6 Days Rongai Route

• Total distance: 7km
• Hiking Time (approx.): 2 hours

Although many still call this starting point the Rongai gate it is now officially named after the nearby Nalemoru village, after the original path (starting from Rongai village) was closed.  The starting point is about a 2 hour drive from Moshi town around the eastern side of the mountain. This is a beautiful drive giving you a good insight into local ‘Chagga’ life as you pass through villages, gazing out at the mud huts and banana plantations.   After signing up at the gate you’ll start you walk along a track through fields of potato and maize, and the odd pine plantation.  After about 1 hour you will pass through a small strip of forest- home to black and white colobus monkeys, before entering into heathland.  Following a short uphill walk you will arrive at Simba Camp, where you will be welcomed with a hearty warm dinner.

• Total distance: 11.8km
• Hiking Time (approx.): 6- 8 hours

This is a long and challenging day, with the first half along a dusty path and not too much to see besides the heathers and Erica of the moorland.  You climb more than 1000m today, with your guide regularly checking in on you for symptoms of altitude sickness.  If it seems tough just think you are already half way up to the top (and enjoy views down across into Kenya)!  You will have a pit-stop for lunch at Second Caves before continuing up on an undulating path (plenty of acclimatisation opportunity) before reaching Kikelelwa Camp, with a great view up to the ragged peak of Mawenzi (Kilimanjaro’s second highest peak).

• Total distance: 3.75km
• Hiking Time (approx.): 2-3 hours

Yes, you read it right – only just under 4km today! Don’t be too fooled, you do gain over 600m in this shorter morning walk as you climb steadily to reach one of our favourite huts on the mountain.  The Mawenzi Tarn Huts are in a spectacular location, situated just underneath Mawenzi peak.  In the afternoon you can take an (optional but recommended!) acclimatization walk along the ridge where, provided it is a clear day, you will be rewarded with a wonderful view across to Kibo Peak.  Today is a bit of a treat with both a hot lunch, and a delicious dinner cooked up at the huts!

• Total distance: 9km
• Hiking Time (approx.): 4-5 hrs

Start your morning descending down a ridge, to then walk across the Northern edge of the saddle which passes between Kibo and Mawenzi peaks.  The landscape is lunar-like up here, although Eland (Africa’s largest antelope) have been spotted here.  Have your camera handy to take some fantastic panoramas of the spectacular views off to the east and west.  As you cross the saddle you will also be able to see your path for summit night laid out ahead of you up to Gillman’s point.  Kibo Huts are nestled just under the peak for which they are named.  You’ll arrive here for a late lunch and then rest up in preparation for your summit.

• Total distance: 6.25km
• Hiking Time (approx.) 6 hours

• Total distance: 9km
• Hiking Time (approx.): 3-4 hours

Depending on how you have fared with the altitude in the days before, you will be woken at 11pm-12am to start your ascent up to Uhuru Peak.  Have some tea and biscuits to warm you up before starting on the hardest part of your trek.  You will make your way up to Gillman’s point by flashlight, zig-zagging your way along the soft ground.  This is definitely one of the steeper and more challenging ascents, but there is no such thing as going too slowly – make sure to take your time.  Upon reaching Gillman’s point you will stop for a well-deserved short rest.  You will have earned your certificate here, but don’t let that stop you from going on up to Uhuru peak – the hard work is over.  Now you can enjoy the magnificent views of glaciers to the left, and Reusch’s crater to the right.  Most trekkers will make it to the peak after approx. 6 hours, in time to watch what will be one of (if not the) favourite sunrise(s) of your life.  Heading back down to Kibo will be surprisingly quick, some like to use their walking poles to ‘ski’ down the soft scree!  Have some warm food here, rest up, before continuing your descent down to Horombo Huts.

• Total distance: 20.75km
• Hiking time: 7-8 hours

A long last day, which will no doubt feel like a walk in the park after yesterday’s efforts.  Make sure to enjoy this final day of the mountain… that beer will still be cold, and the shower still hot when you get down!  If you are not in a rush, your guide can take you down via the Marangu ‘Nature Trail’ – a much less used path (be prepared to hop over a few fallen trees) before reaching a beautiful water fall.  Enjoy time monkey and bird-spotting in the forest before emerging out at Marangu Gate where you will sign out of the National Park.  There is a great little souvenir spot here, with maps, books and postcards to buy (handy tools when bragging to all your friends back home!).  From the gate, our car will pick you up and transfer you back to your hotel for a well-deserved rest (massages available on request)!