7-Day Kilimanjaro Rongai Route Trek with Uhuru Peak Summit

Elevation: 1,387m/915m to 1,950m to 2,750m
Distance: 9 km
Hiking time: 4 hours
Habitat: Montane forest

Start with an early breakfast, followed by a 2-3 hour road trip to Rongai Gate at 1,950m (6,398ft), passing through many villages and coffee plantations along the way. After signing in, the porters will be ready to begin the hike with you on a wide path winding through fields of maize and potatoes before entering the montane forest.

The trek continues gently through the beautiful green forest, where you may enjoy views of wildlife as you move away from the forest toward Simba Camp at 2,600m (8,530ft), with beautiful views over the Kenyan plains.

Elevation: 2,750m to 3,600m
Distance: 17 km
Hiking time: 7 hours
Habitat: Moorland

After an early breakfast, continue hiking to the second camp, where lunch will be served. The journey then proceeds across the moorland on a smaller path toward the Mawenzi Peak side, reaching Kikelewa Camp in a sheltered valley.

Dinner and the night will be spent at Kikelewa Camp.

Elevation: 3,600m to 4,330m
Distance: 7 km
Hiking time: 4 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert

After breakfast, continue hiking up the steep grassy slopes while enjoying breathtaking views. Soon after passing through the vegetation toward Mawenzi, you will reach Mawenzi Tarn Hut Camp, where you will witness an undried lake with neither inlet nor outlet.

The day ends here, with lunch and dinner served at camp.

This relaxation day will be spent at Mawenzi Tarn for a second night, although the enjoyment and experience remain just as rewarding. The hikers and the whole team will stay here to explore the beautiful views of Mawenzi Peak, experience the weather, observe the different vegetation zones, and enjoy the surroundings.

Lunch and dinner will be served, followed by a restful night.

Elevation: 4,330m
Hiking time: 5 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert

Wake up to views of Mawenzi early in the morning and enjoy breakfast before resuming the journey toward Kibo Peak across the lunar desert. The hikers will stop at the bottom of Kibo's crater wall.

After crossing the desert, the rest of the day and night will be spent resting and preparing for the final climb to the summit.

Elevation: 4,695m to 5,895m to 3,690m
Distance: 4 km up, 14 km down
Hiking time: 10-15 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert

On this day, hikers will wake up at midnight, have a light breakfast, and then continue hiking to reach Uhuru Peak before dawn in order to witness the beautiful sunrise. Depart for the peak at 12:00 AM, climbing steep scree or possibly snow, and reach Gilman's Point on the crater rim at 5,861m (18,640ft) between 4:00 AM and 6:00 AM.

Here, you can see views of the fabled crater and its icecaps. Upon reaching Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro, hikers will celebrate a very successful journey, and taking photos and videos will be inevitable as you congratulate yourselves on such a great achievement.

After enjoying the summit, descend back to Kibo Camp, where lunch will be served. Then continue down to Horombo Camp across the saddle. Dinner will be served at Horombo Camp, followed by a restful night after the joyful experience of reaching the summit.

Elevation: 3,690m to 1,830m to 1,387m
Distance: 18 km
Descending time: 5-7 hours

This is the last day of the journey. After breakfast, descend through the moorland to Mandara Huts. Then take a lunch break and enjoy your meal for the last time on the journey.

Afterward, continue descending through the lush forest toward Marangu Park Gate. Here, you will complete the sign-out process and receive your certificate, followed by a moment of celebration before the vehicles are ready to drop you off at your hotel.