Kilimanjaro is shy. Although she towers at 5 895 m above sea level, she is something of a reluctant muse, more often than not concealing her lofty splendour behind a cloudy veil. On the Rongai route you get to view her from almost all angles but her western slopes.
The journey by road on the morning of the start of your trek takes you from the bustling little town of Moshi all around the eastern side of Kilimanjaro to the village of Nale Moru in the north. This is an interesting ride itself through coffee and banana plantations as well as villages that do not often see visitors. You get a taste for what everyday life is all about at the foot of Africa’s leading lady, Mt Kilimanjaro. Children play in the streets, farmers and traders are selling their goods at markets dotting the dusty streets while goats and cattle try and hide from the sun in the shade.
From time to time you catch yourself marvelling at the giant mountain that you are about to take on – from classic Mwanzi Peak views to glimpses of Kibo.
As you set off on this epic journey, the path leads you through plantations before entering the lush rainforest on the lower slopes of the mountain. Along the way giant tree ferns flourish underneath trees draped with Oldman’s Beard (usnea lichen) and colourful flowers including a variety of lilies and hibiscus. Blue Monkeys and Colobus Monkeys may curiously peak at you from the green trees while birds sing happily.
Leaving the montane forest behind, you make your way higher on the northern foothills on day two. Hiking through the moorland you enjoy superb views of Kibo and the eastern ice fields of the crater rim. On day three the views start to open up allowing you incredible sightings to Kenya in the north and up towards Kibo to the south. You gain height hiking towards Mawenzi Peak which is peering down on you from 5,149 m (16,893 ft). Spend a night under the towering spires of Mawenzi before making your way over the mountain’s saddle to base camp. The semi- desert terrain makes place for a picturesque alpine desert where the harsh terrain gives only the hardiest of plant species permission to grow. From here the icy summit calls you to the highest point in Africa – Uhuru peak. It is a feeling of accomplishment like none other.
In the early morning darkness you trek to the crater, normally arriving just before sunrise. Uhuru Peak (19,340 ft/5 895 m), the highest point in Africa and the summit of the world’s highest free standing mountain, is now within reach. The soft morning sun breaks through and lights up your path en-route to the summit – as you enjoy the sunrise from the Roof of Africa!
After all the excitement of the summit the trail leads you back down the dusty path past the base camp towards Horombo Hut, where you spend your last night on the mountain. On the lower foothills Proteas (Protea kilimandscharica), Impatiens (impatiens kilimanjari), daisies (euryops brownie) as well as huge senecio plants and the shorter lobelia plants hug the path as you walk your last few kilometres to Marangu Gate. You leave the rainforest and its welcome shade behind to board the vehicle to the Keys Hotel, for your last night in Moshi and plenty to celebrate!
Trail length: 6 day/5 night or may be done as a 7 day/6 night hike
Start: Rongai Gate (1,950 m/6,397.6 ft)
Highest point reached: Uhuru Peak (5,895 m/19,340 ft)
Finish: Marangu Gate (1,843 m/6,046 ft)
Total trail distance: 6 day 70 km / 43,3 miles
Pre/post night accommodation: Keys Hotel, Moshi
Departs: Daily or join a set group departure
Nearest international airport: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
Country: Tanzania
Best time to go: January-March and the end June-October
Day 1 – Moshi, (888 m / 2,913 ft) BB
On arrival you will be met and transferred to Keys Hotel, a basic hotel offering comfortable accommodation, an ideal place to overnight before and after a Kilimanjaro expedition. A climb briefing is scheduled for today in order to meet your guides and discuss the expedition in more detail.
Day 2 – Rongai Gate (1,950 m/6,395 ft) – Simba Camp (2,800 m/9,186 ft) FB
Walking distance: 8 km/4,9 miles
Walking time: 3-4 hours
Altitude gain: 850 m/2,791ft After breakfast you will be transferred by road (approx. 3-4 hours drive) along the eastern side of Kilimanjaro to the Rongai Gate in the north of Kilimanjaro National Park from where your hike starts.
A short slow hike will take you through a pine plantation that leads up into the thicker rainforest on the foothills of the mountain. Enjoy time taking in the natural surroundings, take a photo and nibble on your packed lunch that we provide. Spend your first night on the mountain at Simba Camp on the edge of the rainforest.
OPTIONAL EXTRA NIGHT TO DO A 7 DAY/6 NIGHT HIKE
Day 3 – Simba Camp (2,800 m/9,186 ft) – Second Camp (3, 450 m/11,319 ft) FB
Walking distance: 7 km/4,3 miles
Walking time: 3-4 hours
Altitude gain: 650 m/2,133 ft
On day two you trek higher up on the northern slopes of Kilimanjaro leaving the montane forest behind. The path takes you into the Kikelewa Moorland area with fantastic mountain vegetation such as Proteas (Protea kilimandscharica), Impatiens (impatiens kilimanjari), daisies (euryops brownie). Enjoy great views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim. Giant Senecious grow nearby the sheltered valley of Second Cave, where you will spend the night.
Should you choose to do the Rongai Route hike as a 6 day/5 night climb, you will continue to Kikelewa Camp (10 km/6.2 ml; 6-7 hours) on this day and not overnight at Second Camp.
Day 4/3 – Second Camp (3,450 m/11,319 ft) – Kikelewa Camp (3,600 m/11,811 ft) FB
Walking distance: 6 km/3,7 miles
Walking time: 3-4 hours
Altitude gain: 150m/492 ft
Continue to head out across the Kikelewa moorland towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. From here be rewarded with spectacular views of the plains of Kenya below. Spend the night at Kikelewa Camp.
Day 5/4 – Kikelewa Camp (3,600 m/11,811 ft) – Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,320m/14,174 ft) FB
Walking distance: 6 km/3.7 miles
Walking time: 4-5 hours
Altitude gain: 720 m/2,363 ft
A steep, but short hike leads you over grassy terrain to the base of Mawenzi Peak. The views from here are spectacular into Kenya’s plains below. The vegetation diminishes as you gain altitude towards the towering spires of Mawenzi Peak. Spend the night at Mawenzi Tarn camp next to a little lake.
Day 5/6 – Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,320 m/14,174 ft) – Kibo Camp (4,700 m/15,419 ft) FB
Walking distance: 9 km/ 5.5 miles
Walking time: 5-6 hours
Altitude gain: 380 m/1,245 ft
After breakfast you pass through the lunar desert of the Saddle. This is the lava covered expanse between the two peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Though the walk is not far, progress is slow due to the altitude. Spend the night at the base of Kibo Crater at Kibo Camp. Settle in for an early night as your final ascent will start around midnight.
Day 6/7 – Kibo Camp (4,700 m/15,419 ft) – Summit via Gillman’s Point (5,685 m/18,651 ft) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m/19,340 ft) and descent to Horombo Hut (3,720 m/12,205 ft)
Walking distance: 6 km/3.7 miles ascent + 16 km/9.9 miles descent
Walking time: 5-6 hrs + 1-2 hours up, 7-8 hours down (the overall walking time may vary between 10-16 hours)
Altitude gain: 985 m/3,232 ft (Gillman’s Point) or 210 m/689 ft (Uhuru Peak)
Descent: 2,175 m/7,135 ft Horombo Hut
Wake up very early to have a quick bite to eat and something warm to drink before setting out in darkness. The hike to Gillman’s Point is a very slow steep walk on volcanic scree for about 5-6 hours. The headlamps on the trail towards the summit almost look like fireflies in a long row. As you approach the crater rim you will enjoy the most memorable sunrise you may ever experience – the sunrise over Africa! Often you see the curving of the earth at this high altitude and the sunrise on the horizon just accentuates it. Keep your camera ready at all times as there are plenty of photo opportunities along the summit. Once you reach Gillman’s Point on top of the crater rim, you have approximately another hour’s hike to get Uhuru Peak is in sight. Hike along fairly flat terrain for about 1½ hours to reach Uhuru Peak.
Spend a few minutes at the top and get that photo of you next to the sign marking the summit – definitely one for your collection.
Descend from Uhuru Peak in high spirits as you have just achieved your goal. The trail down from Gillman’s Point on the Marangu route is often enjoyed by hikers sliding down the scree slope, which entails skidding down the loose gravel with big steps and some sideways moves. Try it, it is fun! With every step going down your body enjoys having more oxygen to breathe in. Depending on how you feel, you may enjoy a short rest at Kibo Camp before descending down to Horombo Hut where you spend the night.
Day 7/8 – Horombo Hut (3,720 m/12,205 ft) – Marangu Gate (1,843 m/6,046 ft) BB
Walking distance: About 20 km, 12,4 miles
Walking time: 5-7 hours
Descend: 1,877 m/ 6,159 ft
Enjoy a slow hike through the rainforest to Marangu Gate. Take time to enjoy the lush vegetation with the Old Man’s Beard (tree moss) growing on the giant trees as well as some Giant Ferns towering high over the forest bed. The path has many steps leading you down to Marangu Gate where you may find a cold beer or soft-drink to start celebrating your assault of Kilimanjaro. You will be transferred back to Moshi, Keys Hotel, to overnight and celebrate (breakfast included). This evening your guides will meet you to hand out your Kilimanjaro Certificates.
Day 8/ 9 – End
The Kilimanjaro Expedition comes to an end. Transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home or continue on a safari or relaxing beach holiday.
Liaise with your head guide regarding tips – we recommend an amount of USD190-USD220 per climber for a 6- day climb (based on 4 climbers in a party), which the guide will apportion out amongst the group. Whilst the above figure is anticipated for a job well done – anything above that is totally at your discretion. In accordance with the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project guidelines, we’ve introduced a system where every climber, on completion of the climb, completes a form with the amount that you are giving as a tip.
We also do regular high tech clothing donations in conjunction with Cape Union Mart (South African outdoor gear company, www.capeunionmart.co.za) to the porters and guides in Kilimanjaro to assist them in being properly prepared for these climb expeditions.
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