Welcome to Mt. Kilimanjaro trekking expedition. This 8 day Kilimanjaro trek to the “Roof of Africa". Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain in Africa and also the highest free-standing mountain in the world. The Rongai route ascends Kilimanjaro from the north-eastern side of the mountain, along the border between Tanzania and Kenya. It’s retains a sense of unspoilt wilderness and offers a different perspective on Kilimanjaro by approaching it from the north. The Rongai route use the scree summiting path from Kibo hut to Gilman’s point and descend via the Marangu route. In 8 day Rongai route, hike through a true wilderness area towards the jagged Mawenzi Peak, then cross a barren desert saddle, before climbing up Kibo’s eastern crater wall.
Mount Kilimanjaro is also home to some of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. Mount Kilimanjaro is made up of five distinct climate zones.
You will have your own four-season expedition tent while trekking Mt. Kilimanjaro and your own luxury semi-permanent tent while on safari. While transitioning between excursions, you will stay in single-occupancy hotel rooms with en-suite bathroom and shower.
You will share a four-season expedition tent while trekking Mt. Kilimanjaro and luxury semi-permanent tent while on safari with one other traveler or significant other. While transitioning between excursions, you will stay in double-occupancy hotel rooms with en-suite bathroom and shower.
DAY - 1: Arrival
Welcome to Tanzania! Upon your arrival into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), and after clearing customs and immigration, you will be met by your Tanzania Tribe Safari representative who will transfer you to your Hotel in Arusha. In the evening your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented on this day.
DAY - 2: Rongai Gate – 1st Caves Camp
Elevation (ft): 1950m to 2600m
Distance: 8km
Hiking Time: 5 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After an early breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up from Arusha and driven to the Marangu Gate. At the gate, the porters will organize and pack the belongings for the hike while you and your guide register with the Tanzania National Park (TANAPA). You will then be transferred by vehicle to the Rongai trailhead, which is 2.5 hours away from the Managu Gate. The trail begins in the tall cornfields then leads into the pine forest. This trail has a gradual ascent and allows hikers to enjoy their surroundings. About halfway up the trail you will have a lunch break and you will reach the 1st Caves Camp (2600m) in the late afternoon or early evening. The porters and chef, who move very fast up the mountain, will reach camp before you and set up your tents, boil drinking water, and prepare snacks for your arrival. After washing up, a hot dinner will be served. For overnight, mountain temperatures may drop to freezing so be prepared!
DAY - 3: 1st Caves Camp to Kikelewa Cave
Elevation (ft): 2600m to 2600m
Distance: 12km
Hiking Time: 6-7 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Following a hot breakfast, hikers will continue their ascent to Kikelewa Cave (3600m). The trail passes Second Cave (3450m) and this is a good spot to take a lunch break. Similar to the first night, your tents will be set up prior to arriving at camp and the porters will prepare drinking and washing water for you. You will enjoy evening snacks then dinner prepared by our chef. Be prepared for a cold night as temperatures drop below freezing at this exposed camp.
DAY - 4: Kikelewa Cave to Mawenzi Tarn Camp
Elevation (ft): 3600m to 4330m
Distance: 12-15km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Moorland
On this day, hikers will enjoy a short, yet steep trail to Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4330m). In the moorland, you will spot exotic plants, including giant lobelia and groundsel. At camp, hikers will enjoy spectacular views and allow their bodies to acclimate. Hot dinner and washing water will be prepared for hikers as they enjoy the magnificent sunset.
DAY - 5: Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4330m) – Kibo Hut (4700m)
Elevation (ft): 4330m to 4700m
Distance: 15 - 18km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, hikers will continue ascending east for a half-day hike to Kibo Hut. Kibo is located in the “Saddle,” which refers to the area located between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo in an alpine desert. There is no water at this camp, but hikers can buy mineral water and soft drinks at the camp office. An early dinner will be served so hikers can rest before attempting the summit the same night. Your guide will brief you in detail on how to prepare for summit night. Get to sleep by 19:00!
DAY - 6: Kibo Hut – Uhuru Peak – Horombo Hut
Elevation (ft): 4700m to 5895m to 3720m
Distance: 21km
Hiking Time: 8 hours
Habitat: Stone scree / ice-cap summit
Your guide will wake you around 23:30 for tea and biscuits. You will then begin your summit attempt. The trail is rocky up to Hans Meyer Cave (5150m). You continue your ascent to Gillman’s point (5681m). Reaching this section is an impressive achievement as the trail is steep, rocky, and at high altitude. Gillman’s is located on the crater rim. From this point, you will usually experience a snow covered trail until you reach the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). Reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro is a lifetime accomplishment! You will be able to spend a short time on the summit taking photographs and drinking tea before the descent to Barafu begins. The hike down to Kibo Hut takes about 3 hours
At Kibo Hut, you will rest and enjoy a hot lunch in the sun. After eating, you will continue descending down to Horombo Hut (3720m). You will have a dinner, wash, and rest soundly at the hut after a strenuous day.
DAY - 7: Horombo Hut – Marangu Gate
Elevation (ft): 3720m to 1980m
Distance: 27km
Hiking Time: 6 hours
Habitat: Arctic
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.
From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
DAY - 8: Departure
After breakfast and rest, we will Transfer you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for those returning home.
END OF YOUR TANZANIA JOURNEY.