Day 1: Rongai Gate (1950m) – 1st Caves Camp (2600m)

Your 6 day Rongai Route Kilimanjaro starts today.
Hiking time: 5 hours Distance: Approximately 8 kilometers Habitat:  Montane Forest After an early breakfast at your hotel, you will be  picked up from Keys Hotel  (900m) and driven to the Marangu Gate (1980m). At the gate, the  porters will organize and pack the belongings for the hike while you and  your guide register with the Tanzania National Park (TANAPA). You will  then be transferred by vehicle to the Rongai trailhead, which is 2.5  hours away from the Managu Gate. The trail begins in the tall cornfields  then leads into the pine forest. This trail has a gradual ascent and  allows hikers to enjoy their surroundings. About halfway up the trail  you will have a lunch break and you will reach the 1st Caves Camp  (2600m) in the late afternoon or early evening. The porters and chef,  who move very fast up the mountain, will reach camp before you and set  up your tents, boil drinking water, and prepare snacks for your arrival.  After washing up, a hot dinner will be served. For overnight, mountain  temperatures may drop to freezing so be prepared! 

Day 2: 1st Caves Camp (2600m) – Kikelewa Cave (3600m)

Hiking  time: 6-7 hours Habitat: Moorlands Following a hot breakfast, hikers  will continue their ascent to Kikelewa Cave (3600m). The trail passes  Second Cave (3450m) and this is a good spot to take a lunch break.  Similar to the first night, your tents will be set up prior to arriving  at camp and the porters will prepare drinking and washing water for you.  You will enjoy evening snacks then dinner prepared by our chef. Be  prepared for a cold night as temperatures drop below freezing at this  exposed camp. 

Day 3: Kikelewa Cave (3600) – Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4330m)

Hiking  time: 3-4 hours Habitat: Moorlands On this day, hikers will enjoy a  short, yet steep trail to Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4330m). In the moorland,  you will spot exotic plants, including giant lobelia and groundsel. At  camp, hikers will enjoy spectacular views and allow their bodies to  acclimate. Hot dinner and washing water will be prepared for hikers as  they enjoy the magnificent sunset. 

Day 4: Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4330m) – Kibo Hut (4700m)

Hiking  time: 4-5 hours Habitat: Alpine desert After breakfast, hikers will  continue ascending east for a half-day hike to Kibo Hut. Kibo is located  in the “Saddle,” which refers to the area located between the peaks of  Mawenzi and Kibo in an alpine desert. There is no water at this camp,  but hikers can buy mineral water and soft drinks at the camp office. An  early dinner will be served so hikers can rest before attempting the  summit the same night. Your guide will brief you in detail on how to  prepare for summit night. Get to sleep by 19:00! 

Day 5: Summit Attempt – Kibo Hut (4700m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo Hut (3720m)

Hiking  time: 8 hours to Uhuru and 6 hours to Horombo Habitat: Stone scree /  ice-cap summit Distance: Approximately 6 kilometers ascent and 21  kilometers descent Your guide will wake you around 23:30 for tea and  biscuits. You will then begin your summit attempt. The trail is rocky up  to Hans Meyer Cave (5150m). You continue your ascent to Gillman’s point  (5681m). Reaching this section is an impressive achievement as the  trail is steep, rocky, and at high altitude. Gillman’s is located on the  crater rim. From this point, you will usually experience a snow covered  trail until you reach the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). Reaching the  summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro is a lifetime accomplishment! You will be able  to spend a short time on the summit taking photographs and drinking tea  before the descent to Barafu begins. The hike down to Kibo Hut takes  about 3 hours. At Kibo Hut, you will rest and enjoy a hot lunch in the  sun. After eating, you will continue descending down to Horombo Hut  (3720m). You will have a dinner, wash, and rest soundly at the hut after  a strenuous day. 

Day 6: Horombo Hut (3720m) – Marangu Gate (1980m)

Hiking  time: 6 hours Distance: Approximately 27 kilometers Following a  well-deserved breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of  dancing and singing. It is here on the mountain that you will present  your tips to the guide, assistant guides, chef(s), and porters. After  celebrating, you will descend for 6 hours back to Marangu Gate (1980m).  The National Park requires all hikers to sign their names to receive  certificates of completion. Hikers who reached Gillman’s Point (5681m)  receive green certificates and hikers who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m)  receive gold certificates. After receiving certificates, you will drive  back to Arusha/moshi