Kilimanjaro climb Rongai Route 6 Days 5 Nights

Kilimanjaro climb Rongai Route 6 Days 5 Nights

Overview

The name Rongai Route is actually something of a misnomer. Sure, it’s the name that

everybody uses but, strictly speaking, it’s not the correct one. The real, original Rongai Route

used to start at the border village of the same name but was closed several years ago by the

authorities who decided that two trails on a side of the mountain that few trekkers visit was

unnecessary.

You will still see this route marked on many maps, but today all trekkers who wish to climb Kili

from the north now follow a different trail, also known as the Loitokitok Route after the village

that lies near the start. (Just to confuse the issue still further, this isn’t officially the correct

name either, for along the trail you’ll see various signs calling this trail the Nalemuru Route – or,

occasionally, Nalemoru – though this name is rarely used by anybody.)

DAY 1:Rongai Gate/Simba Camp

Walking distance: 6.5 km/4 miles

Walking time: 3-4 hours

Altitude gain: 700 m/2300 ft

DAY 2: Simba Camp to Kikelelwa Caves Camp

Walking distance: 9 km/5.6 miles

Walking time: 6-7 hours

Altitude gain: 950 m/3110 ft

DAY 3:

Today’s trek is shorter, being around 3- 4 hours but involves some steeper sections. Leaving

camp at a short but steep climb up grassy slopes is rewarded by a real sense of wilderness and

stunning all round views. The vegetation zone is left behind. Dinner and overnight at Mawenzi

Tarn Hut (4,330m).

Walking distance: 6 km/3.7 miles

Walking time: 3-4 hours

Altitude gain: 730 m/2400 ft

Afternoon acclimatization walk to about 4500 m/14760 ft

DAY 4:

On this day you will walk for 4 to 5 hours as we cross the lunar desert of the saddle between

Mawenzi and Kibo (Kilimanjaro’s two highest peaks). Early dinner and overnight at Kibo Hut

(4,700M)

Walking distance: 9 km/5.6 miles

Walking time: 4-5 hours

Altitude gain: 370 m/1215 ft

DAY 5:

You will be woken early (around 1am) for a hot drink and snack before beginning the summit

attempt. We will trek very slowly by torchlight to reach the crater rim at Gilman’s point at

5,685 meters. We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over

Mawenzi peak. We then continue on to Uhuru (freedom) peak at 5,895 meters, the roof of

Africa! We descend to Kibo hut, at 4700m to rest and have brunch before we continue down to

camp at Horombo hut (3,720m).

Walking distance: 5 km/3.1 miles ascent + 15 km/9.3 miles descent

Walking time: 5-6 hrs + 1-2 hours up, 5-6 hours down (the overall walking time may vary from

10 - 16 hours)

Altitude gain: 1000 m/ 3280 ft (Gilman's Point) or 1195 m/3920 ft (Uhuru Peak)

Descent: 2195 m/7200 ft

DAY 6:

The final day is a descent of around 5 -7 hours to Marangu Park gate (1,700m) where you will

sign out of the mountain. The walk is through lush forest on good paths. You will be met by a

driver and transferred to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha.

Walking distance: 20 km/12.5 miles

Walking time: 5 hours

Descent: 1840 m/6040 ft