Rongai Route

Welcome to Tanzania! Our experienced guide will meet you at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer you to your comfortable hotel. Take time to relax and recover from your journey.

Pre-climb Preparation: Meet your climbing guide for a comprehensive briefing. Receive expert advice on what to wear, pack, and important tips to make your climb as comfortable and successful as possible. Equipment check and final preparations for your northern approach adventure.

Your adventure begins when your guide picks you up at your hotel and drives you for about two hours to the Rongai Gate near the Kenyan border. Start this exciting adventure ascending through beautiful lush forests filled with diverse animal sounds.

Wildlife Spotting: After a lunch break, continue to the first camp on the Rongai route, which is on the less forested north side of the mountain. This quieter route gives you plenty of chances to spot different kinds of African wildlife in their natural habitat.

Today's hike takes 5-6 hours, starting with a steep climb where you might begin to feel the altitude as you catch your first spectacular glimpse of Kilimanjaro's majestic Mawenzi Peak. The landscape becomes more dramatic as you gain elevation.

Cave Exploration: After a while, arrive at the first cave where you have time to explore. Lunch is taken in the second cave. In the afternoon, the climb becomes less steep and you finish the hike towards camp in a sheltered valley near Kikelewa or the third cave.

Today, you can admire some breathtaking views as you continue your route through this steep hike. Walk for about 4-5 hours in the morning, keeping the afternoon and evening to rest and give your body a chance to adapt to the altitude.

Spectacular Location: Reach Mawenzi Tarn, where you spend the night just below the Mawenzi summit. This incredible location offers amazing views of both Kilimanjaro peaks - Mawenzi and Kibo - providing perfect photo opportunities and acclimatization time.

On this 4th day on the mountain, be fascinated by the lunar landscape you come across on the way to the higher camp. Walk for 5-6 hours through the alpine desert environment, experiencing the otherworldly terrain of high-altitude Kilimanjaro.

Summit Preparation: Kibo Camp, located right below Kibo summit, offers spectacular views of the Kenyan plains stretching to the horizon. Rest after lunch in the afternoon, as tomorrow is the summit push to the peak of Kilimanjaro! Final preparations and early rest are essential.

Summit Day! At midnight, start the final summit push to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa! Be prepared for about 12 hours of walking on this intense day. After reaching Gilman's Point through a steep climb with your flashlight, Uhuru Peak is relatively easy to reach.

Southern Descent: Witness one of the most beautiful sunrises and celebrate your achievement at the Roof of Africa! Then head back down to Kibo Huts Camp for a meal before continuing the descent to Horombo Huts via the Marangu Route - experiencing both sides of Kilimanjaro in one adventure!

On this final day, descend through a beautiful rainforest to the exit of Kilimanjaro National Park at the Marangu Gate. This delightful 5-6 hour walk showcases the lush southern side of the mountain - a completely different ecosystem from your northern ascent.

Celebration & Certificates: At the end of this beautiful descent, the whole group comes together to congratulate each other on completing both the challenging northern ascent and southern descent. Your driver will take you back to your hotel where you get a well-deserved rest and receive your official summit certificate!

Sadly, this is the end of your holiday and the time to go home has arrived. Enjoy your last hours in Tanzania before our driver comes to pick you up and takes you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home.

Extend Your Adventure: Still longing for more? It's also possible to add a few days of safari or a beach holiday to your Kilimanjaro adventure for the complete Tanzania experience!