Climbing Kilimanjaro 8-Day Rongai Route

Kilimanjaro one of the world’s greatest natural wonders: a snow covered mountain on the equator, an ocean of green forest surrounded by dry Savannah. Climbing Kilimanjaro is like walking from the equator to the North Pole in a week, providing dramatic changes in vegetation and animal life day by day. Kilimanjaro is also a sky island. Its high altitudes have created habitat for strange and unique life forms found only on a few other peaks on the planet, such as the delicate elephant flower and the bizarre Kilimanjaro tree.

Kilimanjaro one of the world’s greatest natural wonders: a snow covered mountain on the equator, an ocean of green forest surrounded by dry Savannah. Climbing Kilimanjaro is like walking from the equator to the North Pole in a week, providing dramatic changes in vegetation and animal life day by day. Kilimanjaro is also a sky island. Its high altitudes have created habitat for strange and unique life forms found only on a few other peaks on the planet, such as the delicate elephant flower and the bizarre Kilimanjaro tree.

Itinerary

Day 1: From Narobi kenya -Kilimanjaro Tanzania

Stop At: Kilimanjaro National Park, Kilimanjaro National Park, Kilimanjaro Region
Vehicle transfer from Nairobi to Laitoktok at Kibo Slopes tented camp for overnight stay. Dinner and overnight at Kibo slopes. (BB)
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Dinner and overnight at Kibo slopes.

Day 2: Kino Slopes/Rombo Cave

Stop At: Kilimanjaro National Park, Kilimanjaro National Park, Kilimanjaro Region
Transfer from kibo slopes camp to Rongai gate.
The climb begins at the village of Nale Moru ( 1950 mts) through cultivated land before entering the pine forest. Watch out for Kilimanjaro Colobus monkeys in the treetops with their white-fringed ‘capes’ and tail. Taking 3 – 4 hours the first camp is on the edge of the moorland zone where the forest begins to thin out at First Cave at 8500ft/2600m. Overnight 1st Cave Camp.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight 1st Cave Camp

Day 3: Rombo Cave / Kikelewa

Stop At: Kilimanjaro National Park, Kilimanjaro National Park, Kilimanjaro Region
Trek to the second cave for lunch and onwards to Kikelewa cave on Mawenzi trail 3800m (7 hours)The morning walk is a steady ascent up to Second Cave at 11300ft/3450m with superb views of Kibo and the eastern ice fields on the crater rim. Pushing on to reach Third Cave at 12800ft/3800m for overnight camp. Overnight 3rd Cave Camp.
Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight 3rd Cave Camp.

Day 4: Kikelewa/Mawenzi Tarn Camp

Stop At: Kilimanjaro National Park, Kilimanjaro National Park, Kilimanjaro Region
Trek to Mawenzi tarn camp 4330m (3 hours.) Continue ascending on the east side of Kibo crossing the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo taking 4 to 5 hours to reach Kibo Hut at 15000ft/4700m. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent which begins around midnight. Overnight Kibo Camp .
Duration: 5 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight Kibo Camp

Day 5: Mawenzi Tarn Camp/ School Hut to Uhuru

Stop At: Kilimanjaro National Park, Kilimanjaro National Park, Kilimanjaro Region
Across the saddle to school hut 4800m. (5 hours). An early start for the summit on steep heavy scree to arrive at Gilman’s Point at 18640ft/5681m in time to see the sun rise. Those who want to reach the highest point in Africa can take the approximately three hour excursion to Uhuru Peak 19340/5895m passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Kibo is surprisingly fast and after some refreshment, continue the descent to reach the final campsite at Horombo at 12000ft/3700m taking 11 to 15 hours. Overnight Horombo Camp.
Duration: 11 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight Horombo Camp.

Day 6: School Hut to Uhuru /Uhuru Peak -Mweka Camp or Mandara

Stop At: Kilimanjaro National Park, Kilimanjaro National Park, Kilimanjaro Region
Uhuru Peak -Mweka Camp or Mandara
Proceed to Uhuru peak and down to Mweka camp. (14hrs)A steady descent down through the moor land to Mandara Hut and then downward through the lush forest on a good path to the National Park gate at Marangu ( 1830m) taking 5 to 7 hours to be met and transferred to your Hotel for dinner and overnight at Buffalo Hotel.
Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Buffalo Hotel.

Day 7: Mweka Camp or Mandara/Arusha /Nairobi

Stop At: Arusha, Arusha, Arusha Region
Descend to Mweka Gate and transfer to Arusha. (4 hours) or one can transfer to Nairobi. Over Night at Impala Hotel Arusha or Boulevard Hotel Nairobi or Similar
Duration: 4 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at The New Arusha Hotel in Arusha or Comfort Hotel Nairobi