7-Day Kilimanjaro Rongai Route Trek with Uhuru Peak Sunrise

• Start with an early breakfast, followed by a 2-3 hour road trip to Rongai Gate at 1,950 m (6,398 ft). The drive passes through many villages and coffee plantations. After registration, the porters will be ready to begin the hike with you on a wide path winding through fields of maize and potatoes toward Montana forest. The trek then continues gently as you enjoy the beautiful views of the greenish forest and its wildlife. As you move away from the forest, continue on to Simba Camp at 2,600 m (8,530 ft), with beautiful views over the Kenyan plains.

Rising: 1387/915 m to 1950 m to 2750 m

Stretch: 9 km

Hiking Time: 4 hours

Habitat: Montana forest

• After an early breakfast, continue hiking up 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 at Kikelewa Camp, set in a sheltered valley. Dinner and the night will be spent at Kikelewa Camp.

Rising: 2750 m to 3600 m

Stretch: 17 km

Hiking Time: 7 hours

Climatic Habitat: Moorland

• 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.

Rising: 3600 m to 4330 m

Stretch: 7 km

Hiking Time: 4 hours

Climatic habitat: Semi-Desert

• This is a relaxation day 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 different vegetation zones, and enjoy a good time together. Lunch and dinner will be served, followed by a restful night.

• Wake up once again to views of Mawenzi early in the morning, and after breakfast resume 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.

Rising: 4330 m

Hiking Time: 5 hours

Climatic Habitat: Alpine Desert

• On this day, hikers will wake up at midnight, have a light breakfast, and continue hiking in order to reach Uhuru Peak before dawn and witness the beautiful sunrise. Leave for the peak at 12:00 AM, ascend steep scree or possibly snow in switchbacks, and reach Gilman's Point on the crater rim at 5,861 m (18,640 ft) 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. The rest of the day ends at Horombo Camp, where dinner will be served, followed by a restful night after the joyful experience of reaching the summit.

Elevation: 4695 m to 5895 m to 3690 m

Distance: 4 km up, 14 km down

Hiking Time: 10-15 hours

Climatic Habitat: Alpine Desert

• On the last day of the journey, after breakfast, descend through the moorland to Mandara Huts. Then stop for a lunch break and enjoy your meal for the last time on the journey. Afterwards, continue descending through lush forest toward Marangu Park Gate. Here, the sign-out process and certificate collection are followed by a moment of celebration, while vehicles get ready to drop hikers at their hotels.

Elevation: 3690 m to 1830 m to 1387 m

Stretch: 18 km

Descending Time: 5-7 hours