8 Days Mt Kilimanjaro Climbing

0700hrs: After a heavy breakfast at the hotel, meet with your Trekking guide and porters for a pre trekking briefing and then drive (90mins drive) to Rongai entrance gate of Kilimanjaro National Park for registration and final packing before the actual walk begin.

At the gate the guests can hire any missing necessary hiking gears before the climb, therefore it’s a place for final checkup prior to start trekking Mt Kilimanjaro.

Rongai gate elevation: 1950m/6395ft above sea level

Rongai first cave site elevation: 2620m/8595ft above sea level

Approximate slow trekking time: 4hrs

Terrain: Local farms and Rain forest with some wild animals

Option: Exercises to higher altitude for acclimatization and back at the camp

Overnight: First cave site (Dinner, Bed and Breakfast)

0700hrs: On this day after breakfast the trekkers continue from Rongai First Cave through the rainforest before transitioning into the low alpine moorland zone where you will notice the vegetation change to shrubs and grasses. You will stop for lunch at Rongai Second Cave (3,450m/11,315ft), 6km from the First Cave Camp, before turning east to Kikelewa Camp for your overnight stay.

Rongai first cave site elevation: 2620m/8595ft above sea level

Kikelewa Campsite elevation: 3600m/11810ft above sea level

Approximate slow trekking time: 6hrs

Terrain: Gentle steep Moorland, Low Alpine zone

Option: Exercises to higher altitude for acclimatization and back at the camp

Overnight: Kikelewa Campsite (Dinner, Bed and Breakfast)

0700hrs: After breakfast at the camp the guests will continue slowly to the next stop up the mountain. On this day on the Rongai Route is a shortest, but steep climb from Kikelewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn which sits in the shadow of the magnificent Mawenzi Peak. You will arrive at Mawenzi Tarn in time for lunch and then have the whole afternoon to explore the surrounding area and acclimatize.

Kikelewa Campsite elevation: 3600m/11810ft above sea level

Mawenzi Tarn camp elevation: 4300m/14100ft above sea level

Approximate slow trekking time: 4hrs

Terrain: Steep High Alpine Zone

Option: Exercises to higher altitude for acclimatization and back at the camp

Overnight: Mawenzi Tarn (Dinner, Bed and Breakfast)

On this day the guests will use to rest and do some little exercises to acclimatize which is very important for the body and preparations for even higher altitudes. The guests will explore the area and take some photos for some unforgettable memories. Lunch, dinner and overnight will be at the same camp Mawenzi Tarn for a second night.

Mawenzi Tarn camp elevation: 4300m/14100ft above sea level

Approximate slow trekking time: N/A

Terrain: Steep High Alpine Zone.

Option: Exercises to higher altitude for acclimatization and back at the camp

Overnight: Mawenzi Tarn (Dinner, Bed and Breakfast)

0700HRS: After gathering some energy from a resting day, today is a long but gradual hike from Mawenzi Tarn heading west through the Saddle which is formed between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi, and up to Kibo Hut. The route is dry, barren and rather inhospitable, but provides spectacular views of Kibo. At Kibo Hut you will get served dinner and will go to bed early as you will be awoken around 23:30 to begin your summit attempt. Trekkers should remember to prepare their gear, including headlamp, camera, insulated water and warm weather clothes before they go to sleep.

Mawenzi Tarn camp elevation: 4300m/14100ft above sea level

Kibo Huts elevation: 4740m/15416ft above sea level

Approximate slow trekking time: 6hrs

Terrain: Dry open mountainous vegetation.

Option: Exercises to higher altitude for acclimatization and back at the camp

Overnight: Kibo hut (Dinner, Bed and Breakfast)

0000HRS: On this night the guests will wake up around midnight for a coffee and some snacks and get prepared to conquer the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro. At approximately six to eight hours slow walk the guests will reach Uhuru Peak (the highest point in Africa at 5895m/19340ft above sea level) passing through Gilman’s Point (the second highest point at 5685m/18640ft above sea level). The walking distance between the two peaks is between one and two hours.

Admire the beautiful views of the Kibo Crater and the glacier fields.

A scintillating/Dazzling/Brilliant/Sparkling experience…

After a brief celebration with pictures at Uhuru peak early in the morning of a seventh day, the guests will slowly start to walk down descending past Kibo huts to Horombo huts for rest, dinner and overnight.

Kibo hut elevation: 4740m/15000ft above sea level

Gilman’s point elevation: 5685m/18640ft above sea level

Uhuru peak elevation: 5895m/19340ft above sea level - Destiny

Approximate slow trekking time: 6-8hrs

Terrain: Zigzag up rubble slopes and valleys.

Option: Turn back at Gilman’s Point if too tired but the aim is to reach Uhuru Peak

Overnight: Horombo Hut (Dinner, Bed and Breakfast)

0700HRS: After breakfast at the camp the guests will further descend down past Mandara hut to Marangu gate. At Marangu gate you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Gillman’s Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m), receive gold certificates.

The car will be waiting for them and further drive to Airport planet lodge for lunch, day room use, shower and packing.

Depending on flight details the guests will be transferred to Kilimanjaro international airport for their flight back home.

Alternatively, as an extra package the guests may will include a safari tour package or Zanzibar beach for relaxation before returning home.