Moshi - Rongai
After breakfast, we will transfer you to Rongai. 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 the first camp is at the edge of the moorland zone(2,600 m.) with extensive views over the Kenyan plains. [3-4 hours walking].
- Main Destination:
- Mount Kilimanjaro
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
- Meals & Drinks:
First Cave Campsite - Second Cave Campsite
The morning walk is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave (3,450m) with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim. After lunch, we leave the main trail and strike out across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. Our campsite is in sheltered valley near Kikelewa Caves (3,600m). Dinner and overnight at 2nd Caves Campsite. 6 – 7 hours walking.
- Main Destination:
- Mount Kilimanjaro
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
- Meals & Drinks:
Second Cave campsite - Third cave campsite
Today is an acclimatisation day. Morning at leisure, striking out around noon, leaving the main trail and walking across the moorland on a smaller path toward the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. Then onto the campsite at 3rd Caves OR Mawenzi Tarn Hut for dinner and overnight. Walking distance about 6 kms today – 4 – 5 hours walking.
- Main Destination:
- Mount Kilimanjaro
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
- Meals & Drinks:
Mawenzi Tarn - School campsite
We cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach School campsite (4,750 m.) at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night! [4-5 hours walking].
- Main Destination:
- Mount Kilimanjaro
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
- Meals & Drinks:
School campsite - Uhuhuru Peak - Horombo hut
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 Kibo (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].
- Main Destination:
- Mount Kilimanjaro
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
- Meals & Drinks:
Horombo hut - Marangu Gate - Moshi town
Wake in the morning for a steady descent takes us down through moorland to Mandara Hut (2,700m.), the first stopping path to the National Park gate at Marangu (1,830 m.). [5-6 hours walking. You will be transferred to Hotel at Moshi for overnight.
- Main Destination:
- Marangu Gate (Mt Kilimanjaro)
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks: