7 Days
Kilimanjaro’s only approach from the north, near the Kenyan border — quieter trails, drier weather, and a gentler start than the southern routes, descending via Marangu’s huts on the way down.
Rongai is the driest route on the mountain, making it a good choice during Kilimanjaro’s rainy seasons (March–May and November) when southern routes are wetter.
We pick you up from Kilimanjaro or Arusha airport and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi. Plan to arrive at least a day before the trek starts — we’ll use this time for a full briefing and to check and rent any last equipment you need.
A scenic drive around the mountain’s northern side to the remote Rongai Gate, near the Kenyan border. A gentle walk through pine forest and past old cave shelters brings you to Simba Camp, with views across the plains toward Kenya.
The forest thins into open moorland with good views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks ahead. Camp is set in a sheltered valley near the Kikelewa Caves, with the first proper views of the day’s climbing still to come.
A steep but short morning climb onto the alpine desert plateau below Mawenzi, Kilimanjaro’s jagged, long-dormant second peak. Camp sits beside a small tarn directly beneath Mawenzi’s cliffs — one of the most dramatic settings on the mountain.
A full day to let your body adjust before crossing the saddle. An optional short hike toward Mawenzi’s eastern flank gives extra altitude exposure without the exertion of a trekking day. Rest, hydrate, and enjoy the views.
The trail crosses the wide, bleak saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo — sparse, lunar terrain with the summit dome looming ahead the entire way. Early dinner and rest at Kibo Hut before a pre-midnight wake-up call.
Wake around midnight for the steep, switchbacking climb to Gillman’s Point and on to Uhuru Peak — Africa’s highest point — timed for sunrise. After a short stay at the summit, we descend all the way past Kibo Hut to Horombo Hut for your last night on the mountain.
A long but straightforward descent back through moorland and rainforest to Marangu Gate, where your summit certificate is issued. We transfer you back to your hotel in Moshi for a hot shower and a well-earned rest.
