Kilimanjaro Climb Rongai Route

Day 1: Arrival, Tour Briefing and Resting

• You will be met at the Kilimanjaro International Airport of by our Driver/Guide and our representative
• We will take you to your booked hotel in Moshi depending on your arrival time
• Our Kilimanjaro Expert will come to meet you and to provide you with a briefing on your climb
• Have dinner and overnight stay at that hotel in Moshi

Day 2: Drive to Rongai passing through Nale Moru then to Rongai One

• We take a ride to Marangu to complete the necessary registration formalities, before transferring by Land Rover to Rongai
• The climb begins from Nale Moru(6,400 ft) on a small path that wind through fields of maize and potatoes before entering a pine forest
• The track then starts to climb consistently, but gently through an attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife, including the Colobus monkey
• These monkeys are black with a long ‘cape’ of white hair and a flowing white tail
• The forest begins to thin out at the edge of the moorland zone
• Then, we take in the expansive views over the Kenyan plains as we arrive at our first campsite at Rongai One(8,500 ft).[3-4 hours walking]

Day 3: Climbing passing through Second Cave to Kikelewa Caves

• The morning walk is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave(11,300 ft) with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern Icefields on the crater rim
• After lunch, we leave the main trail and strike out and head southeast across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi
• Our campsite is in a sheltered valley, decorated with giant senecios nearKikelewa Caves(11,800 ft).[6-7 hours walking]

Day 4: Climbing from Kikelewa to Mawenzi Tarn

• A short but steep climb is rewarded by superb all-around views and a tangible sense of wilderness
• We leave vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn(14,200 ft), spectacularly situated in a cirque directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi
• The afternoon will be free to rest or explore the surrounding area as an aid to acclimatization.[3-4 hours walking]

Day 5: Climbing from Mawenzi Tarn to Kibo Hut

• We cross the lunar desert of the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo Hut(15,400 ft) at the bottom of the crater wall
• The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for an early morning final ascent. [5-6 hours walking]
• Have an overnight stay at Kibo Hut

Day 6: Climbing to Uhuru Peak then descend to Horombo Hut

• We start the final and most demanding part of the climb by torchlight around 1 a.m
• We plod very slowly in the darkness on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point(18,600 ft)
• We rest here for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi
• Those who are still feeling strong can make the three-hour round trip to Uhuru Peak(19,345 ft), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area
• The descent to Kibo Hut(15,400 ft) is surprisingly fast and, after some refreshments, we continue the descent to Horombo Huts (12,200 ft). [11-15 hours walking]

Day 7: Descend passing through Mandara Huts then to Marangu

• A steady descent takes us down through moorland to Mandara Huts(8,900 ft)
• We then continue descending through lovely lush forest on a good path to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate at Marangu(6,000 ft), where we are transferred back to Marangu. [5-6 hours walking]

Day 8: Departure Day

• Have an hot breakfast and after the breakfast, we can arrange for a private transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your departure depending on your departure time