Rongai Route
The quiet northern side. A gentle gradient, short days, and you finish through Marangu.
$1,900per person
Itinerary
Mountain tents — four-season, double occupancy.
These are examples. We change the days to fit your pace.
Day 01
Rongai Gate to Simba Camp
- Distance
- 8 km
- Time
- 3–4 hrs
- Altitude
- +850 m
A 3–4 hour drive around the eastern side to Rongai Gate, just south of the Kenya border. A short walk through a pine plantation into thicker rainforest. First night on the edge of the forest at Simba Camp.
TonightSimba Camp
Day 02
Second Cave to Kikelewa Camp
- Distance
- 6 km
- Time
- 3–4 hrs
- Altitude
- +150 m
Across the Kikelewa moorland toward Mawenzi. Kenya’s plains below. Night at Kikelewa Camp.
TonightKikelewa Camp
Day 03
Kikelewa to Mawenzi Tarn
- Distance
- 6 km
- Time
- 4–5 hrs
- Altitude
- +720 m
A steep, short hike over grass to the base of Mawenzi. Vegetation thins. Night beside a small lake at Mawenzi Tarn.
TonightMawenzi Tarn Camp
Day 04
Mawenzi Tarn to Kibo Camp
- Distance
- 9 km
- Time
- 5–6 hrs
- Altitude
- +380 m
The Saddle — lava between Kibo and Mawenzi. Not far, but slow at this height. Night at the base of Kibo. Early bed — the summit starts around midnight.
TonightKibo Camp
Day 05
Summit — Gillman’s Point to Uhuru Peak
- Distance
- 6 km up, 16 km down
- Time
- 10–16 hrs
- Altitude
- +1,195 m
Dark, then the same slow scree to Gillman’s Point and the sunrise. Uhuru about an hour further. Down the Marangu scree to Kibo, then Horombo for the night.
TonightHorombo Hut
Day 06
Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate
- Distance
- 20 km
- Time
- 5–7 hrs
- Altitude
- −1,877 m
Through the rainforest to Marangu Gate. A cold drink at the bottom if you want it, then back to Janibichi.
Other routes
Marangu Route
The traditional route. Huts, good views of Mawenzi, and the one you can join as a solo traveller.
Starts from
$1,400
Per person
Machame Route
The most beautiful route. Forest, then the Shira Plateau, Kibo and the western breach.
Starts from
$1,650
Per person
Lemosho Route
A quieter start on the west side. More time on the Shira Plateau, and a better chance at the summit.
Starts from
$1,880
Per person