7 Days Kilimanjaro Rongai Route

ITINERARY

IN BRIEF

Hike Distance – 47miles / 76 km
Vertical Gain – 13,885ft / 4232m
Drop – 14,118ft / 4303m
Trekking Time – 43 hours

IN DETAIL

DAY 1 – SIMBA CAMP

START – 6,398FT / 1950M
END – 8,764FT / 2671M
DISTANCE – 3 MILES / 5KM
TIME – 3-5 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – FORESTS

After breakfast you depart by vehicle to the eastern side of Kilimanjaro National Park. At the gate your crew finalise packing while you enjoy lunch. After finishing with formalities, you start hiking from Nale Moru Gate through farm and pine plantations before arriving at Simba Camp surrounded by afromontane forest.

DAY 2 – KIKELEWA CAVES

START – 8,764FT / 2671M
END – 11,812FT / 3600M
DISTANCE – 10 MILES / 16KM
TIME – 8-10 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – HEATH

In the morning you ascend to Second Cave (11,319ft, 3,450m) with views of the Eastern Icefields before stopping for lunch. After eating, you leave main trail and head towards Mawenzi before arriving at Kikelewa Caves Campsite in a sheltered valley.

DAY 3 – MAWENZI TARN HUT

START – 11,812FT / 3600M
END – 14,158FT / 4315M
DISTANCE – 2 MILES / 3KM
TIME – 2-3 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ALPINE DESERT

Today you hike up to Mawenzi Tarn, located in a cirque beneath the Mawenzi Volcano. In the afternoon you head out for an acclimatisation walk with your guide. Overnight Mawenzi Tarn Camp (full board).

DAY 4 – MAWENZI TARN HUT (ACCLIMATISATION DAY)

START – 14,158FT / 4315M
END – 14,158FT / 4315M
DISTANCE – 2 MILES / 4KM
TIME – 3-4 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ALPINE DESERT

Today is an acclimatisation and rest day. Your guide takes you on a gentle exploration hike, which normally lasts for around 3-4 hours before returning back to Mawenzi Tarn Campsite.

DAY 5 – KIBO HUT

START – 14,158FT / 4315M
END – 15,486FT / 4720M
DISTANCE – 5 MILES / 8KM
TIME – 4-6 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ALPINE DESERT

Today you cross the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo in the alpine desert zone. You will arrive at your basecamp, Kibo Hut, in time for lunch. In the afternoon it is time to prepare for the night ascent and then an early dinner before heading to bed for a few hours.

DAY 6 – SUMMIT BID / HOROMBO HUTS

START – 15,486FT / 4720M
END – 12,205FT / 3720M
DISTANCE – 13 MILES / 21KM
TIME – 13-17 HRS
CLIMATE ZONES – ALPINE DESERT / ARCTIC / HEATH

Rising early (normally before midnight) you start out from Kibo Hut towards the peak. At night time the scree sections are normally much firmer and the night time start enables the best chance of a clear summit attempt. It takes around 6 hours to reach Gilman’s Point and then a further 1.5 to 2 hours to reach Uhuru Peak (Alt 19,341ft, 5985m) the top of the highest free standing mountain in the world and the roof of Africa! You then descend the same route before a short stop at Kibo Hut for a refuel and rest. By the evening you descend back down to Horombo Huts for dinner and one last sleep.

DAY 7 – ARUSHA

START – 12,205FT / 3720M
END – 6,164FT / 1879M
DISTANCE – 12 MILES / 19KM
TIME – 5-7 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – HEATH / AFROMONTANE FOREST

The final descent takes you back through the heath zone and forest to Marangu Gate. After taking the diplomats, lunch and saying farewell to your crew, you are picked up and transferred back to your lodge for a well deserved shower! Later that evening you will be visited by a Golden Peaks Representative to congratulate you, to find out how the trip went and to answer any final questions you may have about your onward journey.

END OF YOUR 7 Days Rongai Route