Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Mount Kilimanjaro elevation: 5,895 meters, 19,341 ft.
There are seven official trekking routes by which to ascend and descend Mount Kilimanjaro: Lemosho, Machame, Marangu, Mweka, Rongai, Shira, and Umbwe.Of all the routes, Machame is considered the most scenic, albeit steeper, route. It can be done in six or seven days. The Rongai is relatively the easiest of all camping routes.
The Rongai route ascends Kilimanjaro from the northeastern side of the mountain, along the border between Tanzania and Kenya. This route retains a sense of un-spoilt wilderness and offers a different perspective on Kilimanjaro by approaching it from the north.
While an additional day of acclimatization is highly recommended on this route as the topography of the route does not allow for the application of the climb high and sleep low principle, this is more than compensated for the sheer beauty of the ever changing panorama. The flora & fauna on this route are more diverse than on other routes.
Daily Plan
DAY 1: Start at Marangu park gate, gentle hike to Simba camp (8665 ft).
DAY 2: Short, steep 6 km climb towards Kibo peak, reaching Kikelewa camp (12,140 ft).
DAY 3: Another short, steep climb above the tree line to Mawenzi Tarn camp beneath towering spires of Mawenzi (14,200 ft).
DAY 4: Ascend the east side of Kibo peak, crossing the Mawenzi-Kibo saddle to Kibo Hut (15,609 ft).
DAY 5: Summit ascent past Hans Meyer cave & Gilman’s Point to Uhuru peak (19,453 ft). This is the highest point in Africa!!!
DAY 6: Begin descent from Uhuru, scree back to Kibo, and onward to Horombo hut (12,226 ft).
DAY 7: Continue descent past Mandara hut to Marangu Gate.
Summit Certificates!
