8 Day Mt Kilimanjaro Climb: Rongai Route

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival – Arusha

On arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, met and assisted. Transfer to a hotel for an overnight. Dinner and Overnight.

Day 2: Rongai Gate (1950m) – 1st Caves camp (2600m)

Register at the Marangu park gate with a transfer (approximately 2 ½ hours) to the Rongai trailhead. Meet your guide and porters before you begin your hike from the Nale Moru village. The small winding path crosses maize fields before entering pine forest, and then climbs gently through a forest. The trail is not at all steep, but is rather a gentle hike through beautiful country. The first night’s camp is at First Cave, at about 2,600 metres. There is a toilet and a wooden table with benches, but no hut. Water can be found just down the trail below First Cave.

Day 3: 1st Cave (2600m) – Kikelewa 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. Overnight at 3rd Cave camp (Kikelewa Caves).

Day 4: 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.

Day 5:

On Day 5 of the Rongai route, proceed with the ascent along the eastern side of Kibo, traversing the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo. This leg of the journey will take approximately 4 to 5 hours until you reach Kibo Hut. The rest of the day will be dedicated to resting and getting ready for the ultimate climb, which commences at midnight. Spend the night at Kibo Camp.

Day 6: Summit Attempt

At approximately 23:30, you will wake up and, after having some tea and biscuits, set off into the dark night. This is the point where the real challenge begins. The initial segment of the trail consists of a rocky path leading to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), which serves as a good resting spot. The path then winds its way up to Gillman's Point (5681m), situated on the rim of the crater. This section is extremely steep, characterized by loose stones and scree, demanding significant physical and mental exertion. It is arguably the most strenuous part of the entire route. Move slowly, employing the "Kili shuffle" technique. From Gillman's Point onward, you can expect to encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru Peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa. Reaching this summit brings a sense of exhilaration and immense satisfaction—congratulations, you made it! The duration of your stay at the summit, allowing for photography, will depend on the weather conditions. Following that, you will embark on a 3-hour descent back to Kibo Hut. After a short rest, gather your gear for the ascent and continue down to Horombo Hut, a journey of approximately 3 hours, where you will spend the night. Surprisingly, the return to Horombo Hut may feel comparatively faster than the ascent. You should be prepared for a very challenging day, as the total walking time on this day amounts to around 14 hours. Later in the evening, enjoy your final dinner (soft drinks and beer available for purchase at the camp office) on the mountain, followed by a well-deserved and emotionally charged night of sleep.

Day 7: Horombo hut (3720m) – Marangu Gate (1980m)

After enjoying breakfast, you continue your descent, which typically takes around 6 hours. Along the way, you pass by the Mandara Hut and make your way down to the Marangu Gate. It is highly recommended to hold off on tipping your porters until both you and your gear have safely reached the gate. At the Marangu Gate, you'll be asked to register by providing your name and details. This is also the place where successful climbers are rewarded with summit certificates. Climbers who reached Gillman's Point (5685m) are presented with green certificates, while those who made it to Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. From there, you will be driven back to Moshi, where you can finally indulge in a long-awaited hot shower, a delicious dinner, and well-deserved celebrations! Spend the night at the Springlands Hotel

Day 8:Departure

Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight back home or continue with your safari schedule.