9 Days Mt Kilimanjaro Rongai Route

Day 1 : Airport Transfer to the Hotel

You will be picked up from Kilimanjaro Airport by Mj Safaris Guide and drive to your Accommodation in Moshi town

Day 2 Rongai One Camp

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Marangu National Park Gate in order to complete the necessary registration formalities before transferred to Rongai starting point. The climb start from Nale Moru (6,400 ft) on a small path that wind through fields of maize and potatoes before entering a pine forest. The track then starts to climb consistently but gently through an attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife including the Colobus Monkey. These monkeys are black with along “cape” of white hair and a flowing white tail. Then we take in the expansive views over the Kenyan plains as we arrive at our first campsite at Rongai One Campsite (8,500ft). It takes about 3to 4 hours walking.

Day 3 Rongai Second Cave

After breakfast, the morning walk is a ready ascent up to the Second Cave (11,300) with superb views of Kibo and the eastern icefields on the crater rim. After lunch we leave the main trail and strike out and head southeast across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. Our campsite is in a sheltered valley which is decorated with Giant Senecios near Kikelelwa Caves (11,800 ft). It takes about 6 to 7 hours.

Day 4 Mawenzi Tarn Hut

A short but steep climb is rewarded by a superb all around views and a tangible sense of wilderness. We leave vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn Hut (14,200 ft) spectacularly situated in a cirque directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. The afternoon will be free to rest or explore the surrounding area as an aid to acclimatization. It takes about 3–4 hours walking.

Day 5 Acclimatization Day at Mawenzi Tarn Hut

Today you have an additional day to acclimatize. We explore the area with a walk upon to the saddle towards Camel’s Black. We will return back to the camp at Mawenzi Tarn Hut (14,200 ft). It takes about 2–3 hours walking.

Day 6 Kibo Hut

We cross the lunar desert of the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo Hut (15,400 ft) at the bottom of the crater wall. The reminder of the day is spendt resting in preparation for an early morning final ascent. It takes about 5–6 hours walking

Day 7 Summit Day to Horombo Hut

We’ll start the final and most demanding part of the climb by torchlight around 1:00am. We plod very slowly in the darkness on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point (18,600 ft). We rest here for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi Peak. Those who are still feeling strong can make the three hour round trip to Uhuru Peak (19,345 ft) passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Kibo Hut (15,400 ft) is surprisingly fast and after some refreshments, we continue the descent to Horombo Hut (12,200 ft). It takes about 11–15 hours walking.

Day 8 Marangu Park Gate to Back to Moshi

After breakfast, a steady descent takes you down through moorland to Mandara Hut (8,900 ft). We will then continue descending through lovely lush forest on a good path to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate at Marangu (6,000 ft) where you will meet your driver and transferred to Park View Inn for your overnight.

Day 9 Airport Transfer or Depart for the Safari

Our driver will bring you to the airport from where you will take your flight back home or for another destinatikon like Zanzibar. If you’ve booked safari with us, we’ll make sure to drop you off at the recommended hotel and we give you the briefing about your safari departure.

This marks the end of your Mount Kilimanjaro 9 Days Rongai Route package.