Rongai Route

Upon arriving at Kilimanjaro International Airport, proceed through customs, collect your luggage, and exit past the security area. Our friendly kilisherpas driver will be waiting for you, holding a sign with your name. They will assist with your luggage and guide you to our comfortable, air-conditioned transfer van, where you’ll find cold water to help you refresh. We offer flexible pick-up times, day or night, at no extra charge. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the reassurance that you’re now in the capable hands of kilisherpas Travel.

Leave from your hotel after breakfast drive to the attractive wooden village of Nale Muru. After signing in and preparing the porters, you will begin the hike on a wide path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering pine forest. The track then starts to climb consistently, but gently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife. The forest begins to thin out and the first camp is at the edge of the moorland zone with extensive views over the Kenyan plains

The morning walk is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave (3450m/11,319 ft) with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim. After lunch, leave the main trail and strike out across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi, Kilimanjaro’s second major peak rising to slightly less than 17,000 feet. Our second camp is shortly before reaching the saddle that connects Mawenzi to Kibo and Uhuru peaks. The campsite is in a sheltered valley with giant Senecios.

A short but steep climb up grassy slopes is rewarded by superb all-round views and a tangible sense of wilderness. Leave the vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn 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.

Cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo campsite at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night!

A long, hard day! Leaving at 1:00 am for the summit on steep and heavy scree up to Gilman’s Pt. at 5685m/18,466’. Here you will take a rest and enjoy the views at the crater rim and spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi before ascending up to Uhuru Peak. You will reach Uhuru Peak, the summit of Kilimanjaro at 19,340 feet, around 8 a.m. At this early hour, before the clouds close in, we have spectacular views of Africa in all directions. From here you descend going straight down to Kibo Hut for lunch and then on to Horombo Hut for overnight. It is a long descent and trekking poles are recommended. Congratulations, you made it to the Roof of Africa!.

Our last hike is a descent through the lovely lush rainforest to the trailhead at Marangu Gate. At the gate, you will say goodbye to your mountain crew and enjoy a picnic lunch. The trip leaders will take you back to your hotel for a much-welcome hot shower.

For those returning home, will be tranfered to the airport to catch your flight. For those going on a safari or Zanzibar will be picked up at your hotel on the next day for your trip.