Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro: Rongai Route

Rongai Route: Day 1 - LOITOKITOK TO FIRST CAVE CAMP

Pickup from hotel at 8.00am. The drive to the gate takes most of the morning and depending on the time you may stop for lunch in one of the villages before the gate so remember to have a few dollars or shillings handy.

Once you reach the Park Gate, Thomas has some paper work to do before you set off. Throughout today’s climb the trail rises with a steady gradient but it is not taxing. For the first hour of the trek you will be walking through corn and cypress plantations before entering the forest. However the forest in thin and soon gives way to heathers and smaller trees. 1 hour 30 minutes after leaving the trees you come to the top of a small rise and get a great view of the town of Rongai in Kenya behind you. Just ahead is your camp for the night. The porters will have climbed ahead with your main bag and you’ll arrive in camp to find it already set up. Tea, coffee, hot chocolate, popcorn and warm water to wash with is provided, followed by dinner and bed.

Rongai Route: Day 2 - FIRST CAVE CAMP TO KIKELEWA CAVES

Wake-up each day at 7.30am. Hot water and a large breakfast is provided, then Thomas will give you a quick medical check before you leave camp.

Today’s climb is quite long but there are some good views of Kibo ahead and the plains of Kenya behind. As you climb you will notice that the heathers get smaller in height and fewer in number, providing little shade from the sun. The first part of your climb involves a gradual climb of about 1 hour, taking you to a small rocky plateau offering some good views of Kenya. From here you continue southwestest for 2 hours to some caves. There is one steep section on this part of the climb but it only lasts for a few minutes. Stopping at the caves, you have a chance to take some shelter from the sun as you eat lunch.

The caves mark a split in the Rongai Route. The southwest path takes you to Third Cave Camp, the destination of those doing a 5-day climb. You however take the southeastern path towards Mawenzi and the Kikelewa Caves, your camp for the night. The trail from the lunch stop to camp is 3.5km long but you only gain 150m over the 2 hour trek; a nice, gentle end to quite a long day. The camp offers great views of both Kibo and Mawenzi as the sun sets.

Rongai Route: Day 3 - KIKELEWA CAVES TO MAWENZI TARN HUT

Today’s climb is short but steep however you are now walking on one of the most impressive trails on the mountain; the views of Mawenzi are breathtaking and so few climbers get to see this part of Mount Kilimanjaro that it’s worth the effort. Leaving camp in the morning. The trail starts off gently but over the next 3 hours it will rise exponentially. There are however plenty of places to stop for breaks along the way and if all goes well you will have reached Mawenzi Tarn Huts by lunchtime.

After lunch you are free to explore the area. There are some really impressive views of the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro from this campsite, never mind the countless rock climbs and walks on offer round Mawenzi itself. You have climbed very high today and it is the norm, not the exception to have a solid headache by the end of today. This is nothing to worry about as long as you take it easy, drink lots of water and don’t present any symptoms of AMS. Thomas will be keeping a close eye on you so you’re in safe hands.

Rongai Route: Day 4 - MAWENZI TARN HUT TO SCHOOL HUTS

While today’s climb covers quite a distance, many climbers view it as another of the nicest walks on Mount Kilimanjaro. Crossing the barren saddle that connects Mawenzi with Kibo you get some amazing views of both. While you don’t want o rush this part of the climb, remember that you’re pushing for the summit tonight and the sooner you get to camp the sooner you can get to bed and grab some sleep before you set off around midnight.

Leaving camp you climb a shallow gradient for a few minutes before the trail begins a gentle descent across the saddle for about 2 hours. Take it easy, this is your last real downhill until after you reach the summit! After 2 hours you come to the junction with Kibo Huts. Sometimes you may camp here but usually you take the right-hand path, climbing gradually for approx 2 more hours, finally arriving at School Huts Camp. When you arrive the crew will have hot drinks and a meal waiting for you. . Then its time to get your pack sorted for tonight (your water bottles must be insulated to stop them freezing tonight), after which we really recommend you try and get a good rest.

Rongai Route Day 5 Ascent - SCHOOL HUTS TO SUMMIT

You will be woken about 11.30pm by one of the porters and after getting ready, hot drinks and snacks will be served. It’s important that you drink as much as you can, dehydration tonight will end your climb. Leaving camp, you climb up a steep, winding path. After 2 hours you come to William’s point at 16,404ft/5000m; the junction of the main summit route. To the left is Kibo huts Camp and to the right is Gillman’s Point. Hans Meyer Cave, the last signpost before the summit, lies 30 minutes ahead. From here it is an uphill climb, zig-zagging between large rocks for about 3 hours before reaching Gillman’s Point at 18,711ft/5703m. You’ve now only about 500ft/150m to climb!

From Gillman’s Point the path turns southwest and after about 1 hour of steady but shallow incline you approach that iconic sign, marking the summit and the roof of Africa. We’ve seen grown men break down in tears at the top through joy mixed with the relief that it’s finally over – words just can’t describe the emotions that flow through you as you realize what you have achieved. Looking east, you see the sun rising over Africa, Mawenzi silhouetted against it. Congratulations, you made it.

Rongai Route: Day 5 Descent - SUMMIT TO HOROMBO HUTS

The route of descent follows the same path you climbed to reach the summit. Trekking poles come in useful here; going down is always toughest on the knees. Depending on your physical state, the descent to Kibo Huts can take anywhere from 2-4 hours.

Once back at Kibo Huts food will be provided and then it’s into the tents for an hour or 2 of much needed sleep while the porters start packing up and heading on to Horombo Huts. After you wake and grab some food, it’s time to head off again. The route takes a fairly due south course as is descends down the mountain taking about 3-4 hours to complete. Tonight you can really relax, knowing you will never have to go through that again (unless like us you’re a little strange), enjoy a slap-up feed and share stories of your climb. It’s not a bad idea to give tips to Thomas for distribution now, as tomorrow you may not see all the porters.

Rongai Route: Day 6 - HOROMBO HUTS TO PARK GATE

Today marks the end of what we hope will have been the experience of a lifetime for you. Having climbed Mount Kilimanjaro from its slightly more barren, northern slopes the forest on this last part of the descent is an impressive sight The path drops at a steady gradient and can be quite sore on the knees so we recommend you keep your trekking poles handy if you have them. Leaving camp you descend for about 2 hours 30 minutes before coming to the Mandara Huts. Depending on the time you have made you may stop here for lunch or keep on going. Leaving the Mandara Huts, you descend for a further 2 hours before reaching the park gate; the end of your journey.

At the park office you are presented with your certificate if you reached Stella Point (green) or better yet, the summit (gold). Then it is back to the hotel for a hot shower and big feed. All that’s left to do now is get a good night's rest before your transfer onwards or to the airport tomorrow.

Rongai Route: CLIMB ITINERARY AND COST