Arrived in Tanzania

Kilimanjaro International Airport - Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) where you will meet Hilbas representatives, be picked up and transferred to the hotel for hot showers, comfortable beds, briefing, and gear checks. We will also arrange for you to hire any equipment you may need.

Rongai Gate to Simba Camp

Mount Kilimanjaro - Elevation: 1900m/6270ft to 2626m/8665ft
Distance: 8 km
Hiking time: 6 hours.
Vegetation Zone: Rainforest

The driver will pick you up from the Hotel at Marangu Gate, where registration takes place, while guides and porters prepare equipment. After that, the driver will transfer you again to Rongai Gate/Nalemuru which will take about 3 hours. Lunch will be on the way to the gate or at the gate before starting your climb. Your hike will start from the Nalemuru village, the small winding path crosses maize, beans, and potatoes fields before entering the pine forest and then climbs gently through a forest, here is home to a variety of wildlife, including the Black and White colobus and Blue monkeys, Baboons as well as different species of flowers. This is the head tent route. Dinner will be served in your mess tent and you will camp in the Moorland area.

Simba Camp to Second Cave to Kikelelwa Camp

Mount Kilimanjaro - Elevation: 2626m/8665ft to 3600m/11880ft to 3450m/11385ft
Distance: 12 km
Hiking time: 7 hours.
Vegetation Zone: Moorland

After breakfast, we will continue hiking slowly through the moorland to the second cave, where you will have your lunch. After lunch, we will hike very slowly and head southeast across up and down on the small path in the moorland. We will head towards Mawenzi’s peak. Our campsite is in a sheltered valley.

Kikelelwa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn Hut

Mount Kilimanjaro - Elevation: 3600m/11880ft to 4300m/14190ft
Distance: 5 km
Hiking time: 6 hours.
Vegetation Zone: Alpine Desert

This is another short day but a steep hike up grassy slopes. At the top, you will have magnificent views from a different angle of the National Park and Mawenzi Peak. You will arrive at Mawenzi Tarn Hut in time for lunch and then have the whole afternoon to explore the surrounding area and acclimatize.

Mawenzi Tarn Hut to Kibo Hut

Mount Kilimanjaro - Elevation: 4300m/14190ft to 4720m/15576ft
Distance: 10 km
Hiking time: 6 hours.
Vegetation Zone: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, we will continue west through the Saddle and Lunner desert which is formed between the peak of Kibo and Mawenzi. It will take 5 or 6 hours to reach Kibo Hut. Sometimes you will have to pack lunch and stop on the way for lunch or a hot lunch at Kibo Hut. However, it depends on your speed. The route is dry but provides a spectacular view of the mountains. At Kibo Hut you will be served an early dinner then go to bed.

Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut

Mount Kilimanjaro - Elevation: 4720m/15576ft to 5895m/19453ft to 3720m/12276ft
Distance: 21 km
Hiking time: 15 hours
Vegetation Zone: Alpine Desert/Arctic zone/Moorland.

This is your special day when your dream comes true, your guide will wake you up around 11:00 pm for tea and biscuits, Summit will begin at midnight, we follow a switchback path up to a volcanic scree slope, passing William point (5000m/15000ft) to Hans Meyer Cave (5200m/17000ft), Is the best resting spot for drinking, after a short break we proceed to Gillman’s point (5681m), which is located on the crater rim. This section is very steep with stone scree, requiring physical and mental effort. From Gillman’s point, we can see the sunrise above the cloud line illuminating the plains below-an incredible sight to behold. A bit further around the crater and we reach our goal,

Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate

Mount Kilimanjaro - Elevation: 3720m/12276ft to 2720m/8976ft
Distance: 19 km
Hiking time: 8 hours
Vegetation Zone: Moorland/Rainforest.

This is another big day, and after early breakfast, will start descending passing through Mandara Hut before reaching the Marangu gate. We will cross through the moorland to the rainforest where you can spot many birds, tall trees, flowers, and many interesting things. Our route will end at Marangu Gate which will require all hikers to sign out in order to receive certificates of completion. A driver from Hilbas tours will drive back to Hotel. On the way back you will pass through coffee and banana farms around Marangu villages.

Departure from Tanzania

Chanya Lodge - After an early breakfast, transfer to Kilimanjaro airport for your home departure flight.

• Two hikers shared a tent on Mount Kilimanjaro (except for solo climbs).
• 3 standard meals a day on the mountain (breakfast, lunch & dinner).
• All our guides hold Wilderness First Aid certifications.
• All group equipment (spacious and comfortable dining tent, camping table and chairs, crockery, etc.)
• Transportation from the hotel to Kilimanjaro National Park and back to the hotel.
• Medical kits
• All drinks on the hike (Coffee, tea, Milo tea, water, etc).
• Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp masters, porters, cooks, etc.).
• Vegetarian, vegan, lactose-free, gluten-free, halal, and other meal plans are available
• Two nights in the hotel, before and after climbing, - 2 guests per room (except for solo climbs)
• Guides, porters, waiters, cook’s accommodation, Entry fees on the mountain and Salaries
• Transportation from JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) for pick-up and drop-off.
• All park fees collected by the Kilimanjaro National Park, -Camping fees, Vehicle fees, Rescue fees.
• Oxygen cylinders and Oximeters
• Professional / Experienced English-speaking Mountain guides, licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park.

• Flight Tickets.
• Tanzania visa and travel insurance
• Personal gear (hiking clothes and footwear, sleeping bags, etc.) is available for rent.
• Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, souvenir money)
• Tips for the crew.
• Single accommodation at the hotel and in a tent is available at an extra charge

The Rongai route is one of the most favourable routes to attempt Kilimanjaro during the rainy season, as it sees substantially less rain than the southern routes. The route

The Rongai route offers a true wilderness experience in the early stages of the climb, it is the preferred route for those looking for an alternative to the crowded Marangu route, for those who want a more remote hike and for those who climb during the rainy season (the north side receives less precipitation).

Our professional climbing crews will take care of your safety and comfort. Our expert local team will surprise you with their cooking skills and the porter will carry all mountain equipment. The guides will be leading the route and sharing their knowledge about the mountain, culture and history of Tanzania.

Our cost includes Pre and post-climb accommodation and airport transfer.

• Confirmation will be received at time of booking

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.