AES 15 :RONGAI ROUTE

Day 1:Arusha - Rongai Gate - The First Cave
Drive from Arusha to Marangu Gate for the necessary registration formalities and then transferred by Land Rover to Rongai, which should take about 6 hours. The climb starts at the village of Nale Moru (1,950 m.) through fields of maize and potatoes before entering pine forest. The climb is consistently and gently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife. Reaching first cave for dinner and overnight , at the edge of the moorland zone (2,600 m.), giving you extensive views over the Kenyan plains. (7km, 3-4 hrs Trekking)

Day 2: First Cave - the Kikelewa Caves/second cave
After breakfast start with steady walk ascent up to the 'Second Cave' (3,450 m.). Start seeing Kibo Peak and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim. Leave the main trail and strike out across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. The campsite is in a sheltered valley near Kikelewa Caves (3.600 m.) (15km, 5-7 hrs of trekking)

Day 3:Kikelewa cave/second cave - Mawenzi Tarn Camp/ third cave
Trailing start with short but steep climb up grassy slopes, which are rewarded with superb circular views and a tangible sense of wilderness, before reaching Mawenzi Tarn (4,330 m.), for camping. Spend the rest of the day resting or exploring the surrounding area as an aid to acclimatization (10km, 5-7 hrs. of trekking)
Day 4:Third cave - Kibo Campsite/ School Campsite
Early morning proceeds with trekking crossing the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach School Campsite at the foot of the Kibo crater wall. (8km, 6-7 hrs of trekking). Spend remainder of the day resting and preparation for the final ascent
Day 5:school campsite - Trek to Uhuru Peak 5895m – horombo hut
The last day will be a really early beginning for the summit, normally 01:00 am, trailing through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman's Point, take a rest for short while before continuing to the Uhuru Peak (which might take 3 hours) After relaxing, watching the sun rise and taking memorable pictures, start descending to the Horombo Hut and spend overnight there.

Reservation / Booking


Kilimanjaro –
AES 18 : Umbwe route 6days 5nights

Day 1:Moshi/Arusha –Machame gate -Umbwe Gate - Umbwe Camp (Distance: 8 km ,Hiking Time: 5-7 hrs) Your day starts early with a briefing, followed by breakfast and an hour drive from Moshi/Arusha to Umbwe Village (1,490 m/4,890 ft) where your guides and porters pack your equipment and supplies, and give you a lunch pack. You start your ascent at the small Umbwe Gate just above the village and follow a gentle winding vehicle track for an hour to a signboard that announces the small steep Umbwe trail. The introduction is over, and you now climb up for several hours through a dense forest of rubber trees and giant fig trees. In places, you must scamper up steep sections of roots and rock. The Umbwe Camp is in the forest, and there are some caves nearby. You will be greeted here with a graciously served hot meal

Day 2: Umbwe Camp to Barranco Camp (Distance: 8 km, Hiking Time : 4-5 hours )
Your day starts early with a steaming cup of tea coffee. After breakfast, you will climb steeply through thinning forest glades to Giant Erica, Heather, and drier air. You continue up a ridge that drops steeply on both sides, and hopefully, the clouds will part to reward you with a view of Uhuru Peak looming overhead. After lunch, you enter a zone of giant groundsels (Seneci Kilimanjari) that seem to guard the heights, and this garden is one of Kilimanjaro’s special treasures.

Day 3: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp (Distance: 7 km, Hiking time: 4 hours )
After breakfast, we continue up a steep ridge to the great Barranco Wall, then you climb this imposing obstacle, which turns out to be easier than it looks. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you can now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. With Kibo’s glaciers soaring overhead, you descend into the lush Karanga Valley to the Karanga Valley campsite. From the camp, you can look east and see the jagged peaks of Mawenzi jutting into the African sky. After a hot lunch in camp, your afternoon is at leisure for resting or exploring. This short day is very important for your acclimatization, since your summit push is about to start.

Day 4: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp (Distance: 13 km, Hiking Time: 8 hours )
In the morning, you hike east over intervening ridges and valleys to join the Mweka Route, which will be your descent route. Turn left toward the mountain and hike up the ridge through asparse landscape for another hour to the Barafu Hut where you will receive a hot lunch. The last water on the route is in the Karanga Valley; there is no water at Barafu Camp, even though Barafu is the Swahili word for “ice.” The famous snows of Kilimanjaro are far above Barafu Camp near the summit of the mountain. Your tent will be pitched on a narrow, stony, wind-swept ridge, so make sure that you familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. Prepare your equipment and warm clothing for your summit climb, and drink a lot of fluids. After an early dinner, go to bed for a few hours of precious sleep.

Day 5: Summit Day! Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp Distance: 7 km up, 23 km down Hiking Time: 8 hours up, 6-7 hours down )
You will rise around 11:30 PM, and after some steaming tea and biscuits, you shuffle off into the night. Your 6-hour climb northwest up through heavy scree between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers to Stella Point on the crater rim is the most challenging part of the route for most climbers. At Stella Point (5,685 m/18,650 ft) you stop for a short rest and a chance to see asupremely sanguine sunrise. At Stella Point you join the top part of the Marangu Route, but do not stop here too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue. Depending on the season and recent storms, you may encounter snow on your remaining hike along the rim to Uhuru Peak. On the summit, you can enjoy your accomplishment and know that you are creating a day that you will remember for the rest of your life. After your 3-hour descent from the summit back to Barafu Camp, you will have a well-earned but short rest, collect your gear, and hike down a rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest to Mweka Camp (3,100 m/10,170 ft). This camp is in the upper forest, so you can expect mist or rain in the late afternoon. Dinner, and washing water will be prepared, and the camp office sells drinking water, soft drinks, chocolates, and beer!

Day 6: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Moshi/Arusha (Distance: 15 km Hiking Time: 3 hours )
After a well-deserved breakfast, it is a short, scenic, 3-hour hike back to the park gate. Don’t give your porters any tips until you and all your gear have reached the gate safely, but do remember to tip your staff at the gate. At Mweka Gate, you can sign your name and add details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Climbers who reached Stella Point are issued green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak receive gold certificates. From the Mweka Gate, you will continue down to the Mweka Village, possibly a muddy, 3 km, 1 hour hike if the road is too muddy for vehicles. In the Mweka Village you will be served a delicious hot lunch after which you are driven back to Moshi/Arusha .

END OF THE TRIP