6 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Rongai Route: The Wilderness Approach

After breakfast drive to register at the Marangu park gate, with a transfer of approximately two and a half hours to the Rongai trailhead. Meet your guide and porters before you begin your hike from Nale Moru village. The small winding path crosses maize fields before entering pine forest and then climbs gently through the forest. The trail is not at all steep, but is rather a gentle hike through beautiful country. The first night’s camp is at First Cave at about 2,600m. There is a toilet and a wooden table with benches but no hut, and water can be found just down the trail below First Cave.

• Hiking time: 5 hours
• Distance: about 8 km
• Habitat: Montane forest

The trail continues up towards Kibo, passing Second Cave at 3,450m enroute and reaching Kikelewa Cave at about 3,600m. The views start to open up and you begin to feel you are on a really big mountain. Water is in the stream below the cave, although you may have to wander downhill a way to find some. Overnight at Kikelewa Caves camp.

• Hiking time: 6 to 7 hours
• Habitat: Moorland

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 acclimatising and exploring the area. Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided.

• Hiking time: 3 to 4 hours
• Habitat: Moorland

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 camp. Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided.

• Hiking time: 4 to 5 hours
• Habitat: Alpine desert

You rise around 23:30 and, after some tea and biscuits, set off into the night. This is where the going really gets tough. The first section of the trail is a rocky path to Hans Meyer Cave at 5,150m, a good resting spot. The path then zigzags up to Gillman’s Point at 5,681m on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a great deal of stone scree and requires real physical and mental effort, and is probably the most demanding section of the entire route. Do the Kili shuffle and move slowly. From Gillman’s Point you will normally encounter snow all the way to Uhuru Peak at 5,895m, the highest point in Africa. Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long you can spend taking photographs before the 3 hour descent back to Kibo Hut. After a short rest you gather your gear and head down to Horombo Hut, around 3 hours, where you overnight. The total walking time on this day is around 14 hours, so be prepared for a very tough day. Later in the evening you enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and a well earned sleep.

• Hiking time: 8 hours to reach Uhuru, 6 hours to descend to Horombo
• Distance: 6 km ascent, 21 km descent
• Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

After breakfast you continue your descent, around 6 hours, passing Mandara Hut and down to Marangu gate. At Marangu gate you sign your name and details in the register, and this is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Climbers who reached Gillman’s Point at 5,681m are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak at 5,895m receive gold certificates. You then drive back to Arusha for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations. Hotel booked on bed and breakfast.

• Hiking time: 6 hours
• Distance: about 27 km