6 Day Rongai Route Climb

Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).

You will meet us at the airport and pick up with private transfer to Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort. We will gather in the evening for a pre-climb briefing and an equipment check. We will also confirm you have the appropriate mandatory medical coverage and travel insurance.

Day 2: Marangu Gate to Complete Registration .

We take a ride to Marangu to complete the necessary registration formalities, before transferring by Land Rover to Rongai. The climb begins from Nale Moru (1950m. ft) on a small path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering a pine forest. The track then starts to climb consistently, but gently through an attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife, including the Colobus monkey. These monkeys are black with a long ‘cape’ of white hair and a flowing white tail. The forest begins to thin out at the edge of the moorland zone. Then, we take in the expansive views over the Kenyan plains as we arrive at our first campsite at Rongai One (2600m.). (3-4 hours walking).

Day 3: Kikelewa Caves (3600m.).(5-7 hours walking).

The morning walk is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave (11,300 ft) with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern Icefields on the crater rim. After lunch, we leave the main trail and strike out and head southeast across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. Our campsite is in a sheltered valley, decorated with giant senecios near Kikelewa Caves (3600m.).(5-7 hours walking)

Day 4: Mawenzi Tarn (4330m.)

A short but steep climb is rewarded by superb all-around views and a tangible sense of wilderness. We leave vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn (4330m.), spectacularly situated in a cirque directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. The afternoon will be free to rest or explore the surrounding area as an aid to acclimatization. (3-4 hours walking)

Day 5: Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo Hut (4700m.)

We cross the lunar desert of the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo Hut (4700m.) at the bottom of the crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for an early morning final ascent. (5-6 hours walking)

Day 6: Descent to Kibo Hut (4700m.

We start the final 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 (18,600 ft). We rest here 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 (5895m.), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Kibo Hut (4700m.) is surprisingly fast and, after some refreshments, we continue the descent to Horombo Huts (3740m.).
(11-14 hours walking)

Day 7: Walking through Moorland to Mandara Huts (8,900 ft)

A steady descent takes us down through moorland to Mandara Huts (8,900 ft). We then continue descending through lovely lush forest on a good path to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate at Marangu (6,000 ft), where we are transferred to Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort. In Moshi
(4-5 hours walking).

Day 8: Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort

After having your lunch at Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort we will drive you back to Kilimanjaro International airport (JRO) ready for the evening flight and back home.