7-Day Kilimanjaro Rongai Route Trek to Uhuru Peak

On your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport or the Arusha shuttle bus terminus (if transferring by bus from Nairobi), a member of the tour staff will be there holding a placard.

Transfer to your hotel in Arusha.

After breakfast, begin the 3-4 hour drive from Arusha and approach Kilimanjaro in a counterclockwise direction around the eastern flank of the mountain before turning in at Loitokitok Gate.

The ascent begins at the small village of Nalemoru, 1950 m (6400 ft), following a trail that winds through lush farmland and pine and cypress forests before ascending into the thick rainforest zone, where you may see troupes of black-and-white colobus monkeys.

Set camp at the edge of the moorland zone, where the rainforest begins to thin out and panoramic views of the Kenyan plains unfold.

In the evening, you may hear the unmistakable shrieking call of the tree hyrax.

Start with a steady ascent up to the 'Second Cave' (3450 m), with superb views of Kibo and the eastern ice fields on the crater rim. The path is lined by a variety of flowers, including Carduus Keniensis and bright red gladiolus.

After stopping for lunch, leave the main trail and set out across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi.

The campsite is in a sheltered valley encircled by giant Senecio (Dendrosencio Kilimanjari) near Kikelewa Caves.

The trail starts gently before a short but steep climb through a forest of senecios, then emerges onto the highland desert zone dominated by helichrysum flowers, low heathers, and groundsel. The steep western slopes of Mawenzi rise abruptly from the surrounding flatness into numerous craggy peaks, the highest point being Hans Meyer Peak at about 16,990 ft (5149 m).

The camp is spectacularly situated in a valley directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi, offering stunning views of Mawenzi and Kibo.

Your afternoon is free to rest or explore the surrounding area, including barrancos (high bluffs) and the tarn (mountain lake) where the campsite is situated.

Leave camp by the same way you came the previous afternoon.

Once at the top of the ridge, walk along the undulating trail through the foothills of Mawenzi until you reach the saddle. The saddle is the barren alpine desert between Kibo and Mawenzi. The trail splits in two: the left leads to Kibo Huts Camp, while the one on the right leads to School Hut, where your overnight camp is located. The trail steepens from here on, and the going slows down.

After stopping for lunch, continue the steep ascent for the next 2.5 hours until you arrive at School Hut.

Spend the remainder of the day hydrating, eating, and taking in the amazing Kibo panorama before retiring early in preparation for the final ascent.

After rising early to a warm drink and a light snack, leave camp at around 6 am and begin the most difficult yet most rewarding day of the trek - your hike to the roof of Africa.

Ascend northwest on rough scree, passing Hans Meyer Cave. After approximately 5-6 hours of slow but strenuous hiking, reach Gillman's Point, which marks the culmination of the most physically demanding portion of your climb.

Take a short break to rehydrate and enjoy light snacks.

From here, continue the upward journey, arriving at the rim of the main crater, Stella Point (5685 m).

At this point, stop to rest, eat lunch, and take in the views over the clouds.

From Stella Point, the trail is normally snow-covered, and every step of the 2-hour final ascent to Uhuru Peak is challenging.

Arriving at the summit, you will feel a huge sense of elation and accomplishment - you have done it, and you have made it to the highest point in Africa.

Spend as much time as you need to appreciate your accomplishment, as this is a day to remember for the rest of your life. The time you spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions and temperature.

After capturing your summit photos, retrace your steps via Gillman's and descend to Kibo, where you stop to remove extra clothing, take refreshments, and continue your descent.

Six hours after the summit, arrive at Horombo Hut Camp (3700 m).

Over the next 4 hours, rapidly lose elevation while descending through the thick montane forest on Kilimanjaro's southern flank via Mandara Hut (2700 m), finally emerging at Marangu Gate, where you stop for a well-deserved picnic lunch.

Here, successful hikers will receive their summit certificates (gold for Uhuru Peak, green for Stella Point) from the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority.

After the celebrations, travel by either private bus or jeep to your hotel in Arusha.