Kilimanjaro Rongai Route 6 Days

Today’s Status

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Total Distance: 7 km

Starting Altitude: 1950m (6400ft)

Final Altitude: 2600m (8530ft)

Environment: Montane Forest

After breakfast, we begin the 3-4 hr drive from Arusha and approach Kilimanjaro in counterclockwise direction around the eastern flank of Kilimanjaro through Chagga villages that cling to the mountain slope, up to the border with Kenya before turning in to the Loitokitok Gate.

Our ascent begins in at the small village of Nalemoru 1950m (6400ft) following a trail that winds through lush farmland, pine and cypress forests before ascending into the thick rainforest zone where you may see troupes of black and white colobus monkeys. These monkeys are black with a long ‘cape’ of white hair and a flowing white tail.

We set camp at the edge of the Mooreland zone where the rainforest begins to thin out and panoramic views of the Kenyan plains unfold. In the evening you may hear the unmistakable shrieking call of the tree hyrax.

Today’s Status

Hiking Time: 6-7 hours

Total Distance: 11.8 km

Starting Altitude: 2600m (8530ft)

Final Altitude: 3621m (11811ft)

Environment: Mooreland

Today’s trek begins with a steady ascent up to the ‘Second Cave’ (3450m) with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim.

Our path is lined by a variety of flowers including Carduus keniensis and bright red gladiolus. After stopping for lunch, we leave the main trail and set out across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi.

As we trek we sight Lobelia deckenii, unique to the Kilimanjaro moorland zone. Our campsite is in a sheltered valley encircled (collocated) with giant senecios (Dendrosencio kilimanjari) near Kikelewa Caves

Today’s Status

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Total Distance: 7 km

Starting Altitude: 3621m (11811ft)

Final Altitude: 4328m (14,200ft)

Environment: Semi-Desert

Our trek today starts gently before a short but steep climb through a forest of senecios before emerging onto the highland desert zone dominated by helichrysum flowers, low heathers and groundsel.

The steep Western slopes of Mawenzi rise abruptly from the surrounding flatness to numerous craggy peaks, the highest point being Hans Meyer peak at a height of about 16990 ft (5149 m).

Our camp is spectacularly situated in a valley directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi, offering stunning views of Mawenzi and Kibo.

Your afternoon is free to rest or explore the surrounding area including barrancos (high bluffs) and the tarn (mountain lake) where our campsite is situated.

Today’s Status

Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

Total Distance: 5 km

Starting Altitude: 4328m (14,200ft)

Final Altitude: 4748m (15,580ft)

Environment: Semi-Desert

We leave camp the way we had come the previous afternoon. Once at the top of the ridge we walk along the undulating trail through the foothills of Mawenzi till we get to the saddle. The saddle is the barren alpine desert between Kibo and Mawenzi.

Barren, except for a few tufts of grass here and there and scattered rocks and the wreckage of a plane.

The trail splits in two, left to Kibo Huts Camp and the one on the right to School Hut where our overnight camp is located. The trails steepens from here on and the going slows down. After stopping for lunch, we continue our steep ascent for the next 2.5 hrs until we arrive at School Hut. The remainder of the day is spent hydrating, eating and taking in our amazing Kibo panorama before retiring early in preparation for the final ascent.

Today’s Status

Hiking Time: 11-15 hours

Total Distance: 18.5 km

Starting Altitude: 4748m (15,580ft)

Final Altitude: 3700m (12140ft)

Environment: Alpine Desert

After rising early to a warm drink and a light snack, we leave camp at around 6am and begin the most difficult though most rewarding day of the trek – your hike to the roof of Africa. You will ascend northwest on rough scree passing Hans Meyer cave.

After approximately 5-6 hours of slow but strenuous hiking, you will reach Gillmans Point, which is the culmination of the most physically demanding portion of your climb. Here we take a short break to rehydrate and enjoy light snacks.

From here we continue our upward journey arriving at the rim of the main crater, Stella Point (5685m). At this point we stop to rest, eat lunch and take in the views over the clouds. From Stella Point the trail is normally snow-covered, and every step of the 2-hour final ascent to Uhuru peak is challenging. Passing alongside the iridescent blue Rebmann and Tarzel glaciers we reach Elveda Point (5882) we can see Uhuru Peak now only minutes away. The roof of Africa is within your grasp.

Arriving at the summit you feel a huge sense of elation and accomplishment you have done it, you have made it to the highest point in Africa. We spend as much time as you need to appreciate your accomplishment, as this is a day to remember for the rest of your life! The time you will spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions and temperature.

After capturing our summit photos we retrace our steps via Gillmans and descend to Kibo where we stop to remove extra clothing, take refreshments and continue our descent. Six hours after our summit we arrive at Horombo Hut Camp (3700m).

Today’s Status

Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

Total Distance: 20.4 km

Starting Altitude: 4328m (14,200ft)

Final Altitude: 1830m (6004ft)

Environment: Semi-Desert

Over the next 4 hours we rapidly drop elevation as we descend through the thick montane forest on Kilimanjaro’s southern flank via Mandara Hut (2700m) and finally emerging at the Marangu Gate where we stop for a well-deserved picnic lunch.

Here successful hikers will receive their summit certificates (gold for Uhuru Peak, Green for Stella point) from the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority. Post celebrations, we are taken by either private bus or Jeep to our hotel in Arusha.

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