, but enjoying the sunrise from this spectacular place makes the effort well and truly worthwhile. From here the challenge continues, across often snow-covered terrain, all the way up to Uhuru Peak – the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Standing at 5,895 metres you’ve made it to the highest point in Africa – a truly exhilarating feeling! After taking photos you’ll descend back to the Kibo Hut for a brief rest and to gather your remaining gear, before continuing down from the mountain. This is an extremely challenging day with around 14 hours of walking, but you’ll be surprised how much quicker your progress is on the way back down. Tonight, you’ll enjoy a final dinner on the mountain, and a well-earned sleep at the Horombo Hut at 3,720 metres. Overnight at Horombo Hut.

Day 7

Moshi

After breakfast, continue descending for around 6-hours to reach the Marangu Gate. Here you’ll receive a summit certificate if you managed to reach either Gillman's Point or Uhuru Peak. Finally leaving the mountain, drive back to Moshi for a welcome hot shower, dinner and (if you still have the energy!) a final celebration. Overnight at Springlands Hotel.

Day 8

Moshi & Departure

This morning drive for 1-hour to Kilimanjaro International airport, for your return flight to the UK or onward travel.

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Guide price information

Low Season

01 Jan - 30 Jun, 01 Sep - 31 Dec

Mid Season

£3,950pp

High Season

01 Jul - 31 Aug

£4,525pp

Guide price information is based on the included flights from London, accommodation, transport and experiences detailed in the itinerary above. Guide prices do not include optional things to do. Call us for up to date prices – the cost of your holiday depends upon the time of year you travel, how long you go for, preferred departure airport, airlines, hotels and things to do. Based on 2 people sharing.

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