5-Day Kilimanjaro Rongai Route Trek to Uhuru Peak via Marangu

The climb begins from the attractive wooden village of Nale Moru (1,950 m) on a small path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering a pine forest. The track then starts to climb consistently but gently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife, including the beautiful Kilimanjaro Colobus monkey. These monkeys are black with a long "cape" of white hair and a flowing white tail. The forest begins to thin out, and Rongai One Camp is at the edge of the moorland zone (2,600 m), with extensive views over the Kenyan plains. [3-4 hours walking]

On-mountain night - camping (or huts on the Marangu route). Every climber stays the same way each night; there is no accommodation tier to choose on the mountain itself.

The morning walk is a steady ascent up to the "Third Cave" (3,450 m), with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern icefields on the crater rim. After lunch, we continue up to Third Cave (3,900 m). [5-6 hours walking]

On-mountain night - camping (or huts on the Marangu route). Every climber stays the same way each night; there is no accommodation tier to choose on the mountain itself.

The steady ascent continues, soon reaching the lunar desert of the "Saddle" between Mawenzi and Kibo. We should reach School Hut Campsite (4,750 m) at the bottom of the Kibo Crater wall by midday. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night. [4-5 hours walking]

On-mountain night - camping (or huts on the Marangu route). Every climber stays the same way each night; there is no accommodation tier to choose on the mountain itself.

We will start the final, and by far the steepest and most demanding, part of the climb by torchlight around 1 a.m. We plod very slowly in the darkness on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman's Point (5,685 m). We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the three-hour round trip to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to School (4,700 m) is surprisingly fast and, after some refreshment, we continue the descent to reach our final campsite at Horombo (3,720 m). [11-15 hours walking]

On-mountain night - camping (or huts on the Marangu route). Every climber stays the same way each night; there is no accommodation tier to choose on the mountain itself.

A steady descent takes us down through moorland to Mandara Hut (2,700 m), the first stopping place on the Marangu route. We then continue descending through lovely lush forest on a good path to the National Park gate at Marangu (1,830 m). [5-6 hours walking]

Dinner and overnight at Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort: bed, dinner, and breakfast included.

DEPARTING DAY:

Departure day - no accommodation booked for tonight.