6-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Rongai Route Trek to Uhuru Peak

• Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park's Rongai Gate at Nale Moru and begin the hike to Simba Camp.
• Travel to the attractive wooden village of Nale Moru, a drive of about 2 hours including a stop at Marangu to obtain climbing permits.
• After signing in and preparing the porters, start hiking on a wide path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering the pine forest.
• Climb steadily but gently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife. As the forest begins to thin out, reach the first camp at the edge of the moorland zone with extensive views over the Kenyan plains.

Elevation: 2000m/6560ft to 2650m/8700ft

Distance: 6km/4mi

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Montane Forest

Meals: Lunch & Dinner

Budget Lodging: Simba Camp

• The morning hike is a steady ascent to Second Cave, with incredible views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim.

Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3450m/11,300ft

Distance: 6km/4mi

Walking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Moorland

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Budget Lodging: Second Cave Camp

• Continue the hike from Second Cave to Third Cave.

Elevation: 3450m/11,300ft to 3880m/12,700ft

Distance: 9km/5mi

Walking Time: 2-3 hours

Habitat: Semi-desert

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Budget Lodging: Third Cave Camp

• Hike to Kibo Hut at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall.
• The rest of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent.

Elevation: 3880m/12,700ft to 4750m/15,600ft

Distance: 5km/3mi

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Budget Lodging: Kibo Hut Camp

• Very early in the morning, between midnight and 2 am, begin the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman's Point on the crater rim at 5700m/18,700ft.
• Continue ascending to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa, with unbelievable views at every turn.
• Have your picture taken at the summit to share with friends and family.
• From here, descend and stop for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing to the Horombo encampment.
• The beginning of this climb is done in the dark and requires headlamps or flashlights. It will be very cold until you start descending, so you will need all of your warm layers. This is by far the most difficult part of the trek, with many switchbacks.

Elevation: 4700m/15,500ft to 5895m/19,340ft

Down to 3700m/12,200ft

Distance: 6km/4mi up / 15km/9mi down

Hiking Time: 6-8 hours up / 15km/9mi down

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Budget Lodging: Horombo Hut Camp

• After breakfast, make a steady descent through moorland to Mandara Hut.
• Continue descending along a lush forest path to the National Park gate at Marangu.
• At lower elevations, conditions can be wet and muddy, so gaiters and trekking poles will help.
• An expedition vehicle will meet you at Marangu Gate and drive you back to your hotel in Moshi, about 1 hour away.

Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 1700m/5500ft

Distance: 20km/12.5mi

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Forest

Meals: Breakfast