7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Trek via Rongai Route to Uhuru Peak

• Take a ride to Marangu to complete the necessary registration formalities before continuing to Rongai.

• Begin the climb from Nale Moru (6,400 ft) on a small path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering a pine forest with your Kilimanjaro trekking guide.

• Climb steadily but gently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife, including the Colobus monkey. These monkeys are black with a long 'cape' of white hair and a flowing white tail. The forest begins to thin out at the edge of the moorland zone.

• Then take in the expansive views over the Kenyan plains as you arrive at your first campsite at Rongai One (8,500 ft).

Break for dinner and overnight.

Elevation (ft): 6,398 ft to 9,300 ft

Distance: 7 km

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest

• The morning walk is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave (11,300 ft), with incredible views of Kibo and the Eastern Icefields on the crater rim.

• After lunch, leave the main trail and head southeast across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. The campsite is in a sheltered valley, decorated with giant senecios near Kikelewa Caves (11,800 ft).

Relax with dinner and overnight at Rongai Two Camp.

Elevation (ft): 9,300 ft to 11,811 ft

Distance: 12 km

Hiking Time: 6-8 hours

Habitat: Heath

• Hike through a short but steep climb and be rewarded with incredible all-round views and a tangible sense of wilderness.

• Leave the vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn Hut (14,200 ft), spectacularly situated in a cirque directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi.

• The afternoon will be free to rest or explore the surrounding area as an aid to acclimatisation.

Stop for dinner and overnight at Kikelelwa Camp.

Elevation (ft): 11,811 ft to 14,160 ft

Distance: 5 km

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

• Enjoy a free day to acclimatise with a walk up onto the Saddle towards Camel's Back.

• Camp at Mawenzi Tarn Hut (14,200 ft).

Elevation (ft): 14,160 ft to 14,400 ft to 14,160 ft

Distance: 4 km

Hiking Time: 2-4 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

• Cross the lunar desert of the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo Hut (15,400 ft) at the bottom of the crater wall.

• The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for an early morning final ascent.

• Rest up for dinner and overnight at Kibo Hut.

Elevation (ft): 14,160 ft to 15,430 ft

Distance: 8 km

Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

• Start the final and most demanding part of the climb by torchlight at around 1 a.m.

• Trek very slowly in the darkness on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman's Point (18,600 ft).

• Rest here for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi.

• Those who are still feeling strong can make the three-hour round trip to Uhuru Peak (19,345 ft), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area.

• The descent to Kibo Hut (15,400 ft) is surprisingly fast and, after some refreshments, continue descending to Horombo Hut for dinner and overnight (12,200 ft).

Elevation (ft): 15,430 ft to 19,341 ft to 12,205 ft

Distance: 22 km

Hiking Time: 11-15 hours

Habitat: Arctic

• Descend steadily, taking you down through moorland to Mandara Huts (8,900 ft).

• Continue descending through lovely lush forest on a good path to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate at Marangu (6,000 ft), where you are transferred back to the hotel in Moshi.

Elevation (ft): 12,205 ft to 6,046 ft

Distance: 20 km

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest