Tanzania · Trekking

7-Day Kilimanjaro Trek via Rongai Route to Uhuru Peak

7 Days Round trip from Moshi Hard pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Climb Mount Kilimanjaro via the Rongai Route to Uhuru Peak
02 Experience scenic views of Kibo and Mawenzi Peaks
03 Reach the summit area around sunrise for unforgettable high-altitude views
04 Descend on the mountain's south side via the Marangu Route

Sign up for an adventurous voyage to summit Uhuru Peak via the Rongai Route, one of the most accessible ways to climb mighty Mount Kilimanjaro. Trek through forest, moorland, and the lunar desert between Kibo and Mawenzi, taking in scenic mountain views along the way. Time your final ascent for dawn to reach the summit area around sunrise, then descend via the Marangu Route on the mountain's south side.

The goal is to climb before dawn so that you can reach Uhuru Peak shortly before or after sunrise.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 7 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Hard

Accommodation Included · Budget

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Moshi, Mount Kilimanjaro, Marangu

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Moshi to Rongai Gate and Trek to Simba Camp

You will have an early breakfast before transferring by vehicle through many villages and coffee plantations on a 2-3-hour drive to Rongai Gate (1,950 m/6,398 ft).
After signing in and preparing the porters, you will begin hiking on a wide path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering the montane forest.
You will then climb gently but steadily through an attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife. As the forest begins to thin, you will arrive at Simba Camp (2,600 m/8,530 ft) with fantastic views over the Kenyan plains.

Day 02

Steady Ascent from Simba Camp to Kikelewa Camp

After an early breakfast, you will make a steady ascent to the second camp, where you will stop for lunch.
You leave the direct trail at this point and head out across the moorland on a smaller path toward Mawenzi side peak and Kikelewa Camp in a sheltered valley.
At Kikelewa Camp, you will settle in for dinner and an overnight rest.

Day 03

Kikelewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn and Turn Hut

After breakfast, you will face a short, steep climb up grassy slopes, rewarded by superb all-round views and immersion in the vast surrounding wilderness.
Soon after, you leave the vegetation behind and arrive at Mawenzi Tarn Camp, which is situated in a spectacular cirque directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi Peak.
After this hike, you will reach Mawenzi Turn Hut Camp, where you will also see the amazing undried lake with no inlet or outlet. Here, you will have lunch and rest, followed by dinner and an overnight stay at the camp.

Day 04

Acclimatization Hike at Mawenzi Tarn

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

Day 05

Cross the Saddle to Kibo Huts Camp

After an early breakfast, you will cross the lunar desert of the saddle between Kibo Peak and Mawenzi Peak to Kibo Huts at the bottom of Kibo's crater wall.
You should spend the remainder of the day resting and preparing for your summit climb.

Day 06

Midnight Summit Push to Uhuru Peak and Descent to Horombo

Wake at midnight for a light breakfast and then prepare for your summit ascent. The goal is to climb before dawn so that you can reach Uhuru Peak shortly before or after sunrise.
Leave for the peak at 12:00 AM, switching 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 before you. Then, after 2 hours of hiking along the Kibo crater rim near the celebrated snow, you will reach Kilimanjaro's true summit, Uhuru Peak. Here, you will spend some time taking photos, depending on how you feel.
After your summit activities are done, 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.

Day 07

Descend to Marangu Gate and Return to Moshi

After a long and enjoyable sleep, you will be awakened for breakfast, pack up, and start descending through the moorland to Mandara Huts.
Here, you will have lunch and then proceed with your triumphant recessional down through the lush forest to Marangu Park Gate.
After signing out, a vehicle will take you back to the hotel, where it is definitely time for the certificate presentation and celebration.