8-Day Rongai Route Kilimanjaro Trekking

Pick up from Kilimanjaro International Airport, meet our representative and drive to Arusha for an overnight stay at Kibo Palace Hotel. Is today where we will find time to gather together for briefing and your guide will check your equipment if you have enough. He will advise you accordingly if there is something extra you may need to have and how to get it. In-case you forgot something we have a store of which you can rent at reasonable price.

We take a ride to Marangu to complete the necessary registration formalities, before transferring to Rongai. The climb begins from Nale Moru (6,400 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 Camp (8,500 ft).

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 (11,800 ft).

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(14,200 ft), 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.

We cross the lunar desert of the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo Hut (15,400 ft) at the bottom of the crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for an early morning final ascent. Spend your day at the Camp while enjoying the sunset.

At 1 am, you will start the final and most demanding part of the climb by headlamp. You’ll 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 will stop 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 (19,345 ft). Along the way, you’ll pass close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Kibo Hut (15,400 ft) is surprisingly fast. After some refreshments, we will continue the descent to Horombo Huts (12,200 ft).

A steady descent takes us down through moorland to Mandara Huts (8,900 ft). We then continue descending through a lovely lush forest on a good path to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate at Marangu (6,000 ft), where we are transferred back to your lodge in Moshi, Weruweru River Lodge.

After breakfast, we will take you to Kilimanjaro Airport, where you will take your flight to your next destination. End of Service!

Note: Depends with your departure time, if you have time on this day, you can still do 1/2 activities before depart, or just chose to relax at your Lodge premises. Make sure you discus this with your consultant upon request.