 Rongai Gate to Rongai Cave

 Elevation: 1950 meters (6398 feet) to 2835 meters (9300 feet)

 Distance: 8 km (5 miles)

 Hiking Time: 3 to 4 hours

 Habitat: Rain Forest

We drive from Moshi to Rongai Gate, where we register for our trek.

Then we make a short drive to the Rongai trailhead and begin our hike

through corn and potato fields. We then climb into the rain forest, where

we may see the Black and White Colobus monkey, if we are lucky.

Overnight at Rongai Cave Campsite.

Rongai Cave to Second Cave

 Elevation: 2835 meters (9300 feet) to 3444 meters (11,300 feet)

 Distance: 6 km (3.7 miles)

 Hiking Time: 3 to 4 hours

 Habitat: Heath

 Second Cave to Kikelewa Cave

 Elevation: 3444 meters (11,300 feet) to 3600 meters (11,811 ft)

 Distance: 6 km (3.7 miles)

 Hiking Time: 3 to 4 hours

 Habitat: Moorland

We begin our hike with a steady climb up to Second Cave, then continue

with a more level walk through moorland. We leave the main trail and

travel on a lesser-used path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi (one

of Kilimanjaro’s three peaks). We have open views of the Amboseli Plains

in Kenya. We arrive at Kikelewa Cave for the night.

Overnight at Kikelewa Cave campsite.

Kikelewa Cave to Mawenzi Tarn

 Elevation: 3600 meters (11,811 ft) to 4316 meters (14,160 feet)

 Distance: 5 km (3.1 miles)

 Hiking Time: 3 to 4 hours

 Habitat: Alpine Desert

Today’s hike is short and steep. As we exit the heath zone and enter the

alpine desert zone, the landscape changes dramatically and we have

stunning wilderness views. We reach our camp at Mawenzi Tarn,

beneath Mawenzi Peak, with time left for relaxing in camp or further

exploring the area, at your option.

Overnight at Mawenzi Tarn Campsite

Mawenzi Tarn to Mawenzi Ridge

 Elevation: 4316 meters (14,160 feet) to 4389 meters (14,400 feet)

 Distance: 2 km (1.2 miles)

 Hiking Time: 1 to 2 hours

 Habitat: Alpine Desert

 Mawenzi Ridge to Mawenzi Tarn

 Elevation: 4389 meters (14,400 feet) to 4316 meters (14,160 feet)

 Distance: 2 km (1.2 miles)

 Hiking Time: 1 to 2 hours

 Habitat: Alpine Desert

Today is an extra day for acclimatization. We can hike out along Mawenzi

Ridge to enjoy the inspiring views of Mawenzi and Kibo Peaks, then

return to our camp at Mawenzi Tarn.

Overnight at Mawenzi Tarn Campsite

Mawenzi Tarn to Kibo Hut

 Elevation: 4316 meters (14,160 feet) to 4703 meters (15,430 feet)

 Distance: 8 km (5 miles)

 Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

 Habitat: Alpine Desert

We climb gradually, then cross the lunar-like alpine desert of the saddle

between Mawenzi Peak and Kibo Peak. We continue to our camp at Kibo

Hut, at the base of the Kibo Crater wall. We enjoy an early dinner and

rest to prepare for tomorrow’s summit day.

Overnight at Kibo Hut

Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak (the summit!)

 Elevation: 4703 meters (15,430 feet) to 5895 meters (19,341 feet)

 Distance: 6 km (3.7 miles)

 Hiking Time: 6 to 8 hours

 Habitat: Arctic

 Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut

 Elevation: 5895 meters (19,341 feet) to 3734 meters (12,250 feet)

 Distance: 16 km (9.9 miles)

 Hiking Time: 4 to 5 hours

 Habitat: Heath

Summit day! We begin our climb to the summit at midnight. This is

perhaps the most challenging part of the trek. We climb steeply upward

in the dark, often in extreme cold and wind, until we reach Gilman’s Point

at 5669 meters (18,600 feet). Here, we will be rewarded with a

spectacular sunrise behind Mawenzi Peak. From here, it is a short hike

to Uhuru Peak, the summit of Kilimanjaro and the highest point in Africa.

We begin our descent along the Marangu route, making the long hike

down to Horombo Hut. It’s a long descent over rocky terrain, and can be

Overnight at Horombo Hut

Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate

 Elevation: 3734 meters (12,250 feet) to 1843 meters (6046 feet)

 Distance: 20 km (12.4 miles)

 Hiking Time: 5 to 7 hours

 Habitat: Rain Forest

Our last day is another long hike downhill, through rain forest to

Marangu Gate. We collect our summit certificates and say farewell to

the mountain. Our vehicle meets us at Marangu Gate and takes us to

Arusha or Moshi.