Rongai 6 Days
Day 1: Rongai Gate (1950m) – Rongai Cave Camp (2830m)
Depart Moshi after breakfast at your hotel to Marangu Gate for registration. We transfer by road to Nale Moru (1,950m) to begin our climb on this unspoiled 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 an 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: 4 hrs, 7 km 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 meters. The views start to open up and you feel you’re on a 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: 6-8 hrs, 11 km 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 hrs, 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: 4-5 hrs, 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 toHorombo 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 well-earned sleep, filled with memories and stirring emotions. Walking distance: 6 km ascent, 21 km descent Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
Day 6: 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 are driven back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!! Walking distance: 5-7 hrs, 20 km