6DAYS | 5NIGHTS RONGAI ROUTE
DAY0: Arrival
This might be your arrival day in Tanzania, our driver will pick you from the airport preferred Kilimanjaro International Airport and drive you 45minutes to the hotel for overnight.
–Key’s Hotel in Moshi
BB Included
DAY1: Rongai Gate (1950m) – Rongai Cave camp (2830m)
Depart from your hotel in the morning after breakfast and drive to Marangu gate for registration. We transfer by road to NaleMoru (1,950m) to begin our climb on this unspoilt wilderness route. The first day is only a half-day walk on a small path that winds through farmland and pine plantations. It is a consistent but gentle climb through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife. We reach our first overnight stop by late afternoon at the edge of the moorland zone
Walking Distance: 4hrs, 7km
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
DAY 2:Rongai Cave(2830m) – 2nd Cave (3450m) – Kikelelwa cave(3600m)
The trail continues up towards Kibo, passing Second Cave (3450m) en-route, and reaching Kikelwa Cave at about 3600 metres. The views start to open up and you begin to feel you’re on a really big mountain! Water is in the obvious stream below the cave, although you might have to wander downhill a way to find some.
Walking distance: 6-8hrs, 11km
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
DAY 3: Kikelewa Cave (3600) – Mawenzi Tarn camp (4330m)
A short but steep climb up grassy slopes offers superb views of this wilderness area. The vegetation zone ends shortly before you reach your next camp at Mawenzi Tarn spectacularly situated beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. Spend the afternoon acclimatizing and exploring the area.
Walking Distance: 4-5, 6km
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
DAY 4: Mawenzi Tarn camp (4330m) – Kibo hut (4703m)
Continue ascending on the east side of Kibo crossing the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo taking 4 to 5 hours to reach Kibo Hut. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent, which begins around midnight.
Walking Distance: 4-5hrs, 6km
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
DAY 5:(Summit Attempt) Kibo hut (4700m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo hut
(3720m)
You will rise around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night. This is where the going really gets tough. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), also a good resting spot. The path then zigzags up to Gillman’s point (5 681m), which is located on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot of stone scree, requiring a great physical and mental effort. This is probably the most demanding section of the entire route. Do the Kili shuffle and move slowly. From Gillman’s Point you will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa. Total exhilaration and satisfaction – you made it. Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long you can spend, taking photographs, before the 3-hour descent back to Kibo hut. After a short rest you gather all your gear for the ascent and head down to Horombo hut (3 hours) where you will overnight. The return to Horombo hut will seem surprisingly fast compared to the ascent. The total time spent walking on this day is around 14 hours, so be prepared for a very tough day. Later in the evening you enjoy your last dinner (with soft drinks and beer for sale at the camp office) on the mountain and wellearned sleep, filled with memories and stirring emotions.
Walking distance: 6 kms ascent, 21 kms descent
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
DAY6: Horombo hut (at 3720m) to Marangu Gate (at 1980m)
After breakfast you continue your descent (6 hours), passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate. It is strongly recommended not to pay your porters any tips until you and all your gear have reached the gate safely. View more Mt Kilimanjaro tips. At Marangu gate you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Gillman’s Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. You now drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!!
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