6-Day Mount Kilimanjaro on Rongai Route

6-Day Mount Kilimanjaro on Rongai Route Itinerary

Day 0 Arrive for your pre-trek briefing

If you have opted for the optional airport transfers, you will be picked from Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi.
Pre-trek briefing at your Moshi hotel. You should be planning to arrive at least one day before the start of the trek. Today you will spend time having a pre-trek briefing. The team will also review your equipment and rent any equipment which is needed.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: None

Day 1 Begin your trek to Simba Camp

You’ll be picked up from your hotel in Moshi for the drive to the charming wooden village of Nale Moru. On your way to the trail, you’ll stop at the Marangu Gate to complete the registration forms, then your hike begins. This path is drier than some of the other routes, so you’ll be quite comfortable as you hike through fields and a pine forest. You’ll break through the trees when you arrive at Simba Camp and enjoy expansive views of the Kenyan plains.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (2,650m / 8,695’)
Distance: 3 to 4 hours, 6 km, 652m of elevation gain
Meals: Lunch, dinner

Day 2 Hike through the moorland to Second Cave

This morning you’ll trek through the heather of the moorland and up to Second Cave Camp. This is your stop for the night, so you can enjoy the stunning view of Kibo Peak and the eastern ice fields.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (3450m / 11,318’)
Distance: 3 to 4 hours, 6 km, time, km, 800m of elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3 Trek from Second Cave to Third Cave Camp

There are a few different paths from here, so you may find different hikers splitting off in different directions. Enjoy the quiet wilderness as your trail steadily ascends to Third Cave Camp. You’re now at nearly 4000m elevation, so make sure to stay hydrated and pay attention to any side effects you might be feeling from the altitude.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (3,930m / 12,983’)
Distance: 2 to 3 hours, 9 km, 430m of elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4 Hike to the bottom of the Kibo Crater

Today you’re crossing the rocky alpine desert towards Kibo. Its snowy crater wall will be looming above you when you arrive at Kibo Hut Camp. Dinner will be served early so you can squeeze in as many hours of sleep as you can. Tomorrow will be an early morning and a long day!
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (4,703m / 15,430’)
Distance: 3 to 4 hours, 5 km, 870m of elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5 Midnight trek to Gilman’s Point and final ascent to the summit

Have your warm layers and your headlamp ready, it will still be dark and cold when you leave your tent around midnight. It’s a challenging hike through heavy scree or snow all the way to Gilman’s Point. As dawn breaks, you’ll begin your final push to the top of Uhuru Peak. When you’ve celebrated climbing the tallest mountain in Africa, it’s time to take some photos and start the hike down. Your day is only halfway over, as it’s a long way down to Horombo Hut Camp.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (3,720m / 12,303’)
Distance: 12 to 16 hours, 21 km, 1195m of ascent and 2175m of descent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6 Descend to Marangu Gate and drive back to Moshi

Today you’ll be descending from the arid alpine desert through the familiar moorland and into the forest. The trail will be dramatically different from the one you experienced on your first day, as now you’re in the rainforest. It can be wet and very muddy on the last section of trail, so be prepared. You may catch a glimpse of some monkeys if you keep your eyes on the trees. After you’ve collected your summit certificate at Marangu Gate your driver will be waiting to drive you back to your hotel.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: 4 to 5 hours, 20 km, 2000m of descent
Meals: Breakfast