Rongai Route
DAY 1: Moshi/Arusha to Rongai Gate to Simba Camp
- Elevation: 6,398 ft to 9,300 ft
- Distance: 8km
- Time: Approx. 4 hours
We will transport you by car from your hotel in Arusha/Moshi firstly to Marangu Park Gate, where we will register the climb. After reigstration, you will be shuttled a further 70 kilometers on poor roads to the Rongai Start Point. The trek begins from Nale Moru village and follows a gradual and winding trail that first crosses maize and potato fields before entering the rainforest which is occupied by various wildlife. After 4-5 hours trekking, you will be welcomed with boiled washing water and some snacks before dinner is served in the mess-tent.
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DAY 2: Simba Camp to 2nd Cave Camp
- Elevation: 9,300 ft to 11,300 ft
- Distance: 6.5km
- Time: Approx. 3-4 hours
For most of the day you will be walking up slopes flanked with heather and erica with a nice view on the twin peaks of Kilimanjaro – Mawenzi and Kibo and your first glimpse of the ice fields on the Eastern crater rim. Once we approach second cave our cook will welcome you in the camp with boiled drinking water and hot washing water. You can put your feet up with some snacks and a hot lunch. After lunch, there is plenty of time to relax and enjoy the spirit of the camp.
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DAY 3: 2nd Cave Camp to Kikelelwa Camp
- Elevation: 11,300 ft to 11,811 ft
- Distance: 6.5km
- Time: Approx. 3-4 hours
From Second Cave the path takes an abrupt south-easterly turn directly towards the jagged peak of Mawenzi. Traversing open moorland you stumble into Kikelelwa Camp, situated by a couple of caves by the Kikelewa River with giant groundsels and lobelias flourishing nearby. The views start to open up and from Kikelewa Camp and you will see for yourself how huge Mt. Kilimanjaro is.
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DAY 4: Kikelelwa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn Hut
- Elevation: 11,811 ft to 14,160 ft
- Distance: 5km
- Time: Approx. 4 hours
This stage to Mawenzi Tarn is relatively short and it is usually completed in the morning. The climb is also steep as you gain 660m, the path shedding the moorland vegetation as it climbs steadily. The Mawenzi Tarn Hut is situated in one of the most spectacular settings, in a cirque beneath the jagged teeth of Mawenzi. In the afternoon we offer you another walk up the ridge in the west for better acclimatization. If you are lucky and the sky is clear, you will enjoy fantastic views of Kibo.
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DAY 5: Mawenzi Tarn Hut to Kibo Hut
- Elevation: 14,160 ft to 15,430 ft
- Distance: 8km
- Time: Approx. 5-6 hours
This lovely day begins with a slight retracing of your steps before you strike out west-wards, crossing the ridge and dropping down the slope to tiptoe along the beautiful barren Saddle’s northern edge. With views like screensavers to east and west, this day is the most favoured day on the mountain. Our destination for today will be Kibo Campsite, which offers you again a spectacular view on the Kibo.
We will arrive at the camp very early and you get served hot lunch. In the afternoon our guides will give you a final briefing to prepare you for the summit day. Time to relax, to cross check and prepare your equipment and clothing. Dinner will be served very early to give you ample time to rest and sleep. Good food, lots of water and sleep are the keys for a successful summit. We advise you to be to bed before 7pm to be rested for your wake up hot drink at 11:30pm.
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DAY 6: Kibo Hut to Gilman's Point to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut
- Elevation: 15,430 ft to 19,341 ft to 12,205 ft
- Distance: 6.5km ascent, 16km descent
- Time: Approx. 6-8 hours ascent, 4-5 hours descent
The wake-up tea will be served at 11:30pm with the departure at midnight. After a hot drink and some biscuits we will start the challenge for the summit. Our initial 6 hour climb begins in the dark with only our headlamps and guides to show us the way. Just remember the golden rule ‘pole, pole’, which means slowly, slowly. There are a number of landmarks on the way: William’s Point at 5.131m, Hans Meyer Cave at 5.259m that act as milestones break up the journey and provides you with some measure of your progress.
At Gilman’s Point (5.681m) you will see what might be the most magnify-cent sunrise in your life so far. After taking some pictures at the sign and enjoying a fantastic view of Mawenzi, we continue our climb on a part of the Marangu Route for 1-2 more hours to reach your ultimate goal – the summit – the highest peak of Africa – Uhuru Peak at 5.985m. Congratulations! You are now standing on ‘the roof of Africa’. Our guides will take pictures of you and post it on Facebook for your family and friends at home.
After a few minutes spent at the summit, due to the altitude and the cold, it is important to start our descent. After the descent the rest of our team will congratulate you and welcome you with a hot lunch at Kibo Camp. You will have the chance for a break before we start the next descent to Horombo Hut. After this long day, you can enjoy your dinner and your last night on the mountain.
DAY 7: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate to Moshi/Arusha
- Elevation: 12,205 ft to 6,046 ft
- Distance: 19km
- Time: Approx. 5-7 hours
Once again you will be woken for your final celebratory break-fast where our team will thank and congratulate you in their unique, special way! This is also the opportunity for you to say thank you for their support and encouragement and show your appreciation. We continue our descent by passing Mandara Hut down to Marangu Gate where you will be presented with your certificate of achievement. After lunch you will dropped off at your hotel, where you can relax under a long, well deserved hot shower.