Mount Kilimanjaro – Rongai Route

Elevation: 2000m/6560ft to 2650m/8700ft

Distance: 6km/4mi

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Montane Forest

Drive to Nale Moru, a charming wooden village (about 2 hours including a stop to get permits at Marangu Gate). You will start the climb on a broad trail that winds past potatoes and maize fields before entering a pine forest after checking in and getting the porters ready. The trail then begins to slowly but steadily climb through a lovely woodland that is home to a variety of creatures. The first camp lies at the edge of the moorland zone with broad views of the Tanzanian lowlands as the forest starts to thin out.

Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3450m/11,300ft

Distance: 6km/4mi

Walking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Moorland

Today you trek through the moorland to the second cave. Walking to the Second Cave in the morning offers wonderful views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim.

Elevation: 3450m/11,300ft to 3880m/12,700ft

Distance: 9km/5mi

Walking Time: 2-3 hours

Habitat: Alpine desert

Today we continue our hike from the Second Cave to Mawenzi Tarn camp. The scenery along this part of the journey is quite remarkable. Be prepared for a cold night as temperatures drop below freezing at this exposed camp.

Elevation: 3880m/12,700ft to 4750m/15,600ft

Distance: 5km/3mi

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Make your way down the Kibo crater wall to Kibo Hut. The trek is a gradual incline that heads west through the saddle, a ridge of barren land that connects the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Resting up for the final ascent and an extremely early day fills the rest of the day.

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 / 6-8 hours down

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Start your ascent to the summit very early in the morning (between midnight and two in the morning) by making your way to Gilman's Point, which is at an elevation of 5700 meters (18,700 feet), on the crater rim. Ascending further, we now reach Uhuru Peak, Africa's highest peak. Every turn reveals breathtaking views. Take a photo of yourself at the summit to show your loved ones. From there, we descend to Kibo, where we have lunch and take a break before moving on to the Horombo camp. This climb starts in the dark, necessitating the use of headlamps or flashlights. You will need all of your warm garments because it will be really cold until you start descending. With numerous switchbacks, this is by far the hardest part of the hike. You can get there by moving slowly ("pole pole") and having a positive outlook.

Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 1700m/5500ft

Distance: 20km/12.5mi

Hiking Time: 4-6 hours

Habitat: Montane forest

Following a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. It is here on the mountain that you will present your tips to the guide, assistant guides, chef(s), and porters. After celebrating, we'll make our way through the moorland on a slow descent to the Mandara hut following the trail that descends through the lush woodland until you reach the Marangu National Park gate. It could be muddy and damp at lower altitudes. Trekking poles and gaiters will be useful. Most likely, there will be enough to wear, shorts and T-shirts (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). The National Park requires all hikers to sign their names to receive certificates of completion. Hikers who reached Gillman’s Point (5681m) receive green certificates and hikers who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. After receiving the certificates, you will drive back to Arusha/Moshi.