Kilimanjaro - Rongai Trek

Our Kilimanjaro adventure starts today in the peaceful surrounds of our comfortable pre and post-trek accommodation in Moshi, the Weru Weru River Lodge. Your trek Leader plans to meet everyone in the hotel reception at 5pm for the welcome meeting which will include a full trek briefing. Afterwards we'll enjoy an included group dinner together at the lodge. There are no other activities planned for today. It is important to try and arrive in time for the briefing which includes essential information about your trek. However, if you do miss it, your Leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up. If you would like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), which is around 45 minutes' drive from our hotel. If you arrive earlier today, the Lodge has a swimming pool and garden where you can relax with some great views of the Mount Kilimanjaro. Stay: Weru Weru River Lodge (Comfortable) (D)

This morning we will drive to the village of Nalemoru located at an altitude of 1990m/6529ft near the Kenyan border (approximately 3 hours drive), the starting point of the Rongai route. The first stage of the trek takes us through farmland and pine forests. You may have chance to see the beautiful Colobus monkeys or, if you're lucky, elephants or buffalos en route. Our first night stop is Simba Camp located at the edge of the moorland zone at (2,625m/8,612ft) where we will enjoy the gastronomical wonders of campsite cooking served in our own dedicated mess tent. All camps we use on the mountain are unique and although each camp has a long-drop loo our camp will also provide you with a portable flushable toilet plus toilet provisions. Porters will assist throughout the trek carrying your trek kitbag. You only need to carry what you will need for the day - waterproofs, camera, water bottle, extra fleece, sunhat, packed lunch and 3 litres of drinking water. Please note that drones are not permitted in Kilimanjaro National Park without a permit, please refer to the equipment section of the trip notes for more information. All your meals will be expertly prepared by our own dedicated team of kitchen hands and cooks, and although it might not be of Michelin standard it is guaranteed to be varied, nutritious and hearty with plenty of daytime snacks, fruits and sandwiches thrown in to ensure you do not run out of steam during the day.

Today's 8 kilometres/5 miles trek is expected to take approximately 4 to 5 hours with an ascent of 635 metres/2083 feet. Stay: Simba Camp (Simple) (B/L/D)

After a healthy and nourishing breakfast prepared in camp by our team of cooking staff, your guide will brief you on the day ahead. The hike today is a steady ascent through the rainforest before reaching the lower moorland where you will notice the vegetation changes to shrubs and grasses. Our destination today is the aptly named 2nd Cave Camp (3,480m/11,417ft)

Today's 5 kilometres/3.1 miles trek is expected to take approximately 3 to 4 hours with an ascent of 855 metres/2805 feet Stay: Second Cave Camp (Simple) (B/L/D)

Leaving 2nd Cave camp behind we carry on with a steady ascent walking through moorland. There are superb views of the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim of Kibo, the highest of the three volcanoes which form the mountain. We will leave the main trail and strike out across heathland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi, the second of Kilimanjaro's volcanoes. We will set up camp today in the sheltered valley near the Kikelewa caves at 3,630m/11,910ft. Although today is a fairly short day of walking it is essential as part of the acclimatisation process, aiding in our bodies preparation to better function at higher altitudes.

Today's 5 kilometres/3.1 miles trek is expected to take approximately 3 to 4 hours with an ascent of 150 metres/492 feet Stay: Kikelewa Camp (Simple) (B/L/D)

This morning we have a short but steep ascent up grassy slopes which, weather conditions allowing, is rewarded by a superb view of the Kenyan plains down below. We leave the vegetation zone behind shortly before reaching our next camp at Mawenzi Tarn Hut directly below the towering cliffs of Mawenzi. This afternoon you have chance to rest or explore the surrounding area to aid acclimatization.

Today's 8 kilometres/5 miles trek is expected to take approximately 4 to 5 hours with an ascent of 680 metres/2230 feet Stay: Mawenzi Turn Camp (Simple) (B/L/D)

We leave our campsite and cross the lunar-like desert of the 'saddle' between Mawenzi and Kibo. After a couple hours trekking, we will reach this spectacular place, with the summit of Kilimanjaro in the background and our trail to the high camp stretched out before our eyes. Upon reaching our camp near the Kibo Hut (4,700m/15,420ft) the remainder of the day will be spent resting in preparation of the final ascent after a very early night!

Today's 8 kilometres/5 miles trek is expected to take approximately 5 to 6 hours with an ascent of 150 metres/1280 feet Stay: Kibo Hut (Simple) (B/L/D)

Today is `The Big Day` - the summit stage. You will begin your final ascent around midnight which will be long and strenuous. Passing the Hans Meyer Cave at 5220m/17126ft, the climb slowly but surely goes upwards. At sunrise, you will reach Gillman's Point at 5,681m/18,638ft - the crater rim of Kilimanjaro - where the sun will slowly start to warm up the land. You will have soon forgotten the cold of the night and after a further hike of 1 - 2 hours, you will reach Uhuru Peak at 5,895m/19,431ft. On your return to Kibo Hut, a warm meal awaits you followed by a 1 to 2 hour rest before proceeding back down to Horombo Hut where we will spend the night. Today's walking totals 22 kilometres/13.7 miles and is expected to take up to 15 hours. The total ascent today is 1195m / 3920ft and the total descent from the summit down to the Horombo Hut will be 2195m / 7201ft Stay: Horombo Hut (Simple) (B/L/D)

The last stage of the trek passes through the heath and moorland zone to the Mandara Hut (2,700m/8858ft) where a warm lunch is waiting for you. Soon, you will once again pass through the tropical rainforest and after a total time of around 6 to 7 hours trekking, you will arrive at the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (1,860m/6,102ft). After saying goodbye to your mountain guides, porters and kitchen crew, its a short drive back to the comforts of our lodge in Moshi. Once there, you can take a warm and relaxing shower and celebrate your success in reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro.

Today's 19km/11.8 miles trek is expected to take approximately 6 to 7 hours Stay: Weru Weru River Lodge (Comfortable) (B/L/D)

This morning there is the option to go on a game drive around the Momella Lakes area in the nearby Arusha National Park which is famed for its high giraffe population as well as elephant, hippo and buffalo. This trip will run from approximately 0630-1300 hours. There needs to be a minimum of 2 participants for the trip to run and cost is between US$ 122-328 depending on numbers. If you do not wish to take part in this trip then you are free to depart from the hotel in Moshi at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day luggage storage facilities are available at the lodge. If you would like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), which is around 45 minutes' drive from our hotel. Any customers who have booked to travel on our Zanzibar Extension (ref: ZI) will be transferred to Arusha Airport (around 2 hours drive away) for the flight to Zanzibar. Your Leader will advise you of your departure time from the hotel. (B)