The quiet northern approach, through farmland and pine forest to the tarn below the spires of Mawenzi, with an extra day to acclimatise.
A seven-day Kilimanjaro climb from the north on the Rongai route, with an acclimatisation day at Mawenzi Tarn.
Rongai climbs Kilimanjaro from the north, close to the Kenyan border. You start at Nale Moru village and walk out through maize fields into pine forest, on a path that rises gently all the first afternoon.
By the third day the vegetation gives out and camp sits beside Mawenzi Tarn, at 4,303 metres, under the jagged spires of Mawenzi. You stay two nights. The day in between is for your body, not for distance: short walks to higher ground, then back down to sleep at the same camp before the summit.
Summit night starts a little before midnight. The steep scree below Gillman's Point, on the crater rim, is the hardest part; from there the last stretch to Uhuru Peak is usually on snow. You then come down a different way, past Horombo and Mandara huts to Marangu Gate, so you see two sides of the mountain on one climb.
Rongai start point (1,996 m) to Simba Camp (2,626 m)
Mount Kilimanjaro
Simba Camp to Kikelewa Camp (3,679 m)
Mount Kilimanjaro
Kikelewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn (4,303 m)
Mount Kilimanjaro
Acclimatisation day at Mawenzi Tarn
Mount Kilimanjaro
Summit day: Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak and down to Horombo
Mount Kilimanjaro
Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate
Mount Kilimanjaro
Drive 45 minutes from Moshi to Marangu Gate to register, then about two and a half hours (68 km, rough roads) round to Nale Moru village in the north-east. Meet your crew and walk out through maize fields into pine forest. The path climbs gently all the way to Simba Camp.
Good to know: About 4 hours · about 6.7 km · montane forest.
Up towards Kibo to First Caves (3,482 m) for lunch, then on to Kikelewa. The views open out and the size of the mountain becomes clear. Water is in a stream below the caves.
Good to know: 6 to 7 hours · about 11.8 km · moorland.
A short, steep climb up grassy slopes with wide views. Vegetation ends just before camp, set beside the tarn beneath the spires of Mawenzi. Spend the afternoon resting and exploring.
Good to know: About 3 hours · about 3.7 km · moorland.
A day to let your body adjust, with walks to higher ground along Mawenzi and back to camp for the night.
Up at about 23:20, then a rocky path to Hans Meyer Cave (5,150 m) and steep scree to Gillman's Point (5,681 m) on the crater rim, the hardest section. From there the path to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) is usually snow. Three hours back to Kibo Hut, then three more down to Horombo. Around 14 hours of walking in all; a last dinner on the mountain tonight.
Good to know: 7 to 8 hours up, 6 to 8 hours down · about 5.4 km up and 15 km down · scree and ice.
Down past Mandara Hut to the gate. Please wait to give tips to the crew until you and all your gear are safely at the gate. Collect your certificate (green for Gillman's Point, gold for Uhuru Peak) and drive back to Moshi.
Good to know: About 6 hours · about 19.7 km · moorland and forest.
The route does not allow you to climb high and sleep low, and climbers tend to feel the altitude more here than on other routes.
Demanding physically.
Every journey can change: more nights where you love it, a different camp, a beach extension. Tell us what matters and we will shape it with you.
Priced to your dates
Enquire
