7-Day Kilimanjaro Trek via Rongai Route with Uhuru Peak Sunrise

After an early breakfast, begin 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 before arrival at the gate for registration.

After signing in, the porters will be ready to begin the hike with the group on a wide path winding through fields of maize and potatoes, before continuing into the Montana forest. The trek then continues gently through the beautiful green forest, where you can enjoy views of the surrounding vegetation and 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: 1387m/915m to 1950m to 2750m
Stretch: 9km
Hiking time: 4 hours
Habitat: Montana forest

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 side of Mawenzi Peak.

Arrive at Kikelewa Camp, set in a sheltered valley, where dinner will be served and the night will be spent.

Rising: 2750m to 3600m

Stretch: 17km

Hiking time: 7 hours

Climatic Habitat: Moorland

After breakfast, continue hiking up the steep grassy slopes while enjoying breathtaking views along the way. Soon after passing through the vegetation toward Mawenzi, you will reach Mawenzi Tarn Hut Camp.

Here, you will witness an undried lake with neither inlet nor outlet. The day ends at the camp, where lunch and dinner will be served.

Rising: 3600m to 4330m
Stretch: 7km
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 the surroundings.

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

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 the Kibo crater wall after crossing this stark landscape.

From there, after passing through the desert, the rest of the day and night will be spent resting and preparing for the final climb to the summit.

Rising: 4330m
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. Depart for the peak at 12:00 a.m. and switch back up steep scree, or possibly snow, to reach Gilman's Point on the crater rim at 5,861 m (18,640 ft) between 4:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.

From here, the view of the fabled crater and its icecaps can be seen. Upon reaching Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro, hikers will celebrate a very successful journey, and taking photos and videos will be an inevitable part of marking such a big achievement. After enjoying the summit, descend back to Kibo Camp, where lunch will be served, and then continue down to Horombo Camp across the saddle. The day ends at Horombo Camp with dinner and a restful night after the joyful experience of reaching the summit.

Elevation: 4695m to 5895m to 3690m
Distance: 4km up and 14km down
Hiking time: 10-15 hours
Climatic Habitat: Alpine desert

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

Afterwards, continue descending through the lush forest toward Marangu Park Gate. Here, the signing-out process and certificate collection are followed by a moment of celebration before the vehicles are ready to drop hikers at their hotels.

Elevation: 3690m to 1830m to 1387m
Stretch: 18 km

Descending time: 5-7 hours