8 day Mount Kilimanjaro hiking Rongai route

Either take the transfer Shuttle bus from Nairobi and drive to Tanzania through Namanga border point or on arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, you will meet our office assistant for briefing and our driver for the transfer to Moshi hotel for an overnight rest on bed and breakfast in readiness to start the 8 days mount Kilimanjaro hiking rongai route climb.

Pick up from your hotel and drive through agricultural fields with Maize, Bananas and other crops to Nale Moru village where you will meet your guide and porters and drive higher up crossing pine forest, to the Rongai gate. On arrival, the cook will prepare and serve you with a picnic lunch as you sign in at the park gate. After lunch and packing, you will start the 8 day Kilimanjaro Rongai hike gently through a forest. The trail is not at all steep, but is rather a gentle.

The first night’s camp is at Simba camp at about 2,625m. There is a toilet and a wooden table with benches, but no hut. Water can be found just down the stream nearb Distance 7km, time: 4 hours

The trail continues up towards Kibo, passing First cave to Second Cave (3450m) where lunch will be served (4hrs). From hear there are two trails. The one on light straight up towards Third Cave, but you take the left trail after lunch and the hike take you about another 4 hrs to reach the Kikelewa Cave at about 3600 m. The views start to open up and you begin to feel you’re on a really big mountain. Water is in the obvious stream below the cave, although you might have to wander downhill a way to find some. Dinner and overnight at the camp. Distance 16km, Hiking time:8- 9 hours

A short but steep climb up grassy slopes offers superb views of this wilderness area. The vegetation zone ends shortly before you reach your next camp at Mawenzi Tarn spectacularly situated beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi peak. Spend the afternoon acclimatizing and exploring the area. Distance 8 km. Hiking time: 4-5 hours

Continue ascending on the east side of Kibo crossing the Saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo taking 5 to 6 hours to reach Kibo Hut. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent, which begins around midnight. Lunch, dinner and overnight at Kibo Camp. Distance 8 km. Hiking time: 5-6 hours

You will rise around 23.30hr, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night, and this is where the going really gets tough. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5,150m), also a good resting spot. The path then zigzags up to Gillman’s point (5,681m), which is located on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot of stone scree, requiring a great physical and mental effort. Probably the most demanding section of the entire route. From Gillman’s Point you will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5,895m), the highest point in Africa. Total exhilaration and satisfaction – you made it. Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long you will be able to spend, taking photographs, before the 3 hour descent back to Kibo hut. After a short rest you gather all your gear you left behind for the ascent and head down to Horombo hut (3 hours) for your overnight in tents. The total time spent walking on this day is around 14 hours, so be prepared for a very tough day. Later in the evening you enjoy your last night on the mountain and a well-earned sleep, filled with memories and stirring emotions.

After breakfast you continue your descent (6 hours), passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate. At Marangu gate you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates both those climbers who have reached Gillman’s Point (5,681m) and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5,895m). The lunch will be served and then you drive back to Moshi/Arusha Hotel for an overnight and also for a long overdue hot shower and celebration dinner.

Take the transfer Shuttle bus back to Nairobi or transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight back home or continue with your safari schedule. End of 8 days mount Kilimanjaro hiking rongai route hike.

Best combined with a beach holiday.