6 Days Kilimanjaro Climb – Rongai Route

Today’s trek is shorter but steeper. After a refreshing breakfast, you’ll hike through moorland and heather landscapes, noticing how the vegetation changes with altitude. Clear skies often allow breathtaking views of Kibo’s snowy summit and neighboring Mawenzi Peak. Midway, you’ll have a packed lunch at a scenic viewpoint. After around 4–5 hours of trekking, you reach Second Cave Camp. This peaceful camp offers spectacular sunset views and the chance for further acclimatization. After setting up camp, a nutritious dinner will be served under a starry sky.

Following a hearty breakfast, you continue ascending steadily across the moorlands towards Kikelewa Camp. The trail becomes steeper today, and you'll begin to notice thinner air as you move higher. A stop for lunch midway helps maintain energy. In the afternoon, short acclimatization walks from camp are encouraged to help your body adjust. You’ll arrive at Kikelewa Camp surrounded by giant groundsels and scenic rock formations. After resting and relaxing, you’ll gather for a warm dinner, followed by a briefing for the next day's steeper climb.

Today’s hike is steeper but rewarding. After breakfast, you’ll trek through rugged, high-altitude desert terrain towards the jagged Mawenzi spires. The ascent offers dramatic panoramas as the vegetation zone becomes sparse. Upon reaching Mawenzi Tarn, located in a spectacular cirque beneath Mawenzi Peak, you’ll set up camp next to a sparkling mountain lake. Hot lunch will be provided upon arrival. In the afternoon, you'll embark on a short acclimatization hike before returning to camp for a hot dinner and a briefing about the summit approach.

After a hearty breakfast, you cross the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo — an eerie, almost Martian landscape of dust and volcanic rock. The air becomes noticeably thinner, and the trek is slow but steady to conserve energy. After 5–6 hours, you’ll arrive at Kibo Camp, your base for the summit attempt. After setting up, you’ll have an early dinner, hydrate well, and rest as much as possible. Your summit bid begins around midnight, so an early sleep is essential.

Wake up at 11:00 PM for a light snack and tea before starting the most challenging part of the trek. Under a blanket of stars, you ascend slowly but steadily toward Gilman’s Point (5,685m) on the crater rim. After resting briefly, you push onward along the rim to the magnificent Uhuru Peak — the top of Africa! Celebrate with photos before descending back to Kibo Camp for a brunch. After resting, continue the descent to Horombo Hut for a final delicious dinner and overnight stay.

After a relaxed breakfast, the final descent takes you through lush montane forest filled with beautiful vegetation and perhaps the chatter of blue monkeys. After about 5–6 hours, you reach Marangu Gate. You’ll sign out, receive your summit certificate, and drive back to Moshi for a hot shower, celebrations, and a well-earned meal.