7 Days Kilimanjaro Trek via Rongai Route

Pick up from Kilimanjaro airport and transfer to hotel in Moshi/ Arusha. A pre-climb briefing can be organized where we will provide you all the information to prepare for your climb. This will include a day to day guide of your climb, the gear required as well as discussing acute mountain sickness and all health and safety on Kilimanjaro.

After breakfast you will be driven around Mount Kilimanjaro to its north-western side and after 3 to 4 hours, you will arrive at the Nalemoru Gate. After the registration process your adventure begins. The path runs alongside mountain farmers’ fields and pine forests before it enters the sparse mountain forest zone, where black and white colobus monkeys can often be seen. After an approximate 3 to 4 hour hike, you will reach the Simba Camp where you will spend the night. About 8 km | Hiking time: 3-4 hours | Habitat: Montane forest

From Simba camp you’ll trek through the heather and moorland zones and the views of Mawenzi and the vast Kenyan steppes are nothing short of grand. 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 to Second Cave Camp in a sheltered valley which is decorated with Giant Senecios for dinner and overnight. About 4 km | Hiking time: 2-3 hours | Habitat: Moorland

After breakfast trekk to Kikilewa Camp, where you can see Kibo Volcano at its finest (barring cloudy weather). This will be a relief day, so after lunch you will have time to sleep before the next trekking towards Mawenzi Tarn Camp. Dinner and Overnight at the Camp. About 5 km | Hiking time: 3-4 hours | Habitat: Moorland

The typical senescent vegetation will soon disappear and the scenery will become more barren with the occasional rock formations. In good weather you can enjoy the breath-taking views of the Kibo and Mawenzi summits as well as Kenya’s savannah grasslands. After passing a few more rock formations, you will arrive at the Mawenzi Hut. For many mountain climbers, it is the most atmospheric camp on the mountain. About 6 km | Hiking time: 4-5 hours | Habitat: Moorland

On a relatively easy path, today’s leg takes you over the Kibo Saddle. A lack of vegetation is characteristic for the landscape here as only a few types of grass and other plant species can survive in this dry area and thin air. Just before today’s destination is reached, one last rock passage has to be conquered. Finally you will arrive at the School Hut, where you can relax and mentally prepare yourself for tomorrow’s summit stage. About 8 km | Hiking time: 5-6 hours | Habitat: Alpine desert

The climb begins at around 00:00 h and after a 5 to 7 hour walk on frozen volcanic ash, you will reach Gillman’s Point (5,715 m) on the crater’s edge. The sun rays will warm you while you trek for another 1 to 2 hours until you reach Uhuru Peak and finally stand on “Africa’s Roof”. The descent on the now thawed lava ash runs almost along the same route and you will arrive at the School Hut in the late morning. A warm meal will be served and after a well-deserved break, the descent continues to the Horombo Hut. About 21 km | Hiking/Descending time: 12 - 14 hours | Habitat: Artic, Alpine desert

Make the final descent through the rain forest passing Mandara Hut to Marangu Gate. Here we will collect our summit certificates, have lunch and say goodbye to our mountain crew before drive back to Moshi/Arusha to your hotel for dinner and overnight. About 18 km | Descending time: 5-6 hours | Habitat: Moorland, Rain Forest

After breakfast, depart for your next destination, which is optional or can be arranged: Safari to the National Parks Transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport Transport to Other Towns in Tanzania i.e. Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar Nairobi via border town Namanga