Mt. Kilimanjaro Rongai Route 6 Days Itinerary
with 
Day 1
Arusha – Rongai Gate
With a private vehicle from Arusha to Rongai Gate (or Nalemuru) in 5h-6h. Stretch out and scan the scenery from the comfort of a private vehicle.
Rongai Gate (or Nalemuru) – Simba Camp
8km, ↑ 635m, or 2083ft
Follow a small path through farmland from the village of Nalemuru (1990m, or 6529ft). Travel through pine forest mostly in the montane forest habitat, with a gentle but consistent incline. Keep a look-out for the Black and White Colobus monkeys of the area with their long white hair that looks like a cape.
Camp for the night at the edge of the moorland zone (2625m, or 8612ft), from here the forest thins considerably and there’s a great, wide view of the plains of Kenya.
Day 2
Simba Camp – Kikelelwa Camp
10km, ↑ 1005m, or 3297ft
Continue ascending with superb views of the eastern ice fields.
Leave from Simba Camp in the morning with a steady ascent. Arrive at the second cave around lunchtime and take in the views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields. After lunch, hike for 3-5 hours across the moorland off the main trail heading towards the peaks of Mawenzi. Camp for the night in the sheltered valley of the Kikelewa Camp (3630m, or 11909ft).
Day 3
Kikelelwa Camp – Mawenzi Tarn Camp
5km, ↑ 680m, or 2231ft
Ascend through grassy slopes up to an area with majestic views. Climb the steep trail towards the Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4310m, or 14140ft) through the wilder- ness and semi-desert habitat. The view behind is superb so make sure you enjoy it. Exit the vegetation zone shortly before reaching camp in the afternoon. Have a rest or explore the area around camp to help acclimatize.
Day 4
Mawenzi Tarn Camp – Kibo Huts Camp
8-9km, ↑ 390m, or 1280ft
Hike slowly through the famous ‘Saddle’ between the Mawenzi and Kibo peaks.
Cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo Hut (4700m, or 15420ft) at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. Spend the remainder of the day resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early start.
Day 5
Kibo Huts Camp – Horombo Huts
28km, ↑ 1195m, or 3920ft
↓ 2195m, or 7201ft
Night hike to the Summit via Gillman‘s Point. Appreciate the beautiful sunrise before descending to Horombo Hut Camp.
Kibo Huts Camp ─ Summit
13km, ↑ 1195m, or 3920ft
Start the final and, by far, the steepest and most demanding part of the climb by torch- light around 00:00. Go very slowly in the darkness on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point (5681m, or 18638ft). Rest there for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. If you are still feeling strong, make the two-hour round trip to Uhuru Peak (5895m, or 19341ft), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area.
Summit (Uhuru) – Horombo Huts
15km, ↓ 2195m, or 7201ft
Descend to Kibo Huts (4700m, or 15420ft), which is surprisingly fast, and after some refreshments take a quick moment to enjoy the view and celebrate a successful climb before starting the descent to our final campsite at Horombo (3700m, or 121394ft ). Enjoy a well-deserved rest during the last night on the mountain.
Day 6
Horombo Huts – Marangu Gate
20km, ↓ 1840m, or 6037ft
Continue down through moorland to Mandara Hut (2700m, or 8858ft), the first stopping place on the Marangu route, passing by the Mandara escarpment on the way. Descend through lovely lush forest on a good path to the National Park gate at Marangu (1860m, or 6102ft). Enjoy the easier descent and hikers who successfully reached Uhuru Peak will receive a summit certificate.
Transfer from Marangu to hotel in Arusha will take 3 hours for a well-deserved night in relative comfort. Stretch out and scan the scenery from the comfort and private vehicle.