7-Day Kilimanjaro Climbing Via Rongai Route

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Arusha to Rongai Gate to Simba Camp
1 stop
1
6,398 ft to 9,300 ft, 5 miles, approx. 4 hours After breakfast in your hotel you will be given an overall briefing from your guide. At 9am you will be met by the rest of our guides and porters and then we will drive you to the Kilimanjaro National Park. While officially registering for your climb at Marangu Park Gate, our staff will do a final cross-check of equipment and supplies and pack the vehicles. After the registration you will be shuttled a further 70 kilometers on poor roads to the Rongai Start Point at 1.950 meters. 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. Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Camping Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
8 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Simba Camp to 2nd Cave Camp
1 stop
2
9,300 ft to 11,300 ft, 4 miles, approx. 3-4 hours You will be woken up after your first night on the mountain with a nice cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate at 06:30am in your tent. After breakfast you start your climb on a trail continuing up towards Kibo. 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 and to take pictures. Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Camping Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
8 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 3
2nd Camp to Kikelewa Camp
1 stop
3
11,300 ft to 11,811 ft, 4 miles, 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 Kikelewa 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 Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Camping Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
8 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 4
Kikelewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn Hut
1 stop
4
11,811 ft to 14,160 ft, 3 miles, 4 hours Though this stage to Mawenzi Tarn is relatively short at less than 4-5km 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. Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Camping Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
8 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 5
Mawenzi Tarn Hut to Kibo hut
1 stop
5
14,160 ft to 15,430 ft, 5 miles, 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 in bed before 7pm, be well rested when you wake up for a hot drink at 11:30pm.
8 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 6
Kibo Hut to Gilman’s Point to Uhuru Peak – Horombo Hut
1 stop
6
15,430 ft to 19,341 ft to 12,205 ft, 4 miles ascent, 10 miles descent, 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. 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. Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Camping Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
6 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 7
Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate then Moshi
1 stop
7
12,205 ft to 6,046 ft, 12 miles, 5-7 hours Once again you will be awaken for your final celebratory breakfast 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 by giving a tip. We continue our descent by passing Mandara Hut down to Marangu Gate. There you will get the chance to have a celebratory beer while the equipment is loaded in the van and then it is off to a restaurant in Moshi for lunch where you will be presented with your certificate of achievement. After lunch you will be dropped off at your hotel, where you can relax under a long, well deserved hot shower. Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Camping Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
7 hours • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

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