6-Day Rongai Route Trek in Mount Kilimanjaro

Day 1: Drive to Rongai Gate for registration and to begin the climb

1. 4h
   After breakfast at your hotel, you will be collected by your head guide and driven to Kilimanjaro National Park, Rongai Gate for registration and to begin the climb. From here you travel by vehicle onto the village of Nale Moru at around 1,950 meters. Today’s walk is around 3 to 4 hours, beginning on a small path that winds its way through fields of maize and potatoes before entering pine forest. You will gradually ascend through an attractive forest to the edge of the moorland zone. Extensive views over the Kenyan plains will be the highlight of today. Note that it can be wet in the rainforest and it is recommended to carry your waterproofs with you should you need them.
   Dinner and overnight at Simba campsite (2,650m).
   Walking distance: 6.5 km/4 miles
   Walking time: 3-4 hours
   Altitude gain: 700 m/2300 ft

Day 2: Set off to the Kikelelwa Caves

1. 7h
   After breakfast at camp, you set off to the Kikelelwa Caves. On this day you will walk around 5-6 hours from the campsite, with a steady ascent up to Second Cave at 3,450 meters. Here you are rewarded (weather permitting) with superb views of Kibo (the summit) and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim. Tonight we have dinner and camp overnight near Kikelelwa caves at 3,800m.
   Walking distance: 9 km/5.6 miles
   Walking time: 6-7 hours
   Altitude gain: 950 m/3110 ft

Day 3: Trek to Mawenzi Tarn Hut

1. 4h
   Today’s trek is shorter, being around 3- 4 hours but involves some steeper sections. Leaving camp at a short but steep climb up grassy slopes is rewarded by a real sense of wilderness and stunning all-round views. The vegetation zone is left behind. Dinner and overnight at Mawenzi
   Tarn Hut (4,330m).
   Walking distance: 6 km/3.7 miles
   Walking time: 3-4 hours
   Altitude gain: 730 m/2400 ft
   Afternoon acclimatization walk to about 4500 m/14760 ft

Day 4: Cross the lunar desert

1. Mount Kilimanjaro
   5h · Admission ticket included
   On this day you will walk for 4 to 5 hours as we cross the lunar desert of the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo (Kilimanjaro’s two highest peaks). Early dinner and overnight at Kibo Hut (4,700M)
   Walking distance: 9 km/5.6 miles
   Walking time: 4-5 hours
   Altitude gain: 370 m/1215 ft

Day 5: Beginning the summit attempt

1. 14h
   You will be woken early (around midnight) for a hot drink and snack before beginning the summit attempt. We will trek very slowly by torchlight to reach the crater rim at Gilman’s point at 5,685 meters. We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi peak. We then continue to Uhuru (freedom) peak at 5,895 meters, the roof of Africa! We descend to Kibo hut, at 4700m to rest and have brunch before we continue down to camp at Horombo hut (3,720m).
   Walking distance: 5 km/3.1 miles ascent + 15 km/9.3 miles descent
   Walking time: 5-6 hrs + 1-2 hours up, 5-6 hours down (the
   overall walking time may vary from 10 – 16 hours)
   Altitude gain: 1000 m/ 3280 ft (Gilman’s Point) or 1195 m/3920 ft (Uhuru Peak)
   Descent: 2195 m/7200 ft

Day 6: Descend From Horombo Huts to Marangu Gate then A Drive to Moshi Town

1. Marangu
   5h
   The final day is a descent of around 5 -7 hours to Marangu Park Gate (1,700m) where you will sign out of the mountain. The walk is through lush forest on good paths. You will be met by a driver and transferred to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha.
   Walking distance: 20 km/12.5 miles
   Walking time: 5 hours
   Descent: 1840 m/6040 ft

Pickup details

Our Airport-Pickup Representative(s) will be at the airport before your arrival, carrying a paper with your name(s); Kindly Observe to spot her/him.

• Suitable for all physical fitness levels