RONGAI ROUTE

The Rongai route begins on the northern side of the mountain and is the least travelled route. It is a long drive to the starting point but you are rewarded by fantastic views and the likelihood that you will be the only climbers around. If you take this route up the mountain you are obliged by park rules to descend via the Marangu Route which is the most popular and well used route.

DAY 01:

Today we transfer to the start of the Rongai route, close to the Kenyan border, where we begin the ascent of Kilimanjaro. The first night will be camping at the first cave.

DAY 02:

The climbing today is a gradual ascent and we get great views of the plains of Kenya below and the spectacular Mawenzi Tarn above. We get up to a height of 3800m today where we camp for the night by the Third Cave.

DAY 03:

We have an extra day for acclimatisation. This is spent in the vicinity of Third Cave taking gentle walks.

DAY 04:

Our climb today takes us through the lunar desert of the Saddle, the lava-covered expanse between the two peaks Mawenzi and Kibo. By the end of the day we reach Kibo Hut at 4700m where we camp overnight and rest, ready for the ascent the next day.

DAY 05:

We have a very early start for the final ascent, leaving the hut in the middle of the night to arrive at Uhuru Peak just after dawn. It is a 4 to 5 hour slow walk up increasingly steep scree to Gillman's Point at 5690m followed by a further 1 to 2 hour walk around the crater rim to Uhuru Peak at 5896m. You have incredible views of glaciers many storeys high surrounding you, and the plains of Africa stretched out below you. After taking in this amazing view we return by the same path past Kibo Hut and on down the Marangu Route all the way to Horombo Hut.

DAY 06:

It just takes us about half the day to descend back down to the park gates at Marangu. Here we will be met and transferred back to the Arusha hotel.It is now time to celebrate your achievement. Overnight bed and breakfast basis.