7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Trek via Rongai Route to Uhuru Peak

• Transfer by vehicle through many villages and coffee plantations for a 2-3-hour drive to Rongai Gate (1,950 m/6,398 ft). After signing in and preparing the porters, begin hiking on a wide path winding through fields of maize and potatoes before entering the montane forest.
• Climb gently but consistently through a beautiful forest that shelters various wildlife. The forest begins to thin as you arrive at Simba Camp (2,600 m/8,530 ft), with fantastic views over the Kenyan plains.

Elevation: 1387/915 m to 1950 m to 2750 m, Distance: 9 km, Hiking Time: 4 hours, Habitat: Montana Forest

• Ascend to the second camp, where you will stop for lunch.
• Leave the direct trail and strike out across the moorland on a smaller path toward Mawenzi side peak to Kikelewa Camp in a sheltered valley. At Kikelewa Camp, settle in for dinner and your overnight rest.

Elevation: 2750 m to 3600 m, Distance: 17 km, Hiking Time: 7 hours, Habitat: Moorland

• Start with a short, steep climb up grassy slopes, rewarded by superb all-round views and immersion in the vast surrounding wilderness.
• Leave the vegetation behind and arrive at Mawenzi Tarn Camp, situated in a spectacular cirque directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi Peak.
• Reach Mawenzi Turn Hut Camp, where you will also see the amazing undried lake with no inlet and an outlet. Here, you will have lunch and rest, followed by dinner and an overnight stay at the camp.

Elevation: 3600 m to 4330 m, Distance: 7 km, Hiking Time: 4 hours, Habitat: Semi-Desert

• Enjoy your extra day on the mountain as you spend a second night at Mawenzi Tarn.
• Hike up toward Mawenzi for a splendid acclimatization hike.
• Then return to camp for lunch, dinner, and an overnight stay.

• Cross the lunar desert of the saddle between Kibo Peak and Mawenzi Peak to Kibo Huts at the bottom of Kibo's crater wall.
• Spend the remainder of the day resting and preparing for your summit climb.

Elevation: 4330 m to 4695 m, Distance: 8 km, Hiking Time: 5 hours, Habitat: Alpine Desert

• Have breakfast, then prepare for your summit ascent. The goal is to climb before dawn to reach Uhuru Peak shortly before or after sunrise.
• Leave for the peak at noon, switch back up steep scree or possibly snow, and reach Gilman's Point on the crater rim at 5,861 m/18,640 ft between 4 and 6 AM. At this point, you will have views of the fabled crater and its icecaps facing you.
• Hike along the Kibo crater rim near the celebrated snow to Kilimanjaro's true summit, Uhuru Peak. Here, you will spend some time taking photos, depending on how you feel.
• Descend back to Kibo Huts, have lunch, rest, collect your equipment, and continue down, re-crossing the saddle to Horombo Huts. Have dinner and overnight at Horombo Camp.

Elevation: 4695 m to 5895 m to 3690 m, Distance: 4 km up, 14 km down, Hiking Time: 10-15 hours, Habitat: Alpine Desert.

• Start descending through the moorland to Mandara Huts. After lunch, continue your triumphant recessional down through the lush forest to Marangu Park Gate. Here, you will sign out, then a vehicle will take you back to the hotel, where it is time for the certificate presentation and celebration.

Day of departure: Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport.

Elevation: 3690 m to 1830 m to 1387 m, Distance: 18 km, Descending Time: 5-7 hours