8 DAYS KILIMANJARO TREKKING RONGAI ROUTE

You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your arranged hotel in Arusha, and meet one of our team who will brief you on your upcoming schedule for trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on the trekking day.

The track then starts to climb consistently but gently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife. The forest begins to thin out and the first camp is at the edge of the moorland zone with extensive views over the Kenyan plains. ● Elevation: 2000m/6560ft to 2635m/8645ft ● Distance: 7km ● 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. ● Elevation: 2635m/8645ft to 3487m/11,440ft ● Distance: 6km ● Walking Time: 3-4 hours ● Habitat: Moorland

After breakfast we shall hike south easterly turn directly toward the jagged peak of Mawenzi. Traversing, open moorland past vegetation blackened and damage in a fire in 2007, the path meanders and undulate and, assuming you have already walked from Simba camp this morning, you will feel rather drained by the time you stumble into Kikelelwa camp, situated by a couple of caves by the Kikelelwa River. ● Elevation: 3487 m/11440ft to 3675m/12057ft ● Distance: 6 km ● Hiking Time: 2-3 hour ● Habitat: moorland

Through this stage to Mawenzi Tarn Hut is relatively short, hence is usually to complete our trip during the morning. So that is allowing us to have time for brief and acclimatization to trek in the afternoon for those who feel up it. It`s also steep as you gain 600m, passing through moorland vegetation as it climbs steadily. ● Elevation: 3675m/12057ft to 4302/14114ft ● Distance: 4km ● Hiking time: 2-3 ● Habitat: Semi-desert

This lovely day begin with a slight retracing of your steps before you strike out westward crossing the ridge and dropping down the slope to tiptoe along the beautifully barren saddle`s northern edge. With views like screensavers to east and west, it`s a rare trekker indeed who doesn`t rare this day as their favorite on the mountain. ● Elevation: 4302m/14114ft to 47oom/ 15400ft ● Distance: 9 km ● Hiking time: 5-6 Hours ● Habitat: Alpine desert

Very 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. From here we descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment. ● Elevation: 4700m/15,500ft to 5895m/19,340ft ● Down to 3700m/12,200ft ● Distance: 6km up / 15km down ● Hiking Time: 6-8 hours up / 15km/9mi down ● 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 (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). A vehicle will meet you at Marangu gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 1 hour).It is time for celebration. ● Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 1905m/6250ft ● Distance: 19km ● Hiking Time: 5-7 hours ● Habitat: Forest