9 Days Rongai Route

Day 1: Arrival

As you touch down at Kilimanjaro International Airport, a warm Tanzanian welcome awaits you! Your designated guide will escort you directly to your hotel, where you can unwind and immerse yourself in the vibrant African ambiance. The following day, embark on an exclusive, personalized safari adventure led by your guide, granting you the freedom to explore at your leisurely pace.

Reasons to Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro

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Day 2: Rongai Gate (1800 M) - First Cave Camp (2600 M)

Embark on the second day of your journey, hiking for 5-6 hours with an initial steep climb. As you ascend, the sight of the first mountain peak of Kilimanjaro, Mawenzi peak, becomes visible. Upon reaching a first cave, take some time to explore, and lunch is enjoyed in the second cave. In the afternoon, the climb becomes less steep as you make your way towards the camp in a sheltered valley near Kikelewa or the third cave.

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Day 3: First Cave Camp (2600 M) - Kikelwa Camp (3600 M)

Embark on the second day of your journey, hiking for 5-6 hours with an initial steep climb. As you ascend, the sight of the first mountain peak of Kilimanjaro, Mawenzi peak, becomes visible. Upon reaching a first cave, take some time to explore, and lunch is enjoyed in the second cave. In the afternoon, the climb becomes less steep as you make your way towards the camp in a sheltered valley near Kikelewa or the third cave.

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Day 4: Kikelwa Camp (3600 M) - Mawenzi Tarn (4330 M)

Continue your route with awe-inspiring views on this steep hike. Spend about 4-5 hours in the morning walking to Mawenzi Tarn, allowing the afternoon and evening for rest, allowing your body to acclimatize to the altitude. Mawenzi Tarn, situated just below the Mawenzi summit, offers incredible views of both Kilimanjaro peaks, Mawenzi and Kibo.

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Day 5: Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4330 M) - Kibo Camp (4700 M)

Experience the lunar landscape on your way to the higher camp. Kibo camp, located beneath Kibo summit, offers spectacular views of the Kenyan plains. Trek for 5-6 hours through the alpine desert environment, then rest after lunch in preparation for the summit push the next day!

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Day 6: Kibo Camp (4700 M) - Uhuru Peak (5895 M) - Horombo Hut (3720 M)

Commence the final summit push to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa, at midnight! Prepare for a rigorous 12-hour trek on this intense day. After reaching Gilman’s Point through a steep climb illuminated by your flashlight, reaching Uhuru Peak becomes relatively manageable. Witness one of the most stunning sunrises and celebrate your accomplishment before descending to the Kibo huts for a meal, then continuing the descent to Horombo huts for an overnight stay.

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Day 7: Horombo Hut (3720 M) - Marangu Gate (1830 M) - Hotel

Descend through the beautiful rainforest on the final day to reach the exit of Kilimanjaro National Park, the Marangu Gate. Enjoy a delightful 5 to 6-hour walk, culminating in a group celebration. Your driver will then take you back to your hotel for a well-deserved rest.

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Day 8 - 9: Final Day and Flight Back to Home

On your final day, luxuriate a while longer at the lodge, basking in relaxation before our driver escorts you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your homeward-bound flight, tailored to suit your departure schedule.

Gear

There are five ecological zones on Mount Kilimanjaro, each with its own climate and weather characteristics. Climbers are required to have the right gear to stay warm, dry and comfortable in a wide range of weather conditions. Typically, it is warm and humid in the rainforest, at the start of your trek. Then as you climb higher, it becomes colder and drier in the moorland and alpine desert zone. The summit can be extremely cold and windy, as being in the arctic zone would suggest. Climbing Kilimanjaro is like hiking from summer to winter in a matter of days. Your apparel will reflect this as well. You will need technical clothing such as a waterproof jacket, fleece jacket and several base layers. Cold weather gear such as hats, gloves, down jacket, and a warm sleeping bag are essential.

You are responsible for bringing personal gear and equipment while communal equipment (tents, food, cooking items, etc.) is provided. For clients who have hiking and backpacking experience, you will already have most if not all of the gear on the list. If you are starting from scratch, then it will take some time and money to assemble the items. Also consider renting gear from shops or borrowing gear from friends if possible to reduce the cost.

Training

We recommend training for at least two months prior to your departure. For those who are new to hiking, it would be smart to train longer. For those who are regular hikers, you will likely perform fine just keeping your regular routine. Doing day hikes is a great way to prepare though it’s entirely possible to train exclusively on a stair master machine if you don’t have access to trails.

Attitude Training

In fact, a person who is in phenomenal shape but can’t acclimatize will perform worse than a person who is in poor shape but acclimatizes well. There are things you can do to pre-acclimatize, or prepare for high altitude, before your climb. For instance, you can spend some time at high altitude immediately before your trip. If that is impractical due to timing, you can take a trip or two to high elevation destinations and hike – just to test your body’s response. You can also use an altitude training system and pre-acclimatize in your own home.

Medical Check

It is a good idea to be medically cleared for climbing by your doctor. Your age, fitness level, health, and pre-existing medical conditions may preclude you from high altitude trekking. Our minimum fitness requirements are that each climber must have a resting heart rate of under 100 beats per minute.

Vaccination

There are NO mandatory vaccinations, immunizations or medications to enter Tanzania. However, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends many vaccines for travel to East Africa. We encourage you to discuss your travel plans with a medical professional to determine which vaccinations and medications you should get.

Insurance

Travel insurance is required to participate on our trips. Standard travel insurance provides coverage for trip cancellation, interruption, and delay; lost, stolen and damaged baggage; medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation; and luggage delay. Your travel insurance must also cover high altitude trekking up to 6,000 meters. This insurance will make you eligible for rescue by helicopter from Kilimanjaro MedAir, a private company. Clients must be able to provide proof of insurance to staff upon request or they will not be allowed to participate.