Day 1: Welcome to Tanzania

Transport will be provided from the Kilimanjaro International Airport to your accommodation in Moshi. You’ll have some rest before meeting your guides, who will brief you about the climb and Mt. Kilimanjaro, followed by equipment check to ensure that all you have all the essentials. If some of your equipment is missing or is in a bad shape, you can rent from us. You’ll have dinner and spend the night here in preparation for the adventure awaiting you.

Day 2: Nale Moru Gate to Simba Campsite

In the morning, we’ll drive you to Nale Moru, the village which is the starting point of the Rongai route. The first stretch of the hike will take you through farmland and pine forest, where you will have the opportunity to see the beautiful Colobus monkeys, or even elephants and buffalos if you are lucky. Your first camp will be the Simba, located on the very edge of the moorland zone, at 2625m.

• Elevation 1990meters to 2625meters
• Distance: 8 km
• Hiking Time: 4 – 5 hours
• Habitat: Rain Forest

Day 3: Simba Campsite to Second Cave Campsite

The morning trek will be a steady ascend up to the Second Cave Camp, which is located in the moorland zone. From here, you will be able to view the magnificent Kibo peak and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim.

• Elevation 2526meters to 3480meters
• Distance: 5 km
• Hiking Time: 3 – 4 hours
• Habitat: Moorland

Day 4: Second Cave Campsite to Kikelewa Campsite

Once out of the pine forest, our path goes up through the moorland. From here, you will have spectacular view of the eastern ice fields at the rim of Kibo crater. We’ll then leave the main trail and branch into the moorland on a lesser trail leading to spiked peaks of Mawenzi, the second highest volcanic comb of Kilimanjaro. We’ll set up camp here in the secluded valley near Kikelewa caves at 3630m.

• Elevation 3480meters to 3630meters
• Distance: 5 km
• Hiking Time: 3 – 4 hours
• Habitat: Moorland

Day 5: Kikelewa Campsite to Mawenzi Tarn Hut

You will wake up to a short but steep hike up the grassy slopes which lead to a spectacular view of the Kenyan plains to the North. As we leave the vegetation behind, our hike ends at Mawenzi Tarn Hut, the campsite nested directly below the high cliffs of Mawenzi. Here you will have a chance to explore the surrounding areas in the afternoon, which would be very useful for your acclimatization, or you can just rest and prepare for the next day.

• Elevation 3630meters to 4310meters
• Distance: 8 km
• Hiking Time: 4 – 5 hours
• Habitat: Moorland

Day 6: Mawenzi Tarn Hut to Kibo Hut

As we leave the campsite, our walk takes us across the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’, which divides Mawenzi and Kibo. After a couple of hours hiking, you will reach the area where the summit of Kilimanjaro majestically stands in the background, and our path to the high camp will unfold in front of us. Once we reach the camp, you should spend the rest of the day resting in preparation for the final ascend, after a very early night.

• Elevation 4310meters to 4700meters
• Distance: 8 km
• Hiking Time: 5 – 6 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

Day 7: Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut

You will wake up at around 11:30 P.M. for a hot cup of tea or coffee, and then get ready for your hike to the summit which will begin at around 12:30 P.M. The temperature at around this time is below freezing. The trail you will take twists upwards through heavy scree towards the Gilman’s point. Once we reach Gilman’s point, hot cup of tea or coffee will be served to warm you up, accompanied by breathtaking view of the sunrise over Mawenzi. The hike to Uhuru peak continues for another 1.5 hours, over a gentle slope around the edge of the crater rim. Uhuru peak is the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and in Africa. Once at the top, you will spend a short time enjoying the view and photograph your success, before we begin the steep hike back to Kibo hut for lunch and some rest. Our descend continues to Horombo Hut for dinner and a good night’s rest.

• Elevation 4700 meters to 5895meters to 3720meters
• Distance: 20km
• Hiking Time:13 – 14 hours
• Habitat: Arctic

Day 8: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate

After breakfast we will descend to Marangu gate, where you will be served delicious hot lunch. Vehicle will be waiting at the gate to take you back to your hotel in Moshi.

• Elevation 3720metes to 1800meters
• Distance: 10km
• Hiking Time:6-7 hours
• Habitat: Semi-Desert