“The northern route“

This a remote and less frequently used route and the second easiest route on Mount Kilimanjaro. Rongai approaches the mountain from the less-forested northern side and the descent is by the Marangu Route. 
  
There are several variations of this route and the itinerary described below is longer by taking in Mawenzi Tarn. The second day on this variant is quite long and could be broken up into a two days walk allowing more time for acclimatization.

 

The ascent to Uhuru Peak is the same as for the Marangu Route from the Kibo Hut but with more opportunity of landscape in the Kenyan side for your first three days while you are ascending to Kibo hut.

 

Itinerary

Day1. 
The day starts by taking a drive through local Villages surrounding   Mt. Kilimanjaro to Rongai Gate (2,020 m / 6,565 ft.).  Here we will spend half an hour on registration and Permit for the Kilimanjaro climb. The hike will start through a rain forest to Campsite known as Simba Campsite (2,700 m/ 8,775 ft) for dinner and overnight stay. 

Elevation: 2,700 m

Hiking distance:  7 Km
Hiking Time: 3 – 4 Hrs

  
Day 2.  
After Breakfast, we will walk up through giant heathers and moorlands to Campsite at Kikelewa campsite – near Kikelewa Cave (3,650m / 11862Ft) Dinner overnight stay.

Elevation: 3,650 m

Hiking Distance: 10 Km
Hiking Time: 5 – 6 Hrs

 

 

Day 3.
After breakfast, we will hike towards the jagged pinnacles of Mawenzi and Campsite by Mawenzi Tarn Hut, the last section is fairly steep, (4,330 m / 1,4073 ft) dinner overnight stay.

Elevation: 4,330 m

Hiking Distance: 5 Km
Hiking Time: 3 – 4 Hrs

 

Day 4: 
This is  a fairly gradual walk as it mainly follows the saddle, and it is also  possible to go from Mawenzi Tarn hut to school hut (4750 m / 1,5438 ft) and from there to Uhuru peak, Gain the Saddle and walk across this desert of screen to a camp not far from Kibo hut (4,730 m). 

Elevation: 4,730 m

Distance: 6 Km
Time: 5 – 6 Hrs

  

Day5.

The day we have been looking forward to. Very early in the morning start for the summit on a steep screen up to Gillman’s Point (5,681 m) on the crater rim, Continue around the rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m).

 

Elevation: 5,895 m

Hiking Distance: 6 – 7 Hrs

 

After spending a short moment at the peak taking pictures and enjoying the majestic views, we will start our descent. We will descend to our campsite for breakfast and a rest and then walk down to Horombo campsite

 

Hiking Distance: 5 Km descent to Kibo from the summit. 10 Km descent to Horombo hut.

Hiking Time Time: 6 – 7 Hrs

Total Hiking time: About 12 hrs.

 

 

Day6.  
This is by far the easiest day of our time on the mountain as it is downhill and the oxygen supply increase as we go down. We will reach Mandara Hut at about lunchtime where a hot lunch will be served. After lunch at Mandara hut, we will complete our descent to Marangu Gate where the driver will pick you up for your transfer to Moshi or Arusha.

 

Hiking Distance: 20 Km
Hiking Time: 5-6 Hrs