Day 1: Arrival in Moshi Town
Your 9 Days Rongai Route adventure begins as you arrive in Moshi town. Depending on your arrival time, you may have time to relax or explore before preparing for the climb. In the evening, you will meet your professional mountain guide, who will provide a full briefing on the trek and check your equipment. Any missing gear can be rented to ensure you are fully prepared for the days ahead.
Accommodation: Panama Garden Resort or Similar
Day 2: Moshi Town – Nalemuru Gate – Simba Camp
In the morning, your guide and mountain support crew will meet you at the hotel for a short briefing before you drive to Kilimanjaro National Park’s northern entrance, Nalemuru Gate (2,020 m). After permits and registration, the 9 Days Rongai Route trek begins as you ascend gradually through coniferous forest toward Simba Camp (2,625 m). The hike is moderate, and upon arrival, the mountain team will set up camp and prepare dinner.
Because this is your first night at higher altitude, it is important to follow acclimatization advice: avoid alcohol and caffeine, drink at least 4 liters of water, and consider Diamox if recommended by your doctor.
Elevation Change: Nalemuru Gate (2,020 m) → Simba Camp (2,625 m)
Hiking Distance: 8 km
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
Accommodation: Simba Camp
Day 3: Simba Camp – Second Cave Camp
After breakfast, you continue the 9 Days Rongai Route journey with a gentle trek to Second Cave Camp (3,480 m). The trail is fairly easy, allowing you to reach camp within a few hours and enjoy time to rest. After lunch, you will complete an acclimatization hike toward Kikilewa Camp (3,630 m) with a small altitude gain before returning to Second Cave Camp for dinner and overnight.
Elevation Change: Simba Camp (2,625 m) → Second Cave Camp (3,480 m)
Hiking Distance: 4 km
Hiking Time: 2–3 hours
Accommodation: Second Cave Camp
Day 4: Second Cave Camp – Kikilewa Camp
On this day of the 9 Days Rongai Route, you trek toward Kikilewa Camp (3,630 m). Weather permitting, this camp offers excellent views of Kibo Volcano. After lunch, the afternoon is reserved for rest and recovery. In the evening, your guide will monitor everyone’s health and provide instructions for the next day’s climb.
Elevation Change: Second Cave Camp (3,480 m) → Kikilewa Camp (3,630 m)
Hiking Distance: 5 km
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
Accommodation: Kikilewa Camp
Day 5: Kikilewa Camp – Mawenzi Tarn Camp
The trek continues toward Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,310 m), located at the foot of Mawenzi Volcano. After lunch and a short rest, you will complete an acclimatization hike with a 200-meter altitude gain before returning to camp. Dinner is served in the evening, giving you energy for the following day.
Elevation Change: Kikilewa Camp (3,630 m) → Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,310 m)
Hiking Distance: 6 km
Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
Accommodation: Mawenzi Tarn Camp
Day 6: Mawenzi Tarn Camp – School Hut Camp
Today’s trek takes you across a semi-desert landscape as you head to School Hut Camp (4,700 m). Though the trail is not overly demanding, pacing is important to conserve energy for the summit attempt. Upon arrival, you are encouraged to rest, stay hydrated, and avoid unnecessary exertion since your summit climb begins at midnight.
Elevation Change: Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,310 m) → School Hut Camp (4,700 m)
Hiking Distance: 9 km
Hiking Time: 5–6 hours
Accommodation: School Hut Camp
Day 7: School Hut Camp – Uhuru Peak – Horombo Hut
This is the most challenging and rewarding day of the 9 Days Rongai Route. Around midnight, you start the climb to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), the highest point in Africa. The trek is not technically difficult, but the altitude makes it tough. Each pair of climbers is accompanied by a personal guide to ensure safety. After reaching the summit and celebrating your achievement, you descend to Kibo Camp for a short rest, then continue down to Horombo Hut (3,720 m).
Elevation Change: School Hut Camp (4,715 m) → Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) → Horombo Hut (3,720 m)
Hiking Distance: 21 km
Hiking Time: 12–14 hours
Accommodation: Horombo Hut
Day 8: Horombo Hut – Marangu Gate – Moshi/Arusha Town
After breakfast, you descend through lush rainforest to Marangu Gate (1,860 m), the official exit of Kilimanjaro National Park. At the gate, you receive your summit certificate, marking the successful completion of the 9 Days Rongai Route. From here, you are transferred back to Moshi or Arusha town for a relaxing evening at the hotel.
Elevation Change: Horombo Hut (3,720 m) → Marangu Gate (1,860 m)
Hiking Distance: 18 km
Hiking Time: 5–6 hours
Accommodation: Panama Garden Resort or Similar
Day 9: Moshi Town – JRO Airport
On the final day, you can enjoy a leisurely morning in Moshi before transferring to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your return flight home or a connecting flight to Zanzibar. This concludes the unforgettable 9 Days Rongai Route climb.
Note: while most hotels have a 10:00 AM check-out policy, they also offer late check-out for those with evening or night flights. The fees are moderate.
End of tour!!
9 Days Rongai route price
Price in $$ Per person sharing
- 1Pax: $3,125
- 2Pax: $2,482
- 3Pax: $2,325
- 4Pax: $ 2,202
- 5Pax: $2,152
- 6Pax: $2,018
- 7 Pax: $2,035
- 8+Pax $ 2,018
