6-Day Kilimanjaro Rongai Route Trek to Uhuru Peak from the North

• Drive this morning from Moshi to the village of Nale Moru, the starting point of the Rongai Route. The first stage of the trek passes through farmland and pine forests. You may have a chance to see beautiful Colobus monkeys or, if you're lucky, elephants or buffaloes along the way.

• Reach your first camp at Simba Camp, located at the edge of the moorland zone at 2625 m.

Distance covered: 8 km / 5 mi

Approx. time taken: 4 - 5 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

• Hike from Simba Camp up towards Kibo for lunch at First Caves, a distance of 5.8 km.

• After lunch, continue trekking to Kikelewa Camp at about 3679 metres. The views start to open up, and you begin to feel that you're on a really big mountain. Water can be found in an obvious stream below the cave, although you might have to wander downhill a little way to find a pool or two.

• Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at Kikelewa Camp.

Distance: Approximately 11.8 km

Approx. time taken: 6 - 7 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

• Savour a short but steep climb up grassy slopes offering superb views of this wilderness area. The vegetation zone ends shortly before you reach your next camp at Mawenzi Tarn, spectacularly situated beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi.

• Spend the afternoon acclimatising and exploring the area.

Distance covered: 8 km / 5 mi

Approx. time taken: 4 - 5 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

• Head west after breakfast and continue ascending on the east side of Kibo, crossing the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo. It takes 4 to 5 hours to reach Kibo Hut. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent, which begins around midnight.

Stay overnight at Kibo Hut.

Distance covered: 8 km / 5 mi

Approx. time taken: 5 - 6 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

• Rise at around 23:20, and after some tea and biscuits, shuffle off into the night. This is where the going really gets tough. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to Hans Meyer Cave (5150 m), which is also a good resting spot. The path then zigzags up to Gillman's Point (5681 m), located on the crater rim. This section is very steep, with a lot of stone scree, requiring great physical and mental effort. This is probably the most demanding section of the entire route. Do the Kili shuffle and move slowly. From Gillman's Point, you will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru Peak (5895 m), the highest point in Africa.

• Experience total exhilaration and satisfaction - but have you made it! Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long you are able to spend taking photographs before the 3-hour descent back to Kibo Hut.

• Unwind with a short rest at Kibo Hut, then gather all the gear you left behind for the ascent and head down to Horombo Hut for your overnight stay. The return to Horombo Hut will seem surprisingly fast compared to the ascent. The total time spent walking on this day is around 14 hours, so be prepared for a very tough day.

• Enjoy your last dinner on the mountain later in the evening, with soft drinks and beer for sale at the camp office, followed by a well-earned sleep filled with memories and stirring emotions.

Approx. time taken: 7 to 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, 6 to 8 hours to descend to Horombo

Distance: Approximately 12 - 15 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

• Continue your descent after breakfast, passing Mandara Hut on the way down to Marangu Gate. It is strongly recommended not to pay your porters any tips until you and all your gear have reached the gate safely.

• Reach Marangu Gate, where you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Climbers who reached Gillman's Point (5685 m) are issued green certificates, and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895 m) receive gold certificates.

• Drive back to Moshi for a long-overdue hot shower, dinner, a decent bed, and celebrations.

Hiking time: 6 hours

Distance: Approximately 29 km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch