Safari Itinerary · Tanzania · kilimanjaro trekking
8 Day Kilimanjaro Climb via Rongai Route
From $5,800 per person
This eight day trek takes you up Africa’s highest mountain on the Rongai Route. You start in Arusha. You drive to Rongai Gate on the northern side near the Kenya border. You walk through pine forest and open moorland, then cross the Saddle to Kibo. You summit Uhuru Peak at 5,895 meters and descend to Mweka Gate.
Your mountain guides set the pace each day. Slow walking helps your body adjust to altitude. A team of assistant guides, cooks and porters carries your gear and prepares your meals.
Duration: 8 days
Your stay: Mountain tents
Airport and hotel transfers: Included
Summit altitude: 5,895 meters
About this itinerary
The Rongai Route is the only trail that approaches Kilimanjaro from the north. The slope is gentle and the path is steady. The north side gets less rain than other sides, so you walk on drier ground. Fewer climbers use this route, so the trails are quiet. You may see wildlife in the lower forest and wide views over the Kenyan plains.
The route joins the Marangu trail on the descent. You sleep at Horombo Hut camp area on the final night and exit through Marangu Gate. Seven days gives you time to adjust to altitude. Your guides check your health twice a day and adjust the plan when needed. No summit is guaranteed.
Best suited to: first time climbers, hikers who want a quiet trail, couples, friends and private groups.
Itinerary
Each day gives you time to walk, rest and adjust to the altitude.
Arrival in Arusha
Arrive in Arusha, Tanzania’s safari gateway, where your Realm Tanzania Adventures team will welcome you.
Depending on your arrival time, you will have time to rest at your accommodation or enjoy a relaxed introduction to the city.
Your Mountain guide will meet you for a briefing and go through the Trekking ahead, including the route expectations and practical details.
Overnight:
Arusha
Day 2
Rongai Gate to Simba Camp
Your guide picks you up from your hotel in Arusha after breakfast. The drive to Rongai Gate takes about five hours with a lunch stop. Register with the park and meet your crew. Walk through pine forest and farmland on a soft, sandy trail. Look for colobus monkeys in the trees. Arrive at Simba Camp by late afternoon. Your cook serves dinner in the mess tent.
Walking time: 3 to 4 hours
Distance: 6 km
Altitude: 1,950 m to 2,630 m
Overnight: Simba Camp
Meals: Lunch and dinner
Day 3
Simba Camp to Second Cave Camp
Climb through forest into heather and open moorland. The trail is steady and the views open toward the plains. Eat lunch on the trail. Arrive at Second Cave Camp by mid-afternoon. Rest, drink water and watch the sun set.
Walking time: 6 to 7 hours
Distance: 8 km
Altitude: 2,630 m to 3,450 m
Overnight: Second Cave Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4
Second Cave Camp to Kikelewa Camp
Walk east across moorland toward Kikelewa Cave. The path is quiet and the land is wide open. Mawenzi Peak rises ahead in jagged rock. Reach camp in time for lunch. Take a short afternoon walk to help your body adjust.
Walking time: 3 to 4 hours
Distance: 6 km
Altitude: 3,450 m to 3,600 m
Overnight: Kikelewa Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 5
Kikelewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn Camp
Climb a steep ridge to Mawenzi Tarn. The camp sits at the base of Mawenzi Peak in a bare, rocky valley. Eat lunch at camp. Spend the afternoon resting or take a short walk with your guide. This stop helps your body adjust before the high push.
Walking time: 3 to 4 hours
Distance: 4 km
Altitude: 3,600 m to 4,330 m
Overnight: Mawenzi Tarn Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 6
Mawenzi Tarn Camp to Kibo Camp
Cross the Saddle, a wide stretch of alpine desert between Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. The land is bare rock and dust. Wind picks up as you climb. Reach Kibo Camp in the early afternoon. Eat an early dinner and sleep for a few hours. Your guide wakes you near midnight with hot tea and biscuits. Dress in layers and check your headlamp.
Walking time: 4 to 5 hours
Distance: 9 km
Altitude: 4,330 m to 4,700 m
Overnight: Kibo Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 7
Summit Day, Uhuru Peak to Horombo Camp
Start the summit climb around midnight. Walk slowly in the dark up a steep, loose scree slope. It is cold and the air is thin. Reach Gilman’s Point on the crater rim at about sunrise. Continue 1.5 to 2 hours along the rim, past Stella Point, to Uhuru Peak. Take photos and begin the descent. Rest at Kibo for a hot meal, then continue down to Horombo Camp. Expect a long and tiring day.
Walking time: 12 to 15 hours
Distance: 21 km
Altitude: 4,700 m to 5,895 m to 3,720 m
Overnight: Horombo Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 8
Horombo Camp to Marangu Gate and Return to Arusha
Walk down through moorland and rainforest to Marangu Gate. Your knees will feel the descent, so use trekking poles. Collect your summit certificate at the gate. Your driver takes you back to your hotel in Arusha. Hot showers and a proper meal wait for you.
Walking time: 5 to 7 hours
Distance: 18 km
Altitude: 3,720 m to 1,860 m
End of climb: Arusha
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
The complete package
Everything included.
STAY
Mountain camps
6 nights in private mountain tents. Full board.
ARUSHA
1 night before the climb in a selected hotel is recommended and is added on request.
Experiences
Pine forest
Walk through quiet forest and look for colobus monkeys and birds.
Mawenzi Tarn
Camp at the foot of Mawenzi Peak for acclimatization and close views of its rock face.
The Saddle
Cross a wide alpine desert between two volcanic peaks.
Uhuru Peak
Reach the highest point in Africa at sunrise.
Travel
Hotel pickup and drop-off in Arusha.
Licensed mountain guide and assistant guides.
Cook, porters and camp crew.
Speak to a safari specialist
Let's plan your journey.
From your first enquiry to the day you come home, one named safari specialist looks after every detail. A safari specialist will be in touch within as little as 15 minutes during working hours
Everything included
A clear overview of what your climb package covers. Your final proposal lists the exact accommodation, equipment and transport arrangements.
Transport
Private transfer from Arusha to Rongai Gate and back from Marangu Gate.
Accommodation
Six nights in mountain tents, as listed in your confirmed itinerary.
Meals
Meals as shown in each day of your itinerary.
Park Fees
Kilimanjaro National Park entry, camping and rescue fees for the confirmed route.
Usually excluded: international flights, visas, travel insurance, personal purchases, tips and items not listed in your confirmed proposal.