8-Day Kilimanjaro Rongai Route Trek to Uhuru Peak at Sunrise

• Arrive anytime at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), and there will be a private transfer waiting at the airport to take you to Marangu.

• Stay at Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort, which is a beautiful hotel located on the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro and is a perfect place to prepare you for adventure.

• Gather in the evening at 5:30 pm for a pre-climb briefing and an equipment check. We will also confirm you have the appropriate mandatory medical coverage and travel insurance.

• Dinner and overnight at Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort: Bed, Dinner and Breakfast included.

• Have an early breakfast in Marangu.

• Drive to the Rongai (Nalemoru) Gate near the Kenya border. 

• Begin our climb on this unspoiled wilderness route. 

• Start to climb consistently but gently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife. The forest begins to thin out, and the first camp is at the edge of the moorland zone (2600 m) with extensive views over the Kenyan plains. The first day is only a half-day walk. 

3-4 hours walking

• Experience a steady ascent up to the ‘Second Cave’ (3,450 m) with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern icefields on the crater rim. 

• Enjoy lunch.

• Leave the main trail and strike out across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. 

• Camp at “Upper Kikelelwa” campsite which is on a small plateau above a sheltered valley with giant senecios past Kikelelwa Caves (3,750 m). 

7-8 hours walking

• Go on a short but steep climb up grassy slopes, which is rewarded by incredible all-round views and a tangible sense of wilderness. 

• Leave vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at “Mawenzi” (4,300 m.), spectacularly situated beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. 

• Spend the afternoon resting or exploring the surrounding area as an aid to acclimatisation. 

3-4 hours walking

• Cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo with your Tanzanian mountain guides.

• Reach the “School Hut” campsite (4,750 m) at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. 

• Spend the remainder of the day resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night! 

5-6 hours walking

• Start the final, and by far the steepest and most demanding since part of the climb is by torchlight around 1 a.m. 

• Plod very slowly in the darkness on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point (5,685 m).

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

• Make the three hours round trip to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m) if you want to, passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. 

• Descent to School (4,700 m) which is surprisingly fast.

• Enjoy some refreshment.

• Continue the descent to reach our final campsite at Horombo (3,720 m). 

11-15 hours of walking

• Experience a steady descent, which takes us down through moorland to Mandara Hut (2,700 m), the first stopping place at the Marangu route. 

• Continue descending through lovely lush forest on a good path to the National Park gate at Marangu (1,830 m). 

5-6 hours of walking

Dinner and overnight at Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort: Bed, Dinner and Breakfast included.

• Say goodbye to your Tanzanian mountain guides.

• Depart from Marangu to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your flight. Unless you have time for a short safari or other options, then we will discuss.