7 days Rongai Route Kilimanjaro climbing/trekking

Morning:

• After breakfast, you will be picked up and driven to the Rongai Gate (1,950 meters / 6,398 feet), which is located on the northern side of Mount Kilimanjaro.
• The drive takes approximately 4-5 hours through the beautiful countryside, offering views of the surrounding hills and forests.

Trek:

• Start the trek from Rongai Gate through the lush rainforest. The trail is relatively easy, and you will walk through dense vegetation, home to various wildlife, including monkeys and birds.
• As you climb, the forest opens up to offer scenic views.

Lunch:

• A packed lunch will be provided along the trail.

Afternoon:

• Continue hiking to Simba Camp (2,600 meters / 8,530 feet), located on the edge of the forest. The camp is situated in a scenic spot, providing spectacular views of the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping at Simba Camp

Morning:

• After breakfast, begin your hike towards Second Cave Camp (3,450 meters / 11,319 feet), a steady ascent.
• As you move away from the forest, the landscape becomes more open and you will have great views of the surrounding valleys and the towering mountain ahead.

Lunch:

• A packed lunch will be served during the trek.

Afternoon:

• Continue your ascent to Second Cave Camp, which is located on a flat area offering fantastic views of Kilimanjaro's ice-capped peak. This camp is more exposed and offers incredible panoramic views of the mountain's summit and the surrounding landscape.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping at Second Cave Camp

Morning:

• After breakfast, continue your trek upward through the moorland zone towards Kikelewa Camp (3,600 meters / 11,811 feet).
• The trail continues through rocky terrain with great views, and the landscape becomes more barren with increasing altitude. You will begin to experience the alpine environment that will characterize the higher sections of the trek.

Lunch:

• Enjoy a packed lunch on the trail.

Afternoon:

• Arrive at Kikelewa Camp, located on the edge of a ridge, with panoramic views of the surrounding valleys and distant mountains.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping at Kikelewa Camp

Morning:

• After breakfast, begin a challenging but rewarding ascent towards Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,330 meters / 14,200 feet), which is located below the rugged Mawenzi Peak.
• This section involves a steep climb, but the views are breathtaking. The terrain transitions into a desert-like alpine environment, with fewer plants and an increasingly rocky landscape.

Lunch:

• A packed lunch will be served on the way.

Afternoon:

• Arrive at Mawenzi Tarn Camp, nestled in a beautiful rocky area below the sharp spires of Mawenzi Peak, one of the three volcanic cones that make up Kilimanjaro.
• Take the rest of the afternoon to acclimatize and relax, as Mawenzi Tarn is an excellent spot for acclimatization due to its high elevation.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping at Mawenzi Tarn Camp

Morning:

• This day is designated as an acclimatization day to allow your body to adjust to the high altitude.
• After breakfast, take a short trek towards Kibo Camp (4,700 meters / 15,420 feet), where you will get a feel for the final ascent.
• The trek today will help your body get used to the lower oxygen levels as you prepare for the summit.

Lunch:

• Enjoy a packed lunch during the day’s hike.

Afternoon:

• Return to Mawenzi Tarn Camp for the evening and rest.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping at Mawenzi Tarn Camp

Midnight:

• After a light dinner and a few hours of rest, you will begin the final summit push. Depart from Mawenzi Tarn Camp to Kibo Hut (4,700 meters / 15,420 feet). From Kibo, the summit trail begins.

Summit:

• From Kibo Hut, you will climb up through the alpine desert to Gilman’s Point (5,681 meters / 18,640 feet), located on the crater rim. This part of the trek is physically demanding and takes several hours.
• From Gilman’s Point, continue along the ridge to the final summit: Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters / 19,341 feet), the highest point in Africa.
• The sunrise over the glaciers is a magnificent sight, and reaching the summit is a momentous achievement.

Descent:

• After spending some time at the summit, you will begin your descent back to Kibo Hut for a brief rest, and then continue down to Mweka Camp (3,100 meters / 10,170 feet).
• Mweka Camp is located in the rainforest zone, offering a pleasant atmosphere and beautiful surroundings.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping at Mweka Camp

Morning:

• After breakfast, trek down through the rainforest to the Mweka Gate (1,640 meters / 5,380 feet).
• The descent is relatively easy and allows you to enjoy the lush environment on the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro.

Lunch:

• A packed lunch will be served along the way.

Afternoon:

• Upon reaching Mweka Gate, you will receive your summit certificate (depending on your performance).
• You will then be driven back to Arusha for a well-deserved rest and celebration.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Arusha (or departure)