6-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking Rongai Route

Hiking time: 4 hours. Distance: approximately 6.7 km. Habitat: Forest Montane.

Depart from Moshi Town and drive 45 minutes to the Marangu park gate for registration. From Marangu park gate we travel to Naro Moru, northeast Kilimanjaro, and further 68km and approximately 2 ½ hours on bad roads to the Rongai start point at 1996m. Meet your guide and porters before you begin your hike from the Nale Moru village. The small winding path crosses maize fields before entering pine forest and then climbs gently through a forest. The trail is not at all steep but is rather a gentle hike through the beautiful countryside.

We hike from Simba camp up towards Kibo till 3482m for lunch at First Caves, a distance of 5.8km. After lunch, we continue trekking until reaching Kikelewa Camp at about 3679 meters. The views start to open up and you begin to feel you’re on a really big mountain! Water can be found in an obvious stream below the cave, although you might have to wander downhill a way to find a pool or two. Enjoy dinner and overnight at Kikelewa camp.

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. Spend the afternoon acclimatizing and exploring the area.

After breakfast, we head west and continue ascending on the east side of Kibo crossing the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo, taking 4 to 5 hours to reach Kibo Hut. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent which begins around midnight. Overnight at Kibo Hut.

Hiking time: 7 to 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, 6 to 8 hours to descend to Horombo.

Distance: Approximately 5 km ascent and 15 km descent You will rise around 23h20 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 5150m 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 This is probably the most demanding section of the entire route.

Forest After breakfast you continue your descent 6 hours passing the Mandara hut down to the Marangu gate It is strongly recommended not to pay your porters any tips until you and all your gear have reached the gate safely. Click here for more info on tips At Marangu gate you sign your name and details in a register This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates Those climbers who reached Gillman’s Point 5685m are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak 5895m receive gold certificates.