The Rongai Route is one of the easiest routes and the success rate is very high. The route starts on the north side of the mountain just south of the Kenyan border, and is one of the least travelled routes. The descent is down the Marangu Route on the south side of the mountain, so climbers see the mountain from many view points. The drive to the trailhead takes 4-5 hours through many villages and coffee plantations.

Rongai Route on Summit Post >>

6 Day Itinerary
MOSHI
Arrive at the Springlands Hotel in Moshi for overnight.

DAY 1 -- To Simba Camp (First Cave)
1950m to 2880m
6400ft to 9450ft
About 3-4 hours / 4 miles
Temperatures: high 70's to mid 80's F

Transfer by Land Rover (about 4-5 hours) to the attractive wooden village of Nale Muru. After signing in and preparing the porters, you will begin the hike on a wide path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering pine forest. The track then starts to climb consistently, but gently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife. The forest begins to thin out and the first camp is at the edge of the moorland zone with extensive views over the Kenyan plains.

DAY 2 -- To Second Cave
2880m to 3450m
9450ft to 11,320ft
About 3-4 hours / 4 miles
Temperatures: low 40's to high 60's F

The morning walk is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim.

DAY 3 -- To Third Cave
3450m to 3870m
11,319ft to 12,700ft
About 4 hours

DAY 4 -- To Kibo Camp
3870m to 4750m
12,713ft to 15,600ft
About 5 hours

Hike to Kibo campsite at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night!

DAY 5 -- To Summit and Horombo Hut
4750m to 5895m
15,600ft to 19,340ft
About 11-13 hours / 5 miles
Temperatures: mid teens to mid 20's F
(and down to 3720m)
(and down to 12,200ft)
About 3-4 hours / 6 miles
Temperatures: low 50's to high 60's F

Begin the final, and by far the steepest and most demanding, part of the climb by torchlight around 1 a.m. Proceed very slowly in the darkness on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman's Point (5685m,18,650ft) Rest there for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the three hour round trip to Uhuru Peak, passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Kibo is surprisingly fast and, after some refreshment, continue the descent to reach the final campsite at Horombo.

DAY 6 -- To Moshi
3720m to 1700m
12,200ft to 5500ft
About 5-6 hours / 11 miles
Temperatures: high 40's to mid 70's F

After breakfast, A steady descent takes us down through moorland to Mandara Hut (2700m / 8858 ft), the first stopping place at the Marangu route. Continue descending through lovely lush forest on a good path to the National Park gate at Marangu. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).

A vehicle will meet you at Marangu village to drive you back to the Springlands Hotel in Moshi. Don't forget to tip your guides and porters. It is time for celebration!


7 Day Itinerary
MOSHI
Arrive at the Springlands Hotel in Moshi for overnight.

DAY 1 -- To First Cave
1950m to 2880m
6400ft to 9450ft
About 3-4 hours / 4 miles
Temperatures: high 70's to mid 80's F

Transfer by Land Rover (about 4-5 hours) to the attractive wooden village of Nale Muru (1950 m / 6398 ft). After signing in and preparing the porters, you will begin the hike on a wide path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering pine forest. The track then starts to climb consistently, but gently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife. The forest begins to thin out and the first camp is at the edge of the moorland zone (2600 m / 8530 ft) with extensive views over the Kenyan plains.

DAY 2 -- To Second Cave
2880m to 3450m
9450ft to 11,320ft
About 3-4 hours / 4 miles
Temperatures: low 40's to high 60's F

The morning walk is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim.

Alternatively, you can hike to Kikelewa Camp and spend a rest day at Mawenzi Tarn Camp.

DAY 3 -- To Kikelewa Camp
3450m to 3600m
8500ft to 11,800ft
About 3-4 hours / 4 miles
Temperatures: low 40's to high 60's F

Strike out across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. The campsite is in a sheltered valley with giant Senecios near Kikelewa Camp.

DAY 4 -- To Mawenzi Tarn
3600m to 4330m
11,800ft to 14,200ft
About 3-4 hours / 3 miles
Temperatures: mid 30's to mid 60's F

A short but steep climb up grassy slopes is rewarded by superb all-round views and a tangible sense of wilderness. Leave the vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn , spectacularly situated in a cirque directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. The afternoon will be free to rest or explore the surrounding area as an aid to acclimatization.

If you are spending an extra day on the mountain, you will camp for two nights here. You can hike up and around Mawenzi for your acclimatization hike.

DAY 5 -- To Kibo Camp
4330m to 4750m
14,200ft to 15,600ft
About 4-5 hours / 5 miles
Temperatures: low 30's to high 50's F

Cross the lunar desert of the 'Saddle' between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo campsite (4750 m) at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night!

DAY 6 -- To Summit and Horombo Hut
4750m to 5895m
15,600ft to 19,340ft
About 11-13 hours / 5 miles
Temperatures: mid teens to mid 20's F
(and down to 3720m)
(and down to 12,200ft)
About 3-4 hours / 6 miles
Temperatures: low 50's to high 60's F

Begin the final, and by far the steepest and most demanding, part of the climb by torchlight around 1 a.m. Proceed very slowly in the darkness on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman's Point (5685m/18,650ft) Rest there for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the three hour round trip to Uhuru Peak, passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Kibo is surprisingly fast and, after some refreshment, continue the descent to reach the final campsite at Horombo.

DAY 7 -- To Moshi
3720m to 1700m
12,200ft to 5500ft
About 5-6 hours / 11 miles
Temperatures: high 40's to mid 70's F

After breakfast, A steady descent takes us down through moorland to Mandara Hut (2700m / 8858 ft), the first stopping place at the Marangu route. Continue descending through lovely lush forest on a good path to the National Park gate at Marangu. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).

A vehicle will meet you at Marangu village to drive you back to the Springlands Hotel in Moshi. Don't forget to tip your guides and porters. It is time for celebration!