8-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Rongai Route Trek to Uhuru Peak

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

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

Dinner and overnight at Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort: bed, dinner, and breakfast included.

• After an early breakfast in Marangu, drive to the Rongai (Nalemoru) Gate near the Kenya border.

• Begin your climb on this unspoiled wilderness route. The walk starts with a consistent but gentle ascent 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 (2,600 m), with extensive views over the Kenyan plains. The first day is only a half-day walk.

[3-4 hours walking]

• The morning walk is a steady ascent up to the 'Second Cave' (3,450 m), with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern Icefields on the crater rim.

• After lunch, leave the main trail and strike out across the moorland on a smaller path toward the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. The 'Upper Kikelelwa' campsite is on a small plateau above a sheltered valley with giant senecios, past Kikelelwa Caves (3,750 m).

[7-8 hours walking]

• A short but steep climb up grassy slopes is rewarded by superb all-round views and a tangible sense of wilderness.

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

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

[3-4 hours walking]

• Cross the lunar desert of the 'Saddle' between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach 'School Hut' campsite (4,750 m) at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall.

• The remainder of the day is spent 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, part of the climb 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 at Gillman's Point 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 (5,896 m), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area.

• The descent to School (4,700 m) is surprisingly fast and, after some refreshment, continue descending to reach the final campsite at Horombo (3,720 m).

[11-15 hours of walking]

• A steady descent takes you down through moorland to Mandara Hut (2,700 m), the first stopping place on 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.

• After saying goodbye to the team of Kilimanjaro trekking guides, take your included private departure transfer from Marangu to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your flight, unless you choose the option of a short safari or another extension to be discussed.