# Rongai route, 7 days

> The only route from the north, close to the Kenyan border. Quieter and drier than the southern routes, with a night under Mawenzi's spires on the 7-day version. You descend via Marangu.

Guided by Joseph (Joseph Lazaro Kamil). Licensed mountain-climbing guide, Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Tanzania. Licence no. 039257, valid until 31 Dec 2026.

Canonical page: https://guide-joseph.com/routes/rongai/
Last updated: 2026-10-16

## Key facts

- Duration: 7 days, 6 nights on the mountain
- Total distance: about 77 km (sum of daily distances)
- Highest point: Uhuru Peak, 5,895 m
- Summit via: Gilman's Point
- Side of the mountain: North-east
- Start: Rongai Gate (Nale Moru). Finish: Marangu Gate
- Drive to the start: About 2 hours from Moshi, including a permit stop at Marangu
- Sleeping: Tents [Last night at Horombo: hut or tents? TBC]
- Price: $1,900 per person (USD). Prices can change for larger groups. Message me for your final price.
- Other lengths: 6 days, $1,750 (https://guide-joseph.com/routes/rongai/6-days/)

## 6 or 7 days?

The 7-day version goes via Kikelewa and Mawenzi Tarn (4,330 m), which adds a day to acclimatise. The 6-day version goes straight from Third Cave to Kibo Hut. More days give you a better chance of reaching the summit. In the end it is your choice, but if you are at all concerned, or not a very fit or experienced hiker, I recommend the 7 days.

## What the price includes

- Park fees
- All meals on the mountain
- Crew wages
- Sleeping tents
- Sleeping mattress
- Dining tent with table and chairs
- Transport from your hotel to the gate and back

Not included: Tips for your crew, travel insurance, gear (you can rent it from me), hotel nights before and after the climb, and any transport other than to and from the start and finish gates, such as airport transfers.

## Day by day

### Day 1: Rongai Gate (Nale Moru) to Simba Camp

The drive to the wooden village of Nale Moru takes about 2 hours, including a stop at Marangu for permits. After signing in and preparing the porters, we start on a wide path through fields of maize and potatoes, then into pine forest.

The track climbs gently but steadily through forest with plenty of wildlife. As the trees thin out we reach Simba Camp, at the edge of the moorland, with wide views over the Kenyan plains.

- Altitude: 2,000 to 2,650 m (6,560 to 8,700 ft)
- Distance: 6 km / 4 mi
- Hiking time: 3–4 hours
- Habitat: Montane forest
- Meals: Lunch, dinner

### Day 2: Simba Camp to Second Cave

A steady morning climb to Second Cave, with superb views of Kibo and the eastern ice fields on the crater rim.

- Altitude: 2,650 to 3,450 m (8,700 to 11,300 ft)
- Distance: 6 km / 4 mi
- Hiking time: 3–4 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

### Day 3: Second Cave to Kikelewa Camp

We head across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. Kikelewa Camp sits in a sheltered valley with giant senecios nearby.

- Altitude: 3,450 to 3,600 m (11,300 to 11,800 ft)
- Distance: 9 km / 6 mi
- Hiking time: 2–3 hours
- Habitat: Semi-desert
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

### Day 4: Kikelewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn

A short but steep climb up grassy slopes, with superb views. We leave the vegetation behind just before Mawenzi Tarn, a spectacular camp in a cirque right below the spires of Mawenzi.

The afternoon is free to rest or explore nearby, which helps you acclimatise.

- Altitude: 3,600 to 4,330 m (11,800 to 14,200 ft)
- Distance: 6 km / 4 mi
- Hiking time: 3–4 hours
- Habitat: Semi-desert
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

### Day 5: Mawenzi Tarn to Kibo Hut

We cross the lunar desert of the Saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo to Kibo Hut at the foot of the crater wall. The rest of the day is for resting before the very early summit start.

- Altitude: 4,330 to 4,720 m (14,200 to 15,500 ft)
- Distance: 9 km / 6 mi
- Hiking time: 4–5 hours
- Habitat: Alpine desert
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

### Day 6: Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut (summit day)

We start between midnight and 2 am, climbing steep, heavy scree (sometimes snow) with many switchbacks to Gilman's Point on the crater rim. It is dark and very cold until we start descending, so you need a headlamp and all your warm layers. This is by far the hardest part of the trek. Go pole pole, slowly, and stay positive.

From Gilman's Point we continue along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa, with incredible views on every side.

Then we descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo Hut, before continuing to Horombo Hut.

- Altitude: 4,720 to 5,895 to 3,700 m (15,500 to 19,340 to 12,200 ft)
- Distance: 6 km up, 15 km down
- Hiking time: 6–8 h up, 6–8 h down
- Habitat: Alpine desert
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

### Day 7: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate to your hotel

A steady descent through the moorland to Mandara Hut, then through lush forest to the park gate at Marangu. Lower down it can be wet and muddy, so gaiters and poles help. Shorts and a T-shirt are usually enough, but keep rain gear and a warm layer handy.

A vehicle meets you at Marangu Gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi, about 1 hour.

- Altitude: 3,700 to 1,860 m (12,200 to 6,100 ft)
- Distance: 20 km / 12.5 mi
- Hiking time: 4–5 hours
- Habitat: Forest
- Meals: Breakfast

## Book

Message Joseph on WhatsApp: +255 745 044 958.