8 Days Rongai Route Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking

Drive to the attractive wooden village of Nale Moru (about 2 hours including a stop to get permits at Marangu). After signing in and preparing the porters, you will begin the hike on a wide path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering pine forest. The track then starts to climb consistently but gently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife.

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

Hiking Distance: Approximately 6 Km

Hiking Time: 3-4 Hours

Habitat: Montane Forest

The morning hike is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim.

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

Hiking Distance: Approximately 6 Km

Hiking Time: 4 Hours

Habitat: Moorland

Today we continue our hike from the Second Cave to the Third Cave.

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

Hiking Distance: Approximately 9 Km

Hiking Time: 2-3 Hours

Habitat: Semi-desert

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!

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

Hiking Distance: Approximately 5 Km

Hiking Time: 4-5 Hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Early in the morning (midnight to 2am), commence 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). Continuing, we now ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa. There are unbelievable views at every turn. Have your picture taken at the summit to show your friends and family. From here we descend, stopping for lunch and a 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.

Hiking Distance: 4700m/15,500ft to 5895m/19,340ft

Hiking Distance: Approximately 6km/4mi up / 15km/9mi down

Hiking Time: 5 Hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through moorland to the Mandara Hut. Continue descending through lush forest path to the National Park gate at Marangu. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear . A vehicle will meet you at Marangu village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi.

Hiking Distance: 3700m/12,200ft to 1700m/5500ft

Hiking Distance: Approximately 20km/12.5mi

Hiking Time: 6 Hours

Habitat: Forest