5 daysHuts
5-Day Marangu Route
Marangu’s classic hut-to-hut climb offers straightforward access and the comfort of National Park huts.
From US$2,640 per climber, groups of 1–5, sharing a room or tent
- Days on the mountain
- 7 days
- Sleeping
- Camping
Overview
The only route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the north and is close to the Kenyan border is the Rongai route. Despite growing in popularity among climbers, this route still sees few visitors. Compared to the other routes up the mountain, Rongai has a gentler slope. It is the preferred route for climbers who want an alternative to the well-known Marangu route, prefer a more remote hike, and are climbing during the wet season (the north side receives less precipitation). The moderately challenging Rongai route comes highly recommended, especially for those with little to no prior backpacking experience.
Rongai makes up for the lack of variety in the landscape with nearly its entire route being spent in true wilderness areas. The Marangu route is used for the descent.
The route
- Rongai Gate
- Rongai Cave
- Kikelewa Cave
- Mawenzi Tarn
- Kibo Hut
- Horombo Hut
- Marangu Gate
The climb
- Highest point
- 5,895 m
- Summit night
- Day 6
- Last camp, 4,703 m
- Kibo Hut
- Walked in total
- 79 km
Show the figures as a table
| Day | Place | Altitude |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Rongai Gate | 1,950 m / 6,398 ft |
| Day 1 | Rongai Cave | 2,835 m / 9,300 ft |
| Day 2 | Second Cave | 3,444 m / 11,300 ft |
| Day 2 | Kikelewa Cave | 3,600 m / 11,811 ft |
| Day 3 | Mawenzi Tarn | 4,316 m / 14,160 ft |
| Day 4 | Mawenzi Ridge | 4,389 m / 14,400 ft |
| Day 4 | Mawenzi Tarn | 4,316 m / 14,160 ft |
| Day 5 | Kibo Hut | 4,703 m / 15,430 ft |
| Day 6 | Uhuru Peak | 5,895 m / 19,341 ft |
| Day 6 | Horombo Hut | 3,734 m / 12,250 ft |
| Day 7 | Marangu Gate | 1,843 m / 6,046 ft |
Day 1
Rongai Gate → Rongai Cave
1,950 → 2,835 m (+885 m)8 km3-4 hours
Day 2
Rongai Cave → Second Cave
2,835 → 3,444 m (+610 m)6 km3-4 hours
Day 2
Second Cave → Kikelewa Cave
3,444 → 3,600 m (+156 m)6 km3-4 hours
Day 3
Kikelewa Cave → Mawenzi Tarn
3,600 → 4,316 m (+716 m)5 km3-4 hours
Day 4
Mawenzi Tarn → Mawenzi Ridge
4,316 → 4,389 m (+73 m)2 km1-2 hours
Day 4
Mawenzi Ridge → Mawenzi Tarn
4,389 → 4,316 m (−73 m)2 km1-2 hours
Day 5
Marwenzi Tarn → Kibo Hut
4,316 → 4,703 m (+387 m)8 km5-6 hours
Day 6
Kibo Hut → Uhuru Peak
4,703 → 5,895 m (+1,192 m)6 km6-8 hours
Day 6
Uhuru Peak → Horombo Hut
5,895 → 3,734 m (−2,161 m)16 km4-5 hours
Day 7
Horombo Hut → Marangu Gate
3,720 → 1,843 m (−1,877 m)20 km5-7 hours
Map
- Rongai Gate
- Rongai Cave
- Second Cave
- Kikelewa Cave
- Mawenzi Tarn
- Kibo Hut
- Uhuru Peak
- Horombo Hut
- Marangu Gate
Not on the map yet: Mawenzi Ridge.
Sample plan — we adjust it to your group
Day by day
- 1Day
Rongai Gate to Rongai Cave
Before making the quick transfer to the Rongai Gate trailhead, we travel from Moshi to Marangu Gate to obtain permits.
- Elevation
- 6,398 ft to 9,300 ft
- Hiking time
- 3-4 hours
- Distance
- 8 km | 5 miles
- Habitat
- Rain Forest
Read the dayHide the day
Before making the quick transfer to the Rongai Gate trailhead, we travel from Moshi to Marangu Gate to obtain permits. The path meanders through fields of corn and potatoes before gently ascending through a forest, where various animals live, including the black and white colobus monkey.
- 2Day
Rongai Cave to Second Cave to Kikelewa Cave
Rongai Cave to to Second Cave Second Cave to Kikelewa Cave This morning, we start with a gradual ascent to Second Cave.
- Elevation
- 9,300 ft to 11,300 ft
- Hiking time
- 3-4 hours
- Elevation
- 11,300 ft to 11,811 ft
- Hiking time
- 3-4 hours
- Distance
- 6 km | 4 miles
- Habitat
- Health
- Distance
- 6 km | 4 miles
- Habitat
- Health
Read the dayHide the day
Rongai Cave to to Second Cave
Second Cave to Kikelewa Cave
This morning, we start with a gradual ascent to Second Cave. Following a smaller path that leads to the craggy peaks of Mawenzi, we continue our trek through moorland before arriving at Kikelewa Cave for the night.
- 3Day
Kikelewa Cave to Mawenzi Tarn
Today’s hike is a quick ascent of a grassy slope.
- Elevation
- 11,811 ft to 14,160 ft
- Hiking time
- 3-4 hours
- Distance
- 5 km | 3 miles
- Habitat
- Alpine Desert
Read the dayHide the day
Today’s hike is a quick ascent of a grassy slope. Beautiful views of the wilderness area can be seen. The landscape drastically changes as we move from the heath zone into the Alpine Desert zone. At Mawenzi Tarn, our camp is located beneath the craggy spires of Mawenzi. The rest of the day can be used for leisure activities or local exploration.
- 4Day
Mawenzi Tarn to Mawenzi Ridge to Mawenzi Tarn
Mawenzi Tarn to Mawenzi Ridge Mawenzi Ridge to Mawenzi Tarn On the second day, which is for acclimatization, you can go day hiking on Mawenzi Ridge.
- Elevation
- 14,160 ft -14,400 ft
- Hiking time
- 1-2 hours
- Elevation
- 14,400 ft -14,160 ft
- Hiking time
- 1-2 hours
- Distance
- 2 km | 1 miles
- Habitat
- Alpine Desert
- Distance
- 2 km | 1 miles
- Habitat
- Alpine Desert
Read the dayHide the day
Mawenzi Tarn to Mawenzi Ridge
Mawenzi Ridge to Mawenzi Tarn
On the second day, which is for acclimatization, you can go day hiking on Mawenzi Ridge. Views of Kibo and Mawenzi are particularly inspiring due to the unusual topography. We take a quick stroll around the neighborhood before heading back to Mawenzi Tarn to pitch our tents.
- 5Day
Marwenzi Tarn to Kibo Hut
Between Mawenzi and Kibo, we gradually ascent before crossing the “Saddle,” a lunar desert.
- Elevation
- 14,160 ft to 15,430 ft
- Hiking time
- 5-6 hours
- Distance
- 8 km | 5 miles
- Habitat
- Alpine Desert
Read the dayHide the day
Between Mawenzi and Kibo, we gradually ascent before crossing the “Saddle,” a lunar desert. At the base of the Kibo crater wall is where our camp, Kibo Hut, is located. After arriving, we take a nap and eat a light dinner to get ready for the summit day.
- 6Day
Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut
School Hut to Uhuru Peak Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut We start the ascent very early in the morning (around midnight).
- Elevation
- 15,430 ft to 19,341 ft
- Hiking time
- 6-8 hours
- Elevation
- 19,341 ft to 12,250 ft
- Hiking time
- 4-5 hours
- Distance
- 6 km | 4 miles
- Habitat
- Arctic
- Distance
- 16 km | 10 miles
- Habitat
- Health
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School Hut to Uhuru Peak
Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut
We start the ascent very early in the morning (around midnight). The hardest part of the trek both physically and mentally is this section. At this altitude and time of day, the wind and cold can be very strong. We climb in the dark for several hours, stopping frequently but only briefly. You will be rewarded with the most breathtaking sunrise you are ever likely to see approaching Mawenzi Peak at Gilman’s Point (18,600 feet). Finally, we reach Uhuru Peak, which is both Mount Kilimanjaro’s and Africa’s highest point.
We descend to Horombo Hut after pausing for a short while to admire your accomplishment and the African plains. We have our final meal on the mountain later in the evening before a well-earned rest.
- 7Day
Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate
We have a long, mostly downhill trek through the tropical rainforest on our final day.
- Elevation
- 12,205 ft to 6,046 ft
- Hiking time
- 5-7 hours
- Distance
- 20 km | 12 miles
- Habitat
- Rain Forest
Read the dayHide the day
We have a long, mostly downhill trek through the tropical rainforest on our final day. We pick up our summit certificates once we arrive at the park headquarters at the Marangu gate. We’ll be met by a car that will take us back to the Moshi hotel.
Last updated
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Plan: 7-Day Rongai Route
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