Mount Kilimanjaro Rongai Route 6 Days

Itinerary

Day 1: Rongai Gate (1950m) – Simba Camp (2600m)

Pass By: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
After an early breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up from Arusha (1400m) and driven to the Marangu Gate (1980m). At the gate, the porters will organize and pack the belongings for the hike while you and your guide register with the Tanzania National Park (TANAPA). You will then be transferred by vehicle to the Rongai trailhead, which is 2.5 hours away from the Managu Gate. The trail begins in the tall cornfields then leads into the pine forest. This trail has a gradual ascent and allows hikers to enjoy their surroundings. About halfway up the trail you will have a lunch break and you will reach the 1st Caves Camp (2600m) in the late afternoon or early evening. The porters and chef, who move very fast up the mountain, will reach camp before you and set up your tents, boil drinking water, and prepare snacks for your arrival. After washing up, a hot dinner will be served. For overnight, mountain temperatures may drop to freezing so be prepared!

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Simba Camp

Day 2: 1st Caves Camp (2600m) – Kikelewa Cave (3600m)

Pass By: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
The morning walk is a steady ascent up to the ‘Second Cave’ (3,450 m) with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern icefields 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. Kikelewa campsite is in a sheltered valley with giant senecios near Kikelewa Caves (3,600 m) [6-7 hours walking]

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Kikelewa Cave

Day 3: Kikelewa Cave (3600) – Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4330m)

Pass By: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
A short but steep climb is rewarded by superb allround views and a tangible sense of wilderness. We leave vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn (4,330 m), 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 acclimatisation. [3-4 hours walking]

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Mawenzi Tarn Camp

Day 4: Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4330m) – Kibo Hut (4700m) or School Hut

Pass By: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
After breakfast, hikers will continue ascending east for a half-day hike to Kibo Hut. Kibo is located in the “Saddle,” which refers to the area located between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo in an alpine desert. There is no water at this camp, but hikers can buy mineral water and soft drinks at the camp office. An early dinner will be served so hikers can rest before attempting the summit the same night. Your guide will brief you in detail on how to prepare for summit night. Get to sleep by 19:00!

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: School Hut or Kibo Hut

Day 5: Summit Attempt

Pass By: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
Your guide will wake you around 23:30 for tea and biscuits. You will then begin your summit attempt. The trail is rocky up to Hans Meyer Cave (5150m). You continue your ascent to Gillman’s point (5681m). Reaching this section is an impressive achievement as the trail is steep, rocky, and at high altitude. Gillman’s is located on the crater rim. From this point, you will usually experience a snow covered trail until you reach the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). Reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro is a lifetime accomplishment! You will be able to spend a short time on the summit taking photographs and drinking tea before the descent to Barafu begins. The hike down to Kibo Hut takes about 3 hours.

At Kibo Hut, you will rest and enjoy a hot lunch in the sun. After eating, you will continue descending down to Horombo Hut (3720m). You will have a dinner, wash, and rest soundly at the hut after a strenuous day.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Horombo Campsite

Day 6: Horombo Hut (3720m) – Marangu Gate (1980m) Then Moshi or Arusha

Pass By: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
Following a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. It is here on the mountain that you will present your tips to the guide, assistant guides, chef(s), and porters. After celebrating, you will descend for 6 hours back to Marangu Gate (1980m). The National Park requires all hikers to sign their names to receive certificates of completion. Hikers who reached Gillman’s Point (5681m) receive green certificates and hikers who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. After receiving certificates, you will drive back to Arusha for long overdue showers and more celebrations.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
No accommodation included on this day.