9-Day Rongai Trek – tarryadventuresandsafaris

9-Day Rongai Trek: The Grand Northern Challenge

The Rongai Route is the only path that approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the north, near the Kenyan border. This trek offers a true wilderness experience in its initial stages, with fewer crowds and more opportunities to see wildlife. The 8-day itinerary is the perfect combination of stunning scenery and a high summit success rate due to its gentle, steady incline and a strategic acclimatization day. It’s the perfect choice for those who want a quieter, remote adventure with a high chance of a successful summit.

The Challenge Plan: Day-by-Day

Day 1: The First Ascent

Your adventure begins with a drive to the Nalemuru Gate on the northern side of Kilimanjaro. After registration, you’ll begin your hike on a gentle, winding path through farmland and a pine forest. You will arrive at Simba Camp (2,625m) with views of the vast plains of Kenya.

Day 2: Into the Heath

You’ll begin with a steady climb through moorland terrain. On a clear day, you’ll get your first glimpse of the Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. You will stop for lunch at Second Cave (3,450m), then continue on a smaller path to your campsite for the night at Kikelewa Camp (3,600m).

Day 3: The Mawenzi Tarn Climb

Today is a short but steep hike up grassy slopes. You’ll leave the heath zone and enter the alpine desert. The Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,330m) is situated in a stunning cirque right beneath the jagged peak of Mawenzi. You will have a chance for a short acclimatization hike in the afternoon.

Day 4: Acclimatization Day at Mawenzi Tarn

This is the day that makes all the difference. Today, your mission is to “climb high and sleep low” to help your body adapt to the altitude. You will take a scenic acclimatization hike to the Mawenzi Ridge, ascending to a higher altitude before returning to Mawenzi Tarn Camp for a well-deserved night’s rest.

Day 5: The Saddle Crossing

You will hike across the “Saddle,” a high-altitude desert that stretches between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. This is a vast, lunar-like landscape. You’ll arrive at Kibo Hut (4,700m), your base camp for the summit push, with plenty of time to rest and prepare.

Day 6: Summit Day! The Ultimate Victory

Your final, most challenging stage begins just after midnight. You will climb through the night on a steep scree slope to reach Gilman’s Point on the crater rim. As the sun rises, you’ll continue along the rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895m), the Roof of Africa! After celebrating, you will begin the long descent to Horombo Hut (3,720m) for a well-deserved night’s rest in the comfort of a hut.

Day 7: The Final Descent

After breakfast, you will begin your celebratory descent. The trail winds through moorland before entering the lush rainforest. You’ll arrive at Marangu Gate, where you will receive your official summit certificate. From there, a vehicle will take you back to your hotel in Moshi for a well-deserved celebration and a hot shower.