The Rongai Route

The path ascends on a good path through Alpine moorland, similar to what is found on the Marangu route, to Second Cave at 3500 metres. After a lunch stop here, the path forks left towards Mawenzi. After another 3 hours on a rocky path, Kikelewa Cave is reached at 3690 metres. Total time is about 6-7 hours. This is really quite a long day, although most of the altitude gain is achieved in the first half of the day.

Altitude: 1,100 metres / 3,600 feet

The path climbs up a steep ridge directly towards Mawenzi. At the top of the ridge, the path turns left and traverses across rocky landscape and then descends into the Tarn Valley where camp is made at 4320 metres. The distance covered is only about 5 kilometres but this usually takes about 3 to 4 hours because of the steepness and altitude. After lunch at Mawenzi Tarn, climbers can trek up into the north corrie of Mawenzi to admire the mountain and to get views eastwards down the Small Barranco (the second largest valley on Kilimanjaro) or westwards across the Saddle towards Kibo. Optional 7 day climb is achieved by spending a rest day at Mawenzi Tarn camp

Altitude: 700 metres / 2,300 feet

Climbers retrace their path of the previous day for a short distance, and then descend to the Saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo. There follows a 6 kilometre walk across the gradually ascending high altitude desert to Kibo Hut. Camp is made close to the hut at 4700 metres. Total time is about 5 to 6 hours.

Altitude: 400 metres / 1,315 feet

Climbers are woken at about 11pm. After dressing in all their warm clothing, they have a hot drink and then set off at midnight. The first part of the ascent to the Hans Meyer cave is quite indirect, going around large rock outcrops and it is not as steep as the latter part. The surface is loose and can be hard going. After the cave the scree slope becomes extremely steep and you have to climb in a zig-zag fashion. It takes an average of 6 hours to reach Gillman's Point on the crater rim. On a fine morning, the views of the sun rising from behind Mawenzi are spectacular. Gillman's Point is at 5,700 metres. From here, the path goes around the crater rim for a further one and a half to two hours to the summit at Uhuru Peak, 5896 metres. The descent back to Kibo Hut can take a further 3 or 4 hours. After a rest and a meal, the descent continues to Horombo Hut via the lower route, a further trek of around 3 hours.

Altitude: 1,000 metres / 3,280 feet

The descent from Horombo to Mandara Hut takes around 3 hours, and the final part of the descent through the forest to Marangu Gate takes another 2 hours. At the Gate vehicles will be waiting to take you and your crew back to the hotel.