6 Days 5 Nights Kilimanjaro Rongai Route
Day 1:Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Rongai Gate (Nale Moru), Hike to Simba Camp (LD)
We drive to the attractive wooden village of Nale Moru around 2 hours including a stop to get permits at Marangu. After signing in and preparing the porters, you will begin the climb on a wide path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering pine forest. The track then starts to ascend consistently but gently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife. The forest starts to thin out and the first camp is set out at the edge of the moorland zone with extensive views over the Kenyan plains.
–Elevation: 2000m/6560ft to 2650m/8700ft
–Distance: 6km/4mi
–Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
–Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Simba Camp
Day 2: Hike Simba Camp to Second Cave (BLD)
The morning climb is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim but take it easy as it may be a bit tiresome.
–Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3450m/11,300ft
–Distance: 6km/4mi
–Walking Time: 3-4 hours
–Habitat: Moorland
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Second Cave Camp
Day 3: Hike Second Cave to Third Cave (BLD)
Today we continue our hike from the Second Cave to the Third Cave.
–Elevation: 3450m/11,300ft to 3880m/12,700ft
–Distance: 9km/5mi
–Walking Time: 2-3 hours
–Habitat: Semi-desert
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Third Cave Camp
Day 4: Hike Third Cave to Kibo Hut (BLD)
Hike to Kibo Hut at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent and a very early day!
–Elevation: 3880m/12,700ft to 4750m/15,600ft
–Distance: 5km/3mi
–Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
–Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Kibo Hut Camp
Day 5: Hike Kibo Hut to Summit, and down to Horombo Hut (BLD)
Very early in the morning at around 4 am or earlier commences the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman’s Point located on the crater rim (elev 5700m/18,700ft). As we continue, we now ascend to the Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa also known as the roof of Africa. There are unbelievable views at every turn which may also be an amazing place for you to take a picture at the summit to show your family and friends. Then from here, we descend, stopping for lunch and a little bit of rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment. The beginning of this climb is done in the dark and requires headlamps or flashlights. It will be very cold until you start descending, so you will need all of your warm layers. This is by far the most difficult part of the trek with many switchbacks. Going slowly “pole pole” and an optimistic attitude will get you there!
–Elevation: 4700m/15,500ft to 5895m/19,340ft
— Down to 3700m/12,200ft
–Distance: 6km/4mi up / 15km/9mi down
–Hiking Time: 6-8 hours up / 15km/9mi down
–Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Horombo Hut Camp
Day 6: Hike Horombo Hut to the trailhead, drive to Moshi (B)
After an early breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through moorland to the Mandara Hut. Continue the descend through a lush forest path to the National Park gate at Marangu. At lower elevations, it can be wet, muddy sometimes slippery. Gaiters and climbing poles will help greatly. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be okay to wear but keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy. A vehicle will meet you at Marangu village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi. It is time for a huge celebration for reaching the roof of Africa!
–Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 1700m/5500ft
–Distance: 20km/12.5mi
–Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
–Habitat: Forest
Meals included: Breakfast
