Rongai 7 Day Route

Day 1:  PRE-CLIMB ORIENTATION
After a leisurely breakfast, you will meet your Mountain Guides and group leaders where they will discuss the climb program, mountaineering and group expectations, hazards on the mountain, sickness prevention, etc.  The guides will also answer any questions you may have about the climb.  They will also do an equipment and gear check on each climber to make sure you are prepared and have everything you need for the climb.  After pre-climb orientation the day is yours to relax and get well rested before beginning the climb tomorrow. 
Overnight: At a lodge in Arusha
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 2:  DRIVE FROM ARUSHA TO THE MARANGU GATE
(Day 1 on Mountain)
After a very early breakfast, your driver and mountain guide will pick you up and drive you to the Marangu Park Gate where you will check in and register.  You will continue driving to the Rongai Gate Trailhead where you will enjoy lunch, and begin hiking to First Cave Camp for overnight.
Starting Elevation: 6,398 ft (1,950 m)
Ending Elevation: 9,300 ft (2,835 m)
Distance Hiked: 4 miles (6.5 km)
Approximate Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3:  HIKE FROM FIRST CAVE CAMP TO KIKELEWA CAMP
(Day 2 on Mountain)
After breakfast, you will hike through the Upper Moorlands with views of Mawenzi Peak ahead in the distance. Tonight’s campsite is at Kikelewa Camp which is in a sheltered valley near the Kikelewa Caves.
Starting Elevation: 9,300 ft (2,835 m)
Ending Elevation: 11,811 ft (3,600 m)
Distance Hiked: 7.5 miles (12 km)
Approximate Hiking Time: 6-7 hours
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4:  HIKE FROM KIKELEWA CAMP TO MAWENZI TARN CAMP
(Day 3 on Mountain)
After breakfast, you will continue hiking through the Upper Moorlands, entering into the Alpine Desert zone.  Today’s hike is intended to me a leisurely acclimatization day, arriving at Mawenzi Tarn Camp for lunch, while spending the afternoon resting and relaxing.
Starting Elevation: 11,811 ft (3,600 m)
Ending Elevation: 14,160 ft (4,316 m)
Distance Hiked: 6.2 miles (10 km)
Approximate Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5:  ACCLIMATIZATION DAY
(Day 4 on Mountain)
After breakfast, you will spend the day resting and acclimatizing.  You will hike on Mawenzi Ridge before hiking back down to camp for dinner and overnight. 
Starting Elevation: 14,160 ft (4,316 m)
Ending Elevation: 14,160 ft (4,316 m)
Distance Hiked: 1.25 miles (2 km)
Approximate Hiking Time: 1-2 hours
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6:  HIKE FROM MAWENZI TARN CAMP TO KIBO CAMP
(Day 5 on Mountain)
After breakfast, you will continue hiking through the Alpine Desert zone towards Kibo Camp.  Upon your arrival at camp, you will enjoy lunch before time resting and sleeping to re-gain as much energy as you can.  You will wake at approximately 12am to get ready for your hike to the summit.
Starting Elevation: 14,160 ft (4,316 m)
Ending Elevation: 15,430 ft (4,703 m)
Distance Hiked: 5 miles (8 km)
Approximate Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7: HIKE FROM KIBO HUT TO THE SUMMIT TO HOROMBO HUT
(Day 6 on Mountain)
After a small snack, you will leave camp at around 2am to begin your ascent to the summit.  You will hike via headlamps through the Arctic climate zone.  You will pass through Gilman’s Point at 18,638 feet (5,681 m) before continuing on for another 1 hour to Uhuru Peak, “The Roof of Africa” at 19,341 feet (5,895 m).  Once you have celebrated this great accomplishment, you will begin your descent down the mountain.  You will stop of lunch and a short rest at Kibo Hut camp before proceeding down the mountain to Horombo Hut.
Starting Elevation: 15,430 ft (4,316 m)
Ending Elevation: 12,205 ft (3,720 m)
Distance Hiked: 13.3 miles (21.5 km)
Approximate Hiking Time: 16-20 hours
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 8:  HIKE FROM HOROMBO HUT TO THE MARANGU GATE AND TO ARUSHA
(Day 7 on Mountain)
After breakfast, you will continue your hike down the mountain enjoying lunch on the trail as you make your way to the Marangu Park Gate.  Upon your arrival, you will have a short awards ceremony where you will receive you certificates for successfully climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.  You will sadly say good-bye to your climbing crew at this time and meet your driver who will drive you back to Arusha where you will enjoy a nice hot shower and time resting and relaxing.
Starting Elevation: 12,205 ft (3,720 m)
Ending Elevation: 6,046 ft (1,843 m)
Distance Hiked: 12.5 miles (20 km)
Approximate Hiking Time: 7-10 hours
Overnight: At a lodge in Arusha
Included Meals: Breakfast, and Lunch

Day 8:  BEGIN NEXT DAY ACTIVITIES OR FLY BACK HOME
If you are continuing on for a safari, you will begin the day per what is on your itinerary.  If you are proceeding onto another destination, you will continue on with those plans, and if you are returning home, depending on your flight time, you may be able to spend some time in Arusha before you catch your flight back home with great memories of a huge accomplishment to share with your family and friends.
Included Meals: Breakfast