Best Route To Climb Kilimanjaro
Which is the best route to climb Kilimanjaro? Compare the routes by length, scenery and success rate to choose the right one for your climb.
Kilimanjaro climb
7 Days Rongai Route
Overview
Mount Kilimanjaro offers six established routes for climbers: Marangu, Machame, Lemosho, Shira, Rongai, and Umbwe. Marangu, Machame and Umbwe start on the south side. Lemosho and Shira come in from the west. Rongai starts in the north, close to Kenya. Every route except Marangu and Rongai comes down through Mweka.
The 7 Days Rongai Route: quiet trails and gentle slopes
Rongai is far from the busy southern trails, so it is one of the quietest ways up the mountain. It feels wild, and you may see large animals such as antelope, elephants and buffalo. It is on the drier side of Kilimanjaro, so you usually get less rain and clearer views of the peak.
The Rongai Route is fairly flat, but it does not follow the ‘climb high, sleep low’ pattern, so it needs extra days to acclimatize. Even so, many people see it as one of the easier routes up Kilimanjaro. It is the only route that starts in the north and comes down the Marangu Route. Summit night from Kibo Hut is steep and follows the same path as the Marangu Route, past Gilman’s Point to Uhuru Peak.
The trail works its way round the mountain before you go up from the east for the summit bid.
Route itinerary
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Day 1 Nale Muru Gate – Simba Camp Distance 7km / 4.3miHiking 3-4 hrsZone Rainfores
From Moshi it is a 4-5 hour drive past coffee farms and through Nale Muru village to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. While we wait for the permits, you can watch the other crews getting their loads ready. Then you set off on winding paths through the woods, and your guide tells you about the plants and the animals you are likely to see. Simba camp is near the first cave, at the edge of the moorland, with wide views over the plains of Kenya.
- Elevation
- 1997m/6552ft to 2635m/8645ft
- Altitude gained
- 638m
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Day 2 Simba Camp – Second Cave Camp Distance 5.8km / 3.6miHiking 5-6hrsZone Moorland
After a good night’s sleep and a big breakfast, we follow a steady uphill path across the moorland. You get great views of Kibo and your first look at the ice fields on the eastern crater rim. The small moorland shrubs thin out as you get close to the Second Cave. It starts to get colder.
- Elevation
- 2635m/8645ft to 3487m/11,440ft
- Altitude gained
- 852m
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Day 3 Second Cave Camp – Third Cave Camp Distance 3.3km / 2miHiking 3-4hrsZone Semi Desert
After breakfast and packing, you keep climbing steadily into semi-desert. It is a fairly short day, and the eastern ice fields get closer with every hour. Listen to your body, and tell your guide about any signs of altitude sickness.
- Elevation
- 3487m/11,440ft to 3936m/12,913ft
- Altitude gained
- 449m
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Day 4 Third Cave Camp – Mawenzi Tarn Distance 3.75km / 2.3miHiking 3-4hrsZone Semi Desert
A short, steep climb up grassy slopes leads to very good views. The plants run out just before the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn. The camp sits in a rocky bowl right below the tall, jagged peaks of Mawenzi. The afternoon is free to rest or walk around nearby, which helps you acclimatize.
If you add an extra day on the mountain, you camp here for two nights. You can then walk up and around Mawenzi as your acclimatization hike.- Elevation
- 3936m/12,913ft to 4302m/14,114ft
- Altitude gained
- 627m
-
Day 5 Mawenzi Tarn – Kibo Hut Distance 8.9km / 5miHiking 4-5hrsZone Alpine Desert
Today you cross the bare, moon-like desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo. Kibo campsite is at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. You spend the rest of the day resting before the final climb on Summit Night.
- Elevation
- 4302m/14,114ft to 4714m/15,466ft
- Altitude gained
- 412m
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Day 6 Kibo Huts – Summit – Horombo Huts Distance 4km / 2.5 mi up; 15.75km / 9.8mi downHiking 5-7hrs; 5-6hrsZone Glaciers, Snow Capped Summit
Elevation: 4714m/15,466ft to 5895m/19,341ft
Altitude gained: 1181m
Descent to 3721m/12,208ft
Altitude lost: 2174mThe alarm goes off early: you start walking between midnight and 2 a.m. This is the toughest part of the trek, physically and mentally.
The path climbs the steep slope above Kibo Hut. Stay warm, take it slowly and keep your mind on the top. We zigzag up through deep scree to Gilman’s Point on the crater rim. With luck, you get a beautiful sunrise during the short rest here. Faster walkers may see it from the summit. From here it is about 1 hour more to Uhuru Peak, and you will probably walk on snow the whole way.
Well done. One step at a time, you have reached Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and in all of Africa.
After photos, hugs and maybe a few happy tears, we take a few minutes to enjoy what you have done. Then we start the steep descent back to Kibo Hut for lunch and a very short rest, and carry on down to Horombo Huts. The ground is loose gravel and volcanic ash, so we strongly recommend gaiters and trekking poles. In the evening you can finally rest and enjoy your last night on the mountain. Overnight Horombo Huts.
- Elevation
- 4714m/15,466ft to 5895m/19,341ft
- Altitude gained
- 1181m
-
Day 7 Horombo Huts – Marangu Gate – Moshi Distance 20km / 12.5miHiking 6-7hrsZone Rainforest
After breakfast your crew says thank you and goodbye with a short ceremony, often with songs. We keep heading down and stop at the Mandara Huts for lunch. You part ways with your guides, cooks and porters here, so remember to tip them. At the Marangu Park Gate you collect your summit certificates. It is much warmer down here, and the path is wet, muddy and steep, so we strongly recommend gaiters and trekking poles. A vehicle meets you at the gate and takes you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 45 minutes). Then enjoy a long hot shower, a good dinner and a celebration.
- Elevation
- 3721m/12,208 to 1905m/6250ft
- Altitude lost
- 1816m
Tour price includes
- Kilimanjaro trekking according to the itinerary
- Professional, English-speaking Wilderness First Responder & CPR certified Guide
- Proper Ration of Mountain crew (Cook & Porters)
- Pre and Post accommodations (2 nights Bed and Breakfast)
- Airport Transfers
- Meals according to the itinerary
- Drinking water and Full Board Meals
- All National Park & Hut Fees, Crew Permits and VAT
- Quality Imported Equipments
Tour price excludes
- Travel or Medical Insurance is required and you should ask for Recommendation
- beverages, alcoholic and soft drinks
- Personal hire gear such as trekking poles, sleeping bags, etc.
- Additional lodge nights if early descent from the mountain $150 per room
- Flights, Visa fees, Gamow Bag, and Medication
Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Guide
We've put together what you need to know before your Kilimanjaro climb. Our free guide is full of practical hints, tips and advice from the trail.
Preparing To Climb Mount Kilimanjaro
How to prepare to climb Kilimanjaro: when to go, which route, training, altitude, hydration and the gear to pack, in one practical guide.
Mount Kilimanjaro Facts
Mount Kilimanjaro facts before you climb: geography and altitude, climate zones, climbing routes and the records set on Africa's highest peak.
Kilimanjaro Success Rate
Kilimanjaro success rates route by route, the factors behind them, and how to raise your own chances of reaching the summit.
Before you go
Route guide
About the Rongai Route
Rongai Route
The Rongai Route climbs Kilimanjaro from the drier north, away from the crowds. What to expect on the route, and our Rongai climbs.
Also on this route: 6 Days Rongai Route
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