6 Days Kilimanjaro Climb Rongai Route

After breakfast around 7:00am at the Lodge / Hotel, you will be transferred Rongai Gate (Its approximately 3 hrs drive from Moshi to Rongai Gate). The climb begins from the attractive wooden village of NaleMoru (1,950 m.) its 6 Km distance walking, on a small path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering pine forest. This route is very scenic slowly hiking of approximately 3 to 4 hours on this day. Overnight at SIMBA campsite

The morning walk is a steady ascent up to the ‘Second Cave’ (3,450 m.), its 5Kms with 3-5 hours walking, with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim. After lunch, we leave the main trail and strike out across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. Our campsite is in a sheltered valley with giant scenarios – to Kikelewa Campsite, where you will overnight. (3.600 m.)

A short but steep climb, it’s about 5kms up, grassy slopes is rewarded by superb all round views and a tangible sense of wilderness. We leave vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi turn hat (4,330 m.) which is approximately 3-4 hours walking, spectacularly situated in a cirque directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi.  After arriving in the afternoon, you will be free to rest and explore the surrounding area as you get to acclimatize at the Camp. You will overnight at third Cave Campsite.

This day you will start the summit hike which you cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach KIBO Campsite (4,750 m.), it’s about 7kms, that is approximately 3-4 hours walking to the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night!

We will start the final, and by far the steepest and most demanding, part of the climb by torchlight around 1 a.m. We plod very slowly in the darkness on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point (5,685 m.) We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. 

Those who are still feeling strong can make the three hour round trip to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m.), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Kibo (4,700 m.) is surprisingly fast and, after some refreshment, we continue the descent to reach our final Campsite at Horombo (Horombo Campsite) (3,720 m.). [10-11 hours walking. Total distance walking from KIBO Hut to Summit is aprox 10 - 11kms and Summit (Uhuru to Horombo aprox. 8kms)

A steady descent takes us down through moorland to Mandara Hut (2,700m.), the first stopping place at the Marangu route. We then continue descending through lovely lush forest on a good path to the National Park gate at Marangu (1,830 m.). [6 - 7 hours walking]. This is a long distance of aprox. 18kms from Horombo to mandara then continue to Marangu Gate. You will meet our Driver and be transferred to Hotel / lodge for overnight

Departing day, to the airport or other destinations in Tanzania or Kenya. A trip to the beaches at Zanzibar is a good way to recuperate. We can arrange many reasonably priced trips and safaris around Moshi or Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar.